The Restore vs Reform war on Twitter suggests many possibilities: 1) Restore talking absolute gash about their prospects to try and harm Reform as much as possible 2) Restore actually harming Reform in Yarmouth-level numbers
Either way us good news for Burnham.
That tweet from Matt Badloser was prescient. If you vote Restore then Reform will lose and that means Burnham will win and then hold a GE and then Reform will lose and we're locked into "hard left" government until 2031.
Reform chief thinker saying they would lose to Burnham. Which in itself feeds back into the "what's the point in compromising to voting Reform when you could have the Real Thing instead" piece. If Reform will lose, why waste your time with them?
Given Burnham would likely need the LDs that is unlikely to lead to hard left government
I see you're still playing the old Tory game of claiming the LDs will always support Labour (2010-15 does suggest a different view).
Well, let's play - I mean if he doesn't get a majority Farage can always on the Conservatives to prop up his Government, can't he?
The LDs will certainly support Labour over Reform, Farage is a totally different prospect to Cameron.
The Conservatives certainly won't support Labour, they might support Reform but more likely would vote bill by bill
The key, as you well know, is Confidence & Supply.
Is it as likely the Conservatives would offer C&S to a minority Reform Government as it would for the LDs to offer C&S to a minority Labour Government?
I think to assume that is to think simplisticly and what will happen after the votes have been counted could be very different.
The LDs would definitely offer C & S to Labour to keep out Reform in a hung parliament, Kemi might offer C & S to Reform or just abstain on a confidence vote. Kemi certainly wouldn't offer C & S to Labour
My hatred of Rail Replacement Bus services is indescribable. It's like a personal insult.
Like booking at the Premier Inn and being told, sorry, due to refurbishment works you actually have to spend the night in a cardboard box under the footbridge instead.
For the same price.
While you are enduring a rail replacement bus, I am enjoying a trip behind a pair of Class 37s.
Some ironies with this case, as you say it was the public who flagged up the accounting discrepancies, not an SNP official, or the Treasurer etc. Wings highlighted it on his website, he would no doubt have discussed it with a few SNP members at the time (early 2020) wondering what on earth was going on at the accounting.
Whilst SNP head honchos not knowing whereabouts of the money was is not in itself a crime, those at the top of the party should clearly be examining finances better.
Irony number 2 is Mr Murrell was appointed to his role as Chief Exec way back in 2001. The SNP leader at the time - Mr John Swinney.
I do wonder if this was a case of Murrell taking smaller amounts of cash here and there, before building his way up to big ticket items, like the camper van. So in their defence, Eck and Nicola probably wouldn't have noticed too much amiss at the start of his spree. There's a few stories coming out in the wash today, about Murrell allegedly taking at least £500 from SNP coffers in one of Salmond's North East offices a good number of years back. Salmond was made aware of the missing money, but it was brushed under the carpet.
If I was a card carrying SNP member (or lapsed member) I would be furious at all this. Where is the ring fenced 600k for Indyref 2? You'd have thought a party leader and at the very least Treasurer should know exactly where that money was at all times. I'm surprised there isn't more fury from SNP members and donors.
As far as Ms Sturgeon is concerned, there clearly isn't anything which directly apportions any fault or liability on her. Whether she knew about his light fingered hands, or just didn't ask questions about some of the higher value items which appeared in their own and others driveways, is open to interpretation.
Murrell and Sturgeon chose not to live in Bute House when she was First Minister, they continued to live in the house now made famous by the police tent in the garden. She did her best to give off the impression of someone not obsessed by fancy gadgets, i.e. pencil sharpeners, luxury advent calendars whatever. The car would definitely be for Murrell as she couldn't drive at the time.
The Restore vs Reform war on Twitter suggests many possibilities: 1) Restore talking absolute gash about their prospects to try and harm Reform as much as possible 2) Restore actually harming Reform in Yarmouth-level numbers
Either way us good news for Burnham.
That tweet from Matt Badloser was prescient. If you vote Restore then Reform will lose and that means Burnham will win and then hold a GE and then Reform will lose and we're locked into "hard left" government until 2031.
Reform chief thinker saying they would lose to Burnham. Which in itself feeds back into the "what's the point in compromising to voting Reform when you could have the Real Thing instead" piece. If Reform will lose, why waste your time with them?
Given Burnham would likely need the LDs that is unlikely to lead to hard left government
I see you're still playing the old Tory game of claiming the LDs will always support Labour (2010-15 does suggest a different view).
Well, let's play - I mean if he doesn't get a majority Farage can always on the Conservatives to prop up his Government, can't he?
The LDs will certainly support Labour over Reform, Farage is a totally different prospect to Cameron.
The Conservatives certainly won't support Labour, they might support Reform but more likely would vote bill by bill
The key, as you well know, is Confidence & Supply.
Is it as likely the Conservatives would offer C&S to a minority Reform Government as it would for the LDs to offer C&S to a minority Labour Government?
I think to assume that is to think simplisticly and what will happen after the votes have been counted could be very different.
The LDs would definitely offer C & S to Labour to keep out Reform in a hung parliament, Kemi might offer C & S to Reform or just abstain on a confidence vote. Kemi certainly wouldn't offer C & S to Labour
You hope she wouldn't but what politicians say before the votes are cast and counted and what they do after can be different things.
So much will depend on the mathematics and the seats - it may well be either Reform or Labour is so close to a majority as to not "need" any other support.
It's going to be either or neither - it's perfectly possible neither Labour + Lib Dems nor Reform + Conservatives will reach a Majority and there could be blocs of "other MPs" such as Nationalists, Northern Irish, Green and perhaps Restore who will needto be involved.
Could the LDs join with the Greens in supporting a minority Labour administration? Don't know.
Could the Conservatives join with Restore in supporting a minority Reform Government? What say you?
Heh, Nicola Sturgeon dealing with her husband's finances.
In my experience, a great many intelligent, professionally qualified women, are clueless about financial matters, leaving all the household finances to their husbands, and they do not have a clue where those husbands got their money from.
This is especially true of wives who are litigated against in Proceeds of Crime Act cases.
The Restore vs Reform war on Twitter suggests many possibilities: 1) Restore talking absolute gash about their prospects to try and harm Reform as much as possible 2) Restore actually harming Reform in Yarmouth-level numbers
Either way us good news for Burnham.
That tweet from Matt Badloser was prescient. If you vote Restore then Reform will lose and that means Burnham will win and then hold a GE and then Reform will lose and we're locked into "hard left" government until 2031.
Reform chief thinker saying they would lose to Burnham. Which in itself feeds back into the "what's the point in compromising to voting Reform when you could have the Real Thing instead" piece. If Reform will lose, why waste your time with them?
Given Burnham would likely need the LDs that is unlikely to lead to hard left government
I see you're still playing the old Tory game of claiming the LDs will always support Labour (2010-15 does suggest a different view).
Well, let's play - I mean if he doesn't get a majority Farage can always on the Conservatives to prop up his Government, can't he?
The LDs will certainly support Labour over Reform, Farage is a totally different prospect to Cameron.
The Conservatives certainly won't support Labour, they might support Reform but more likely would vote bill by bill
The key, as you well know, is Confidence & Supply.
Is it as likely the Conservatives would offer C&S to a minority Reform Government as it would for the LDs to offer C&S to a minority Labour Government?
I think to assume that is to think simplisticly and what will happen after the votes have been counted could be very different.
The LDs would definitely offer C & S to Labour to keep out Reform in a hung parliament, Kemi might offer C & S to Reform or just abstain on a confidence vote. Kemi certainly wouldn't offer C & S to Labour
You hope she wouldn't but what politicians say before the votes are cast and counted and what they do after can be different things.
So much will depend on the mathematics and the seats - it may well be either Reform or Labour is so close to a majority as to not "need" any other support.
It's going to be either or neither - it's perfectly possible neither Labour + Lib Dems nor Reform + Conservatives will reach a Majority and there could be blocs of "other MPs" such as Nationalists, Northern Irish, Green and perhaps Restore who will needto be involved.
Could the LDs join with the Greens in supporting a minority Labour administration? Don't know.
Could the Conservatives join with Restore in supporting a minority Reform Government? What say you?
The LDs and the Greens would only support a minority Labour administration.
Lowe is probably less likely to back Reform than Kemi as he despises Farage, if Restore won any more seats beyond his own
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
Some ironies with this case, as you say it was the public who flagged up the accounting discrepancies, not an SNP official, or the Treasurer etc. Wings highlighted it on his website, he would no doubt have discussed it with a few SNP members at the time (early 2020) wondering what on earth was going on at the accounting.
Whilst SNP head honchos not knowing whereabouts of the money was is not in itself a crime, those at the top of the party should clearly be examining finances better.
Irony number 2 is Mr Murrell was appointed to his role as Chief Exec way back in 2001. The SNP leader at the time - Mr John Swinney.
I do wonder if this was a case of Murrell taking smaller amounts of cash here and there, before building his way up to big ticket items, like the camper van. So in their defence, Eck and Nicola probably wouldn't have noticed too much amiss at the start of his spree. There's a few stories coming out in the wash today, about Murrell allegedly taking at least £500 from SNP coffers in one of Salmond's North East offices a good number of years back. Salmond was made aware of the missing money, but it was brushed under the carpet.
If I was a card carrying SNP member (or lapsed member) I would be furious at all this. Where is the ring fenced 600k for Indyref 2? You'd have thought a party leader and at the very least Treasurer should know exactly where that money was at all times. I'm surprised there isn't more fury from SNP members and donors.
As far as Ms Sturgeon is concerned, there clearly isn't anything which directly apportions any fault or liability on her. Whether she knew about his light fingered hands, or just didn't ask questions about some of the higher value items which appeared in their own and others driveways, is open to interpretation.
Murrell and Sturgeon chose not to live in Bute House when she was First Minister, they continued to live in the house now made famous by the police tent in the garden. She did her best to give off the impression of someone not obsessed by fancy gadgets, i.e. pencil sharpeners, luxury advent calendars whatever. The car would definitely be for Murrell as she couldn't drive at the time.
I am somebody who has expensive tastes, I remember my then girlfriend be shocked I was wearing a 10 grand Breitling, when she saw it Goldsmiths she thought it was 1 grand looking at the price tag.
The Turnbull & Asser shirts were an eye opener, I suspect if you grew up with a certain background, you just cannot comprehend stuff like this even if it is right in your face.
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to Halal compliant food and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
Reform canvass data now has Restore on 18% in Makerfield, with Reform on 34% and Burnham on 42%. So Restore could well win Burnham the by election by splitting the Reform vote
The Restore vs Reform war on Twitter suggests many possibilities: 1) Restore talking absolute gash about their prospects to try and harm Reform as much as possible 2) Restore actually harming Reform in Yarmouth-level numbers
Either way us good news for Burnham.
That tweet from Matt Badloser was prescient. If you vote Restore then Reform will lose and that means Burnham will win and then hold a GE and then Reform will lose and we're locked into "hard left" government until 2031.
Reform chief thinker saying they would lose to Burnham. Which in itself feeds back into the "what's the point in compromising to voting Reform when you could have the Real Thing instead" piece. If Reform will lose, why waste your time with them?
Given Burnham would likely need the LDs that is unlikely to lead to hard left government
I see you're still playing the old Tory game of claiming the LDs will always support Labour (2010-15 does suggest a different view).
Well, let's play - I mean if he doesn't get a majority Farage can always on the Conservatives to prop up his Government, can't he?
The LDs will certainly support Labour over Reform, Farage is a totally different prospect to Cameron.
The Conservatives certainly won't support Labour, they might support Reform but more likely would vote bill by bill
The key, as you well know, is Confidence & Supply.
Is it as likely the Conservatives would offer C&S to a minority Reform Government as it would for the LDs to offer C&S to a minority Labour Government?
I think to assume that is to think simplisticly and what will happen after the votes have been counted could be very different.
The LDs would definitely offer C & S to Labour to keep out Reform in a hung parliament, Kemi might offer C & S to Reform or just abstain on a confidence vote. Kemi certainly wouldn't offer C & S to Labour
You hope she wouldn't but what politicians say before the votes are cast and counted and what they do after can be different things.
So much will depend on the mathematics and the seats - it may well be either Reform or Labour is so close to a majority as to not "need" any other support.
It's going to be either or neither - it's perfectly possible neither Labour + Lib Dems nor Reform + Conservatives will reach a Majority and there could be blocs of "other MPs" such as Nationalists, Northern Irish, Green and perhaps Restore who will needto be involved.
Could the LDs join with the Greens in supporting a minority Labour administration? Don't know.
Could the Conservatives join with Restore in supporting a minority Reform Government? What say you?
The LDs and the Greens would only support a minority Labour administration.
Lowe is probably less likely to back Reform than Kemi as he despises Farage, if Restore won any more seats beyond his own
I think we need to think beyond the simplicity of two party politics - it's possible the next election will produce the most fragmented Parliament since 1923 with no party anywhere near a majority and a number of parties with decent numbers of MPs.
Let me offer a thought or two based on what we are seeing in post-election horsetrading at local level. A Conservative minority backed by Labour and the LDs to keep out both Reform and the Greens.
A Lib Dem minority backed by Labour and the Conservatives to keep out Reform and the Greens.
Ridiculous - impossible? Perhaps but a minority Liberal Government was a real possibility in 1923 and there's no rule the party with the largest or even the second largest nunber of seats forms a Government - it's whoever can command the Confidence of the House.
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to a Halal compliant good and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
What's the top end night out now?
I guess it used to be a last minute booking at the Ivy, and you turned up in your Henry Poole suit and your Harvey and Hudson shirt. Churches brogues for me at best but I could never justify Loeb.
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to a Halal compliant good and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
What's the top end night out now?
I guess it used to be a last minute booking at the Ivy, and you turned up in your Henry Poole suit and your Harvey and Hudson shirt. Churches brogues for me at best but I could never justify Loeb.
Claridge's and The Ritz.
A romantic dinner for two in 2023 set me back over £500.
Despite the cracks emerging at home, Putin’s calculus on the war in Ukraine has not changed, and he remains determined to press on, according to interviews with multiple people familiar with his thinking, as well as European and Ukrainian intelligence officials.
Putin has made clear to his inner circle that he believes Moscow can capture the entirety of the Donbas region by the end of the year, two sources with access to the president said. “Putin is fixated on Donbas and he will not stop before that,” one of them said.
Speaking after the 9 May Victory Day parade – scaled back amid fears of Ukrainian drone attacks – Putin surprised many by suggesting the war was “coming to a close”. The remark made headlines, but those familiar with his thinking caution that it should not be interpreted as a sign he is prepared to compromise. Instead, it suggests Putin believes a military breakthrough is imminent.
A Ukrainian intelligence official said Russian generals had convinced the Russian leader that the Donbas would be taken by the end of the year. “Fabricated reports [are] being fed up the chain of command, claiming victory is imminent,” the official said.
That bravado is not currently reflected on the battlefield. Military analysts say that, at the current pace of advance, it could take Russia years to fully capture the Donbas.
It remains unclear to what extent Russia’s military and security services are presenting Putin with an overly optimistic picture. “Even if many around him understand the reality of the situation, we still don’t know what Putin himself understands. That’s the most difficult part,” one senior European intelligence official said...
The Restore vs Reform war on Twitter suggests many possibilities: 1) Restore talking absolute gash about their prospects to try and harm Reform as much as possible 2) Restore actually harming Reform in Yarmouth-level numbers
Either way us good news for Burnham.
That tweet from Matt Badloser was prescient. If you vote Restore then Reform will lose and that means Burnham will win and then hold a GE and then Reform will lose and we're locked into "hard left" government until 2031.
Reform chief thinker saying they would lose to Burnham. Which in itself feeds back into the "what's the point in compromising to voting Reform when you could have the Real Thing instead" piece. If Reform will lose, why waste your time with them?
Given Burnham would likely need the LDs that is unlikely to lead to hard left government
I see you're still playing the old Tory game of claiming the LDs will always support Labour (2010-15 does suggest a different view).
Well, let's play - I mean if he doesn't get a majority Farage can always on the Conservatives to prop up his Government, can't he?
The LDs will certainly support Labour over Reform, Farage is a totally different prospect to Cameron.
The Conservatives certainly won't support Labour, they might support Reform but more likely would vote bill by bill
The key, as you well know, is Confidence & Supply.
Is it as likely the Conservatives would offer C&S to a minority Reform Government as it would for the LDs to offer C&S to a minority Labour Government?
I think to assume that is to think simplisticly and what will happen after the votes have been counted could be very different.
The LDs would definitely offer C & S to Labour to keep out Reform in a hung parliament, Kemi might offer C & S to Reform or just abstain on a confidence vote. Kemi certainly wouldn't offer C & S to Labour
You hope she wouldn't but what politicians say before the votes are cast and counted and what they do after can be different things.
So much will depend on the mathematics and the seats - it may well be either Reform or Labour is so close to a majority as to not "need" any other support.
It's going to be either or neither - it's perfectly possible neither Labour + Lib Dems nor Reform + Conservatives will reach a Majority and there could be blocs of "other MPs" such as Nationalists, Northern Irish, Green and perhaps Restore who will needto be involved.
Could the LDs join with the Greens in supporting a minority Labour administration? Don't know.
Could the Conservatives join with Restore in supporting a minority Reform Government? What say you?
The LDs and the Greens would only support a minority Labour administration.
Lowe is probably less likely to back Reform than Kemi as he despises Farage, if Restore won any more seats beyond his own
I think we need to think beyond the simplicity of two party politics - it's possible the next election will produce the most fragmented Parliament since 1923 with no party anywhere near a majority and a number of parties with decent numbers of MPs.
Let me offer a thought or two based on what we are seeing in post-election horsetrading at local level. A Conservative minority backed by Labour and the LDs to keep out both Reform and the Greens.
A Lib Dem minority backed by Labour and the Conservatives to keep out Reform and the Greens.
Ridiculous - impossible? Perhaps but a minority Liberal Government was a real possibility in 1923 and there's no rule the party with the largest or even the second largest nunber of seats forms a Government - it's whoever can command the Confidence of the House.
The Liberals dealt with Labour in 1923 as they still would do now. In the unlikely event the Kemi Tories won most seats then they would form a minority government but neither Labour nor the LDs would back them anymore than they did Reform and the Greens
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to a Halal compliant good and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
What's the top end night out now?
I guess it used to be a last minute booking at the Ivy, and you turned up in your Henry Poole suit and your Harvey and Hudson shirt. Churches brogues for me at best but I could never justify Loeb.
Claridge's and The Ritz.
A romantic dinner for two in 2023 set me back over £500.
Hah - I did a similar thing Claridges and then whatever the place next to the Ritz is called. Much the same bill.
I hope the judge gives Murrell an extra long sentence for being an utter peasant.
In May and June of 2017, he purchased two Bremont World Timer Alt 1 watches in white and black for £4,555.25 and £4,795 respectively.
A further £4,225 was spent on a Montblanc Starwalker World Time fountain pen in March of that year, one of a number of pens purchased for four-figure amounts.
Among those are a Montblanc meisterstück moon pearl – a modern version of the pen used by Roger Moore's James Bond in the 1983 film Octopussy – and two special Beatles editions designed by the same company.
A £3,500 hand chased wine coaster in Britannia silver, designed by Edinburgh-based jewellers' Hamilton and Inches was purchased a week before Christmas in 2017.
I hope the judge gives Murrell an extra long sentence for being an utter peasant.
In May and June of 2017, he purchased two Bremont World Timer Alt 1 watches in white and black for £4,555.25 and £4,795 respectively.
A further £4,225 was spent on a Montblanc Starwalker World Time fountain pen in March of that year, one of a number of pens purchased for four-figure amounts.
Among those are a Montblanc meisterstück moon pearl – a modern version of the pen used by Roger Moore's James Bond in the 1983 film Octopussy – and two special Beatles editions designed by the same company.
A £3,500 hand chased wine coaster in Britannia silver, designed by Edinburgh-based jewellers' Hamilton and Inches was purchased a week before Christmas in 2017.
And of course Mrs S didn't think anything about these puchases in addition to the 3 new vehicles, the £5k coffee machine, £2.5k salt and pepper shakers....
As an SNP member, Yes campaigner and contributor to the fund raiser, I’m copacetic.
I’m surprised that any Unionist would consider the 2014 referendum was winnable, I know they shat the bed in the week before but I had the impression from them that the question had been settled irrevocably.
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to a Halal compliant good and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
What's the top end night out now?
I guess it used to be a last minute booking at the Ivy, and you turned up in your Henry Poole suit and your Harvey and Hudson shirt. Churches brogues for me at best but I could never justify Loeb.
Claridge's and The Ritz.
A romantic dinner for two in 2023 set me back over £500.
Is there anywhere you can get a bet on Farage NOT being Reform Party Leader by 31 December 2026?
Im sensing that a loss in the upcoming By Election could see some sort of meltdown. We know when the going gets tough, Farage jumps ship and skittles off.
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to a Halal compliant good and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
What's the top end night out now?
I guess it used to be a last minute booking at the Ivy, and you turned up in your Henry Poole suit and your Harvey and Hudson shirt. Churches brogues for me at best but I could never justify Loeb.
Claridge's and The Ritz.
A romantic dinner for two in 2023 set me back over £500.
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to a Halal compliant good and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
What's the top end night out now?
I guess it used to be a last minute booking at the Ivy, and you turned up in your Henry Poole suit and your Harvey and Hudson shirt. Churches brogues for me at best but I could never justify Loeb.
Claridge's and The Ritz.
A romantic dinner for two in 2023 set me back over £500.
Hah - I did a similar thing Claridges and then whatever the place next to the Ritz is called. Much the same bill.
Edit: Wolesley
Given you couldn't remember the name of the restaurant I will put that down as the meal wasn't up to much.
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to a Halal compliant good and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
What's the top end night out now?
I guess it used to be a last minute booking at the Ivy, and you turned up in your Henry Poole suit and your Harvey and Hudson shirt. Churches brogues for me at best but I could never justify Loeb.
Claridge's and The Ritz.
A romantic dinner for two in 2023 set me back over £500.
Hah - I did a similar thing Claridges and then whatever the place next to the Ritz is called. Much the same bill.
Edit: Wolesley
Given you couldn't remember the name of the restaurant I will put that down as the meal wasn't up to much.
The Wolesley is a fantastic restaurant I would recommend it.
As an SNP member, Yes campaigner and contributor to the fund raiser, I’m copacetic.
I’m surprised that any Unionist would consider the 2014 referendum was winnable, I know they shat the bed in the week before but I had the impression from them that the question had been settled irrevocably.
It is but we are talking 2014 and certainly given the 10% No lead, £400k would have made very little difference to Yes
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to Halal compliant food and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
"Oh, what, man? Come on. What? Just cos I'm Muslim, you thought it was real?"
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to a Halal compliant good and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
What's the top end night out now?
I guess it used to be a last minute booking at the Ivy, and you turned up in your Henry Poole suit and your Harvey and Hudson shirt. Churches brogues for me at best but I could never justify Loeb.
Claridge's and The Ritz.
A romantic dinner for two in 2023 set me back over £500.
Hah - I did a similar thing Claridges and then whatever the place next to the Ritz is called. Much the same bill.
Edit: Wolesley
Given you couldn't remember the name of the restaurant I will put that down as the meal wasn't up to much.
I think it was more that the date wasn't up to much. The very nice young lady positively ran away.
The Restore vs Reform war on Twitter suggests many possibilities: 1) Restore talking absolute gash about their prospects to try and harm Reform as much as possible 2) Restore actually harming Reform in Yarmouth-level numbers
Either way us good news for Burnham.
That tweet from Matt Badloser was prescient. If you vote Restore then Reform will lose and that means Burnham will win and then hold a GE and then Reform will lose and we're locked into "hard left" government until 2031.
Reform chief thinker saying they would lose to Burnham. Which in itself feeds back into the "what's the point in compromising to voting Reform when you could have the Real Thing instead" piece. If Reform will lose, why waste your time with them?
Given Burnham would likely need the LDs that is unlikely to lead to hard left government
I see you're still playing the old Tory game of claiming the LDs will always support Labour (2010-15 does suggest a different view).
Well, let's play - I mean if he doesn't get a majority Farage can always on the Conservatives to prop up his Government, can't he?
The LDs will certainly support Labour over Reform, Farage is a totally different prospect to Cameron.
The Conservatives certainly won't support Labour, they might support Reform but more likely would vote bill by bill
The key, as you well know, is Confidence & Supply.
Is it as likely the Conservatives would offer C&S to a minority Reform Government as it would for the LDs to offer C&S to a minority Labour Government?
I think to assume that is to think simplisticly and what will happen after the votes have been counted could be very different.
The LDs would definitely offer C & S to Labour to keep out Reform in a hung parliament, Kemi might offer C & S to Reform or just abstain on a confidence vote. Kemi certainly wouldn't offer C & S to Labour
You hope she wouldn't but what politicians say before the votes are cast and counted and what they do after can be different things.
So much will depend on the mathematics and the seats - it may well be either Reform or Labour is so close to a majority as to not "need" any other support.
It's going to be either or neither - it's perfectly possible neither Labour + Lib Dems nor Reform + Conservatives will reach a Majority and there could be blocs of "other MPs" such as Nationalists, Northern Irish, Green and perhaps Restore who will needto be involved.
Could the LDs join with the Greens in supporting a minority Labour administration? Don't know.
Could the Conservatives join with Restore in supporting a minority Reform Government? What say you?
The LDs and the Greens would only support a minority Labour administration.
Lowe is probably less likely to back Reform than Kemi as he despises Farage, if Restore won any more seats beyond his own
I think we need to think beyond the simplicity of two party politics - it's possible the next election will produce the most fragmented Parliament since 1923 with no party anywhere near a majority and a number of parties with decent numbers of MPs.
Let me offer a thought or two based on what we are seeing in post-election horsetrading at local level. A Conservative minority backed by Labour and the LDs to keep out both Reform and the Greens.
A Lib Dem minority backed by Labour and the Conservatives to keep out Reform and the Greens.
Ridiculous - impossible? Perhaps but a minority Liberal Government was a real possibility in 1923 and there's no rule the party with the largest or even the second largest nunber of seats forms a Government - it's whoever can command the Confidence of the House.
The Liberals dealt with Labour in 1923 as they still would do now. In the unlikely event the Kemi Tories won most seats then they would form a minority government but neither Labour nor the LDs would back them anymore than they did Reform and the Greens
Again, you're informing your predictions through the prism of your assumptions.
You don't know what either Kemi or Ed would do and in truth neither do I. I merely suggest thinking outside the box (to use the expression) might be a reasonable idea given the sheer unpredictability of the next three years.
Perhaps we should revisit this nearer the election.
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
Coca Cola and fish? How very odd!
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
As a devout Muslim sticking to a Halal compliant good and not drinking the Devil's buttermilk in restaurants can be quite challenging.
What's the top end night out now?
This time last week, I was in McDonald's in Bath city centre. £7.79 for a meal deal
I hope the judge gives Murrell an extra long sentence for being an utter peasant.
In May and June of 2017, he purchased two Bremont World Timer Alt 1 watches in white and black for £4,555.25 and £4,795 respectively.
A further £4,225 was spent on a Montblanc Starwalker World Time fountain pen in March of that year, one of a number of pens purchased for four-figure amounts.
Among those are a Montblanc meisterstück moon pearl – a modern version of the pen used by Roger Moore's James Bond in the 1983 film Octopussy – and two special Beatles editions designed by the same company.
A £3,500 hand chased wine coaster in Britannia silver, designed by Edinburgh-based jewellers' Hamilton and Inches was purchased a week before Christmas in 2017.
With all due respect to those who can afford such a lifestyle from their own funds, to be spending such vast sums obtained through crime on such stupid stuff seems to me to call into question the chap's sanity.
Is there anywhere you can get a bet on Farage NOT being Reform Party Leader by 31 December 2026?
Im sensing that a loss in the upcoming By Election could see some sort of meltdown. We know when the going gets tough, Farage jumps ship and skittles off.
Betfair Politics (Party Leaders section) has a Farage Exit date market.
The Pope understands his audience, or is just a nerd ?
In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV quotes J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”
“It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.” https://x.com/catholicourtney/status/2058847378698858706
It also makes me laugh how the people here who are most critical of Faragist charlatanry and ill-preparedness for government are the most gung ho about 'Just ignore the damn regulations!!' - I mean really guys, pick a lane.
The point being made wasn’t to ignore any legislations but to make our own.
Anyway, answer the point: how have Spain built a lot of high speed rail since this came in if it’s such a problem?
No, you answer the point of where we go from here.
So far I've had:
"We should just ignore them like everyone else" - but how do you start ignoring them, with whole bodies set up to enforce them and environmental groups able to block projects using judicial review?
And versions of:
"We should just pass a law to invalidate, ignore, or bypass the regulations - which is fine, and absolutely possible, but then you are deregulating and departing from EU regulations. Which is what I want, but I didn't know it was what you wanted, and if it is, basically means we are all agreed that we need to move away from retained EU law.
All this talk of St Pancras and Reform V Restore and £5,000 coffee machines reminded me of a very pleasant day I spent working with Carol Vorderman doing an ad for British Rail.
Actually I don't remember much about it except that a friend just contacted me to tell me what the Reform/Restore candidate had said about her. "Has he been fired as their candidate"? I asked. She didn't know. What exactly did he say?.........BEEEEP BEEEEP BEEEEP BEEEEP
I know Farage and his mob are disgusting thugs but if you are going to start insulting women you don't start with Carol Vordeman or she'll eat you for breakfast!
It also makes me laugh how the people here who are most critical of Faragist charlatanry and ill-preparedness for government are the most gung ho about 'Just ignore the damn regulations!!' - I mean really guys, pick a lane.
The point being made wasn’t to ignore any legislations but to make our own.
Anyway, answer the point: how have Spain built a lot of high speed rail since this came in if it’s such a problem?
No, you answer the point of where we go from here.
So far I've had:
"We should just ignore them like everyone else" - but how do you start ignoring them, with whole bodies set up to enforce them and environmental groups able to block projects using judicial review?
And versions of:
"We should just pass a law to invalidate, ignore, or bypass the regulations - which is fine, and absolutely possible, but then you are deregulating and departing from EU regulations. Which is what I want, but I didn't know it was what you wanted, and if it is, basically means we are all agreed that we need to move away from retained EU law.
Item - the rest of the EU don’t build such structures. Item - the specification of the Bat Tunnel was farcical and proved that its author was ignorant of how such a specification should be done. Item - the design of the Bat Tunnel didn’t meet its specification.
Conclusion - it’s possible to protect bats etc without building such nonsense. Nobody else builds them.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
Naive.
Me or her?
I know from the Alec Salmond affair that she has a very poor memory.
As an SNP member, Yes campaigner and contributor to the fund raiser, I’m copacetic.
I’m surprised that any Unionist would consider the 2014 referendum was winnable, I know they shat the bed in the week before but I had the impression from them that the question had been settled irrevocably.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
Naive.
Me or her?
I know from the Alec Salmond affair that she has a very poor memory.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
Naive.
Me or her?
I know from the Alec Salmond affair that she has a very poor memory.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
Just because he is taking the rap, does not mean she isn’t an idiot.
Whatever you say about Peter Murrells he knew a good coffee machine when he saw one. For £5,700 it must have been damn fine coffee.
We have a similarly expensive machine at work.
The biggest employee unhappiness issue was when I hired a milk in firster.
People who drink tea/coffee are not to be riled, something as a non tea/coffee drinker boss I have learned to my cost.
I seem to remember milk in first was only because it killed some of the bacteria and protected the porcelain china..
It's also wrong as how can you get the colour right if the milk is there...
Actually the rule was you should always put the tea in first. That way you would know if the kitchen maids were washing the porcelain china properly.
Nah it’s a class thing.
Clay mugs used by the poor would crack with the temperature change (hot then cold) - hence milk in first
Posh people had porcelain which could withstand the thermal expansion and hence proved this by putting in tea first
Consider the teapot. Rich and poor had teapots and boiling water was poured into both. So I don't see your contention standing up.
As a child we were always told to “Hansel” the tea pot with a small quantity of hot water before putting in the main amount. I wonder if the derivation of this was a concern that the pot might crack if there was too sudden a change in temperature.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
It seems to me quite possible that Sturgeon knew nothing. They had a large income. While she was focusing on failing to secure Scottish independence, she may have devolved all household finance matters to him.
Though not comparable, if you asked my better half what her income (or mine) was, what any of our bills were, or indeed about any household financial matter, she would be utterly clueless. Her strength lies in her spending, not in her accounting.
Whatever you say about Peter Murrells he knew a good coffee machine when he saw one. For £5,700 it must have been damn fine coffee.
We have a similarly expensive machine at work.
The biggest employee unhappiness issue was when I hired a milk in firster.
People who drink tea/coffee are not to be riled, something as a non tea/coffee drinker boss I have learned to my cost.
I seem to remember milk in first was only because it killed some of the bacteria and protected the porcelain china..
It's also wrong as how can you get the colour right if the milk is there...
Actually the rule was you should always put the tea in first. That way you would know if the kitchen maids were washing the porcelain china properly.
Nah it’s a class thing.
Clay mugs used by the poor would crack with the temperature change (hot then cold) - hence milk in first
Posh people had porcelain which could withstand the thermal expansion and hence proved this by putting in tea first
Consider the teapot. Rich and poor had teapots and boiling water was poured into both. So I don't see your contention standing up.
As a child we were always told to “Hansel” the tea pot with a small quantity of hot water before putting in the main amount. I wonder if the derivation of this was a concern that the pot might crack if there was too sudden a change in temperature.
That'd certainly make sense, but equally warming the teapot to up the temperature so the tea can brew well is certainly a thing.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
They were both pretty highly paid anyway, and if she didn't know how much something like the coffee machine cost then it might not have seemed like an amazing amount of spending. And he may have hidden some of it from her.
Excl w/ @breeallegretti: Left-wing MPs are considering standing a candidate against Andy Burnham in a future Labour leadership contest because of concerns the Greater Manchester mayor could abandon progressive positions to broaden his appeal.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
It seems to me quite possible that Sturgeon knew nothing. They had a large income. While she was focusing on failing to secure Scottish independence, she may have devolved all household finance matters to him.
Though not comparable, if you asked my better half what her income (or mine) was, what any of our bills were, or indeed about any household financial matter, she would be utterly clueless. Her strength lies in her spending, not in her accounting.
Your don't think your better half would say anything at all about your spending if a brand new winnebago, jag and golf appeared on the driveway?
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
They were both pretty highly paid anyway, and if she didn't know how much something like the coffee machine cost them it might not have seemed like an amazing amount of spending. And he may have hidden some of it from her.
I think it's possible she didn't know.
It’s a good job then that she didn’t have a job of, say, overseeing the spending of billions of pounds of public money and managing a series of complex government departments which required her to assimilate a vast amount of knowledge.
Excl w/ @breeallegretti: Left-wing MPs are considering standing a candidate against Andy Burnham in a future Labour leadership contest because of concerns the Greater Manchester mayor could abandon progressive positions to broaden his appeal.
He's probably one of those dreadful people who want to get re-elected.
I hope the judge gives Murrell an extra long sentence for being an utter peasant.
In May and June of 2017, he purchased two Bremont World Timer Alt 1 watches in white and black for £4,555.25 and £4,795 respectively.
A further £4,225 was spent on a Montblanc Starwalker World Time fountain pen in March of that year, one of a number of pens purchased for four-figure amounts.
Among those are a Montblanc meisterstück moon pearl – a modern version of the pen used by Roger Moore's James Bond in the 1983 film Octopussy – and two special Beatles editions designed by the same company.
A £3,500 hand chased wine coaster in Britannia silver, designed by Edinburgh-based jewellers' Hamilton and Inches was purchased a week before Christmas in 2017.
Reform canvass data now has Restore on 18% in Makerfield, with Reform on 34% and Burnham on 42%. So Restore could well win Burnham the by election by splitting the Reform vote
"In respect of any items I was aware of Peter having purchased, I had no reason to doubt that he had used his own money. We were both earning high salaries and, due to the responsibilities of my job, rarely socialised or went on holidays. We had separate bank accounts and I had no access to his financial records.” - Nicola Sturgeon
His salary was high but not exactly investment banker / footballer money at £100k.
Apparently Sturgeon was the best person to run the SNP and Scotland for very many years who assured everyone a few years back that the SNP's finances were fine, there was no reason to ask any questions etc while at the same time being the most gullible person on the planet who did not notice the gigantic fraud her husband was perpetrating under her nose nor any of the very expensive items he was buying with stolen money.
Righto.
That's the long arc of Scottish history right there. From one fraud - the Darien scheme to another - pepper pots and whatnot.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
But what if you were crazy busy running the country and the time spent with your (also in politics) spouse was limited and more focussed on the political than the personal?
She might well have known/suspected something but I don't find it hard to believe that she didn't.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
They were both pretty highly paid anyway, and if she didn't know how much something like the coffee machine cost them it might not have seemed like an amazing amount of spending. And he may have hidden some of it from her.
I think it's possible she didn't know.
It’s a good job then that she didn’t have a job of, say, overseeing the spending of billions of pounds of public money and managing a series of complex government departments which required her to assimilate a vast amount of knowledge.
My wife has bought a couple of fountain pens. If she'd paid £4k for each of them I'm not sure I would be able to tell that she hadn't paid ~£100 instead. Unless I really knew my pens how would I know?
And she'd be implicitly trusting of her husband, just as she would be implicitly trusting of what civil servants told her about the Scottish government budget.
No-one has the time to check every detail.
The only thing that does ring alarm bells is the timeline, that this started a month after they were married. Was he trying to impress her? In which case you might have thought she would notice something.
Reform canvass data now has Restore on 18% in Makerfield, with Reform on 34% and Burnham on 42%. So Restore could well win Burnham the by election by splitting the Reform vote
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
But what if you were crazy busy running the country and the time spent with your (also in politics) spouse was limited and more focussed on the political than the personal?
She might well have known/suspected something but I don't find it hard to believe that she didn't.
That's a very big get-out-of-jail card K.
I think it's unlikely that she didn't at least suspect something.
"In respect of any items I was aware of Peter having purchased, I had no reason to doubt that he had used his own money. We were both earning high salaries and, due to the responsibilities of my job, rarely socialised or went on holidays. We had separate bank accounts and I had no access to his financial records.” - Nicola Sturgeon
His salary was high but not exactly investment banker / footballer money at £100k.
She was the leader of the SNP and her husband was its CEO.
Regardless of their social life or holidays, she was in charge and should have known what was going on, especially given all the very firm statements she was making about the SNP's finances. How did she know that what she was saying was true?
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
They were both pretty highly paid anyway, and if she didn't know how much something like the coffee machine cost them it might not have seemed like an amazing amount of spending. And he may have hidden some of it from her.
I think it's possible she didn't know.
It’s a good job then that she didn’t have a job of, say, overseeing the spending of billions of pounds of public money and managing a series of complex government departments which required her to assimilate a vast amount of knowledge.
My wife has bought a couple of fountain pens. If she'd paid £4k for each of them I'm not sure I would be able to tell that she hadn't paid ~£100 instead. Unless I really knew my pens how would I know?
And she'd be implicitly trusting of her husband, just as she would be implicitly trusting of what civil servants told her about the Scottish government budget.
No-one has the time to check every detail.
The only thing that does ring alarm bells is the timeline, that this started a month after they were married. Was he trying to impress her? In which case you might have thought she would notice something.
If it was a political marriage of convenience, maybe it was part of the deal.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
But what if you were crazy busy running the country and the time spent with your (also in politics) spouse was limited and more focussed on the political than the personal?
She might well have known/suspected something but I don't find it hard to believe that she didn't.
That's a very big get-out-of-jail card K.
I think it's unlikely that she didn't at least suspect something.
Perhaps she thought he was taking unreported gifts of cash, rather than actually stealing from the party.
Excl w/ @breeallegretti: Left-wing MPs are considering standing a candidate against Andy Burnham in a future Labour leadership contest because of concerns the Greater Manchester mayor could abandon progressive positions to broaden his appeal.
He's probably one of those dreadful people who want to get re-elected.
"In respect of any items I was aware of Peter having purchased, I had no reason to doubt that he had used his own money. We were both earning high salaries and, due to the responsibilities of my job, rarely socialised or went on holidays. We had separate bank accounts and I had no access to his financial records.” - Nicola Sturgeon
His salary was high but not exactly investment banker / footballer money at £100k.
She was the leader of the SNP and her husband was its CEO.
Regardless of their social life or holidays, she was in charge and should have known what was going on, especially given all the very firm statements she was making about the SNP's finances. How did she know that what she was saying was true?
She trusted her husband. Without evidence to the contrary it's not an outlandish position for a person to have.
And if she'd looked at the accounts herself, would she have been able to see the fraud? Would you? Would I?
"In respect of any items I was aware of Peter having purchased, I had no reason to doubt that he had used his own money. We were both earning high salaries and, due to the responsibilities of my job, rarely socialised or went on holidays. We had separate bank accounts and I had no access to his financial records.” - Nicola Sturgeon
His salary was high but not exactly investment banker / footballer money at £100k.
She was the leader of the SNP and her husband was its CEO.
Regardless of their social life or holidays, she was in charge and should have known what was going on, especially given all the very firm statements she was making about the SNP's finances. How did she know that what she was saying was true?
The recording of the meeting where she was insisting that the SNP accounts was the best they had ever been and that she really didn’t want any questions at a time when the party was almost bankrupt and her husband had stolen £400k is truly remarkable.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
But what if you were crazy busy running the country and the time spent with your (also in politics) spouse was limited and more focussed on the political than the personal?
She might well have known/suspected something but I don't find it hard to believe that she didn't.
That's a very big get-out-of-jail card K.
I think it's unlikely that she didn't at least suspect something.
Not really. I'm neither saying she must have known nor that she didn't because she says not.
Some things like pens and watches unless you are really into those things they could easily think they cost a few £100 compared to a few £1000 (or more). 3 brand new vehicles turning up on the drive way including a winnebago, no questions or discussions to be had? Also we have amazon / google, so it takes 5 seconds to check cost of consumer goods like £5k coffee machines while you are waiting for it to make you a cup.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
But what if you were crazy busy running the country and the time spent with your (also in politics) spouse was limited and more focussed on the political than the personal?
She might well have known/suspected something but I don't find it hard to believe that she didn't.
In order not to come across as a crook she now has to present herself as a moron. It's a defence I've often seen used, strangely among people who will bore the pants off you telling you how brilliant they are and why they deserve so much money for apparently knowing and noticing nothing.
How does that tally with what she wrote in her autobiography called "Frankly" - without any apparent irony.
Do people really believe Sturgeon knew nothing? I’m pretty sure I’d notice if my wife spent at extra 400k over ten years. Has he just taken the rap? Or is she an idiot?
It seems to me quite possible that Sturgeon knew nothing. They had a large income. While she was focusing on failing to secure Scottish independence, she may have devolved all household finance matters to him.
Though not comparable, if you asked my better half what her income (or mine) was, what any of our bills were, or indeed about any household financial matter, she would be utterly clueless. Her strength lies in her spending, not in her accounting.
Your don't think your better half would say anything at all about your spending if a brand new winnebago, jag and golf appeared on the driveway?
Reform canvass data now has Restore on 18% in Makerfield, with Reform on 34% and Burnham on 42%. So Restore could well win Burnham the by election by splitting the Reform vote
34.8C at Kew Gardens today. Beating the previous UK May temperature record by a massive 2C.
The “yeah, it was hot in 1976” crowd are kicking themselves it was Kew rather than the hot-runways-and-aeroplane-exhausts Heathrow (which actually has almost identical historical stats to Kew).
Hotter tomorrow. Probably, unless we get a major heatwave later, will end up being the hottest day of the year.
How is it possible to spend £110 on a pencil sharpener?
Its Swiss. So for a Swiss person that is the equivalent of about £1.
Its actually a really nice manual one. I wouldn't be surprised if they do actually sell quite a lot to professionals who use pencils a lot e.g. artists. A bit like kitchen items can cost a hell of a lot if they are for pros. Mrs U has spent some serious dough on some bits and bobs like that. Limited market, but the market that exists demands very high quality that is really durable.
What the SNP chief exec needs with one, that's a different question.
Some things like pens and watches unless you are really into those things they could easily think they cost a few £100 compared to a few £1000 (or more). 3 brand new vehicles turning up on the drive way including a winnebago, no questions or discussions to be had? Also we have amazon / google, so it takes 5 seconds to check cost of consumer goods like £5k coffee machines while you are waiting for it to make you a cup.
Perhaps it's the sort of thing that convinced her that people on their scale of income could easily afford to pay more tax? "My husband is frequently buying new cars and it wouldn't be much of a privation to do so less often..."
34.8C at Kew Gardens today. Beating the previous May temperature record by a massive 2C.
The “yeah, it was hot in 1976” crowd are kicking themselves it was Kew rather than the hot-runways-and-aeroplane-exhausts Heathrow (which actually has almost identical historical stats to Kew).
It's just normal summer weather. Nothing to get exercised about.
Is there anywhere you can get a bet on Farage NOT being Reform Party Leader by 31 December 2026?
Im sensing that a loss in the upcoming By Election could see some sort of meltdown. We know when the going gets tough, Farage jumps ship and skittles off.
Betfair Politics (Party Leaders section) has a Farage Exit date market.
Reform canvass data now has Restore on 18% in Makerfield, with Reform on 34% and Burnham on 42%. So Restore could well win Burnham the by election by splitting the Reform vote
34.8C at Kew Gardens today. Beating the previous May temperature record by a massive 2C.
The “yeah, it was hot in 1976” crowd are kicking themselves it was Kew rather than the hot-runways-and-aeroplane-exhausts Heathrow (which actually has almost identical historical stats to Kew).
It's just normal summer weather. Nothing to get exercised about.
Very droll. Yes that’s exactly what the numpties on TwiX are saying.
34.8C at Kew Gardens today. Beating the previous May temperature record by a massive 2C.
The “yeah, it was hot in 1976” crowd are kicking themselves it was Kew rather than the hot-runways-and-aeroplane-exhausts Heathrow (which actually has almost identical historical stats to Kew).
It's just normal summer weather. Nothing to get exercised about.
34.8C at Kew Gardens today. Beating the previous May temperature record by a massive 2C.
The “yeah, it was hot in 1976” crowd are kicking themselves it was Kew rather than the hot-runways-and-aeroplane-exhausts Heathrow (which actually has almost identical historical stats to Kew).
It's just normal summer weather. Nothing to get exercised about.
Normal midsummer weather, in spring.
He was, I think, being ironic. PB, for all its shortcomings, does have more IQ than the X comment guys.
"In respect of any items I was aware of Peter having purchased, I had no reason to doubt that he had used his own money. We were both earning high salaries and, due to the responsibilities of my job, rarely socialised or went on holidays. We had separate bank accounts and I had no access to his financial records.” - Nicola Sturgeon
His salary was high but not exactly investment banker / footballer money at £100k.
She was the leader of the SNP and her husband was its CEO.
Regardless of their social life or holidays, she was in charge and should have known what was going on, especially given all the very firm statements she was making about the SNP's finances. How did she know that what she was saying was true?
She trusted her husband. Without evidence to the contrary it's not an outlandish position for a person to have.
And if she'd looked at the accounts herself, would she have been able to see the fraud? Would you? Would I?
Since I led the investigation team on what remains the UK's biggest fraud I think the answer to the question you addressed to me is yes.
But that's not the point. She was in charge: she should have put in place proper governance arrangements to prevent this sort of fraud going on for so long. There was, for a start, an obvious conflict of interest having her husband as CEO. And when she made statements about the finances being fine, on what basis did she say this?
Comments
I've only just noticed J Sheekey charged me £6 per bottle of 330 ml of Coke, when you add in the service charge I nearly paid £7 per bottle.
I need a lie down.
God is a Syphon Basher.
Just saying.
Some ironies with this case, as you say it was the public who flagged up the accounting discrepancies, not an SNP official, or the Treasurer etc. Wings highlighted it on his website, he would no doubt have discussed it with a few SNP members at the time (early 2020) wondering what on earth was going on at the accounting.
Whilst SNP head honchos not knowing whereabouts of the money was is not in itself a crime, those at the top of the party should clearly be examining finances better.
Irony number 2 is Mr Murrell was appointed to his role as Chief Exec way back in 2001. The SNP leader at the time - Mr John Swinney.
I do wonder if this was a case of Murrell taking smaller amounts of cash here and there, before building his way up to big ticket items, like the camper van. So in their defence, Eck and Nicola probably wouldn't have noticed too much amiss at the start of his spree. There's a few stories coming out in the wash today, about Murrell allegedly taking at least £500 from SNP coffers in one of Salmond's North East offices a good number of years back. Salmond was made aware of the missing money, but it was brushed under the carpet.
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/peter-murrell-stole-money-alex-37202693?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar
If I was a card carrying SNP member (or lapsed member) I would be furious at all this. Where is the ring fenced 600k for Indyref 2? You'd have thought a party leader and at the very least Treasurer should know exactly where that money was at all times. I'm surprised there isn't more fury from SNP members and donors.
As far as Ms Sturgeon is concerned, there clearly isn't anything which directly apportions any fault or liability on her. Whether she knew about his light fingered hands, or just didn't ask questions about some of the higher value items which appeared in their own and others driveways, is open to interpretation.
Murrell and Sturgeon chose not to live in Bute House when she was First Minister, they continued to live in the house now made famous by the police tent in the garden. She did her best to give off the impression of someone not obsessed by fancy gadgets, i.e. pencil sharpeners, luxury advent calendars whatever. The car would definitely be for Murrell as she couldn't drive at the time.
If England win Labour might get a small feel good bounce
So much will depend on the mathematics and the seats - it may well be either Reform or Labour is so close to a majority as to not "need" any other support.
It's going to be either or neither - it's perfectly possible neither Labour + Lib Dems nor Reform + Conservatives will reach a Majority and there could be blocs of "other MPs" such as Nationalists, Northern Irish, Green and perhaps Restore who will needto be involved.
Could the LDs join with the Greens in supporting a minority Labour administration? Don't know.
Could the Conservatives join with Restore in supporting a minority Reform Government? What say you?
(I am assuming what's bad for Starmer is good for Labour.)
This is especially true of wives who are litigated against in Proceeds of Crime Act cases.
In several Councils which have gone to NOC, Labour is doing deals with the Conservatives rather than the Greens.
Barnet:
Lab 31
Con 31
Green 1
Neither Lab or Con willing to deal with Green. Result: Labour minority administration following agreement with Conservatives.
Similar now happening in several London Councils - the latest being Brent.
Per Evening Standard:
"Brent Labour does deal with Tories after Starmer bans party from working with Greens"
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brent-labour-deal-tories-starmer-ban-greens-b1283395.html
Unlikely Greens hold balance of power in future GE - but if they did could this be a sign of things to come?
Lowe is probably less likely to back Reform than Kemi as he despises Farage, if Restore won any more seats beyond his own
All those traditional English fish restaurants are failing and charging far too much. Sheekeys, Wheelers, Sweetings, and I'm sure there's another obvious one.
Somehow fish seems to have become quite scarce as a focus for restaurants in London. (Sushi aside)
The Turnbull & Asser shirts were an eye opener, I suspect if you grew up with a certain background, you just cannot comprehend stuff like this even if it is right in your face.
Burnham though has hinted he would be much more willing to work with the Greens than Starmer
https://x.com/CharlieSimpsonA/status/2058908684013429219?s=20
Let me offer a thought or two based on what we are seeing in post-election horsetrading at local level. A Conservative minority backed by Labour and the LDs to keep out both Reform and the Greens.
A Lib Dem minority backed by Labour and the Conservatives to keep out Reform and the Greens.
Ridiculous - impossible? Perhaps but a minority Liberal Government was a real possibility in 1923 and there's no rule the party with the largest or even the second largest nunber of seats forms a Government - it's whoever can command the Confidence of the House.
I guess it used to be a last minute booking at the Ivy, and you turned up in your Henry Poole suit and your Harvey and Hudson shirt. Churches brogues for me at best but I could never justify Loeb.
A romantic dinner for two in 2023 set me back over £500.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2026/may/24/there-is-profound-disappointment-in-him-mood-in-russia-turns-against-putin
..Putin’s approval ratings are slipping, the economy is under mounting pressure, and even pro-Kremlin bloggers who have rarely criticised the president are beginning to speak out.
Despite the cracks emerging at home, Putin’s calculus on the war in Ukraine has not changed, and he remains determined to press on, according to interviews with multiple people familiar with his thinking, as well as European and Ukrainian intelligence officials.
Putin has made clear to his inner circle that he believes Moscow can capture the entirety of the Donbas region by the end of the year, two sources with access to the president said. “Putin is fixated on Donbas and he will not stop before that,” one of them said.
Speaking after the 9 May Victory Day parade – scaled back amid fears of Ukrainian drone attacks – Putin surprised many by suggesting the war was “coming to a close”. The remark made headlines, but those familiar with his thinking caution that it should not be interpreted as a sign he is prepared to compromise. Instead, it suggests Putin believes a military breakthrough is imminent.
A Ukrainian intelligence official said Russian generals had convinced the Russian leader that the Donbas would be taken by the end of the year. “Fabricated reports [are] being fed up the chain of command, claiming victory is imminent,” the official said.
That bravado is not currently reflected on the battlefield. Military analysts say that, at the current pace of advance, it could take Russia years to fully capture the Donbas.
It remains unclear to what extent Russia’s military and security services are presenting Putin with an overly optimistic picture. “Even if many around him understand the reality of the situation, we still don’t know what Putin himself understands. That’s the most difficult part,” one senior European intelligence official said...
Edit: Wolesley
In May and June of 2017, he purchased two Bremont World Timer Alt 1 watches in white and black for £4,555.25 and £4,795 respectively.
A further £4,225 was spent on a Montblanc Starwalker World Time fountain pen in March of that year, one of a number of pens purchased for four-figure amounts.
Among those are a Montblanc meisterstück moon pearl – a modern version of the pen used by Roger Moore's James Bond in the 1983 film Octopussy – and two special Beatles editions designed by the same company.
A £3,500 hand chased wine coaster in Britannia silver, designed by Edinburgh-based jewellers' Hamilton and Inches was purchased a week before Christmas in 2017.
I’m surprised that any Unionist would consider the 2014 referendum was winnable, I know they shat the bed in the week before but I had the impression from them that the question had been settled irrevocably.
Is there anywhere you can get a bet on Farage NOT being Reform Party Leader by 31 December 2026?
Im sensing that a loss in the upcoming By Election could see some sort of meltdown. We know when the going gets tough, Farage jumps ship and skittles off.
JohnO and I visit Claridge's once a year.
You don't know what either Kemi or Ed would do and in truth neither do I. I merely suggest thinking outside the box (to use the expression) might be a reasonable idea given the sheer unpredictability of the next three years.
Perhaps we should revisit this nearer the election.
How time flies
https://x.com/mayorfrey/status/2058911938126426128?s=46&t=d8CnRhyZJ-m4vy0k55W8XQ
In his first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV quotes J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”
“It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.”
https://x.com/catholicourtney/status/2058847378698858706
Clay mugs used by the poor would crack with the temperature change (hot then cold) - hence milk in first
Posh people had porcelain which could withstand the thermal expansion and hence proved this by putting in tea first
So far I've had:
"We should just ignore them like everyone else" - but how do you start ignoring them, with whole bodies set up to enforce them and environmental groups able to block projects using judicial review?
And versions of:
"We should just pass a law to invalidate, ignore, or bypass the regulations - which is fine, and absolutely possible, but then you are deregulating and departing from EU regulations. Which is what I want, but I didn't know it was what you wanted, and if it is, basically means we are all agreed that we need to move away from retained EU law.
Actually I don't remember much about it except that a friend just contacted me to tell me what the Reform/Restore candidate had said about her. "Has he been fired as their candidate"? I asked. She didn't know. What exactly did he say?.........BEEEEP BEEEEP BEEEEP BEEEEP
I know Farage and his mob are disgusting thugs but if you are going to start insulting women you don't start with Carol Vordeman or she'll eat you for breakfast!
Has he been fired yet?
Item - the specification of the Bat Tunnel was farcical and proved that its author was ignorant of how such a specification should be done.
Item - the design of the Bat Tunnel didn’t meet its specification.
Conclusion - it’s possible to protect bats etc without building such nonsense. Nobody else builds them.
Surely the SNP won’t have the brass neck to launch a fundraising drive?
https://x.com/paulhutcheon/status/2058949548395868245
I know from the Alec Salmond affair that she has a very poor memory.
Though not comparable, if you asked my better half what her income (or mine) was, what any of our bills were, or indeed about any household financial matter, she would be utterly clueless. Her strength lies in her spending, not in her accounting.
I think it's possible she didn't know.
Excl w/ @breeallegretti: Left-wing MPs are considering standing a candidate against Andy Burnham in a future Labour leadership contest because of concerns the Greater Manchester mayor could abandon progressive positions to broaden his appeal.
His salary was high but not exactly investment banker / footballer money at £100k.
Righto.
That's the long arc of Scottish history right there. From one fraud - the Darien scheme to another - pepper pots and whatnot.
She might well have known/suspected something but I don't find it hard to believe that she didn't.
And she'd be implicitly trusting of her husband, just as she would be implicitly trusting of what civil servants told her about the Scottish government budget.
No-one has the time to check every detail.
The only thing that does ring alarm bells is the timeline, that this started a month after they were married. Was he trying to impress her? In which case you might have thought she would notice something.
I think it's unlikely that she didn't at least suspect something.
Regardless of their social life or holidays, she was in charge and should have known what was going on, especially given all the very firm statements she was making about the SNP's finances. How did she know that what she was saying was true?
That is funny
And if she'd looked at the accounts herself, would she have been able to see the fraud? Would you? Would I?
How does that tally with what she wrote in her autobiography called "Frankly" - without any apparent irony.
The “yeah, it was hot in 1976” crowd are kicking themselves it was Kew rather than the hot-runways-and-aeroplane-exhausts Heathrow (which actually has almost identical historical stats to Kew).
Hotter tomorrow. Probably, unless we get a major heatwave later, will end up being the hottest day of the year.
Its actually a really nice manual one. I wouldn't be surprised if they do actually sell quite a lot to professionals who use pencils a lot e.g. artists. A bit like kitchen items can cost a hell of a lot if they are for pros. Mrs U has spent some serious dough on some bits and bobs like that. Limited market, but the market that exists demands very high quality that is really durable.
What the SNP chief exec needs with one, that's a different question.
(It’s not even normal midsummer weather though).
But that's not the point. She was in charge: she should have put in place proper governance arrangements to prevent this sort of fraud going on for so long. There was, for a start, an obvious conflict of interest having her husband as CEO. And when she made statements about the finances being fine, on what basis did she say this?