As the Champions League final kicks off today, football fans are being priced out by TNT Sports locking it behind a paywall. While the PM has politely asked TNT to make it free, I’m calling on the government to change the law and guarantee these games are always free-to-air!
Price out is going a bit strong...it costs £5. I think most people can get a few mates around and share that cost of the fiver. That been said, I think they missed a trick, after all the negative publicity, I think they could have done a its for free (99p day access) and harvested all that potential customer data to flog HBO Max to in the future.
Buckingham Palace was handed emails six years ago that would have shown that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was sharing confidential government information while a trade envoy, according to court documents.
In a vast archive and it is not as Mandelson shows as if this Labour government has been much better in terms of hiring sound record managers.
6 years ago the late Queen was still in charge of the Palace on a nominal basis but the emails were handed to the then Lord Chamberlain, Earl Peel (a descentant of former PM Peel) who is the one who may have a few questions to answer
Clowns on Russian TV are demanding attacks on Stevenage.
The fools haven’t realised that if they do that, and reduce Stevenage to a radioactive wasteland, inhabited by mutant cannibal zombies, the U.K. will unleash the Ultimate Weapon.
A Process State demand for CGT for the uplift in property values.
Which will be pursued, Forever.
Our retaliation against the Russian equivalent of Stevenage will be fire and brimstone.
Buckingham Palace was handed emails six years ago that would have shown that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was sharing confidential government information while a trade envoy, according to court documents.
In a vast archive and it is not as Mandelson shows as if this Labour government has been much better in terms of hiring sound record managers.
6 years ago the late Queen was still in charge of the Palace on a nominal basis but the emails were handed to the then Lord Chamberlain, Earl Peel (a descentant of former PM Peel) who is the one who may have a few questions to answer
I think it is pretty clear that Her Majesty and the others did not want to know what Prince Andrew was up to for fear of confirmation that he was and is a probable ________, and so did not look into his conduct deliberately, but still fully knowing he was dodgy. However, since that kind of thing happens in republics and monarchies, the reaction is just lazy trolling.
"Established Liberals" seems a slightly misleading name for a group only one in five of whom vote LibDem. But it clearly captures something:
This doesn't surprise me, while Labour's vote is down across 6 of our 7 segments, Established Liberals - the most comfortable, optimistic, internationalist group - are an exception. Among ELs Labour's vote hasn't dropped at all and they likely dominate audiences places like Hay https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/2060414799675003116
The most interesting fact from that is the Conservatives now tie Labour for the lead with Established Liberals with the LDs third and Reform only 4th amongst this elite group.
In a segment the Conservatives won overwhelmingly in 2019, and narrowly in 2024.
Established Liberals are the only group the Tories now lead with, albeit tied with Starmer Labour, of the other groups they won in 2024, Rooted Patriots now have a big Reform lead and Traditional Conservatives now narrowly prefer Reform over the Tories too.
Boris won Dissenting Disruptors in 2019 but that group narrowly went Labour in 2024 and is now majority Reform. Sceptical Scrollers also went for Boris in 2019, strongly for Labour in 2024 and now Reform has a clear lead with that group as well.
Of the 2 traditionally left leaning groups Corbyn won in 2019 and Starmer in 2024, Labour still lead clearly with the Incrementalist Left but Labour only narrowly lead the Greens with Progressive Activists
How can they be "traditionally left", when all of these categories are recent inventions of the pollster ?
...This report introduces More in Common’s new segmentation of the British public. Based on extended research into Britons’ core beliefs, their values and behaviours, and how they divide along these new fault lines, this segmentation allows us to look upstream not just at what different groups think, but why they think it... https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/seven-segments/
I'm a progressive activist. The latter, presumably, because I post about political matters on a daily basis. Which makes me interested rather than active, since I do bugger all else political.
I went through the questions and it said I was a dissenting disruptor. So I went back and changed my answers to two questions, and now I'm a progressive activist. But I am neither, so I threw the test out of the window and got on with the day. Bad test, bad
Reading the detailed descriptions, I decided I don't fit in any of the categories. I'd like to see their geographic distribution according to the pollster.
"Established Liberals" seems a slightly misleading name for a group only one in five of whom vote LibDem. But it clearly captures something:
This doesn't surprise me, while Labour's vote is down across 6 of our 7 segments, Established Liberals - the most comfortable, optimistic, internationalist group - are an exception. Among ELs Labour's vote hasn't dropped at all and they likely dominate audiences places like Hay https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/2060414799675003116
The most interesting fact from that is the Conservatives now tie Labour for the lead with Established Liberals with the LDs third and Reform only 4th amongst this elite group.
In a segment the Conservatives won overwhelmingly in 2019, and narrowly in 2024.
Established Liberals are the only group the Tories now lead with, albeit tied with Starmer Labour, of the other groups they won in 2024, Rooted Patriots now have a big Reform lead and Traditional Conservatives now narrowly prefer Reform over the Tories too.
Boris won Dissenting Disruptors in 2019 but that group narrowly went Labour in 2024 and is now majority Reform. Sceptical Scrollers also went for Boris in 2019, strongly for Labour in 2024 and now Reform has a clear lead with that group as well.
Of the 2 traditionally left leaning groups Corbyn won in 2019 and Starmer in 2024, Labour still lead clearly with the Incrementalist Left but Labour only narrowly lead the Greens with Progressive Activists
How can they be "traditionally left", when all of these categories are recent inventions of the pollster ?
...This report introduces More in Common’s new segmentation of the British public. Based on extended research into Britons’ core beliefs, their values and behaviours, and how they divide along these new fault lines, this segmentation allows us to look upstream not just at what different groups think, but why they think it... https://www.moreincommon.org.uk/seven-segments/
I'm a progressive activist. The latter, presumably, because I post about political matters on a daily basis. Which makes me interested rather than active, since I do bugger all else political.
I went through the questions and it said I was a dissenting disruptor. So I went back and changed my answers to two questions, and now I'm a progressive activist. But I am neither, so I threw the test out of the window and got on with the day. Bad test, bad
Certainly some signs of dissent in that post, before progressing to other activities.
I see the BMG polling suggests my gut instinct on Burnham not being able to save the tarnished Labour brand...
That said, interesting to hear from someone on the spot that Burnham being a 'carpetbagger' might not help.....
On the BMG poll Reform would win most seats but Burnham could be PM with LD, SNP, PC and Green and MIN support and the BMG poll is the worst hypthetical poll for him,MiC and Deltapoll both have Labour winning most seats with Burnham their leader
Lol, try keeping that coalition together.
'Allies of Andy Burnham will form a new "council" of cross-party figures to discuss working together to stop a Reform UK government.
The "council for the progressive majority" is being instigated by Compass, a centre-left thinktank whose founder Neal Lawson is an influential supporter of the Greater Manchester mayor.
The council will be comprised of two leading figures from each of the progressive parties in the UK - Labour, the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, the SNP and Plaid Cymru.
Voters from these parties make up what Compass calls the "progressive majority" over the Conservatives and Reform and its previous incarnations.'
The idea the hard left, Corbynite, Greens are progressive is an interesting one.
Progressive is like 'liberal', 'left' and 'right'. Without elucidation one can have no idea what it means. For example you may think that progress involves equality of opportunity. Others may think it also involves equality of outcome. I think I am progressive. The first is great, and a top aspiration, the second is disastrous IMO.
More excited for the start of the New Zealand series and the two days I’m at the Oval than the World Cup
Its the hope that kills you.....
I think England will get steamrolled
You can get a decent price on NZ and I think they really ought to be favourites (first match at least). NZ have had a warm up vs Ireland where our boys have had some hit and giggle in the T20.
More excited for the start of the New Zealand series and the two days I’m at the Oval than the World Cup
Its the hope that kills you.....
I think England will get steamrolled
You can get a decent price on NZ and I think they really ought to be favourites (first match at least). NZ have had a warm up vs Ireland where our boys have had some hit and giggle in the T20.
England’s form in Test is poor and they really ought to have done better in Australia than they did.
I think there will be at least one hilarious batting collapse
I guess back in the 70s for all the talk of decline, Britain is finished, there was still a belief that things could be turned around. I just don't see it happening now.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
And yet I was excited by USA 94, though I was still only 18 at the time!
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
And yet I was excited by USA 94, though I was still only 18 at the time!
And England were not there. The difference between how we felt about World Cup 1994 without England and World Cup 2026 with England is the history of the world in that 32 years.
I guess back in the 70s for all the talk of decline, Britain is finished, there was still a belief that things could be turned around. I just don't see it happening now.
Its complete bollocks of course. Britain is neither finished nor in serious decline.
In almost all respects Britain is a far better country than it was in the 70's.
I guess back in the 70s for all the talk of decline, Britain is finished, there was still a belief that things could be turned around. I just don't see it happening now.
Its complete bollocks of course. Britain is neither finished nor in serious decline.
In almost all respects Britain is a far better country than it was in the 70's.
It is, but problems are mounting and at best things seem pretty static to me. Certainly I wouldn't expect any government, of any stripe, to oversee significant economic growth or improved service provision, let alone both.
Trump has said the US has a drug that can bring people back from the dead.
What is there to be said?
Can we get it to JFK?
Do you want to invade Cuba, then?
Did he invade Cuba?
You would have thought he would have replaced Castro with Teddy Kennedy if he did
JFK literally ordered the invasion of Cuba. Bay of Pigs.
JFK and RFL were hard core Cold Warriors. Not Peace Liberals as some have fantasised.
When JFK died, the plan was for 10,000 Minutemen III missiles. And so on. The reason they put McNamara into the DoD wasn’t to cut - but to standardise on fewer weapon systems and produce them in epic numbers.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
And yet I was excited by USA 94, though I was still only 18 at the time!
And England were not there. The difference between how we felt about World Cup 1994 without England and World Cup 2026 with England is the history of the world in that 32 years.
I still remember the Taylor-era friendly prior to the WC94 where the Septics beat us 2-0!
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
I mean the World Cup lasts 5 and a half weeks. Do we really need people to be excited before it's even started?
Assuming we get into the knock out stages we'll have the same excitement as usual.
Our first friendly is not til next week, the second one the day before the tournament! The squashed up calendar is the bigger reason rather than everything is crap as it is not the same as it was in our youth.
I guess back in the 70s for all the talk of decline, Britain is finished, there was still a belief that things could be turned around. I just don't see it happening now.
Its complete bollocks of course. Britain is neither finished nor in serious decline.
In almost all respects Britain is a far better country than it was in the 70's.
In some respects we may have reversed decline. But we were helped by north sea oil and a long credit boom. It's hard to see how we get out of our current stupor. We're hopelessly divided politically and there is no uniting purpose anymore.
Blair did make two very good points in his essay. The first that rejoining the EU wasn't going to fix everything and secondly that saving the country from Reform wasn't a serious governing strategy.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
I mean the World Cup lasts 5 and a half weeks. Do we really need people to be excited before it's even started?
Assuming we get into the knock out stages we'll have the same excitement as usual.
Our first friendly is not til next week, the second one the day before the tournament! The squashed up calendar is the bigger reason rather than everything is crap as it is not the same as it was in our youth.
Fixture congestion?
Then get rid of the crappier second and third-tier Euro cup competitons, and the play-offs.
I'm thinking of a MAGA acceptable Diana Ross penalty taker
Is Ted Nugent still alive?
Saw him at Birmingham Odeon once, so loud half the crowd broke ribs
Yes Nugent is still going, but surely, not so much of a Kid anymore Rock has to be the penalty taker, unless Trump brings the Tate Boys back. Russell Brand on the other hand might be otherwise engaged visa wise. Remember this is MAGA so no female penalty takers.
I'm thinking of a MAGA acceptable Diana Ross penalty taker
Is Ted Nugent still alive?
Saw him at Birmingham Odeon once, so loud half the crowd broke ribs
Yes Nugent is still going, but surely, not so much of a Kid anymore Rock has to be the penalty taker, unless Trump brings the Tate Boys back. Russell Brand on the other hand might be otherwise engaged visa wise. Remember this is MAGA so no female penalty takers.
I was reading about a load of artists who have pulled out of some concert that was supposed to be about US 250 but morphed into a Trump fest. There was some crap groups and some of them said they didn’t even know they were supposed to be playing. Anyway one of the groups was Milli Vanilli which just showed how rubbish the concert would be considering one of them is dead and they couldn’t sing anyway.
I'm thinking of a MAGA acceptable Diana Ross penalty taker
Is Ted Nugent still alive?
Saw him at Birmingham Odeon once, so loud half the crowd broke ribs
Yes Nugent is still going, but surely, not so much of a Kid anymore Rock has to be the penalty taker, unless Trump brings the Tate Boys back. Russell Brand on the other hand might be otherwise engaged visa wise. Remember this is MAGA so no female penalty takers.
I was reading about a load of artists who have pulled out of some concert that was supposed to be about US 250 but morphed into a Trump fest. There was some crap groups and some of them said they didn’t even know they were supposed to be playing. Anyway one of the groups was Milli Vanilli which just showed how rubbish the concert would be considering one of them is dead and they couldn’t sing anyway.
I'm thinking of a MAGA acceptable Diana Ross penalty taker
Is Ted Nugent still alive?
Saw him at Birmingham Odeon once, so loud half the crowd broke ribs
Yes Nugent is still going, but surely, not so much of a Kid anymore Rock has to be the penalty taker, unless Trump brings the Tate Boys back. Russell Brand on the other hand might be otherwise engaged visa wise. Remember this is MAGA so no female penalty takers.
I was reading about a load of artists who have pulled out of some concert that was supposed to be about US 250 but morphed into a Trump fest. There was some crap groups and some of them said they didn’t even know they were supposed to be playing. Anyway one of the groups was Milli Vanilli which just showed how rubbish the concert would be considering one of them is dead and they couldn’t sing anyway.
It is slim pickings ( he's dead) all round. Even some on this list are either in jail or have snuffed it (Lee Greenwood?) Swansea City FC's very own Snoop and Nicki Minaj it is then.
I'm thinking of a MAGA acceptable Diana Ross penalty taker
Is Ted Nugent still alive?
Saw him at Birmingham Odeon once, so loud half the crowd broke ribs
Yes Nugent is still going, but surely, not so much of a Kid anymore Rock has to be the penalty taker, unless Trump brings the Tate Boys back. Russell Brand on the other hand might be otherwise engaged visa wise. Remember this is MAGA so no female penalty takers.
I was reading about a load of artists who have pulled out of some concert that was supposed to be about US 250 but morphed into a Trump fest. There was some crap groups and some of them said they didn’t even know they were supposed to be playing. Anyway one of the groups was Milli Vanilli which just showed how rubbish the concert would be considering one of them is dead and they couldn’t sing anyway.
Robert Matthew Van Winkle is still performing...
...he stands in front of the mike and his lips move...
The time difference will be the main challenge for me I think but still looking forward to the World Cup. Helps that I was just 16 the last time Scotland were in one, though, to be fair.
I'm thinking of a MAGA acceptable Diana Ross penalty taker
Is Ted Nugent still alive?
Saw him at Birmingham Odeon once, so loud half the crowd broke ribs
Yes Nugent is still going, but surely, not so much of a Kid anymore Rock has to be the penalty taker, unless Trump brings the Tate Boys back. Russell Brand on the other hand might be otherwise engaged visa wise. Remember this is MAGA so no female penalty takers.
I was reading about a load of artists who have pulled out of some concert that was supposed to be about US 250 but morphed into a Trump fest. There was some crap groups and some of them said they didn’t even know they were supposed to be playing. Anyway one of the groups was Milli Vanilli which just showed how rubbish the concert would be considering one of them is dead and they couldn’t sing anyway.
Robert Matthew Van Winkle is still performing...
...he stands in front of the mike and his lips move...
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
I went with our next door neighbour to St Andrews. So it really wasn't.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
A Chinese dissident who orchestrated an anti-government protest in China after fleeing to the UK has claimed that a “pro-regime” interpreter used by a British police force berated him when he sought help.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
Still very possible in the Conference League, or even lower leagues. Leicester City will be playing the Academy kids at 3PM with no VAR next season.
Its just if you want to follow the international mercenaries in the Prem that you won't, though that is its own form of entertainment.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
Still very possible in the Conference League, or even lower leagues. Leicester City will be playing the Academy kids at 3PM with no VAR next season.
Its just if you want to follow the international mercenaries in the Prem that you won't, though that is its own form of entertainment.
Enjoy the new season, with the opportunity to visit new grounds and the chance of promotion.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
I mean the World Cup lasts 5 and a half weeks. Do we really need people to be excited before it's even started?
Assuming we get into the knock out stages we'll have the same excitement as usual.
Our first friendly is not til next week, the second one the day before the tournament! The squashed up calendar is the bigger reason rather than everything is crap as it is not the same as it was in our youth.
Fixture congestion?
Then get rid of the crappier second and third-tier Euro cup competitons, and the play-offs.
Get back to no seeding and only champions in the champions league. used to be magic to see the big teams in some field in middle of nowhere struggling to get through. Now the supposed big teams are feather bedded till quarter finals
I guess back in the 70s for all the talk of decline, Britain is finished, there was still a belief that things could be turned around. I just don't see it happening now.
Its complete bollocks of course. Britain is neither finished nor in serious decline.
In almost all respects Britain is a far better country than it was in the 70's.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
Still very possible in the Conference League, or even lower leagues. Leicester City will be playing the Academy kids at 3PM with no VAR next season.
Its just if you want to follow the international mercenaries in the Prem that you won't, though that is its own form of entertainment.
Enjoy the new season, with the opportunity to visit new grounds and the chance of promotion.
I enjoyed the last season in League One, but not convinced that we will be Promotion contenders this season. Maybe we might win a few more games.
Amongst the "Sack the Board" and "You're not fit to wear the shirt" chants at the last home match we sang the Que sera sera song, but rather than "we're on our way to Wembley", the lyric was "we're on our way to Bromley"
The US, UK and Australia say they will develop underwater drone technology to protect undersea cables and boost defence, under their military alliance known as Aukus.
The uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology is expected to be ready by next year. While the project's total cost was not stated, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said his nation would contribute £150m ($201m).
I guess back in the 70s for all the talk of decline, Britain is finished, there was still a belief that things could be turned around. I just don't see it happening now.
Its complete bollocks of course. Britain is neither finished nor in serious decline.
In almost all respects Britain is a far better country than it was in the 70's.
The 70's were awesome
Oh, I enjoyed them, but by all reasonable measures such as like life expectancy, cardiac and stroke deaths, education, opportunities to travel, rights for women and minorities etc things are better now. Average earnings are 50% higher in real terms for example:
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
Still very possible in the Conference League, or even lower leagues. Leicester City will be playing the Academy kids at 3PM with no VAR next season.
Its just if you want to follow the international mercenaries in the Prem that you won't, though that is its own form of entertainment.
Enjoy the new season, with the opportunity to visit new grounds and the chance of promotion.
I enjoyed the last season in League One, but not convinced that we will be Promotion contenders this season. Maybe we might win a few more games.
Amongst the "Sack the Board" and "You're not fit to wear the shirt" chants at the last home match we sang the Que sera sera song, but rather than "we're on our way to Wembley", the lyric was "we're on our way to Bromley"
Every Saturday will feel like the third round of the cup.
The US, UK and Australia say they will develop underwater drone technology to protect undersea cables and boost defence, under their military alliance known as Aukus.
The uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology is expected to be ready by next year. While the project's total cost was not stated, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said his nation would contribute £150m ($201m).
"The announcement, made by the countries' defence ministers at a security summit in Singapore, follows claims of slow progress in Aukus's projects.
Acknowledging the criticism, Healey said "for too long in Aukus, we talked too much and delivered too little", adding "that has now changed under our three governments"."
Translation: the multi tens of billions submarine project is stuck in the mud, so here's something shiny that's 50 times cheaper. It's a success!
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
Still very possible in the Conference League, or even lower leagues. Leicester City will be playing the Academy kids at 3PM with no VAR next season.
Its just if you want to follow the international mercenaries in the Prem that you won't, though that is its own form of entertainment.
Enjoy the new season, with the opportunity to visit new grounds and the chance of promotion.
I enjoyed the last season in League One, but not convinced that we will be Promotion contenders this season. Maybe we might win a few more games.
Amongst the "Sack the Board" and "You're not fit to wear the shirt" chants at the last home match we sang the Que sera sera song, but rather than "we're on our way to Wembley", the lyric was "we're on our way to Bromley"
Every Saturday will feel like the third round of the cup.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
12 days to the World Cup. Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
Reasons? Possibles:
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away. The sense that it's a rip off for those who go. The USA hasn't got any interest in football The time difference problem. The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars. Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality. Cape Verde are there and Italy are not. According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable. You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
Football was more exciting when you went with your Dad at 3pm on a Saturday to watch your local team, with local men playing in the team.
I used to watch Saracens when you wandered in and could stand on the touchline. Kicks for touch would sometimes land in the Anglican theological college grounds across the road.
The US, UK and Australia say they will develop underwater drone technology to protect undersea cables and boost defence, under their military alliance known as Aukus.
The uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology is expected to be ready by next year. While the project's total cost was not stated, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said his nation would contribute £150m ($201m).
"The announcement, made by the countries' defence ministers at a security summit in Singapore, follows claims of slow progress in Aukus's projects.
Acknowledging the criticism, Healey said "for too long in Aukus, we talked too much and delivered too little", adding "that has now changed under our three governments"."
Translation: the multi tens of billions submarine project is stuck in the mud, so here's something shiny that's 50 times cheaper. It's a success!
What idiot decided to change the time of the champions league final without telling anyone?
They seem to have told the teams and the fans and the broadcasters. Were you expecting a personalised letter to inform you?
i'd have expected it to be mentioned in the weeks build-up at some point, yes.
Well a top tip for future reference is that if there is a sports event you would like to watch in the future use the internet and ask something like “what time does the x event happen” and then you will magically have the answer. This will prevent you coming on here during the World Cup and asking why nobody told you that England v Croatia wasn’t at 8pm UK time. No need to thank me.
What idiot decided to change the time of the champions league final without telling anyone?
They seem to have told the teams and the fans and the broadcasters. Were you expecting a personalised letter to inform you?
i'd have expected it to be mentioned in the weeks build-up at some point, yes.
Well a top tip for future reference is that if there is a sports event you would like to watch in the future use the internet and ask something like “what time does the x event happen” and then you will magically have the answer. This will prevent you coming on here during the World Cup and asking why nobody told you that England v Croatia wasn’t at 8pm UK time. No need to thank me.
its been on saturday 8pm or so for the last decade shrugemoji
What idiot decided to change the time of the champions league final without telling anyone?
They seem to have told the teams and the fans and the broadcasters. Were you expecting a personalised letter to inform you?
i'd have expected it to be mentioned in the weeks build-up at some point, yes.
Well a top tip for future reference is that if there is a sports event you would like to watch in the future use the internet and ask something like “what time does the x event happen” and then you will magically have the answer. This will prevent you coming on here during the World Cup and asking why nobody told you that England v Croatia wasn’t at 8pm UK time. No need to thank me.
its been on saturday 8pm or so for the last decade shrugemoji
What idiot decided to change the time of the champions league final without telling anyone?
They seem to have told the teams and the fans and the broadcasters. Were you expecting a personalised letter to inform you?
i'd have expected it to be mentioned in the weeks build-up at some point, yes.
Well a top tip for future reference is that if there is a sports event you would like to watch in the future use the internet and ask something like “what time does the x event happen” and then you will magically have the answer. This will prevent you coming on here during the World Cup and asking why nobody told you that England v Croatia wasn’t at 8pm UK time. No need to thank me.
its been on saturday 8pm or so for the last decade shrugemoji
At least you found out at halftime.
haha i wandered in from the garden at abut 530. My mates are now texting me to tell that the second half has started!
Comments
https://x.com/EdwardJDavey/status/2060692948153512252?s=20
Price out is going a bit strong...it costs £5. I think most people can get a few mates around and share that cost of the fiver. That been said, I think they missed a trick, after all the negative publicity, I think they could have done a its for free (99p day access) and harvested all that potential customer data to flog HBO Max to in the future.
Can anyone ever recall less excitement?
6 years ago the late Queen was still in charge of the Palace on a nominal basis but the emails were handed to the then Lord Chamberlain, Earl Peel (a descentant of former PM Peel) who is the one who may have a few questions to answer
Once we work out whomever that is.
I'd like to see their geographic distribution according to the pollster.
* What for
* Which teams
* What outsome
* What odds
* And how much
But apart from that, I'll looking forward to winning it.
Makerfield!
Makerfield!
Whether to stand down as PM after two general election victories or carry on for a third.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx4qZiiz7Cc&list=RDWx4qZiiz7Cc&start_radio=1
'Eres the field you asked me to make for yer, guv'nor.
Where should I put it?
I think there will be at least one hilarious batting collapse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhI9HLYyBgQ
" pick a number 4 or 6"
How many teams sent straight home?
How many fans arrested by ICE
It's in the USA so the Trump problem applies. He will barge in. We don't trust or admire the USA currently. Some who always go will stay away.
The sense that it's a rip off for those who go.
The USA hasn't got any interest in football
The time difference problem.
The English game is so dominated by foreign stars that the England squad don't feel like familiar superstars.
Far too many teams in the finals (48). In 1966 there were 16. So far too many obscure games. Too much, too long, diluted quality.
Cape Verde are there and Italy are not.
According to the rankings England are the 4th best in the world, which suggests that this isn't going to be a feast of genius, as we are mostly unwatchable.
You can watch football on telly if you are a fan more or less 365 days a year. It isn't special.
No sniggering please.
Is Ted Nugent still alive?
Saw him at Birmingham Odeon once, so loud half the crowd broke ribs
In almost all respects Britain is a far better country than it was in the 70's.
You would have thought he would have replaced Castro with Teddy Kennedy if he did
Reform will be massive tactical votes against
Tories stagnant distrusted
LD SNP PC will be main Labour opponents in South / Scotland / Wales
Based of fact I cannot forsee Farage giving all his corrupt income up to be PM.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/meet-mahmud-sadis-buba-nigerian-politician-claimed-he-was-30-until-leaked-documents-revealed-he-was-actually-16/articleshow/131366401.cms
JFK and RFL were hard core Cold Warriors. Not Peace Liberals as some have fantasised.
When JFK died, the plan was for 10,000 Minutemen III missiles. And so on. The reason they put McNamara into the DoD wasn’t to cut - but to standardise on fewer weapon systems and produce them in epic numbers.
Assuming we get into the knock out stages we'll have the same excitement as usual.
Blair did make two very good points in his essay. The first that rejoining the EU wasn't going to fix everything and secondly that saving the country from Reform wasn't a serious governing strategy.
Then get rid of the crappier second and third-tier Euro cup competitons, and the play-offs.
https://www.westword.com/music/nine-musicians-who-support-donald-trump-8492626/
Due to face Jamaica? Friendly against Trinidad.
Morocco? Play Tunisia.
A Chinese dissident who orchestrated an anti-government protest in China after fleeing to the UK has claimed that a “pro-regime” interpreter used by a British police force berated him when he sought help.
Its just if you want to follow the international mercenaries in the Prem that you won't, though that is its own form of entertainment.
It was my first experience of regular Saturday football
That sounds like Restore have achieved a lot of cut through if Reform activists are having to persuade them to switch.
https://x.com/Jake_Ventham/status/2060729162709529068
Met @ZiaYusufUK in Makerfield today.
Good support for Reform on the doors.
Weak Restore Britain support and most switched to Reform after realising Restore isn’t a serious force in Makerfield.
Reform is the only party that can stop Burnham.
Amongst the "Sack the Board" and "You're not fit to wear the shirt" chants at the last home match we sang the Que sera sera song, but rather than "we're on our way to Wembley", the lyric was "we're on our way to Bromley"
The uncrewed undersea vehicle (UUV) technology is expected to be ready by next year. While the project's total cost was not stated, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said his nation would contribute £150m ($201m).
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8wjvd1ypo
https://www.measuringworth.com/datasets/ukearncpi/result2.php
Nah.
Mighty Wigan again.
Acknowledging the criticism, Healey said "for too long in Aukus, we talked too much and delivered too little", adding "that has now changed under our three governments"."
Translation: the multi tens of billions submarine project is stuck in the mud, so here's something shiny that's 50 times cheaper. It's a success!
And Arsenal are ahead.
In short, politicians tend to err by assuming the spread of views supporting or opposing something are closer to 50/50 than they are.
It's not just politicians' misperception.