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SystemSystem Posts: 12,681
edited March 2015 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » So was it, as was being predicted, the game-changer?

The one thing we’ve learned from previous budgets, bot LAB & CON, is that early judgements are not usually the right ones. Remember the initial polling on the March 2012 omni-shambles was fairly positive.

Read the full story here


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Comments

  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 123,759
    No.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    edited March 2015
    @LabourList: After today, it is still all to play for #budget http://labli.st/1CvZhN3
  • Ishmael_XIshmael_X Posts: 3,664
    Predicted by?
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    edited March 2015
    "Whatever I guess that this was Geroge’s last budget. If the Tories are in government after May 7th he’ll have a different role."

    Hopefully replaced by Hammond if this is the case.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    edited March 2015
    No...no game changer....

    What the Tories really need if they want to change opinion, would be quickly to go big on what they would do without the Lib Dems. If they wait and wait, it will all get lost in the noise of the mud slinging.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    This budget doesn't change anything - but it doesn't lower the Conservative chances either.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,907
    Mike is a PB Tory! (as they say on Twitter!)
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    I think it was a game changer - it suggests the Cons are confident of winning without a panicky rabbit being brought out.

    But there are plenty of treats in there - mostly on savings and income taxes.

    Savetobuy ISA was imaginative.

    Labour list doesn't do parody

    "Ed Miliband’s response today was strong. He pointed out that the Chancellor had nothing to say about the NHS and that the public simply would not believe his boasts on living standards and wages."
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,949
    Steady As She Goes Vs Time For A Change

    #takeyourpick
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    Pulpstar said:

    "Whatever I guess that this was Geroge’s last budget. If the Tories are in government after May 7th he’ll have a different role."

    Hopefully replaced by Hammond if this is the case.

    Tories should have always had Hammond from day one. Not from politics side of it, but because he is the best qualified, most sensible and least "political" of the major politicians around. I think he would have been much more likely to do what was right, rather than what was right for his party.
  • david_herdsondavid_herdson Posts: 18,361
    No, it wasn't a game changer in that I don't expect the polls to move off the back of it much. What it is is a hurdle cleared or an obstacle avoided. It's also laid out the economic battleground more clearly.
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,822
    The game change the Conservatives need is for a portion of the electorate, especially in the Midlands, to come round to the view that it's too risky to throw away all the progress which has been made. In that sense it was the right budget, but will it be enough? Dunno.
  • FlightpathFlightpath Posts: 4,012
    You are as bad as the mainstream press at inventing headlines.
    I do not think many people at all were predicting a 'game changing' budget. There were never going to be any rabbits out of any hats. The projections are not the governments they are the OBR's.
    The budget was going to be important. It sets the scene for the election and it shows the country on track.
    That should underpin the tories. Not sure about the LDs.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Flightpath said:

    You are as bad as the mainstream press at inventing headlines.
    I do not think many people at all were predicting a 'game changing' budget.

    Lefties were

    @politicshome: .@georgeeaton heads today's Five at Five Must Reads: 'Osborne didn't deliver the game-changer the Tories needed' http://t.co/c0clVzoYEp

    @GdnPolitics: Budget verdict: "nothing much changed, despite this Wizard of Oz performance" - @pollytoynbee http://t.co/Z4UkiLmERY
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    Flightpath said:

    You are as bad as the mainstream press at inventing headlines.
    I do not think many people at all were predicting a 'game changing' budget..

    Quite. More people may have been saying it needed to be a gamechanger for one or the other (for me I'd say the Tories needed it to be, others may disagree), but not as many that it would be.

  • FlightpathFlightpath Posts: 4,012
    TGOHF said:

    I think it was a game changer - it suggests the Cons are confident of winning without a panicky rabbit being brought out.

    But there are plenty of treats in there - mostly on savings and income taxes.

    Savetobuy ISA was imaginative.

    Labour list doesn't do parody

    "Ed Miliband’s response today was strong. He pointed out that the Chancellor had nothing to say about the NHS and that the public simply would not believe his boasts on living standards and wages."

    The NHS was mentioned the other day - the NHS is spending not about taxing. The NHS was given more money for child mental health. The spending plans for the NHS were set out in the autumn.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    I thought that was Labour's election line...

    @David_Cameron: Today's Budget is about securing a better future for you, your family and Britain. Find out more: http://t.co/4XJXQ3r9bt #Budget2015
  • SpeedySpeedy Posts: 12,100
    To early to tell, but a bit underwhelming, the feeling wasn't all that different from all his other budgets of the last 2 years.
    As usual with mid-week events, we will know by Monday.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    Richard_Nabavi said:

    The game change the Conservatives need is for a portion of the electorate, especially in the Midlands, to come round to the view that it's too risky to throw away all the progress which has been made. In that sense it was the right budget, but will it be enough? Dunno.

    That Nuneaton poll made it look tricky.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Speedy said:

    To early to tell, but a bit underwhelming, the feeling wasn't all that different from all his other budgets of the last 2 years.
    As usual with mid-week events, we will know by Monday.

    Seems to have been more about fox shooting than rabbit pulling.

    Labour reduced to suggesting he's fibbing.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    GIN1138 said:

    Steady As She Goes Vs Time For A Change

    #takeyourpick

    When that 'change' is also pretty much 'steady as she goes' the choice is not so stark, and the line does not work I suspect.

    Labour's genius or luck is that they can promise they will be pretty steady and some people at least will buy into that (or feel things are going ok enough that it is worth the risk), and yet they will still pick up huge amounts of the 'time for a change' vote, even though the change on economic policy will in many areas be a coat of paint due to necessary restraints. I bet they cannot believe their luck.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    Racing Post loves the budget
  • Danny565Danny565 Posts: 8,091
    FPT:

    11 Ways Tony Blair was more Socialist than Ed Miliband: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jonstone/sorry-but-he-isnt-clement-attlee-mk-2

    See, I'm not the only one who thinks Labour's platform this year is further to the Right than any of New Labour's :)
  • steve_garnersteve_garner Posts: 1,019
    Osborne did not deliver a game changer because the Tories don't think they need one. His sense of confidence was palpable. With the economic metrics piling up in his favour the calculation is that it will take a very brave electorate to take a chance on Miliband and Balls. Go figure.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    edited March 2015
    Personal finance expert Martin Lewis told the BBC News Channel: "[On] a thousand pounds interest, you'd currently pay £200 tax on that, as a basic rate tax payer. It's £200 a year maximum giveaway. But it will be very, very popular for the many, many people in the country who have savings and many pensioners out there."

    The thing with these kind of things, actually I don't think people will notice for a long time, if at all. I am not sure the IC threshold increase is noticed by as many people as it probably should. They just get their pay packet and off they go. Lots of people on hourly wages, their wages move around week to week anyway.

    I know when I was on just above minimum wage and doing agency work. My hours every week would vary massively. Some weeks 40hrs, some 60hrs, so I wouldn't have a clue if the IC threshold meant I was keeping a bit more.
  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    kle4 said:

    GIN1138 said:

    Steady As She Goes Vs Time For A Change

    #takeyourpick

    When that 'change' is also pretty much 'steady as she goes' the choice is not so stark, and the line does not work I suspect.

    Labour's genius or luck is that they can promise they will be pretty steady and some people at least will buy into that (or feel things are going ok enough that it is worth the risk), and yet they will still pick up huge amounts of the 'time for a change' vote, even though the change on economic policy will in many areas be a coat of paint due to necessary restraints. I bet they cannot believe their luck.
    If Ed and Ed is "steady as she goes" why bother to change ? They can't have it both ways.

    "The same cuts but done in a nicer way" - is that the election slogan ?
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 60,422
    Richard_Nabavi said:

    The game change the Conservatives need is for a portion of the electorate, especially in the Midlands, to come round to the view that it's too risky to throw away all the progress which has been made. In that sense it was the right budget, but will it be enough? Dunno.

    Osborne has gambled on the British electorate's ability to take a balanced view and not be seduced by gimmicks - time will tell whether it pays off...
  • saddosaddo Posts: 534
    If all Labour have left is all the stats on economic recovery are unbelievable and he's got an evil Tory plan to bang up VAT to 25% after the election, they are pretty much screwed.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    TGOHF said:

    "The same cuts but done in a nicer way" - is that the election slogan ?

    It worked so well for them last time...
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    TGOHF said:

    kle4 said:

    GIN1138 said:

    Steady As She Goes Vs Time For A Change

    #takeyourpick

    When that 'change' is also pretty much 'steady as she goes' the choice is not so stark, and the line does not work I suspect.

    Labour's genius or luck is that they can promise they will be pretty steady and some people at least will buy into that (or feel things are going ok enough that it is worth the risk), and yet they will still pick up huge amounts of the 'time for a change' vote, even though the change on economic policy will in many areas be a coat of paint due to necessary restraints. I bet they cannot believe their luck.
    If Ed and Ed is "steady as she goes" why bother to change ? They can't have it both ways.

    "The same cuts but done in a nicer way" - is that the election slogan ?
    To the first - they shouldn't be able to have it both ways, but they can because more people just don't like the Tories. Unfair but true I suspect.

    To the second, because of the above, they don't need it as they actual slogan, even though it is pretty much their motto as far as I can see.

  • TGOHFTGOHF Posts: 21,633
    Good day to bury abject surrender.

    5.30 pm statement coming on the single debate agreement that has been made..
  • RepublicanToryRepublicanTory Posts: 563
    TSE /Mike Smithson

    Following on from comments that you and others have made regarding the different methodology used by the various polling companies. Is there any chance that you could do a thread outlining the different methodology used and how you feel that affects the headline figures?

    I am especially interested in the way the polling companies weight their scores in relation to past voting at the 2010 election and how they weight the samples taking into account the significant changes to the levels of support for SNP UKIP and LIBDEMS.

    Based in Thanet S I am especially interested in understanding the Local polls better as what I am experiencing on the doorstep doesn't quite equate to the polling.

    Many thanks.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,983
    Flightpath said:
    » show previous quotes
    And further inspection shows that the tax allowance increase is indeed £200 extra this year, this April, over and above previously announced.
    .
    WRONG must try harder.

    The tax-free personal allowance to rise from £10,600 in 2015-6 to £10,800 in 2016-7 and £11,000 in 2017-8
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    Scott_P said:

    TGOHF said:

    "The same cuts but done in a nicer way" - is that the election slogan ?

    It worked so well for them last time...
    Yes, but this time people have seen the impact (or narrative perception of the impact) of the Tory cuts. No matter that cutting is cutting and the choice of where to do so is pretty limited when you're protecting certain areas, a small but significant enough group will probably think it worth at least seeing if Labour can in fact cut and make it hurt less. I don't think they could, but what would be the harm in trying is something I can see plenty of people saying.

    It would not be enough if the Tories didn't need such a large win to win outright (Yes, I know some people are saying the wouldn't need as big a win this time), but in general they do.
  • MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792
    Should this prove to be Osborne's last budget, I'll regret the ending of the finest Chancellorship of my life-time. He's performed wonders with the wreckage left by the Labour delinquents.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 21,064
    edited March 2015
    Well Robert Chote doesn't sound enthusiastic but as my one time next door neighbour I taught him everything he needs to know
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    edited March 2015
    RepublicanTory said:

    TSE /Mike Smithson

    Following on from comments that you and others have made regarding the different methodology used by the various polling companies. Is there any chance that you could do a thread outlining the different methodology used and how you feel that affects the headline figures?

    I am especially interested in the way the polling companies weight their scores in relation to past voting at the 2010 election and how they weight the samples taking into account the significant changes to the levels of support for SNP UKIP and LIBDEMS.

    Based in Thanet S I am especially interested in understanding the Local polls better as what I am experiencing on the doorstep doesn't quite equate to the polling.

    Many thanks.

    Can you let me know if you're experiencing Labour ahead there, have left just over a ton liability on the reds in Thanet S.
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    RepublicanTory said:

    TSE /Mike Smithson

    Following on from comments that you and others have made regarding the different methodology used by the various polling companies. Is there any chance that you could do a thread outlining the different methodology used and how you feel that affects the headline figures?

    I am especially interested in the way the polling companies weight their scores in relation to past voting at the 2010 election and how they weight the samples taking into account the significant changes to the levels of support for SNP UKIP and LIBDEMS.

    Based in Thanet S I am especially interested in understanding the Local polls better as what I am experiencing on the doorstep doesn't quite equate to the polling.

    Many thanks.

    Generally before elections I do write such a piece

  • AllyPally_RobAllyPally_Rob Posts: 605
    Pulpstar said:

    Richard_Nabavi said:

    The game change the Conservatives need is for a portion of the electorate, especially in the Midlands, to come round to the view that it's too risky to throw away all the progress which has been made. In that sense it was the right budget, but will it be enough? Dunno.

    That Nuneaton poll made it look tricky.
    I was in Nuneaton today actually. Can't say the place screamed natural Tory territory.
  • SquareRootSquareRoot Posts: 7,095
    edited March 2015
    I heard a comment on the radio which to my mind is spot on. It set the territories.. Labour... you let us down.... Tories , budget designed to court kippers... Sounded about right to me.

    It amazes me that Ed has the chutzpah to use this line, given Labour's losing control of the economy, but hey, that's politics.
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    I wonder whether the Lib Dems have saved the Conservatives from themselves. Too blatant an electioneering budget might well have backfired. This one was unmemorable, but anything too memorable would have undermined their sales pitch on the economy.

    I can't see it being a game-changer though.
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,949
    edited March 2015
    Roger said:

    Well Robert Chote doesn't sound enthusiastic but as my one time next door neighbour I taught him everything he needs to know

    Did you ever have him over for a cheese and wine super? :smiley:

  • isamisam Posts: 42,608
    edited March 2015
    Tories +6.5 in Thanet South EVENS here

    Inbox confo of bet
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382
    GIN1138 said:

    Steady As She Goes Vs Time For A Change

    #takeyourpick

    But the status quo is not an option. We've a coalition remember.

  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,983
    MonikerDiCanio said:

    Should this prove to be Osborne's last budget, I'll regret the ending of the finest Chancellorship of my life-time. He's performed wonders with the wreckage left by the Labour delinquents.

    In that he has missed every target he set himself?
    LOL

  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    edited March 2015
    FPT @tyson

    re: March of the badgers

    The cows can be sacrificed.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    antifrank said:

    I wonder whether the Lib Dems have saved the Conservatives from themselves. Too blatant an electioneering budget might well have backfired. This one was unmemorable, but anything too memorable would have undermined their sales pitch on the economy.

    I can't see it being a game-changer though.

    I was disappointed with the budget, only good thing that came out of it was my winning "tax" sell tip ;)
  • SquareRootSquareRoot Posts: 7,095
    edited March 2015
    ="Roger">Well Robert Chote doesn't sound enthusiastic but as my one time next door neighbour I taught him everything he needs to know.

    about hypocrisy?
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,891
    Mr. Owls, a fair point. Osborne has failed to clean up Labour's enormous mess as quickly as he intended.
  • bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,983
    Pulpstar said:

    antifrank said:

    I wonder whether the Lib Dems have saved the Conservatives from themselves. Too blatant an electioneering budget might well have backfired. This one was unmemorable, but anything too memorable would have undermined their sales pitch on the economy.

    I can't see it being a game-changer though.

    I was disappointed with the budget, only good thing that came out of it was my winning "tax" sell tip ;)
    Shame about the tie colour though!
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    steve_garner said:

    Osborne did not deliver a game changer because the Tories don't think they need one. His sense of confidence was palpable. With the economic metrics piling up in his favour the calculation is that it will take a very brave electorate to take a chance on Miliband and Balls. Go figure.

    The most interesting item for me was the change in the taxation of farming income so incomes can be averaged over the last 5 years for tax purposes.

    I genuinely have no idea what the impact will be, but the NFU has apparently been lobbying for it for ages, so I guess it's pretty important.

    That's a direct play to shore up rural support in a big swathe of the country: and presumably to galvanise the GOTV effort that the rural community led last time round?
  • roserees64roserees64 Posts: 251
    Just looked at the Budget speech and Miliband's response. Too much pre-release on the budget, no real surprise. Miliband rather brilliant, full of passion and intelligent comment, his best response, well-timed for the election.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    98% Book alert:

    http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/fermanagh-and-south-tyrone/winning-party

    I can't be bothered but it's 2% return in 50 days for anyone who wants it.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    roserees64 said:

    Miliband rather brilliant

    Yes Justine.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    bigjohnowls said:

    Pulpstar said:

    antifrank said:

    I wonder whether the Lib Dems have saved the Conservatives from themselves. Too blatant an electioneering budget might well have backfired. This one was unmemorable, but anything too memorable would have undermined their sales pitch on the economy.

    I can't see it being a game-changer though.

    I was disappointed with the budget, only good thing that came out of it was my winning "tax" sell tip ;)
    Shame about the tie colour though!
    Betfair made sure I only lost £1.25 :)
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    roserees64 said:

    Just looked at the Budget speech and Miliband's response. Too much pre-release on the budget, no real surprise. Miliband rather brilliant, full of passion and intelligent comment, his best response, well-timed for the election.

    This announcement was brought to you by the office of Ed Miliband...
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,891
    Mr. Charles, I'd guess it'd be to mean a disastrous year can at least enable such losses (or low profits) to be balanced with better years [or for a weird bumper year to mean a smaller rise in taxes over 5 years rather than a huge increase in one].
  • GIN1138GIN1138 Posts: 22,949
    edited March 2015
    MikeSmithson said:

    GIN1138 said:

    Steady As She Goes Vs Time For A Change

    #takeyourpick

    But the status quo is not an option. We've a coalition remember.

    Jack's ARSE has been tipping ConDem's to have another go round...

  • RogerRoger Posts: 21,064
    Gin

    "Did you ever have him over for a cheese and wine super?"

    No time . Bar charts and graphs...... It was obvious with George at the helm he'd need to pick my brains dry
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Oh dear...

    @joncraig: Scots Labour MP in danger from SNP tells me Scottish Socialist Party & Greens not standing in seats like his to maximise SNP threat to Lab.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Charles, I'd guess it'd be to mean a disastrous year can at least enable such losses (or low profits) to be balanced with better years [or for a weird bumper year to mean a smaller rise in taxes over 5 years rather than a huge increase in one].

    Precisely - allows them to offset their exposure to commodity price swings. Huge for the farming community I'd imagine.

    But, intriguingly, strikes me as a very targeted measure, probably not costing much, for a core voting group (rural community is around 8% of population, IIRC) that may sneak under the radar screen for a lot of people.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    I wonder what the SUN thinks...

    @SunPolitics: Labour election message blown apart by George Osborne's spending plans http://t.co/PBghoGFUE2 http://t.co/Y2ZLeUh0HE
  • TheWatcherTheWatcher Posts: 5,262
    Roger said:

    Well Robert Chote doesn't sound enthusiastic but as my one time next door neighbour I taught him everything he needs to know

    How much did he slash the house price in his desperation to move?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    Labour is not ditching its claim that the Conservatives would take the UK to public spending levels not seen since the 1930s.....

    And neither will the BBC.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,891
    Mr. Charles, also worth noting farmers are extremely subject to such random woes (very bad weather, or disease, such as the 2007 flooding or the foot and mouth outbreak). Doing everything right and then suffering great financial hardship must be incredibly stressful, and hopefully this measure will help.
  • tysontyson Posts: 6,123
    Charles said:

    FPT @tyson

    re: March of the badgers

    The cows can be sacrificed.

    I actually feel sorrier for the cows whose final moments are the horror of the abattoir after a terrifying last trip crowded on a lorry. Better IMO to get TB and be despatched at home with little fuss. In the future I am quite sure our meat eating habits will be incomprehensibly barbaric for our descendants to understand.
  • NeilNeil Posts: 7,983
    roserees64 said:

    Just looked at the Budget speech and Miliband's response. Too much pre-release on the budget, no real surprise. Miliband rather brilliant, full of passion and intelligent comment, his best response, well-timed for the election.

    It's traditional for spoof posters to make their posts funny.

  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    And one for the SNPers

    @faisalislam: underpinning @scotgov indy fiscal calcs (may 14): £8.3bn in Scot Oil taxes in 2015/16. OBR today: £700m UK total http://t.co/9kpYPOsEOZ

    Maybe they can make up the shortfall with VAT receipts...
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Charles, also worth noting farmers are extremely subject to such random woes (very bad weather, or disease, such as the 2007 flooding or the foot and mouth outbreak). Doing everything right and then suffering great financial hardship must be incredibly stressful, and hopefully this measure will help.

    will this encourage you to come home?
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    Scott_P said:

    Oh dear...

    @joncraig: Scots Labour MP in danger from SNP tells me Scottish Socialist Party & Greens not standing in seats like his to maximise SNP threat to Lab.

    Scott_P said:

    And one for the SNPers

    @faisalislam: underpinning @scotgov indy fiscal calcs (may 14): £8.3bn in Scot Oil taxes in 2015/16. OBR today: £700m UK total http://t.co/9kpYPOsEOZ

    Maybe they can make up the shortfall with VAT receipts...

    Christ Scott that almost looks like political balance from yourself :D
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,891
    edited March 2015
    Mr. Tyson, are you suggesting eating meat is inherently barbaric, or treatment of animals beforehand is?

    Edited extra bit: you missed a rare bit of PB unity earlier regarding the wondrous nature of the pig.

    Edited extra bit 2: Mr. Charles, not sure what you mean.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,907
    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Tyson, are you suggesting eating meat is inherently barbaric, or treatment of animals beforehand is?

    Edited extra bit: you missed a rare bit of PB unity earlier regarding the wondrous nature of the pig.

    Been a vegetarian for well over 20 years :)
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 80,100
    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Tyson, are you suggesting eating meat is inherently barbaric, or treatment of animals beforehand is?

    Edited extra bit: you missed a rare bit of PB unity earlier regarding the wondrous nature of the pig.

    Edited extra bit 2: Mr. Charles, not sure what you mean.

    You should have some black pudding young Morris !
  • SmarmeronSmarmeron Posts: 5,099
    @Morris_Dancer
    The only thing that is not used from a pig is the oink?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,907
    Neil said:

    roserees64 said:

    Just looked at the Budget speech and Miliband's response. Too much pre-release on the budget, no real surprise. Miliband rather brilliant, full of passion and intelligent comment, his best response, well-timed for the election.

    It's traditional for spoof posters to make their posts funny.

    FPT:

    Why do we still think Ed is crap?

    Ed is most definitely not crap! He is merely misunderstood, and I put it to you that is the chief reason why he is so maligned and ridiculed by the evil right-wing media.

    I am certain you will agree with me that Ed is magnificently charismatic and eloquent. He is an inspiring and refreshing standard bearer for the social democratic tradition in our great nation. Yes, indeed: One Nation. Nay, his performance this afternoon must surely have been amongst the greatest (if not the greatest) Post-Budget Responses ever given by a leader of the Labour Party, or indeed of any party leader! Such magnificence, such poise, such alacrity. Wow! And his wonderful repertoire of jokes would put even Harry Hill to shame!

    He is articulate, passionate, an accomplished orator, and I think a real progressive alternative to the smarmy Bullingdon posh-boy Cameron.

    Roll on May 7th!
    :)
  • MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792
    Neil said:

    roserees64 said:

    Just looked at the Budget speech and Miliband's response. Too much pre-release on the budget, no real surprise. Miliband rather brilliant, full of passion and intelligent comment, his best response, well-timed for the election.

    It's traditional for spoof posters to make their posts funny.

    I found Rose's comment funny.
  • MarkHopkinsMarkHopkins Posts: 5,584
    Interesting where The Sun is going...

    https://twitter.com/SunNation/status/578247323001704448


  • Scrapheap_as_wasScrapheap_as_was Posts: 10,069
    Dougie Carswell has been quiet
  • Bob__SykesBob__Sykes Posts: 1,180
    Not a game changer. As I predicted it wouldn't be.

    EdM is still in pole position to become PM in just 7 weeks time - and I still confidently expect little movement in the polls over the coming weeks. I see no reason for it, unless Farage implodes.

    I don't follow why OGH thinks Osborne would be replaced as Chancellor if Cameron clings on to power. Am I missing something there? Surely after all the hard graft of 2010-15, and with the sunlight uplands finally in view, GO could expect to be kept in post to reap the rewards?
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,891
    Mr. Pulpstar, maybe I will.

    In my defence, I have eaten a few unusual meat-things:
    baby snakes [delicious]
    ox and sheep tongue [one's nice, the other one you can feel the bumps]
    beef in lukewarm blood [I do not recommend this]
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    tyson said:

    Charles said:

    FPT @tyson

    re: March of the badgers

    The cows can be sacrificed.

    I actually feel sorrier for the cows whose final moments are the horror of the abattoir after a terrifying last trip crowded on a lorry. Better IMO to get TB and be despatched at home with little fuss. In the future I am quite sure our meat eating habits will be incomprehensibly barbaric for our descendants to understand.
    I'm assuming, based on that comment, that you have no conception of the suffering cows endure from TB?
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Tyson, are you suggesting eating meat is inherently barbaric, or treatment of animals beforehand is?

    Edited extra bit: you missed a rare bit of PB unity earlier regarding the wondrous nature of the pig.

    Edited extra bit 2: Mr. Charles, not sure what you mean.

    I thought you were flirting with the Kippers?
  • SmarmeronSmarmeron Posts: 5,099
    @Charles
    Morris is flirting with smoked haddock (health regulations apart)
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,751
    If I had a bit of land, I would keep a couple of pigs and some chickens.
  • isamisam Posts: 42,608
    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    Dougie Carswell has been quiet

    He was on Sky News earlier apparently looking uncomfortable according to a Tory on here..

    I think Farages mob had his wife and kids bound and gagged at Kipper HQ again in a desperate attempt to stop him escaping back to the Tories as he so obviously wants to
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    edited March 2015
    Today is the day when all sorts of "interesting" people pop their heads up...

    Some reaction to the chancellor's budget from Barnado's chief executive, Javed Khan. He said: "We're disappointed that the chancellor has chosen to combat in-work poverty with tax changes that benefit higher earners three times more than the poor. Struggling working families will see precious little from the tax change."

    http://www.breitbart.com/london/2014/08/29/muslim-rape-gangs-the-disturbing-role-of-britain-s-leading-child-welfare-charity/

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2546033/Head-government-backed-charity-took-armed-gang-settle-long-running-land-row-Pakistan.html
  • Scrapheap_as_wasScrapheap_as_was Posts: 10,069
    isam said:

    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    Dougie Carswell has been quiet

    He was on Sky News earlier apparently looking uncomfortable according to a Tory on here..

    I think Farages mob had his wife and kids bound and gagged at Kipper HQ again in a desperate attempt to stop him escaping back to the Tories as he so obviously wants to
    Or putting out another kipper fire?

    BBC Scotland News‏@BBCScotlandNews·2 hrs2 hours ago
    UKIP MP Douglas Carswell condemns what he calls "disgraceful comments" made by David Coburn about Humza Yousaf http://bbc.in/191P5hE
  • tysontyson Posts: 6,123
    Morris_Dancer said:

    Mr. Tyson, are you suggesting eating meat is inherently barbaric, or treatment of animals beforehand is?

    Edited extra bit: you missed a rare bit of PB unity earlier regarding the wondrous nature of the pig.

    Edited extra bit 2: Mr. Charles, not sure what you mean.


    The whole concept of raising and then killing and eating a living, sentient creature, similar in many ways to ourselves would seem absolutely loathsome. But there again, cancer and illness will be eradicated, as too will poverty. There will be no prisons or crime. Party political elections will be the stuff of as satire as people universally converge around universally held values. The organs of the state will be long withered away.
    Human beings are really quite progressive and humane.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 62,891
    Mr. Charles, not really, though there's a lot that displeases me about the current Conservatives (Defence, this tax return business [though I'm hoping that's ok], the insane plan to try and save the whole internet for a year etc).

    My constituency is so particular that the choice is A Conservative or Ed Balls. That's not a hard choice for me.

    I voted UKIP at the European Elections, and may well do so again next time.
  • RepublicanToryRepublicanTory Posts: 563


    Can you let me know if you're experiencing Labour ahead there, have left just over a ton liability on the reds in Thanet S.

    Pulpstar-

    Labour are completely NON-existent in Thanet S. The candidate is not very credible and with the utter lack of obvious resources there seems to be a consensus that they have given up.

    But they do have a strong core vote which makes their attitude surprising. They should still poll a decent figure. Farage needs the Labour vote to collapse to give him the best chance of winning the seat.

    Personally I suspect they always thought Farage would choose the seat for 2015 and pulled back from mounting a strong challenge, for them it is a winning situation. If Farage wins he will cause havoc-and it is one less Tory.

    If the Labour Candidate wins Ed is PM with a huge majority!

    For what its worth-currently I think Farage is neck and neck the key for him seems to be the local hustings-he has done a few of them and they have attracted some good turnouts. But Thanet S UKIP have a reputation for being especially useless at GOTV. Although this time he seems to have a very good Agent so if he can overcome the past problems he has a real chance.

    I would make him slight favourite at this stage and gaining.

    Mike S-thank you I look forward to seeing the article.
  • Callum_SnrCallum_Snr Posts: 12
    No it wasn't a game changer, and most evidence suggests it needed to be.

    So WHY didn't Osborne - probably the most 'political' Chancellor ever - pull rabbits from the hat?

    Seems the Tories are putting all their eggs in the campaign basket, hoping that long weeks of sustained tractor stats on the economy and personal attacks on Miliband by their media will succeed where set-pieces and 'events' have so far failed.
  • isamisam Posts: 42,608
    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    isam said:

    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    Dougie Carswell has been quiet

    He was on Sky News earlier apparently looking uncomfortable according to a Tory on here..

    I think Farages mob had his wife and kids bound and gagged at Kipper HQ again in a desperate attempt to stop him escaping back to the Tories as he so obviously wants to
    Or putting out another kipper fire?

    BBC Scotland News‏@BBCScotlandNews·2 hrs2 hours ago
    UKIP MP Douglas Carswell condemns what he calls "disgraceful comments" made by David Coburn about Humza Yousaf http://bbc.in/191P5hE
    Seems to me he has been tweeting all afternoon criticizing the budget.. maybe Nige nicked his phone and sent them while he has Dougie locked in the dungeon?
  • TheWatcherTheWatcher Posts: 5,262
    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Today is the day when all sorts of "interesting" people pop their heads up...

    Some reaction to the chancellor's budget from Barnado's chief executive, Javed Khan. He said: "We're disappointed that the chancellor has chosen to combat in-work poverty with tax changes that benefit higher earners three times more than the poor. Struggling working families will see precious little from the tax change."

    http://www.breitbart.com/london/2014/08/29/muslim-rape-gangs-the-disturbing-role-of-britain-s-leading-child-welfare-charity/

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2546033/Head-government-backed-charity-took-armed-gang-settle-long-running-land-row-Pakistan.html

    The Barnado's Chief Exec was paid £165,000 in 2014. Charity work is a nice little earner!
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,376
    From the Telegraph site:

    "Has George just won the Tories the election?

    16.44 Ladbrokes seems to think so. The bookmaker has just narrowed its odds on a Tory victory on May 7.

    Its head of political odds Matthew Shaddick was following the betting action:

    Quote The money suggests that this might just be the start of a Tory breakthrough. It was one way traffic as soon as the Chancellor started speaking; if the betting reaction is any guide we might see a shift in the polls shortly.

    Their new odds are:

    1/5 No overall majority

    9/2 Conservative majority

    14/1 Labour majority "

    Not had any chance to absorb any of the detail yet but it looks like a budget by someone brimming with confidence who finds cheap bribes beneath him (unless you are a pensioner with a bit of money to invest of course).

    I find the confidence with which the tories have approached the debates and now the budget bewildering. Presumably they are all signed up fans of RodC.
  • RogerRoger Posts: 21,064
    Watcher

    "How much did he slash the house price in his desperation to move?"

    He was far from desperate to move. Above him he had the very attractive Arts editor of the Times. Above her a writer with the Independent and below was me giving him economic seminars. All of us lefties except for those who weren't. And the Chinese managing agent adored him. Writing for the FT made him every Chinaman's hero.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,391
    isam said:

    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    isam said:

    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    Dougie Carswell has been quiet

    He was on Sky News earlier apparently looking uncomfortable according to a Tory on here..

    I think Farages mob had his wife and kids bound and gagged at Kipper HQ again in a desperate attempt to stop him escaping back to the Tories as he so obviously wants to
    Or putting out another kipper fire?

    BBC Scotland News‏@BBCScotlandNews·2 hrs2 hours ago
    UKIP MP Douglas Carswell condemns what he calls "disgraceful comments" made by David Coburn about Humza Yousaf http://bbc.in/191P5hE
    Seems to me he has been tweeting all afternoon criticizing the budget.. maybe Nige nicked his phone and sent them while he has Dougie locked in the dungeon?
    I'm not convinced there ever was a real Douglas Carswell, I think he's been made up by UKIP. A maverick, well liked Tory MP jumping ship and turning his fire on his colleagues? Sounds made up to me, just a UKIP fantasy. I won't be fooled.
  • Scrapheap_as_wasScrapheap_as_was Posts: 10,069
    isam said:

    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    isam said:

    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    Dougie Carswell has been quiet

    He was on Sky News earlier apparently looking uncomfortable according to a Tory on here..

    I think Farages mob had his wife and kids bound and gagged at Kipper HQ again in a desperate attempt to stop him escaping back to the Tories as he so obviously wants to
    Or putting out another kipper fire?

    BBC Scotland News‏@BBCScotlandNews·2 hrs2 hours ago
    UKIP MP Douglas Carswell condemns what he calls "disgraceful comments" made by David Coburn about Humza Yousaf http://bbc.in/191P5hE
    Seems to me he has been tweeting all afternoon criticizing the budget.. maybe Nige nicked his phone and sent them while he has Dougie locked in the dungeon?
    Has he? He must have been removed from one of the political tweet feeds I look at.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 87,534
    edited March 2015
    TheWatcher said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Today is the day when all sorts of "interesting" people pop their heads up...

    Some reaction to the chancellor's budget from Barnado's chief executive, Javed Khan. He said: "We're disappointed that the chancellor has chosen to combat in-work poverty with tax changes that benefit higher earners three times more than the poor. Struggling working families will see precious little from the tax change."

    http://www.breitbart.com/london/2014/08/29/muslim-rape-gangs-the-disturbing-role-of-britain-s-leading-child-welfare-charity/

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2546033/Head-government-backed-charity-took-armed-gang-settle-long-running-land-row-Pakistan.html

    The Barnado's Chief Exec was paid £165,000 in 2014. Charity work is a nice little earner!
    I'm in the wrong business...I just need to stop being so critical of child sexual exploitation scandals....it appears that the hiring board of Barnado's don't like people who can straight forwardly condemn it and those that failed to act to stop it.
  • MP_SEMP_SE Posts: 3,642
    I am glad to see the Help to Buy ISA as it will enable all hard working families to get on the housing pyramid, sorry, ladder.

    The Office of Budget Responsibility estimates this scheme/ponzi scheme will cost the taxpayer 835 million by 2019/20.
  • MonikerDiCanioMonikerDiCanio Posts: 5,792
    TheWatcher said:

    FrancisUrquhart said:

    Today is the day when all sorts of "interesting" people pop their heads up...

    Some reaction to the chancellor's budget from Barnado's chief executive, Javed Khan. He said: "We're disappointed that the chancellor has chosen to combat in-work poverty with tax changes that benefit higher earners three times more than the poor. Struggling working families will see precious little from the tax change."

    http://www.breitbart.com/london/2014/08/29/muslim-rape-gangs-the-disturbing-role-of-britain-s-leading-child-welfare-charity/

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2546033/Head-government-backed-charity-took-armed-gang-settle-long-running-land-row-Pakistan.html

    The Barnado's Chief Exec was paid £165,000 in 2014. Charity work is a nice little earner!
    Is there anything more revolting than these chancers getting rich in the name of charity?
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