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  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    TSE likes to live dangerously.
  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    Scrapheap_as_was said:

    Lenny the Lions

    Ed the Australian pack

    This chap always reminded me of Liberace

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrG45Vm3P34
  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    Anyone who doubted Warren Gatland should be exiled to conhome.

    Although if there were fewer Welshmen playing today we'd have scored a century.

    The Lions are even doing better than Scotland now.
  • David_Evershed
    David_Evershed Posts: 6,506
    Neil said:

    @antifrank

    Think how far ahead they'd be if O'Driscoll was playing! ;)


    Warren Gatland must have brought O'Driscoll on to the field because the Lions are now leading 16-41.

  • SouthamObserver
    SouthamObserver Posts: 40,054
    I am sooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!
  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    SouthamObserver said:

    I am sooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hopefully a presage of the Ashes.

  • TheScreamingEagles
    TheScreamingEagles Posts: 122,805
    Warren Gatland is the greatest strategist and tactician in history since Julius Caesar and Rafa Benitez.

    I mean Rafa won the European Cup with Djimi Traore.

  • TheScreamingEagles
    TheScreamingEagles Posts: 122,805
    Beating Australia by 25 points in Australia.

    Blimey. That truly is an epic defeat up there with Zama.
  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    edited July 2013
    TSE.Will we miss the Scottish players when they depart?
  • SouthamObserver
    SouthamObserver Posts: 40,054
    DavidL said:

    SouthamObserver said:

    I am sooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hopefully a presage of the Ashes.

    God, I hope so!


  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    edited July 2013
    TSE.More to the point, wil the Scottish players miss being part of it?
  • TheScreamingEagles
    TheScreamingEagles Posts: 122,805
    SouthamObserver said:

    DavidL said:

    SouthamObserver said:

    I am sooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hopefully a presage of the Ashes.

    God, I hope so!


    Me too.

    Well IT Botham is predicting a ten nil England victory over the two series

  • HYUFD
    HYUFD Posts: 128,924
    Congratulations to the British and Irish Lions on their series victory in Sydney!
  • SouthamObserver
    SouthamObserver Posts: 40,054
    Simply sensational. I will be taking alcohol.

    This is what makes sport so compelling.

    And there is just nowhere to hide on a rugby field.
  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    richardDodd said:

    TSE.Will we miss the Scottish players when they depart?

    Well you will be waiting another 70 years for a wimbledon champion for a start.
  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    DL.Do we have one already, and if it turns out to be Andy, when will he be scurrying back to Scotland
  • TheScreamingEagles
    TheScreamingEagles Posts: 122,805
    DavidL said:

    richardDodd said:

    TSE.Will we miss the Scottish players when they depart?

    Well you will be waiting another 70 years for a wimbledon champion for a start.
    He's not won it yet.

    Though I hope he does tomorrow.

    I suspect he won't as that Djokovic can play.

  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    richardDodd said:

    DL.Do we have one already, and if it turns out to be Andy, when will he be scurrying back to Scotland

    Do you doubt it?

    And Salmond may not be willing to let him vote but Andy remains a Scot.
  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    SouthamObserver said:

    Simply sensational. I will be taking alcohol.

    This is what makes sport so compelling.

    And there is just nowhere to hide on a rugby field.

    Interesting choice of tense there. Not casting any aspersions or anything but...

  • TheScreamingEagles
    TheScreamingEagles Posts: 122,805
    The big question if Andy Murray does win Wimbledon tomorrow, in 70 years time will the chavs be wearing Andy Murray branded clothing ?
  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    For anyone who moans about others talking about film or tv shows - I cite this thread :^ )
  • TheScreamingEagles
    TheScreamingEagles Posts: 122,805
    In the space of the next few days we could have in addition to the Lions victory, a British Champion at Wimbledon and a new Royal Baby.

    Patriotism will be through the roof and this union story will be soon forgotten.
  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    DL No doubt about it A Murray is and always will be a Scot, Will the Scottish Rugby Players miss being part of the Lions Tours in the future, Post Freedom Day
  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    edited July 2013
    richardDodd said:

    DL No doubt about it A Murray is and always will be a Scot, Will the Scottish Rugby Players miss being part of the Lions Tours in the future, Post Freedom Day

    Ehh, do the Irish?

    And anyway we are far too sensible to vote for independence.

  • JosiasJessop
    JosiasJessop Posts: 46,250
    TheScreamingEagles said:

    In the space of the next few days we could have in addition to the Lions victory, a British Champion at Wimbledon and a new Royal Baby.

    Patriotism will be through the roof and this union story will be soon forgotten.

    Don't forget a potential F1 victory in Germany as well ...

    (Oh dear, I've jut jinxed Lewis, Jenson and co ... )
  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    DL.The clue is in the name.. British and Irish Lions Tour
  • Charles
    Charles Posts: 35,758
    Neil said:

    Scott_P said:


    I wonder how many of them are happy about that?

    Blocking the boundary changes will work out very, very well for the Lib Dems.
    So that explains why they broke their promises and then lied about it. And then lied again to try and blame someone else.

    What a charming, principled and ethical bunch. Just the sort of people you want in government.
  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    40 from 45 kicks from Halfpenny,
    Unlike Ed truly the full shilling.
  • Neil
    Neil Posts: 7,983
    Charles said:

    Neil said:

    Scott_P said:


    I wonder how many of them are happy about that?

    Blocking the boundary changes will work out very, very well for the Lib Dems.
    So that explains why they broke their promises and then lied about it. And then lied again to try and blame someone else.

    What a charming, principled and ethical bunch. Just the sort of people you want in government.
    Politicians, Charles, they're unbelievable.

  • Scott_P
    Scott_P Posts: 51,453


    AW, Mr Miliband, what farce assails you now? Ed of that ilk, prospective leader of England and the Other Bits, is having a terrible week.

    I’m sorry. I really am. But you couldn’t make this up. And I haven’t even mentioned Falkirk yet. It’s not Mr Miliband’s fault that matters are beyond his control. He tried vainly to stop Tom Watson’s resignation, and the ablutionary notes were part of a script written for him by the cruel, capricious gods of public life.
    http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/columnists/the-plug-is-pulled-on-falkirk-campaign.21525895
  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    The Quays area of Sydney might be a dangerous place to visit this evening.
  • Tykejohnno
    Tykejohnno Posts: 7,362
    h1Unite has grown too big for its own good

    And ed let it happen because of his weakness.
  • malcolmg
    malcolmg Posts: 44,523
    richardDodd said:

    MG You live in Scotland, what bullshine..Are you a member of a closed order.

    Richard, just civilised , open season after 12 mind you , but chav territory if you are drinking before that. Would probably say a sophisticated refreshment whilst abroad in sunnier climes may be acceptable from 11ish
  • Neil
    Neil Posts: 7,983
    Tykejohnno said:

    Unite has grown too big for its own good

    And ed let it happen because of his weakness.

    Unite is almost certainly smaller since Ed took over as leader.
  • malcolmg
    malcolmg Posts: 44,523
    DavidL said:

    SouthamObserver said:

    I am sooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!

    Hopefully a presage of the Ashes.

    Is someone planning a bonfire somewhere
  • malcolmg
    malcolmg Posts: 44,523
    richardDodd said:

    DL No doubt about it A Murray is and always will be a Scot, Will the Scottish Rugby Players miss being part of the Lions Tours in the future, Post Freedom Day

    Richard, you are getting yourself a bit mixed up, it is the British and Irish Lions , once independent we will still be part of Britain , so you do not need to worry we will still be the mainstay of the lions for a long time to come.

  • john_zims
    john_zims Posts: 3,399
    @Scott_P

    Sky TV reporting that Ed phoned Livingstone for advice on Unite / Labour crisis last night.
    You couldn't make it up.
  • malcolmg
    malcolmg Posts: 44,523
    DavidL said:

    richardDodd said:

    DL No doubt about it A Murray is and always will be a Scot, Will the Scottish Rugby Players miss being part of the Lions Tours in the future, Post Freedom Day

    Ehh, do the Irish?

    And anyway we are far too sensible to vote for independence.

    You sticking up for the minority there David
  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    MG, Thats where I live, in warmer climes.Personally I never touch a drop before twelve but in my local village and small town there is much quaffing from 8am, and they aint chavs
  • Charles
    Charles Posts: 35,758
    Neil said:

    Charles said:

    Neil said:

    Scott_P said:


    I wonder how many of them are happy about that?

    Blocking the boundary changes will work out very, very well for the Lib Dems.
    So that explains why they broke their promises and then lied about it. And then lied again to try and blame someone else.

    What a charming, principled and ethical bunch. Just the sort of people you want in government.
    Politicians, Charles, they're unbelievable.

    No, in this case foolish.

    Breaking your promise to the electorate can be worked around.

    Breaking your promise to a partner undermines your future trustworthiness.

    Basic game theory.
  • malcolmg
    malcolmg Posts: 44,523
    richardDodd said:

    DL.The clue is in the name.. British and Irish Lions Tour

    LOL, Richard does not even know what Britain is, he thinks it is England.............geography not his strongpoint
  • Charles
    Charles Posts: 35,758
    Tykejohnno said:

    h1Unite has grown too big for its own good

    And ed let it happen because of his weakness.

    To be fair, Unite's size predated Ed.
  • malcolmg
    malcolmg Posts: 44,523
    richardDodd said:

    MG, Thats where I live, in warmer climes.Personally I never touch a drop before twelve but in my local village and small town there is much quaffing from 8am, and they aint chavs

    for some reason the drunks abroad seem to be a bit classier and less offensive than UK. I may have been lucky but even when you see them drunk abroad you never see the yobbish violent behaviour that you see across the UK. Makes you wonder what the difference is.
  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    Charles said:

    Tykejohnno said:

    h1Unite has grown too big for its own good

    And ed let it happen because of his weakness.

    To be fair, Unite's size predated Ed.
    Another PBers mentioned the collapse of Unite's balance sheet the other day - I can't find the details as my Google Fu is lacking, but the numbers quoted suggested that Unite is on a sticky wicket themselves in the not too distant future.
  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    MG, The evening drinking begins at 5pm, on the terrace, with two large whiskies and then onto the local wine.but never reaching intoxication..all over by eight at the latest, then maybe a delicious gelati..It is approaching civilised and celebrates two great alcoholic beverages from two great countries
  • malcolmg
    malcolmg Posts: 44,523
    Being ordered to get the gardening done as it is not raining for a change
  • foxinsoxuk
    foxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    As UNITE seem to have a rather cavilier attitude to membership in general, i suspect that the UNITE membership figures may not be too accurate!

    I think that DH is right, large unions get quite disconnected from their members. The BMA does little for us doctors and mostly is run by people interested in playing politics snd trying to ban all enjoyments in life. They were particularly spineless over the changes to medical training.

    But all is not lost, there are Union organisations for Doctors unhappy with the BMA, such as the TUC affiliated HCSA. They are tough negotiators and much more membership focussed.
    Neil said:

    Tykejohnno said:

    Unite has grown too big for its own good

    And ed let it happen because of his weakness.

    Unite is almost certainly smaller since Ed took over as leader.
  • malcolmg
    malcolmg Posts: 44,523
    richardDodd said:

    MG, The evening drinking begins at 5pm, on the terrace, with two large whiskies and then onto the local wine.but never reaching intoxication..all over by eight at the latest, then maybe a delicious gelati..It is approaching civilised and celebrates two great alcoholic beverages from two great countries

    Sounds like perfection Richard, enjoy , I must dash speak later
  • TheScreamingEagles
    TheScreamingEagles Posts: 122,805
    edited July 2013
    On topic.

    This is great for Ed.

    There are no Unite Tanks in Baghdad the Labour Party.
  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    richardDodd said:

    MG, The evening drinking begins at 5pm, on the terrace, with two large whiskies and then onto the local wine.but never reaching intoxication..all over by eight at the latest, then maybe a delicious gelati..It is approaching civilised and celebrates two great alcoholic beverages from two great countries

    I fondly recall my time in Venice many years ago - the sherbet with licorice stick gelati was just too perfect.

    It was like a Sherbet Fountain made sophisticated:^ ) http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_v5HQSW-LL0g/SwRLTKL5V8I/AAAAAAAAC_I/v2II5Bh7s8g/s200/walking+sherbet.jpg
  • TCPoliticalBetting
    TCPoliticalBetting Posts: 10,819
    The idea that Blair would have consulted Ken Livingstone over the Unite matter just shows how far Ed has moved from Blair's approach.
  • Neil
    Neil Posts: 7,983
    Charles said:


    No, in this case foolish.

    I cant quite see how a decision that will probably be crucial in saving what could be a large proportion of their seats can be called foolish.
  • TheScreamingEagles
    TheScreamingEagles Posts: 122,805
    Poor Nico Rosberg.

    Mercedes following the inept strategies of Hannibal
  • TCPoliticalBetting
    TCPoliticalBetting Posts: 10,819
    edited July 2013
    The % of the ballots that the largest Unions "got" to vote for Ed Milliband.
    UNITE 4.5%
    GMB 3.3%
    UNISON 2.3%
    USDAW 0.5%

    Move along .... nothing to see here ........
  • Charles
    Charles Posts: 35,758
    edited July 2013
    Neil said:

    Charles said:


    No, in this case foolish.

    I cant quite see how a decision that will probably be crucial in saving what could be a large proportion of their seats can be called foolish.
    If it makes it harder for them to form a trusting partnership and thereby participate in government, then yes, it's foolish.

    EDIT: And if your point is more important (accept it's accurate - just a trade off) then they were foolish for making the bargain in the first place
  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    @FoxInSoxUK

    "The BMA does little for us doctors and mostly is run by people interested in playing politics snd trying to ban all enjoyments in life."

    I always wonder about the sorts who pop up on R4/R5 et al and seem to want ban anything pleasurable.

    I've never met a doctor who wasn't portly, or a lush, or a user of other things or a black humour cynic - none of them wished to make anyone else miserable or guilty for eating a bacon sandwich - yet somehow those at the BMA are the most dreary puritanical lot.

    Ticking off everyone else is a very poor conversion strategy.
  • Tykejohnno
    Tykejohnno Posts: 7,362
    Charles said:

    Tykejohnno said:

    h1Unite has grown too big for its own good

    And ed let it happen because of his weakness.

    To be fair, Unite's size predated Ed.
    Sorry about that,have a word with mr herdson,I took the thread header,take big for stronger,maybe we can agree on that ;-)
  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    TCPoliticalBetting said:

    The idea that Blair would have consulted Ken Livingstone over the Unite matter just shows how far Ed has moved from Blair's approach.

    Frankly - that anyone would have consulted Ken about anything non-London centric amazes me. He's a hasbeen with knobs on.

    Why would EdM even have him on the radar of *people to reassure* ?

    I'm with Dan Hodges here - WTF was he thinking of even thinking Ken was important to call?
  • Tykejohnno
    Tykejohnno Posts: 7,362
    Where's seant,he's missing all the fun of ed's troubles and the British & I lions win ;-)
  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    TCPoliticalBetting said:

    The % of the ballots that the largest Unions "got" to vote for Ed Milliband.
    UNITE 4.5%
    GMB 3.3%
    UNISON 2.3%
    USDAW 0.5%

    Move along .... nothing to see here ........

    Cripes - under 5%? Even allowing for a low turnout blah blah - no wonder MPs and Party members are bearing a grudge.
  • Neil
    Neil Posts: 7,983
    TCPoliticalBetting said:

    The % of the ballots that the largest Unions "got" to vote for Ed Milliband.
    UNITE 4.5%
    GMB 3.3%
    UNISON 2.3%
    USDAW 0.5%

    Move along .... nothing to see here ........

    Well done for exposing the fact that Ed did better with the members of the unions who nominated him than with the members of the union that didnt.

  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    It's too hot down here in Sussex to be outside much - so here's a Mastermind quiz from a decade ago - how will you do?

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3046254.stm - I guessed most of them!
  • Tykejohnno
    Tykejohnno Posts: 7,362
    Miliband will want you to think that he’s broken from the unions – and Ken Livingstone to think that he hasn’t

    http://conservativehome.blogs.com/leftwatch/2013/07/miliband-will-want-you-to-think-that-hes-broken-from-the-unions-and-ken-livingstone-to-think-that-he.html
  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    Hamilton on pole. This could be a pretty special weekend of British sport.
  • Neil
    Neil Posts: 7,983
    @DavidL

    Will Froome move into Yellow today as well?
  • foxinsoxuk
    foxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548
    Doctors are not unusual in having a miserablist streak, There are a few on here with similar attitudes. Doctors though have better platform to impose their views on others.

    Plato said:

    @FoxInSoxUK

    "The BMA does little for us doctors and mostly is run by people interested in playing politics snd trying to ban all enjoyments in life."

    I always wonder about the sorts who pop up on R4/R5 et al and seem to want ban anything pleasurable.

    I've never met a doctor who wasn't portly, or a lush, or a user of other things or a black humour cynic - none of them wished to make anyone else miserable or guilty for eating a bacon sandwich - yet somehow those at the BMA are the most dreary puritanical lot.

    Ticking off everyone else is a very poor conversion strategy.

  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    OT I seem to be tripping over trivia today. Fascinating social history stuff.

    Jaws was the first *blockbuster* because people literally queued around the block to see it and to *shape-up* is actually a docker's mgt term that relates to the Mob, when to shape-up meant to be picked from one of their union controlled lines for work that day.

    One of my favour books is Brewer's Phrase and Fable - but can anyone recommend another that covers more contemporary usage?
  • Plato
    Plato Posts: 15,724
    foxinsoxuk said:

    Doctors are not unusual in having a miserablist streak, There are a few on here with similar attitudes. Doctors though have better platform to impose their views on others.



    Plato said:

    @FoxInSoxUK

    "The BMA does little for us doctors and mostly is run by people interested in playing politics snd trying to ban all enjoyments in life."

    I always wonder about the sorts who pop up on R4/R5 et al and seem to want ban anything pleasurable.

    I've never met a doctor who wasn't portly, or a lush, or a user of other things or a black humour cynic - none of them wished to make anyone else miserable or guilty for eating a bacon sandwich - yet somehow those at the BMA are the most dreary puritanical lot.

    Ticking off everyone else is a very poor conversion strategy.

    Good point - I'm a sunny-side up sort so find this way of thinking very peculiar and probably more irritating than most.
  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    Neil said:

    @DavidL

    Will Froome move into Yellow today as well?

    I've seen the polling. The yellows are nowhere.
  • MikeL
    MikeL Posts: 7,809
    TCPoliticalBetting said:

    The % of the ballots that the largest Unions "got" to vote for Ed Milliband.
    UNITE 4.5%
    GMB 3.3%
    UNISON 2.3%
    USDAW 0.5%

    Move along .... nothing to see here ........

    Yes, but of course the point is that they were still given a 33% weighting in the Electoral College.

    So the views of less than 10% of Union members counted for the same as the views of the vast majority of Party members (and 100% of MPs).

    Think about it - it's absolutely breathtaking.

    And then remember that the ballot papers came inside envelopes saying "Vote Ed Miliband".

    Incidentally the Conservatives badly need to get hold of one of those envelopes. The media hasn't made much of them but the Conservatives should use them prominently in the 2015 GE campaign to drive home the message that Ed only won because the Unions fixed it.
  • JosiasJessop
    JosiasJessop Posts: 46,250
    Plato said:

    OT I seem to be tripping over trivia today. Fascinating social history stuff.

    Jaws was the first *blockbuster* because people literally queued around the block to see it and to *shape-up* is actually a docker's mgt term that relates to the Mob, when to shape-up meant to be picked from one of their union controlled lines for work that day.

    One of my favour books is Brewer's Phrase and Fable - but can anyone recommend another that covers more contemporary usage?

    I think that depends on how you define 'blockbuster'. The wiki page has more info:
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockbuster_(entertainment)
    Before Jaws set box office records in the summer of 1975, successful films such as Quo Vadis, The Ten Commandments, Gone With the Wind, and Ben-Hur were called blockbusters based purely on the amount of money earned at the box office. Jaws is regarded as the first film of New Hollywood's 'blockbuster era' with its current meaning, implying a film genre.
    Although the dictionary appears to differ:
    http://www.thefreedictionary.com/blockbuster

    I must admit I'd always taken blockbuster to mean a very successful film, rather than a genre. Which probably shows what I know ...
  • OldKingCole
    OldKingCole Posts: 35,269
    Plato said:

    TCPoliticalBetting said:

    The % of the ballots that the largest Unions "got" to vote for Ed Milliband.
    UNITE 4.5%
    GMB 3.3%
    UNISON 2.3%
    USDAW 0.5%

    Move along .... nothing to see here ........

    Cripes - under 5%? Even allowing for a low turnout blah blah - no wonder MPs and Party members are bearing a grudge.
    Depends on how many members actually pay the political levy of course.

    Totally off topic, just had a very pleasant lunch in the sun at our local vineyard, with one of the better English reds I've drunk.
  • john_zims
    john_zims Posts: 3,399
    @Tykejohnno

    'Miliband will want you to think that he’s broken from the unions – and Ken Livingstone to think that he hasn’t'

    Pure comedy gold,sit back and enjoy the circus.
  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    edited July 2013
    Today,anything posted about Shapps, as a diversion, is a total fail
  • TCPoliticalBetting
    TCPoliticalBetting Posts: 10,819
    edited July 2013
    OldKingCole said:

    Plato said:

    TCPoliticalBetting said:

    The % of the ballots that the largest Unions "got" to vote for Ed Milliband.
    UNITE 4.5%
    GMB 3.3%
    UNISON 2.3%
    USDAW 0.5%

    Move along .... nothing to see here ........

    Cripes - under 5%? Even allowing for a low turnout blah blah - no wonder MPs and Party members are bearing a grudge.
    Depends on how many members actually pay the political levy of course.

    Totally off topic, just had a very pleasant lunch in the sun at our local vineyard, with one of the better English reds I've drunk.
    These % for Lab Leader election are the % of those who voted from the ballots issued, not as a % of their members.
  • DavidL
    DavidL Posts: 55,866
    So far as Labour is concerned you would need to have a heart of stone not to laugh. And tories are famous for their generosity of spirit.

    But if Shapps is going to comment he could at least enter into the spirit of the occasion and try for wit. Maybe he should phone Boris. Or just be quiet. Wit is not an obvious strong point.
  • richardDodd
    richardDodd Posts: 5,472
    edited July 2013
    Like I said, a total fail..Now how about the call to Brother Ken..Ken who? one may ask.
  • Fenster
    Fenster Posts: 2,115
    edited July 2013
    tim said:

    richardDodd said:

    Today,anything posted about Shapps, as a diversion, is a total fail

    Even these Tories can see the amateurish mistake he's making

    Stephen Pollard ‏@stephenpollard
    Tories - Shapps - should stop crowing and commenting on every twist in Labour crisis. Much more effective to sit back and watch implosion
    Retweeted by Iain Dale

    Harry Cole ‏@MrHarryCole
    Shapps twisting knife again: "Miliband's response isn't now just weak, it's also two-faced". Probably best to just sit back with a cigar.

    Particularly with his history and multiple identities.

    Political Scrapbook ‏@PSbook
    NEW --> Tory chairman Grant Shapps 'still under investigation by police' over dodgy company http://read.ps/1aJCFJG
    I said the other day that Shapps is counter-productive. Take the mobile off him and send him out in the sun to play croquet or have a keys-in-the-ashtray afternoon with his fellow prefects. Or whatever else posh kids do when experimenting behind closed-doors.

    Incidentally, I actually feel a bit sorry for Ed. He looks a bit isolated. Can you imagine how Labour would've reacted under opposition-era Blair?

    Mandelson would've been on the phone threatening journalists with their careers. Alastair Campbell would have dirt on every single union boss. John Reid and Prescott would've been physically threatening to hurt the brothers. Blair would've been on every media outlet calling them dinosaurs and laughing them out of school. And Brown would've been hiding, hoping for the worst. Whilst Ed has got Angela Eagle and Jim Murphy in his corner. I like Murphy, but he isn't exactly Mandelson or Campbell, is he?

    Meanwhile, the silence of Ed Balls has haunting parallels.

  • TCPoliticalBetting
    TCPoliticalBetting Posts: 10,819
    Plato said:

    It's too hot down here in Sussex to be outside much - so here's a Mastermind quiz from a decade ago - how will you do?

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3046254.stm - I guessed most of them!

    Very happy (and surprised) to get 15 from 17 without googling. Back to work.
  • Scrapheap_as_was
    Scrapheap_as_was Posts: 10,069
    tim is right - shapps should just keep quiet, let his enemy struggle and be the story without any sign of competition with political rivals.

    Afterall Ed Balls is doing exactly that and he's a master of this sort of stuff!!!
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