politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » The first local election night of the Corbyn era with two L

Sunil_Prasannan said:

SeanT said:

McDonnell did quite well - given the baggage he was handling - until the very last bit when he blatantly lied about Corbyn being so "moved and distracted" by the WW2 memorial he just "forgot" to sing the national anthem.

That was a clear lie, he was called out on it, and the SCOTE looked decidedly shifty.

Will it move votes? No. Most people don't watch Question Time. They will simply see the BBC report which says the Shadow Chancellor had to apologise on air for comments supporting the IRA (the most read item on iBBC right now):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34285308

Sensible people will reel away. Corbyn loyalists will explain it away.

Labour are heading for a Michael Foot type defeat in 2020, minus the Scottish seats.

Actually Red Ed did far better in England & Wales than Foot did in '83.

Consider:

Foot's Scottish seats 41
Foot's E & W seats 168

Ed's Scottish seats... um, 1
but
Ed's E & W seats 231

Plenty of room to fall further then!

Stark_Dawning said:

AnneJGP said:

SeanT said:

@StephenNolan 10m10 minutes ago
Ian Paisley just told me on @bbc5live John McDonnell was given ultimatum by his senior lab colleagues 2apologise or he would be kicked out

Who would that be? Only Mr Corbyn is senior to SCotE, isn't he?

Could be a load of Labour grandees saying they'd threaten to use the nuclear option and resign from the party en masse if Corbyn didn't sack him. Corbyn would probably have to comply in those circumstances or his leadership really would be in tatters.

It already is.

I can hardly recall a worse week for any party leader. Let alone one in his first week in office.

Pauly said:

SeanT said:

McDonnell did quite well - given the baggage he was handling - until the very last bit when he blatantly lied about Corbyn being so "moved and distracted" by the WW2 memorial he just "forgot" to sing the national anthem.

That was a clear lie, he was called out on it, and the SCOTE looked decidedly shifty.

Will it move votes? No. Most people don't watch Question Time. They will simply see the BBC report which says the Shadow Chancellor had to apologise on air for comments supporting the IRA (the most read item on iBBC right now):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-34285308

Sensible people will reel away. Corbyn loyalists will explain it away.

Labour are heading for a Michael Foot type defeat in 2020, minus the Scottish seats.

I think the lie on Corbyn singing the anthem helped expose the fact that the IRA crap was probably a lie too, given he used the exact same technique and tone of voice.

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive - Sir Walter Scot - now there's a committed Scot a bit like Mike England (doh)

Philip_Thompson said:

Just watching QT from recording it earlier. Toksvig seems to be far to the left of anyone. Is she on to make McDonnell and Salmond seem centre ground?

Guess who she chose (back in March) as Minster for Education in her dream cabinet? Go on...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/11458686/Sandi-Toksvigs-feminist-party-Meet-the-dream-Cabinet.html

Pulpstar said:

Dair said:

Pulpstar said:

From a practical PoV, our geography is certainly the best for controlling immigration of pretty much all the countries in Eruope.

We have no land border with any other states (bar the chunnel), and are surrounded by the somewhat choppier waters of the atlantic rather than the somewhat calmer med.

We have an unpatrolled, open land border.

Where ^^; ?

Here

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@54.4448359,-6.6319212,7z

And a patrolled on here

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@36.1468781,-5.3340754,13z

And here

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@34.8233547,33.3264989,9z

Tissue_Price said:

Philip_Thompson said:

Just watching QT from recording it earlier. Toksvig seems to be far to the left of anyone. Is she on to make McDonnell and Salmond seem centre ground?

Guess who she chose (back in March) as Minster for Education in her dream cabinet? Go on...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/11458686/Sandi-Toksvigs-feminist-party-Meet-the-dream-Cabinet.html

Phew. We got off lightly there - imagine the parliamentary expenses!

Tissue_Price said:

Philip_Thompson said:

Just watching QT from recording it earlier. Toksvig seems to be far to the left of anyone. Is she on to make McDonnell and Salmond seem centre ground?

Guess who she chose (back in March) as Minster for Education in her dream cabinet? Go on...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/11458686/Sandi-Toksvigs-feminist-party-Meet-the-dream-Cabinet.html

That article makes it so utterly clear that Toksvig's new party is beyond redemption. Such lack of coherent thought combined with blinkered vision makes for a dangerous combination.

oxfordsimon said:

Tissue_Price said:

Philip_Thompson said:

Just watching QT from recording it earlier. Toksvig seems to be far to the left of anyone. Is she on to make McDonnell and Salmond seem centre ground?

Guess who she chose (back in March) as Minster for Education in her dream cabinet? Go on...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-politics/11458686/Sandi-Toksvigs-feminist-party-Meet-the-dream-Cabinet.html

That article makes it so utterly clear that Toksvig's new party is beyond redemption. Such lack of coherent thought combined with blinkered vision makes for a dangerous combination.

Splitter!

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Gravis poll, Fiorina won debate

Fiorina – 33%
Trump – 21%
Rubio – 16%
Carson – 8%
Cruz – 5%
Christie – 4%
Bush – 4%
Kasich – 3%
Paul – 2%
Walker – 2%
Huckabee – 2%

And now, the losers:
Paul – 32%
Trump – 17%
Kasich – 11%
Bush – 9%
Huckabee – 8%
Walker – 6%
Carson – 5%
Fiorina – 4%
Christie – 4%
Cruz – 3%
Rubio – 2%
http://www.scribd.com/doc/281579691/One-America-News-Gravis-Marketing-Post-Debate

The talking heads of Fox News and CNN (who are STILL camped out at the Reagan Library for the fourth day) have proclaimed Fiorina and somewhat behind, Rubio, as debate winners.

That was also the instant post-debate assessment on both networks.

Coverage of Trump has been noticeably more negative today.

Indeed, but as this poll makes clear if you were for Trump pre debate you were likely still for Trump after, but Fiorina has made up some further ground on him

Nobody is talking about Carson today, and Trump's coverage has turned negative. Take the two of them together, they are over 50%. Until that unwinds we won't know what the hell is going on.

Indeed, but the mainstream media have never been pro Trump, outside of occasionally Fox, Trump has the money and name recognition for it not to affect his core support

You're clearly not watching the US news channels. They all give him lots of air time. He's ratings gold. It'll be interesting to see if that changes.

Well he leads virtually every poll for the GOP nomination so of course they have to give him news coverage, but that does not mean most of the commentators comment on him favourably

The problem with your premise is that the corollary doesn't work - they don't do the same with Hillary.

Trump leads in Iowa, NH and SC in the latest polls, Hillary leads in SC, but trails Sanders in NH and now in Iowa in the latest poll

Tim_B said:

ReggieCide said:

Dair said:

Pulpstar said:

From a practical PoV, our geography is certainly the best for controlling immigration of pretty much all the countries in Eruope.

We have no land border with any other states (bar the chunnel), and are surrounded by the somewhat choppier waters of the atlantic rather than the somewhat calmer med.

We have an unpatrolled, open land border.

And you guys sure know how to take advantage of that don't you. More of you down here than up there.

Blame Hadrian. Either the emperor or the paint.

It was intended to be more an observation than an accusation that Dair was personally responsible for the state of affairs to which I referred.

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

Eh_ehm_a_eh said:

MaxPB said:

Dair said:

TGOHF said:

Dair said:

dellertronic said:

The union is dead is when not if it ends... English politicians need to wake up and ensure the split is on English terms.

An England which has no distinct culture, no coherent sense of nationhood, no wealth, no industry, no resources and is on the brink of electrical and water shortages is hardly in a position of strength in the negotiation. England is weak, poor and backward looking.

One thing is certain about the dissolution of the United Kingdom. It will not be on England's terms.

Dair old chap - have you ever been to Engerland ?

Many times and it is quite a nice place to visit, however the undrinkable water does take the shine of the experience. Food is a bit iffy too.

But the scenery is often lovely, London is quite fun and the pubs are good.

Drink San Pellegrino. Food in Scotland is all fried, beige and bland. Shit.

I know it's called McDonalds, but it's not scottish. Try some other restaurants.

Are you sure about this? Where else can you get sausage that isn't sausage shaped, like Scotland?

AS it doesn't have a skin it is able to absorb more fat from the deep frying. The shape is immaterial in this process

I am shocked I tell you. Shocked.

Wow - science in sausage shaping. Cool.

I surprise myself sometimes

You surprised anyone who thought you would deep fry a slice of lorne.

Or that slicing sausage was somewhat rare or unique.

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Gravis poll, Fiorina won debate

Fiorina – 33%
Trump – 21%
Rubio – 16%
Carson – 8%
Cruz – 5%
Christie – 4%
Bush – 4%
Kasich – 3%
Paul – 2%
Walker – 2%
Huckabee – 2%

And now, the losers:
Paul – 32%
Trump – 17%
Kasich – 11%
Bush – 9%
Huckabee – 8%
Walker – 6%
Carson – 5%
Fiorina – 4%
Christie – 4%
Cruz – 3%
Rubio – 2%
http://www.scribd.com/doc/281579691/One-America-News-Gravis-Marketing-Post-Debate

The talking heads of Fox News and CNN (who are STILL camped out at the Reagan Library for the fourth day) have proclaimed Fiorina and somewhat behind, Rubio, as debate winners.

That was also the instant post-debate assessment on both networks.

Coverage of Trump has been noticeably more negative today.

Indeed, but as this poll makes clear if you were for Trump pre debate you were likely still for Trump after, but Fiorina has made up some further ground on him

Nobody is talking about Carson today, and Trump's coverage has turned negative. Take the two of them together, they are over 50%. Until that unwinds we won't know what the hell is going on.

Indeed, but the mainstream media have never been pro Trump, outside of occasionally Fox, Trump has the money and name recognition for it not to affect his core support

You're clearly not watching the US news channels. They all give him lots of air time. He's ratings gold. It'll be interesting to see if that changes.

Well he leads virtually every poll for the GOP nomination so of course they have to give him news coverage, but that does not mean most of the commentators comment on him favourably

The problem with your premise is that the corollary doesn't work - they don't do the same with Hillary.

Trump leads in Iowa, NH and SC in the latest polls, Hillary leads in SC, but trails Sanders in NH and now in Iowa in the latest poll

The problem with your premise is that the corollary doesn't work - they don't do the same with Hillary or Bernie. Stop trying to change the subject.

flightpath01 said:

ReggieCide said:

Dair said:

TGOHF said:

Dair said:

dellertronic said:

The union is dead is when not if it ends... English politicians need to wake up and ensure the split is on English terms.

An England which has no distinct culture, no coherent sense of nationhood, no wealth, no industry, no resources and is on the brink of electrical and water shortages is hardly in a position of strength in the negotiation. England is weak, poor and backward looking.

One thing is certain about the dissolution of the United Kingdom. It will not be on England's terms.

Dair old chap - have you ever been to Engerland ?

Many times and it is quite a nice place to visit, however the undrinkable water does take the shine of the experience. Food is a bit iffy too.

But the scenery is often lovely, London is quite fun and the pubs are good.

How very kind. I wasn't aware that the Scots drank water other than to make the Scotch go further.

For a single malt a drop or two of water releases the aroma and flavour. Improving not stretching.

Not in my experience. You'll be telling me next the ice is good

Dair said:

Pulpstar said:

From a practical PoV, our geography is certainly the best for controlling immigration of pretty much all the countries in Eruope.

We have no land border with any other states (bar the chunnel), and are surrounded by the somewhat choppier waters of the atlantic rather than the somewhat calmer med.

We have an unpatrolled, open land border.

I did a Big Data pilot[1] last year. They made a great fuss about how they wanted to cover "the entire country", and a bit of my mind snapped when the vector map provided covered only England&Wales. You have no idea of the trouble I had to get them to include Sco & NI: I eventually got round it by specifying individual *postcode areas*, for God's sake ("Yes, I want the BT area. Really!")

It got so bad I started telling people they have hemispatial neglect: it started off as a joke, but now I'm not so sure. The BBC drama "War Book" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b065ylyy ) had high ranking civil servants ignoring the Ireland/Northern Ireland border, a mistake they would never do IRL.

* [1] now dribbling into the sands because - entirely predictably - cloud-based storage outwith the UK violates a stack of data protection and privacy laws. The lawyers are somewhat irked...

Uh, oh! I'm in the doghouse. Wife was going to CVS on her way home to pick up a prescription, so I asked her to pick up my passport photos while she was there. She did not see the smiling, winking emoticon I attached to the text message. Three of them were looking for the photos for about 5 minutes, when she rang me to say they couldn't find them ...

notme said:

Dair said:

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

Eh_ehm_a_eh said:

MaxPB said:

Dair said:

TGOHF said:

Dair said:

dellertronic said:

The union is dead is when not if it ends... English politicians need to wake up and ensure the split is on English terms.

An England which has no distinct culture, no coherent sense of nationhood, no wealth, no industry, no resources and is on the brink of electrical and water shortages is hardly in a position of strength in the negotiation. England is weak, poor and backward looking.

One thing is certain about the dissolution of the United Kingdom. It will not be on England's terms.

Dair old chap - have you ever been to Engerland ?

Many times and it is quite a nice place to visit, however the undrinkable water does take the shine of the experience. Food is a bit iffy too.

But the scenery is often lovely, London is quite fun and the pubs are good.

Drink San Pellegrino. Food in Scotland is all fried, beige and bland. Shit.

I know it's called McDonalds, but it's not scottish. Try some other restaurants.

Are you sure about this? Where else can you get sausage that isn't sausage shaped, like Scotland?

AS it doesn't have a skin it is able to absorb more fat from the deep frying. The shape is immaterial in this process

I am shocked I tell you. Shocked.

Wow - science in sausage shaping. Cool.

I surprise myself sometimes

You surprised anyone who thought you would deep fry a slice of lorne.

Or that slicing sausage was somewhat rare or unique.

I love a good lorne sausage, but then im within walking distance of the Scottish border. Even my wife who is from a different continent is hooked on the beef variants. You can cook them dry without any grease in the pan.

My wife is a Scot, so I've had my share of it too. Her birthday is Burns Night, so haggis and neeps are good too.

MTimT said:

Uh, oh! I'm in the doghouse. Wife was going to CVS on her way home to pick up a prescription, so I asked her to pick up my passport photos while she was there. She did not see the smiling, winking emoticon I attached to the text message. Three of them were looking for the photos for about 5 minutes, when she rang me to say they couldn't find them ...

You'll be sleeping alongside that donkey......



In the early 70s I flew home to Tenerife to see my parents, and went to see Shaft, with Spanish subtitles.

At one point the audience erupted in laughter. The subtitle in Spanish translated was "Kiss my black donkey."

ReggieCide said:

Dair said:

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

Eh_ehm_a_eh said:

MaxPB said:

Dair said:

TGOHF said:

Dair said:

dellertronic said:

The union is dead is when not if it ends... English politicians need to wake up and ensure the split is on English terms.

An England which has no distinct culture, no coherent sense of nationhood, no wealth, no industry, no resources and is on the brink of electrical and water shortages is hardly in a position of strength in the negotiation. England is weak, poor and backward looking.

One thing is certain about the dissolution of the United Kingdom. It will not be on England's terms.

Dair old chap - have you ever been to Engerland ?

Many times and it is quite a nice place to visit, however the undrinkable water does take the shine of the experience. Food is a bit iffy too.

But the scenery is often lovely, London is quite fun and the pubs are good.

Drink San Pellegrino. Food in Scotland is all fried, beige and bland. Shit.

I know it's called McDonalds, but it's not scottish. Try some other restaurants.

Are you sure about this? Where else can you get sausage that isn't sausage shaped, like Scotland?

AS it doesn't have a skin it is able to absorb more fat from the deep frying. The shape is immaterial in this process

I am shocked I tell you. Shocked.

Wow - science in sausage shaping. Cool.

I surprise myself sometimes

You surprised anyone who thought you would deep fry a slice of lorne.

Or that slicing sausage was somewhat rare or unique.

I looked up lorne but cannot find proof of its existence as a real word with any existence, within the civilised world anyway. I feel that slicing sausage prior to cooking is somewhat unusual but I acknowledge that your detailed knowledge of Scottish cookery will probably be superior to mine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorne_sausage

Sunil_Prasannan said:

foxinsoxuk said:

notme said:

GIN1138 said:

Watching Question Time on I-Player...

John Mcdonnell a disaster, IMO.

Actually, in the round he is a disaster, but he is disturbingly affable and self deprecating in a way. If you agree with his politics you will lap it up. He was quite smooth, but sensed a bit of anger behind the eyes.

I like the new politics of integrity and consistency as demonstrated by apologies and u turns! He had a menacing anger that will leak out often enough.

Actually what impresses me most about the Corbynistas is that they have repeated Dubyas Iraq war strategy. They have taken the capital and deposed the ruler, but have only the vaguest ideas about what to do next. No preparation or planning for the aftermath. Theirs too will be a squandered victory followed by chaos.

"Peace has cost you your strength! Victory has defeated you!"

You have to interlace your fingers and put both hands over your mouth...

NickPalmer said:

Gigantic Labour majorities in the two London by-elections:
http://voting.haringey.gov.uk/
- Green vote switching over en masse.

Sandi Toksvig is incidentally the daughter of the man who was Danish television's leading commentator, and for many years their UK correspondent. He was excellent, with no obvious political bias but plenty of insight - a sort of Michael Buerk figure rather than a bruiser like Andrew Neil.

Do you believe John McDonnell?

ReggieCide said:

notme said:

Dair said:

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

Eh_ehm_a_eh said:

MaxPB said:

Dair said:

TGOHF said:

Dair said:

dellertronic said:

The union is dead is when not if it ends... English politicians need to wake up and ensure the split is on English terms.

An England which has no distinct culture, no coherent sense of nationhood, no wealth, no industry, no resources and is on the brink of electrical and water shortages is hardly in a position of strength in the negotiation. England is weak, poor and backward looking.

One thing is certain about the dissolution of the United Kingdom. It will not be on England's terms.

Dair old chap - have you ever been to Engerland ?

Many times and it is quite a nice place to visit, however the undrinkable water does take the shine of the experience. Food is a bit iffy too.

But the scenery is often lovely, London is quite fun and the pubs are good.

Drink San Pellegrino. Food in Scotland is all fried, beige and bland. Shit.

I know it's called McDonalds, but it's not scottish. Try some other restaurants.

Are you sure about this? Where else can you get sausage that isn't sausage shaped, like Scotland?

AS it doesn't have a skin it is able to absorb more fat from the deep frying. The shape is immaterial in this process

I am shocked I tell you. Shocked.

Wow - science in sausage shaping. Cool.

I surprise myself sometimes

You surprised anyone who thought you would deep fry a slice of lorne.

Or that slicing sausage was somewhat rare or unique.

I love a good lorne sausage, but then im within walking distance of the Scottish border. Even my wife who is from a different continent is hooked on the beef variants. You can cook them dry without any grease in the pan.

I actually wasn't referring to the possiblities (after all you could boil it) but was referring to the usual Scottish custom.

The purpose of Scottish food is to make English food look good

Tim_B said:

ReggieCide said:

Dair said:

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

ReggieCide said:

Tim_B said:

Eh_ehm_a_eh said:

MaxPB said:

Dair said:

TGOHF said:

Dair said:

dellertronic said:

The union is dead is when not if it ends... English politicians need to wake up and ensure the split is on English terms.

An England which has no distinct culture, no coherent sense of nationhood, no wealth, no industry, no resources and is on the brink of electrical and water shortages is hardly in a position of strength in the negotiation. England is weak, poor and backward looking.

One thing is certain about the dissolution of the United Kingdom. It will not be on England's terms.

Dair old chap - have you ever been to Engerland ?

Many times and it is quite a nice place to visit, however the undrinkable water does take the shine of the experience. Food is a bit iffy too.

But the scenery is often lovely, London is quite fun and the pubs are good.

Drink San Pellegrino. Food in Scotland is all fried, beige and bland. Shit.

I know it's called McDonalds, but it's not scottish. Try some other restaurants.

Are you sure about this? Where else can you get sausage that isn't sausage shaped, like Scotland?

AS it doesn't have a skin it is able to absorb more fat from the deep frying. The shape is immaterial in this process

I am shocked I tell you. Shocked.

Wow - science in sausage shaping. Cool.

I surprise myself sometimes

You surprised anyone who thought you would deep fry a slice of lorne.

Or that slicing sausage was somewhat rare or unique.

I looked up lorne but cannot find proof of its existence as a real word with any existence, within the civilised world anyway. I feel that slicing sausage prior to cooking is somewhat unusual but I acknowledge that your detailed knowledge of Scottish cookery will probably be superior to mine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorne_sausage

Thank you for this, I searched for lorne only. I stand by my post

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Tim_B said:

HYUFD said:

Gravis poll, Fiorina won debate

Fiorina – 33%
Trump – 21%
Rubio – 16%
Carson – 8%
Cruz – 5%
Christie – 4%
Bush – 4%
Kasich – 3%
Paul – 2%
Walker – 2%
Huckabee – 2%

And now, the losers:
Paul – 32%
Trump – 17%
Kasich – 11%
Bush – 9%
Huckabee – 8%
Walker – 6%
Carson – 5%
Fiorina – 4%
Christie – 4%
Cruz – 3%
Rubio – 2%
http://www.scribd.com/doc/281579691/One-America-News-Gravis-Marketing-Post-Debate

The talking heads of Fox News and CNN (who are STILL camped out at the Reagan Library for the fourth day) have proclaimed Fiorina and somewhat behind, Rubio, as debate winners.

That was also the instant post-debate assessment on both networks.

Coverage of Trump has been noticeably more negative today.

Indeed, but as this poll makes clear if you were for Trump pre debate you were likely still for Trump after, but Fiorina has made up some further ground on him

Nobody is talking about Carson today, and Trump's coverage has turned negative. Take the two of them together, they are over 50%. Until that unwinds we won't know what the hell is going on.

Indeed, but the mainstream media have never been pro Trump, outside of occasionally Fox, Trump has the money and name recognition for it not to affect his core support

You're clearly not watching the US news channels. They all give him lots of air time. He's ratings gold. It'll be interesting to see if that changes.

Well he leads virtually every poll for the GOP nomination so of course they have to give him news coverage, but that does not mean most of the commentators comment on him favourably

The problem with your premise is that the corollary doesn't work - they don't do the same with Hillary.

Trump leads in Iowa, NH and SC in the latest polls, Hillary leads in SC, but trails Sanders in NH and now in Iowa in the latest poll

The problem with your premise is that the corollary doesn't work - they don't do the same with Hillary or Bernie. Stop trying to change the subject.

Because neither are the frontrunner Trump is on the GOP side or lead every early state like Trump does and like him or loathe him Trump does fill stadiums
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otOboFK4eZU

Tim_B said:

ReggieCide said:

I actually wasn't referring to the possiblities (after all you could boil it) but was referring to the usual Scottish custom.

The purpose of Scottish food is to make English food look good

I can assure you that a Scottish cuisine where actual meat is part of the menu as opposed to the English custom of filling their bellies with MRM only shows English food up to be unappetising mulch it is.

Cook MRM any way you want, pink mush is still disgusting and inedible.

Pulpstar said:

Pauly said:

Conservatives narrowly beaten by SNP in final round. 35 votes apparently...

Well that seat will be framed as CON vs SNP for the next 20 years at least. Labour nowhere. Wonder if we've seen the first drips of next year's locals and perhaps the 2020 GE - Labour getting huge numbers of votes in the English cities but slipping back in Scotland as the Conservatives and the SNP cement themselves as the right and left alternatives there respectively.
(No comment on the crucial 3rd division football towns that decide the GE as no BE results tonight in those. Not looking good for Labour, mind)

Did you take the pic in your avatar? If so, what galaxy is it? Hm, maybe it's a comet!!

RobD said:

Pulpstar said:

Pauly said:

Conservatives narrowly beaten by SNP in final round. 35 votes apparently...

Well that seat will be framed as CON vs SNP for the next 20 years at least. Labour nowhere. Wonder if we've seen the first drips of next year's locals and perhaps the 2020 GE - Labour getting huge numbers of votes in the English cities but slipping back in Scotland as the Conservatives and the SNP cement themselves as the right and left alternatives there respectively.
(No comment on the crucial 3rd division football towns that decide the GE as no BE results tonight in those. Not looking good for Labour, mind)

Did you take the pic in your avatar? If so, what galaxy is it? Hm, maybe it's a comet!!

Yes, it's andromeda ^_~ (F1.4; 8 sec; iso3200; Devon; 24mm lens on cropped sensor...)

So much for the 'game changing' Vow:

"It's not clear The Vow made much difference, not least because if you actually looked at the detail of the opinion poll often regarded as being responsible for it - The YouGov poll for the Sunday Times - you can see very clearly from that poll that among those people whose first preference was more devolution - the group to which the Unionists were then trying to appeal - were already between five and six-to-one saying they were going to vote 'No'.
And Prof Mitchell said: "A great deal is claimed about The Vow that it shifted opinion. We've had a look at this and we simply can't find any evidence that it really had that impact."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-34274044

Very nice @Pulpstar . Have you run that image through one of those constellation finder websites? Those things are great, it will tell you exactly what part of the sky you were looking in (although you knew that already).

I particularly like this "picture" of Andromeda, if it were brighter (but not any bigger):

http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/blogs/bad_astronomy/2014/01/01/moon_andromeda.jpg.CROP.original-original.jpg

CarlottaVance said:

So much for the 'game changing' Vow:

"It's not clear The Vow made much difference, not least because if you actually looked at the detail of the opinion poll often regarded as being responsible for it - The YouGov poll for the Sunday Times - you can see very clearly from that poll that among those people whose first preference was more devolution - the group to which the Unionists were then trying to appeal - were already between five and six-to-one saying they were going to vote 'No'.
And Prof Mitchell said: "A great deal is claimed about The Vow that it shifted opinion. We've had a look at this and we simply can't find any evidence that it really had that impact."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-34274044

So clearly you can't lose.

Time for the Second Referendum.