Undefined discussion subject.

Here are the latest leadership odds. http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/next-labour-leader Given that these figures which will grow further, I would put Corbyn's chances at closer to 4/5. I think there's some good prices still out there.

blackburn63 said:

Ooooh a warm feeling going into the weekend, first in a thread.

Although I'm not a supporter I'm grateful to Labour for livening up a pretty moribund political scene and engaging plenty of people.

It's definitely fun to watch as an abstract exercise.

It becomes a lot less fun when you consider how it showcases the abysmal quality of Labour talent on offer at a time when we could do with a strong, confident and well-organised opposition to hold the government to account.

Incidentally, don't know whether somebody has already posted this but I found it quite interesting, even allowing for who wrote it:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/labour/11762773/Ive-lived-under-Jeremy-Corbyns-rule-it-turned-me-into-a-Tory.html

Bearing in mind this was his sole practical experience of administration...

Every day that goes by with stories about people joining just to vote for Corbyn it's effectively free advertising for his campaign to do the same. I think there's about 4 days to go of recruiting. I just can't see the others keeping pace.

SimonStClare said:

'That number is likely to rise still further'

Has another Union come out in favour of Jeremy Corbyn then...

Mr. Dair, that does seem... unexpected.

There is the ever so important consideration of who should be the UKIP candidate for the London Mayoralty

Suzanne Evans has thrown her hat into the ring, but I would plump for Peter Whittle... I met both when campaigning for Carswell last year and both seem nice people, but I thought Whittle more impressive and he also lives in London and stood in a London seat.

He writes quite well in Standpoint magazine too

http://www.standpointmag.co.uk/writers/?showid=Peter Whittle

Dair said:

WTF

Interview on BBC, some chav mother with a blurred faced kid. "Camilla paid for her to go to private school, that's £35k a year".

WTF

Also it appears that most of the "kids" this charity helps are actually late teens and early twenties. Do people realise the charity is misnamed when they donate?

WTF

That is astonishing.

It's only very slightly less astonishing if it was to top up a scholarship place.

It's only acceptable if it was done from her private account as an act of personal charity. Otherwise, that would be misuse of charity funds, which were solicited on a different basis.

HenryGManson said:

Every day that goes by with stories about people joining just to vote for Corbyn it's effectively free advertising for his campaign to do the same. I think there's about 4 days to go of recruiting. I just can't see the others keeping pace.

SimonStClare said:

'That number is likely to rise still further'

Has another Union come out in favour of Jeremy Corbyn then...

Quite agree Mr Manson – As an experiment the other day I typed Jeremy Corbyn into ‘Twitter Search’ to get a feel for the Corbynites mood. – They’re a very busy enthusiastic bunch. Odd to see them compare everyone to the right of Jeremy as a Tory, which includes all 3 other leadership contenders and the Guardian when they’ve not been nice to him. – Whoever wins had better learn to ride two horses at once.

I'm thinking the later pb Tories leave it to join the Labour Party, the less chance there is for Labour to find them out? Last Minute Tories 4 Corbyn.....

And now Nevill goes...

I would ask if Australia are Bangladesh in disguise, but that would be unfair. Bangladesh have some good batsmen these days.

Is there some reason why umpires these days can't call no balls without a replay?

AndyJS said:

Is there some reason why umpires these days can't call no balls without a replay?

I'd guess that they don't bother to watch for them now they have the right to check when it actually matters (i.e. when a wicket falls).

I did a bit of umpiring when I was a student in uni matches, and it's hard work checking the front foot and instantly flicking your head to the far end. Even if it's wrong, I can understand if test umpires take an easy option.

ydoethur said:

AndyJS said:

Is there some reason why umpires these days can't call no balls without a replay?

I'd guess that they don't bother to watch for them now they have the right to check when it actually matters (i.e. when a wicket falls).

I did a bit of umpiring when I was a student in uni matches, and it's hard work checking the front foot and instantly flicking your head to the far end. Even if it's wrong, I can understand if test umpires take an easy option.

I've done a lot of umpiring (at the lowest possible level) and it is difficult to watch the foot and the ball, but they ought to explicitly change the rules to say the umpire concentrates on the ball rather than the front foot if that is what is happening in practice.

From the Independent today on the Corbyn volunteers:

'A few days later I visit the London office space that the Unite union has lent to the campaign. The room is abuzz, and can barely handle the number of volunteers, with about two or three made to share each desk. I speak to Will Armston-Sheret, a 20-year-old student, who has been volunteering since day one and has since become unofficial head of data. "When I joined there were four," he says. "Now we have over 7,000 people signed up."

Much of the work involves setting up new offices across the country. There are 10 regional officers – all volunteers – and each has set up at least one phone bank in their area, some several. At each office, volunteers come in – some offices are open seven days a week – to phone Labour party members and urge them to register so they can vote for Corbyn when ballot papers go out on 14 August. At one point, I'm told, there was a new phone bank being established every day.'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-leadership-race-how-has-jeremy-corbyn-galvanised-so-many-people--both-young-and-old-10444194.html

I just don't think Burnham's team have this infrastructure. Cooper's do but not the scale. Mind, I think the article has it wrong about ringing members to register - they'll already be registered. I imagine they'll be ringing up members to persuade them to vote Corbyn and/or ringing people who have shown support to get them registered to vote.

I think the leadership debate is most entertaingly followed on CiF; no better example of Lab talking to itself.

It is such a comfortable environment there. Plus a lot "last week my auntie rejoined the labour party after 20 years as she feels it is now talking to her."

HenryGManson said:

From the Independent today on the Corbyn volunteers:

'A few days later I visit the London office space that the Unite union has lent to the campaign. The room is abuzz, and can barely handle the number of volunteers, with about two or three made to share each desk. I speak to Will Armston-Sheret, a 20-year-old student, who has been volunteering since day one and has since become unofficial head of data. "When I joined there were four," he says. "Now we have over 7,000 people signed up."

Much of the work involves setting up new offices across the country. There are 10 regional officers – all volunteers – and each has set up at least one phone bank in their area, some several. At each office, volunteers come in – some offices are open seven days a week – to phone Labour party members and urge them to register so they can vote for Corbyn when ballot papers go out on 14 August. At one point, I'm told, there was a new phone bank being established every day.'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-leadership-race-how-has-jeremy-corbyn-galvanised-so-many-people--both-young-and-old-10444194.html

I just don't think Burnham's team have this infrastructure. Cooper's do but not the scale. Mind, I think the article has it wrong about ringing members to register - they'll already be registered. I imagine they'll be ringing up members to persuade them to vote Corbyn and/or ringing people who have shown support to get them registered to vote.

..and you get the chance to speak to Owen Jones!

Sandpit said:

ydoethur said:

AndyJS said:

Is there some reason why umpires these days can't call no balls without a replay?

I'd guess that they don't bother to watch for them now they have the right to check when it actually matters (i.e. when a wicket falls).

I did a bit of umpiring when I was a student in uni matches, and it's hard work checking the front foot and instantly flicking your head to the far end. Even if it's wrong, I can understand if test umpires take an easy option.

Yes, it's difficult to call a marginal NB in real time, especially at the speed these guys run in. Better to use the replay when there's a wicket if there's any uncertainty, just to double check that you didn't give the benefit of the doubt to the bowler in error.

Of course, you could use some kind of laser technology. If the beam breaks, it's good. If not, it's a NB. It wouldn't be difficult, and it shouldn't cause a problem on something the size of a cricket field. But that would be quite expensive.

HenryGManson said:

From the Independent today on the Corbyn volunteers:

'A few days later I visit the London office space that the Unite union has lent to the campaign. The room is abuzz, and can barely handle the number of volunteers, with about two or three made to share each desk. I speak to Will Armston-Sheret, a 20-year-old student, who has been volunteering since day one and has since become unofficial head of data. "When I joined there were four," he says. "Now we have over 7,000 people signed up."

Much of the work involves setting up new offices across the country. There are 10 regional officers – all volunteers – and each has set up at least one phone bank in their area, some several. At each office, volunteers come in – some offices are open seven days a week – to phone Labour party members and urge them to register so they can vote for Corbyn when ballot papers go out on 14 August. At one point, I'm told, there was a new phone bank being established every day.'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-leadership-race-how-has-jeremy-corbyn-galvanised-so-many-people--both-young-and-old-10444194.html

I just don't think Burnham's team have this infrastructure. Cooper's do but not the scale. Mind, I think the article has it wrong about ringing members to register - they'll already be registered. I imagine they'll be ringing up members to persuade them to vote Corbyn and/or ringing people who have shown support to get them registered to vote.

I'm amazed, Corbyn's campaign can only be compared in size with a serious american presidential contender.

Speedy said:

HenryGManson said:

From the Independent today on the Corbyn volunteers:

'A few days later I visit the London office space that the Unite union has lent to the campaign. The room is abuzz, and can barely handle the number of volunteers, with about two or three made to share each desk. I speak to Will Armston-Sheret, a 20-year-old student, who has been volunteering since day one and has since become unofficial head of data. "When I joined there were four," he says. "Now we have over 7,000 people signed up."

Much of the work involves setting up new offices across the country. There are 10 regional officers – all volunteers – and each has set up at least one phone bank in their area, some several. At each office, volunteers come in – some offices are open seven days a week – to phone Labour party members and urge them to register so they can vote for Corbyn when ballot papers go out on 14 August. At one point, I'm told, there was a new phone bank being established every day.'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-leadership-race-how-has-jeremy-corbyn-galvanised-so-many-people--both-young-and-old-10444194.html

I just don't think Burnham's team have this infrastructure. Cooper's do but not the scale. Mind, I think the article has it wrong about ringing members to register - they'll already be registered. I imagine they'll be ringing up members to persuade them to vote Corbyn and/or ringing people who have shown support to get them registered to vote.

I'm amazed, Corbyn's campaign can only be compared in size with a serious american presidential contender.

The scale of that operation looks like what Lab or Con were doing around the GE.
Are there spending limits for this election, and as was mentioned in a header a few days ago, are we all ignoring the evidence that this is going to be a big win for Jeremy Corbyn?

isam said:

Sandpit said:

ydoethur said:

AndyJS said:

Is there some reason why umpires these days can't call no balls without a replay?

I'd guess that they don't bother to watch for them now they have the right to check when it actually matters (i.e. when a wicket falls).

I did a bit of umpiring when I was a student in uni matches, and it's hard work checking the front foot and instantly flicking your head to the far end. Even if it's wrong, I can understand if test umpires take an easy option.

Yes, it's difficult to call a marginal NB in real time, especially at the speed these guys run in. Better to use the replay when there's a wicket if there's any uncertainty, just to double check that you didn't give the benefit of the doubt to the bowler in error.

Should be a run to the batting side though, every time... they are the ones losing out.

If the umps aren't looking then just officially leave it to the 3rd ump at all times

Agreed, the first one today was at most only a couple of mm over the line, would probably have been given out if there was no replay to check. There also wasn't much line left on the ground to look at - the 3rd ump having a much better view from side on.

JEO said:

Speedy said:

HenryGManson said:

From the Independent today on the Corbyn volunteers:

'A few days later I visit the London office space that the Unite union has lent to the campaign. The room is abuzz, and can barely handle the number of volunteers, with about two or three made to share each desk. I speak to Will Armston-Sheret, a 20-year-old student, who has been volunteering since day one and has since become unofficial head of data. "When I joined there were four," he says. "Now we have over 7,000 people signed up."

Much of the work involves setting up new offices across the country. There are 10 regional officers – all volunteers – and each has set up at least one phone bank in their area, some several. At each office, volunteers come in – some offices are open seven days a week – to phone Labour party members and urge them to register so they can vote for Corbyn when ballot papers go out on 14 August. At one point, I'm told, there was a new phone bank being established every day.'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-leadership-race-how-has-jeremy-corbyn-galvanised-so-many-people--both-young-and-old-10444194.html

I just don't think Burnham's team have this infrastructure. Cooper's do but not the scale. Mind, I think the article has it wrong about ringing members to register - they'll already be registered. I imagine they'll be ringing up members to persuade them to vote Corbyn and/or ringing people who have shown support to get them registered to vote.

I'm amazed, Corbyn's campaign can only be compared in size with a serious american presidential contender.

Whatever you think about Corbyn, its great that the open primary has reinvigorated politics.

If it has. The referendum galvanised voters in Scotland - but even after the SNP were defeated, they were still there and could still be voted for. When Corbyn is defeated - either by the Labour electorate or the wider electorate - might any non-voters galvanised to vote for him just conclude that they were wasting their time and drift away again?

Plato said:

Just what I was thinking. It's astonishing.

Speedy said:

HenryGManson said:

From the Independent today on the Corbyn volunteers:

'A few days later I visit the London office space that the Unite union has lent to the campaign. The room is abuzz, and can barely handle the number of volunteers, with about two or three made to share each desk. I speak to Will Armston-Sheret, a 20-year-old student, who has been volunteering since day one and has since become unofficial head of data. "When I joined there were four," he says. "Now we have over 7,000 people signed up."

Much of the work involves setting up new offices across the country. There are 10 regional officers – all volunteers – and each has set up at least one phone bank in their area, some several. At each office, volunteers come in – some offices are open seven days a week – to phone Labour party members and urge them to register so they can vote for Corbyn when ballot papers go out on 14 August. At one point, I'm told, there was a new phone bank being established every day.'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-leadership-race-how-has-jeremy-corbyn-galvanised-so-many-people--both-young-and-old-10444194.html

I just don't think Burnham's team have this infrastructure. Cooper's do but not the scale. Mind, I think the article has it wrong about ringing members to register - they'll already be registered. I imagine they'll be ringing up members to persuade them to vote Corbyn and/or ringing people who have shown support to get them registered to vote.

I'm amazed, Corbyn's campaign can only be compared in size with a serious american presidential contender.

However having a good ground campaign can be deceptive, though Corbyn is the only one that has one at the moment:

http://www.progressonline.org.uk/2015/05/26/we-need-to-talk-about-labours-ground-campaign/

ydoethur said:

JEO said:

Speedy said:

HenryGManson said:

From the Independent today on the Corbyn volunteers:

'A few days later I visit the London office space that the Unite union has lent to the campaign. The room is abuzz, and can barely handle the number of volunteers, with about two or three made to share each desk. I speak to Will Armston-Sheret, a 20-year-old student, who has been volunteering since day one and has since become unofficial head of data. "When I joined there were four," he says. "Now we have over 7,000 people signed up."

Much of the work involves setting up new offices across the country. There are 10 regional officers – all volunteers – and each has set up at least one phone bank in their area, some several. At each office, volunteers come in – some offices are open seven days a week – to phone Labour party members and urge them to register so they can vote for Corbyn when ballot papers go out on 14 August. At one point, I'm told, there was a new phone bank being established every day.'

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/labour-leadership-race-how-has-jeremy-corbyn-galvanised-so-many-people--both-young-and-old-10444194.html

I just don't think Burnham's team have this infrastructure. Cooper's do but not the scale. Mind, I think the article has it wrong about ringing members to register - they'll already be registered. I imagine they'll be ringing up members to persuade them to vote Corbyn and/or ringing people who have shown support to get them registered to vote.

I'm amazed, Corbyn's campaign can only be compared in size with a serious american presidential contender.

Whatever you think about Corbyn, its great that the open primary has reinvigorated politics.

If it has. The referendum galvanised voters in Scotland - but even after the SNP were defeated, they were still there and could still be voted for. When Corbyn is defeated - either by the Labour electorate or the wider electorate - might any non-voters galvanised to vote for him just conclude that they were wasting their time and drift away again?

The challenge, for me (and Jezza), is to turn a non-voter into a voter. The clue is in the name.

Can there be this huge chunk of the electorate which holds the following view:

EdM is not left wing enough, I would rather see a Cons govt than one where I have a Tory-lite Lab.

That is an extreme, complicated and nuanced political position to hold. I doubt there are the numbers there for Jezza who hold it.

Hmm. These registration figures are a worry for us Cooper betters. I'm thinking most of them have joined to vote Corbyn 1, but what about 2nd prefs.

Complete madness by Labour. Did anyone senior wargame what might happen if they allowed £3 registration just to vote?

Mr. Borough, it's demented, and highly predictable and yet Labour MPs could've and should've stopped it by not supporting someone they don't actually support just to get him on the ballot.

It's a stupid system but Labour MPs have been utter fools to back Corbyn when they don't want him as leader.

Mr. Borough, after many series of having Ed Miliband as leader. And to think some thought it'd be hard to top the heaviest suicide note in history.

ydoethur said:

Suggestion on TMS - remove the square leg umpire (who doesn't now do much, as the 3rd umpire is the point of appeal for run outs, lbws, stumpings etc) and have them just checking for no balls instead.

That makes sense to me, actually, in Tests at least.

Stokes get one more and its four consecutive 5-fors from 4 different bowlers!

isam said:

ydoethur said:

Suggestion on TMS - remove the square leg umpire (who doesn't now do much, as the 3rd umpire is the point of appeal for run outs, lbws, stumpings etc) and have them just checking for no balls instead.

That makes sense to me, actually, in Tests at least.

Stokes get one more and its four consecutive 5-fors from 4 different bowlers!

Which would, conveniently, match that run I gave you yesterday in the 1990s!

EDIT - although Stokes only has 4 at the moment. Broad and Wood have one each.

Australia -103 for 6......

Sandpit said:

ydoethur said:

And now - finally - Neville goes. Not off a no-ball, for once!

Big cheer for the replay, although why he ever though to review that plumb in front not playing a shot I have no idea.

9 overs to go, what chance we can get a couple more and ask for the extra half hour to finish them off tonight.

Can you claim the extra half-hour if you haven't bowled your full quota of overs by 6.30 (which England won't have)?

ydoethur said:

isam said:

ydoethur said:

Suggestion on TMS - remove the square leg umpire (who doesn't now do much, as the 3rd umpire is the point of appeal for run outs, lbws, stumpings etc) and have them just checking for no balls instead.

That makes sense to me, actually, in Tests at least.

Stokes get one more and its four consecutive 5-fors from 4 different bowlers!

Which would, conveniently, match that run I gave you yesterday in the 1990s!

EDIT - although Stokes only has 4 at the moment. Broad and Wood have one each.

Didn't the 2nd Inns of the 4th test vs Windies there ruin the sequence? They chased down a total for 3 wickets

MP_SE said:

Dair said:

WTF

Interview on BBC, some chav mother with a blurred faced kid. "Camilla paid for her to go to private school, that's £35k a year".

WTF

Also it appears that most of the "kids" this charity helps are actually late teens and early twenties. Do people realise the charity is misnamed when they donate?

WTF

This is simply staggering. In the coming weeks and months I am sure many more of these stories will surface.

Someone was telling me of a man who was interviewed and claimed that he used the regular cash payments from them to buy drugs and he ended up using the money to buy crack.

One thing you can be sure of is the establishment will close ranks and noone will be held to account.

The thing I found incomprehensible was Camilla claiming they were helping 3,000 children "off book". How can that work for a charity that has to account for its expenditure? I disagree with you - this will get very, very messy I predict.

There were 20000 members who signed up in the aftermath of the election defeat, which was a pretty standard fightback response for a major party.

http://labourlist.org/2015/05/labour-membership-rises-by-20000-since-election-day/

So with 70k now, there have been an extra 50,000 since? That seems a ridiculously high amount, especially considering there haven't been any high profile sign up drives or anything.

Plato said:

Theirclients are apparently marching on #10 today.

watford30 said:

SimonStClare said:

MP_SE said:

Dair said:

WTF

Interview on BBC, some chav mother with a blurred faced kid. "Camilla paid for her to go to private school, that's £35k a year".

WTF

Also it appears that most of the "kids" this charity helps are actually late teens and early twenties. Do people realise the charity is misnamed when they donate?

WTF

This is simply staggering. In the coming weeks and months I am sure many more of these stories will surface.

Someone was telling me of a man who was interviewed and claimed that he used the regular cash payments from them to buy drugs and he ended up using the money to buy crack.
.

The KC ethos was 'never turn a child away' and to 'spend every penny they received' - and low and behold, between 2009 and 2013 the number of self-referral children visiting the charity swelled by 22 thousand. – But then dishing out brown envelops stuffed with cash and Oyster cards, does tends to do that I find.

Radio 4 ran a very informative programme on KC last night. According to interviewees, centres were quiet most days until Friday when it was chaos with hundreds of 'kids' pitching up to collect their £30 and Oyster cards. Then it was off to buy some weed. One laughed about buying an iPod with her loot.

Dope dealers across south London must be feeling the pinch this weekend.

Are they expecting the PM to give them their dope money personally?

Surely the only criticism of government here is that they didn't shut KC down earlier!

ydoethur said:

isam said:

ydoethur said:

isam said:

ydoethur said:

Suggestion on TMS - remove the square leg umpire (who doesn't now do much, as the 3rd umpire is the point of appeal for run outs, lbws, stumpings etc) and have them just checking for no balls instead.

That makes sense to me, actually, in Tests at least.

Stokes get one more and its four consecutive 5-fors from 4 different bowlers!

Which would, conveniently, match that run I gave you yesterday in the 1990s!

EDIT - although Stokes only has 4 at the moment. Broad and Wood have one each.

Didn't the 2nd Inns of the 4th test vs Windies there ruin the sequence? They chased down a total for 3 wickets

Tufnell also took 5-94 against Sri Lanka in the 2nd innings if you don't mind counting him twice. (Tufnell also took 11 wickets in the following Test, against NZ, but only 4 in the first innings).

My fav player Graeme Hick dropped for the Sri Lankan one off test after getting a thorough going over vs the mighty Windies... harsh!

EDIT he was dropped for the 5th test vs WI

EDIT!! Stokes has his 5 for!!! Is this a record???!!!

Sandpit said:

Are they expecting the PM to give them their dope money personally?

Well, he's proven himself to be rather dopey where KC is concerned

Plato said:

so true

Sandpit said:

Plato said:

Theirclients are apparently marching on #10 today.

watford30 said:

SimonStClare said:

MP_SE said:

Dair said:

WTF

Interview on BBC, some chav mother with a blurred faced kid. "Camilla paid for her to go to private school, that's £35k a year".

WTF

Also it appears that most of the "kids" this charity helps are actually late teens and early twenties. Do people realise the charity is misnamed when they donate?

WTF

This is simply staggering. In the coming weeks and months I am sure many more of these stories will surface.

Someone was telling me of a man who was interviewed and claimed that he used the regular cash payments from them to buy drugs and he ended up using the money to buy crack.
.

The KC ethos was 'never turn a child away' and to 'spend every penny they received' - and low and behold, between 2009 and 2013 the number of self-referral children visiting the charity swelled by 22 thousand. – But then dishing out brown envelops stuffed with cash and Oyster cards, does tends to do that I find.

Radio 4 ran a very informative programme on KC last night. According to interviewees, centres were quiet most days until Friday when it was chaos with hundreds of 'kids' pitching up to collect their £30 and Oyster cards. Then it was off to buy some weed. One laughed about buying an iPod with her loot.

Dope dealers across south London must be feeling the pinch this weekend.

Are they expecting the PM to give them their dope money personally?

Surely the only criticism of government here is that they didn't shut KC down earlier!

And if Mr Cameron has any sense, he'll be watching the cricket with the rest of us!

ydoethur said:

Sandpit said:

ydoethur said:

Sandpit said:

ydoethur said:

And now - finally - Neville goes. Not off a no-ball, for once!

Big cheer for the replay, although why he ever though to review that plumb in front not playing a shot I have no idea.

9 overs to go, what chance we can get a couple more and ask for the extra half hour to finish them off tonight.

Can you claim the extra half-hour if you haven't bowled your full quota of overs by 6.30 (which England won't have)?

Good question. They are starting over 60 now, so 57 since lunch which seems okay - the delay was in their bowling to us this morning, only 20 ovs before we declared.

Apparently can only be claimed if all scheduled overs are bowled by 6.30. BBC speculating Cook wouldn't want to claim it anyway and would rather give Broad a break.

ECB must be praying England don't claim it/knock the last four over...losing a whole Saturday's takings would be bad financial news, whatever their insurance policy.

I would imagine they would rather wave off tomorrow, rather than have everyone turn up and have to staff the place for half an hour's play. I guess the hospitality would still go on and they'd sell a few beers though. Would be interesting to see their thinking and spreadsheets.

Would be a bit peeved if I were travelling any distance to go watch though.

Edit: Moot point now, bad light wins the day.

HenryGManson said:

From the Independent today on the Corbyn volunteers:
'A few days later I visit the London office space that the Unite union has lent to the campaign. ....

The key here is the role of the Unions in helping Corbyn. That dwarfs the other 3 campaigns. They have been signing up existing union members to have a vote and signing new people that call in on the £3 for Corbyn route and push calling to persuade Labour registered members/union/£3 to vote for Corbyn.

That Ed Miliband's team did not understand this would happen shows how gullible they were ... or they just wanted to reward the Unions who backed EdM?

Sandpit said:

Plato said:

Theirclients are apparently marching on #10 today.

watford30 said:

SimonStClare said:

MP_SE said:

Dair said:

WTF

Interview on BBC, some chav mother with a blurred faced kid. "Camilla paid for her to go to private school, that's £35k a year".

WTF

Also it appears that most of the "kids" this charity helps are actually late teens and early twenties. Do people realise the charity is misnamed when they donate?

WTF

This is simply staggering. In the coming weeks and months I am sure many more of these stories will surface.

Someone was telling me of a man who was interviewed and claimed that he used the regular cash payments from them to buy drugs and he ended up using the money to buy crack.
.

The KC ethos was 'never turn a child away' and to 'spend every penny they received' - and low and behold, between 2009 and 2013 the number of self-referral children visiting the charity swelled by 22 thousand. – But then dishing out brown envelops stuffed with cash and Oyster cards, does tends to do that I find.

Radio 4 ran a very informative programme on KC last night. According to interviewees, centres were quiet most days until Friday when it was chaos with hundreds of 'kids' pitching up to collect their £30 and Oyster cards. Then it was off to buy some weed. One laughed about buying an iPod with her loot.

Dope dealers across south London must be feeling the pinch this weekend.

Are they expecting the PM to give them their dope money personally?

Surely the only criticism of government here is that they didn't shut KC down earlier!

Yes, I don't understand how the users of the service or the charity can be mad at the politicians at all, really. They're in trouble for ignoring advice about KC and giving KC the money, what more did they want?

Sandpit said:

I would imagine they would rather wave off tomorrow, rather than have everyone turn up and have to staff the place for half an hour's play. I guess the hospitality would still go on and they'd sell a few beers though.

Would be a bit peeved if I were travelling any distance to go watch though.

You would grudge travelling to watch England win the Ashes after just half an hour of play?

I am reminded of this joke:

A Pole comes into a Warsaw bank.

‘I have a hundred zlotys,’ says the Pole. 'I can’t decide what would be the safest thing to do with them.’

'Put them in the bank,’ says the bank clerk.

'But what if the bank crashes?’ says the Pole.

'If the bank crashes, then the bank administration guarantees to refund your money,’ replies the clerk.

'Well, what if the administration goes bust?’

'Then the Polish Ministry of Finance guarantees to refund your money.’

'Well, what if the Ministry of Finance goes bust?’

'Then the Polish government guarantees to refund your money.’

'Well, what if the Polish government goes bankrupt?’

'Well, in that case the friendly Soviet Union guarantees the return of your money.’

'And what if the Soviet Union goes bankrupt?’

'You bastard, you don’t mean to say that you’d begrudge a hundred zlotys for that?’

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. SE, the joy of an institutional failure is that you don't need to hold individuals to account, merely assert that the 'culture was to blame', as if culture is a strange and mystical thing that evolves and exists separately to actual people.

Perhaps thats an idea you could explore in one of your books, Mr.D.. Do a bit of a Prachett, maybe.

isam said:

JosiasJessop said:

isam said:

Freggles said:

isam said:

There is the ever so important consideration of who should be the UKIP candidate for the London Mayoralty

Suzanne Evans has thrown her hat into the ring, but I would plump for Peter Whittle... I met both when campaigning for Carswell last year and both seem nice people, but I thought Whittle more impressive and he also lives in London and stood in a London seat.

He writes quite well in Standpoint magazine too

http://www.standpointmag.co.uk/writers/?showid=Peter Whittle

Oh, UKIP are still a thing?

Oh, you!

As a matter of interest Sam, as an ex-Labour supporting UKIPper, would you be more likely to vote for a Corbyn-led Labour party, or less?

His views on immigration are perhaps not what you would like, but does anything else he has to say appeal to you?

I wouldn't vote for Labour under any of the 4 candidates leadership, but I probably like Corbyn the best as he seems to believe in something other than power for powers sake

His genuine opposition to the Iraq war and support of nuclear disarmament definitely appeal, and I certainly don't consider people that are not produced on the assembly line of modern politics odd just because they dare say something different from what post 1997 govts say

I can empathise with the rough treatment he gets from centrists because of that, the same as UKIP get. The C4 interview about Hamas "friends" was particularly ridiculous.

I guess I would be marginally more inclined to vote Labour if he was leader than I would if any of the other three were, as they are basically Cameroons, but its like 0.1/10 rather than 0/10

His immigration policy would prob be the same as Cameron's only Corbyn wouldn't pretend not to like it

Thanks.