politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Theresa May sends a strong reminder that she’s still in the
politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Theresa May sends a strong reminder that she’s still in the race
If it was the Home Secretary’s intention yesterday to stir up some controversy and get big headlines this morning then the plan has worked very well.
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I'm not sure either Boris or May would be the best candidates for the Conservatives, although I'm tempted to think that May is a far better option than Boris.
It would be interesting to know who those 'two well-known campaigners' are.
The selection process seems to be based on popularity, speech making, a bit of debate and political positioning.
There may be some element of 'vision ' JC showed this more that the other Labour candidates, but the consideration of leadership skills is missing in the contests.
(Caveat: if she leads the "Out" charge, and "Out" wins, then that could change.)
(To add: since Boris Johnson's article on Uber, I would rather cut my own hand off than vote for him in any capacity.)
It would be interesting to know who those 'two well-known campaigners' are.
That is very disturbing news and quite worrying that it could be allowed to happen.
http://m.heraldscotland.com/news/13807627.University_laws__quot_devastating_quot__to_the_SNP_s_reputation_warns_top_academic/
Exaronews might have questions to answer on this one. They will not be alone. They've already gone on the defensive.
Meanwhile, a dead man's reputation has been dragged through the gutter on the basis of very flawed 'evidence'.
Worse, it sets back all such enquiries. First McAlpine, now Brittain.
It'll be interesting to hear Tom Watson's reaction.
It would be interesting to know who those 'two well-known campaigners' are.
Could thery be charged with wasting police time?
Meanwhile, a dead man's reputation has been dragged through the gutter on the basis of very flawed 'evidence'.
Worse, it sets back all such enquiries. First McAlpine, now Brittain.
It'll be interesting to hear Tom Watson's reaction.
I expect that there will be a period of silence
Gloriously contorted editorial from the National on how the answer to the SNP awarding a water contract to the b#stard English lowest bidder is - yes, you guessed it - INDEPENDENCE!
http://www.thenational.scot/comment/the-national-view-october-7-is-independence-the-only-way-to-protect-scotlands-water.8473?utm_medium=social&utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_term=Autofeed#link_time=1444197736
Bit ironic given their complaint is with Scottish Parliament legislation, passed AFAIK to be EU compliant.....but no worries - for whatever ails ye, independence is the answer.....
I still think that's a steal. If she can get to the final two - her weakness will be her MP base, but Boris has the same problem - she has a good chance against Osborne.
Or even perverting the course of justice which is a far more serious charge.
"Her comments came in an evidence session to the Scottish Parliament's education committee, which is scrutinising the proposed Higher Education Governance Bill."
Do Holyrood committees really "scrutinise" anything?
Meanwhile, a dead man's reputation has been dragged through the gutter on the basis of very flawed 'evidence'.
Worse, it sets back all such enquiries. First McAlpine, now Brittain.
It'll be interesting to hear Tom Watson's reaction.
The fact that Exaro - a news website - was allowed to sit in on an interview under caution with a suspect, Harvey Proctor (or so I understand) is most peculiar. I'm surprised that Proctor's lawyer allowed it - or perhaps he was not aware. But very odd nonetheless.
I’m not a lawyer, but you may well be right. Should anyone be charged with anything I sincerely hope that the organ-grinder is there as well as the monkey!
The police are up to their necks in it. http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/21/westminster-child-abuse-inquiry-police-split-credibility-witness
Yep. A month or so ago I asked on here if it was usual, or even wise, to have a campaigning journalist sit in on an interview with a vulnerable alleged victim.
Wonder if there'll be an apology for that utter farce of the photo op outside Ted Heath's house?
It's not just dead men's reputation. One of the alleged perpetrators is a 91 year old former Head of the Army. I have no idea whether the allegations are true but he deserves to know the outcome either way and soon and that the police investigation is being properly, professionally and expeditiously done. Some doubt is being cast on that and the impression risks being given that the police are more concerned with showing that they are on the side of victims than investigating the allegations and putting forward a case for prosecution, if there is one.
The best way of showing that you are on the side of victims - though that is not fundamentally the police's job - is to investigate. And to investigate you don't assume at the start what you are seeking to prove, you maintain a scepticism about what you are being told and you look for strong evidence, primary and corroborative. And you move as fast as possible. What you don't do is emote about victims, announce publicly that you believe them - your belief being neither here nor there, frankly, as evidence - and then play the whole thing (or appear to) for what looks like good PR for you on the news.
As I understand it, the Exaronew 'journalist' was not there for the interview with Proctor, but for the interview with the alleged victim. (*) I would have thought the opportunity for coaching the victim would have been very high, as would the police giving away confidential information to the journalist.
(*) I might be wrong - I'd have to re-read Proctor's rant.
An interesting discussion on the overnight thread on immigration, I still think the problem is that no-one dares to separate "good" and "bad" immigration types for fears of not being PC.
FWIW I would give the companies complaining about skills shortages unlimited visas, if they agree to pay the salary again of the employee (maybe a minimum of £40k or £50k) into an education fund set up to address the skills shortages. That way universities and colleges could work with the businesses to address areas where skills are needed. Maybe anyone wanting a Masters in a STEM subject should have their tuition paid, maybe if we need more engineers, doctors, pilots etc. we could make sure that the newly qualified in these areas aren't up to their necks in debt if they agree to stay in the UK for a period of time.
The next bowl was cold with no salt or sugar for flavouring. Ah she knew it would be great for her figure, but it was very unappealing and unappetising. It was also a little cold.So she passed it up.
Then she arrived at a bowl labelled 'George'. This porridge tastes great, but I know I won't grow too fat on this one she mused. So she ate it all up.
Some hours later Boris showed up after his daily walk in the woods. He saw a girl sleeping in the house, but she was in George's bed, not his !
(*) I might be wrong - I'd have to re-read Proctor's rant.
Thanks. Either way most odd. If the victim is vulnerable, a social worker would be a better bet. It could have been the victim's choice. But it does raise serious concerns and risks the confidentiality of the investigation and thus the chances of a successful prosecution.
What a big mess, and a terrible approach by pretty much everyone involved in the investigation and reporting of it. All more interested in PR than justice for those who may have been abused.
If we ever get rid of that anachronism of the House of Lords I would suggest that Westminster would want something similar. Whilst the unexpected majority for the SNP has weakened the system it remains useful.
Yesterday's debate is a good example. There are real fears that University autonomy would be fundamentally undermined by this bill which would allow a Minister to sack University Principals and to be far more prescriptive about matters that Universities have had under control themselves in the past. This is part of a long term trend. The fear that those in education had meant they made very little contribution to the Independence debate, far less than they should have done. An academic who did speak up was hounded out of his position.
Instead, all are let in - without any sensible discrimination between good and bad. Our ability or willingness to remove those we don't want is close to zero. Consent is not properly obtained and poisons trust between ruler and ruled and the benefits and costs are most unfairly shared. The rich get the cheap nannies, cleaners and plumbers and the poor get their jobs taken, wages depressed and neighbourhoods changed out of all recognition. And are told that they are Luddite bigots to add insult to injury.
How we get from here to where we would like to be is what May - and any other putative leader - needs to answer, on this question at least.
The best way of showing that you are on the side of victims - though that is not fundamentally the police's job - is to investigate. And to investigate you don't assume at the start what you are seeking to prove, you maintain a scepticism about what you are being told and you look for strong evidence, primary and corroborative. And you move as fast as possible. What you don't do is emote about victims, announce publicly that you believe them - your belief being neither here nor there, frankly, as evidence - and then play the whole thing (or appear to) for what looks like good PR for you on the news.
My real issue with this is one of terminology, not just for itself but because it reveals an approach which is inimical to the fair conduct of justice. That is the use of the word victim to describe the accuser. Of itself that implies that guilt and innocence has already been determined. Which appears, by conduct, to be the case. I have a nagging reminder of the Salem witch trials. That politicians are complicit in this doesn't surprise me. That the police have dropped even the veneer of impartiality is more disturbing.
If they go down the Osborne route they will implement many Blairite type policies trying to use the power of the State to fix many of our problems. Some Tories are and will be uncomfortable with that wanting to pursue small state, non interventionist policies. But the Osborne route means that they dominate the centre ground and Labour's very existence might become an issue.
Personally, I would find a Tory party led by the likes of May far less attractive than one led by Cameron or Osborne. I think they have changed the party sufficiently that May would lose. There was a report yesterday that the response to her speech was quite muted whilst that of Gove on prison reform was very well received. She looks and sounds like a throw back to unhappier times to me.
A group of MPs became fixed on the idea of holding the police's feet to the fire, but the line between doing that and interfering in justice is a thin one. Some politicians may have crossed it.
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34442292
Fail to see the attraction of May. Lacks even Boris' superficial appeal [I@d never back him, either].
2. BWNBPM - he is a buffoon albeit a thoroughly entertaining one. I don't buy the beneath the buffoonery there is a serious politician line. Think of him in a room with Vlad. The Russian PM would listen, nod, make some agreeable noises, and then get out his pistol and shoot Boris through the head, before moving on.
3. Cons leadership election in general I mean I know we are PB but it is ages away and there are far too many events due over the next four years to take a view now.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/34460582
Edited extra bit: good piece by McNish on the calendar:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/34456225
And later:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/02/sun-jimmy-savile-surrey-police
If the SNP majority vote through the bill as is, precisely to allow them to sack gobby academics during IndeyRef2, then the system hasn't added any value at all. http://m.heraldscotland.com/news/13807627.University_laws__quot_devastating_quot__to_the_SNP_s_reputation_warns_top_academic/
The SNP committe chair doesn't think so...
That's the sort of srcutiny we can expect from the SNP.
Maybe that's why Nicola "never" asked her business spokeperson what business she was in?
In a forced choice - I'd pick her and never Boris.
About time the left had some popcorn to chew on.
My money is on Fallon.
May isn't a great speaker but she came across as not having her heart in it. More a 'this will separate from the others speech'. As has been mentioned, a 'something must be done' speech is ludicrous after five years of inaction.
Is she proposing leaving the EU? If no, then immigration is not under our control. Is she proposing stopping spouses coming in? I doubt it. So it was full of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Unlimited immigration is not popular and as much as people like to spout off about not pandering to prejudice (I know best and anyone who disagrees with me is wrong), it is political suicide. But nothing can be constructively done under the present legal systems.
So change it or shut up.
And later:
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/oct/02/sun-jimmy-savile-surrey-police
Wasn't it Newsnight that had the McAlpine car crash? I thought Panorama came out of the debacle intact.
It worked better when there was no overall majority, I would not dispute that but I still think you can compare and contrast those given a public platform by Parliament to defend academic freedom yesterday with anything found in Westminster. It is certainly a big step up on 10 minutes on the Today program which is the nearest equivalent that I can think of.
Sorry, you are right. Oops.
One does have to wonder how much Tom Watson's hand is in all of this.
And it brings quality control: Uber drivers need to keep scoring 4.5/5.0, otherwise they get dropped from the system.
I feel for taxi drivers, I really do. They spent three years educating themselves, and the value of that knowledge has declined. But regulation must always be consumer led. And the existence of Uber is unambiguously good for consumers. Artificial measures (5 minute cooldowns, for example) to try and make Uber less attractive are a travesty.
I could never vote for Boris. I could never vote for a Conservative Party he led.
Hundreds of thousands will be sent back within weeks. As we're not in Schengen, we're not directly affected by it, but May is expected to support it as it'll help to clear Calais.
I think the divisions in reactions over her speech represents the discomfort of the commentariat in robustly discussing immigration. Amongst voters as a whole, there are now overwhelming numbers for whom this is their number one issue.
No point debating with you , you are fixated on hatred of SNP and I cannot believe I was even stupid enough to reply to one of your pathetic posts. I will resume normal service and ignore your second hand drivel. Come back if you ever get to the point where you have your own opinion on anything.
I wonder whether we oughtn't to have SOME protection for the reputation of the dead? At present, if I say X is a paedophile I'm liable for millions, but if I wait till the day he dies I can say anything I like. Some sort of penalty for deliberate malicious fabrication for anyone recently dead (setting the bar high to avoid inhibiting genuine historical speculation) would give a bit of protection for the family.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jeremy-hunts-leadership-claim-shows-a-man-grotesquely-out-of-his-depth-a6683601.html
Indeed with some of the candidates being mooted, even Jezzbollah seems a reasonable option.
Rachel Johnson's agenda is obvious.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/joan-mcalpine-dont-mention-word-6586901
His hands are either deep in the muck, or he's been a very useful idiot. Either way, it does not reflect well on his position as deputy leader of the Labour party. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elm_Guest_House_child_abuse_scandal#Claims_by_Tom_Watson_MP
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f4/TitusOates-pilloried_300dpi.jpg
Thogh Eritrea may not be the best example. The government there is so brutal as to rank alongside North Korea in its harshness:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/06/12/the-brutal-dictatorship-the-world-keeps-ignoring/
It is not possible to say anything on the subject that is not a dog-whistle.
Being a useful idiot is no bar to being a successful politician.