I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
Think she might be hamming it up a bit - her type of humour as far as I can gather.
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
Think she might be hamming it up a bit - her type of humour as far as I can gather.
Went over my head....
Personally, I just don't get New Year, never have.
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
"Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. "
Evidence, please. And a ConHome survey is not evidence.
And I disagree with you about his parliamentary skills.
In fact, point me to three superlative speeches he has made in parliament this year.
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
Think she might be hamming it up a bit - her type of humour as far as I can gather.
Went over my head....
Personally, I just don't get New Year, never have.
Well you're posting on PB at 5.15pm on Hogmany - a clear sign you're not quite getting it!!!
In all seriousness - me and Ms Briskin have just decided to not pub it so look forward to some more of my dazzling contributions to the community tonight!!!!!!
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
"Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. "
Evidence, please. And a ConHome survey is not evidence.
And I disagree with you about his parliamentary skills.
In fact, point me to three superlative speeches he has made in parliament this year.
The Conhome survey is however an indicator, do you have one, besides your own dislike, to counter it ?
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
Think she might be hamming it up a bit - her type of humour as far as I can gather.
Went over my head....
Personally, I just don't get New Year, never have.
Well you're posting on PB at 5.15pm on Hogmany - a clear sign you're not quite getting it!!!
Well yes. I normally try and head on vacation, but this year busy working on a new project.
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
"Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. "
Evidence, please. And a ConHome survey is not evidence.
And I disagree with you about his parliamentary skills.
In fact, point me to three superlative speeches he has made in parliament this year.
The Conhome survey is however an indicator, do you have one, besides your own dislike, to counter it ?
If Jeremy Corbyn is a Jedi, he is Kylo Ren. Well-meaning but dolefully weak, who reluctantly kills all those dangerous murderers and traitors to the First Order to ensure that order and stability are brought to the Galaxy. It's not his fault, honest.
@Morris_Dancer I seem to remember that while Luke blew up the Death Star he did negotiate twice with Vader - aggressive negotiations (as Anakin would say) in Episode V, and the normal kind in Episode VI.
Although I also seem to recall both types were dismal failures. There's a moral there for anyone with a brain, which sadly rules out the Jezziah and his acolytes.
If Jeremy Corbyn is a Jedi, he is Kylo Ren. Well-meaning but dolefully weak, who reluctantly kills all those dangerous murderers and traitors to the First Order to ensure that order and stability are brought to the Galaxy. It's not his fault, honest.
@Morris_Dancer I seem to remember that while Luke blew up the Death Star he did negotiate twice with Vader - aggressive negotiations (as Anakin would say) in Episode V, and the normal kind in Episode VI.
Although I also seem to recall both types were dismal failures. There's a moral there for anyone with a brain, which sadly rules out the Jezziah and his acolytes.
Without attempting to give spoilers, one of the most depressing parts of Episode VII is that no-one appears to have learnt anything from the events of I-VI.
In that way, it is also perhaps the most realistic part.
If Jeremy Corbyn is a Jedi, he is Kylo Ren. Well-meaning but dolefully weak, who reluctantly kills all those dangerous murderers and traitors to the First Order to ensure that order and stability are brought to the Galaxy. It's not his fault, honest.
@Morris_Dancer I seem to remember that while Luke blew up the Death Star he did negotiate twice with Vader - aggressive negotiations (as Anakin would say) in Episode V, and the normal kind in Episode VI.
Although I also seem to recall both types were dismal failures. There's a moral there for anyone with a brain, which sadly rules out the Jezziah and his acolytes.
Without attempting to give spoilers, one of the most depressing parts of Episode VII is that no-one appears to have learnt anything from the events of I-VI.
In that way, it is also perhaps the most realistic part.
Are you referring to the writers or the characters?
If Jeremy Corbyn is a Jedi, he is Kylo Ren. Well-meaning but dolefully weak, who reluctantly kills all those dangerous murderers and traitors to the First Order to ensure that order and stability are brought to the Galaxy. It's not his fault, honest.
@Morris_Dancer I seem to remember that while Luke blew up the Death Star he did negotiate twice with Vader - aggressive negotiations (as Anakin would say) in Episode V, and the normal kind in Episode VI.
Although I also seem to recall both types were dismal failures. There's a moral there for anyone with a brain, which sadly rules out the Jezziah and his acolytes.
Without attempting to give spoilers, one of the most depressing parts of Episode VII is that no-one appears to have learnt anything from the events of I-VI.
In that way, it is also perhaps the most realistic part.
Are you referring to the writers or the characters?
I've said before that Episode VII, whilst good, is incredibly 'safe' plotwise. And people who've seen it will know what I mean. But in the comment above, I mean characters. I can't say much more without spoilers ...
"Osborne’s image as a Star Wars villain is well established on the Left"
Neatly encapsulating the problem the Lefty Left have and why they are going to lose badly next election and everyone after it until they fundamentally change their world view.
The sensible left wing posters on here don't see Osborne or practically any other mainstream politician as some sort of evil to be defeated both politically and morally. They see a man who has a somewhat different view of the best solutions for problems both sides recognise.
I forget who it was the other day (Kle4 or Surbiton) but that is exactly how they put the whole question of political differences. More importantly that is also how the vast majority of the public see both sets of party leaders as well.
The Tories won in May partly because they were able to portray Miliband as ineffectual and a figure of fun. Dangerous to people's futures not by design but by ineptitude. Invariably this is how one side beats the other. Major lost in 97 because of this, Brown in 2010 for the same reason. Not because they were viewed as inherently evil in some fantasy novel sense but because they were viewed as just not very good at what they did.
The Tories get this. That is why, in the end, they will continue to win elections and Labour - under its current direction of travel - will continue to lose them.
An irony is that Osborne isn't even particularly right wing. I've found it impossible to convince left wing friends of this though.
Corbyn is a completely ineffectual Leader of the Opposition; completely incapable of holding the government to account and, seemingly, unintetested in doing so. Even EdM set the political weather once in a while. Jezza can't even do that.
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
Incidentially Conhome readers made Gove their minister of the year too
"Osborne’s image as a Star Wars villain is well established on the Left"
Neatly encapsulating the problem the Lefty Left have and why they are going to lose badly next election and everyone after it until they fundamentally change their world view.
The sensible left wing posters on here don't see Osborne or practically any other mainstream politician as some sort of evil to be defeated both politically and morally. They see a man who has a somewhat different view of the best solutions for problems both sides recognise.
I forget who it was the other day (Kle4 or Surbiton) but that is exactly how they put the whole question of political differences. More importantly that is also how the vast majority of the public see both sets of party leaders as well.
The Tories won in May partly because they were able to portray Miliband as ineffectual and a figure of fun. Dangerous to people's futures not by design but by ineptitude. Invariably this is how one side beats the other. Major lost in 97 because of this, Brown in 2010 for the same reason. Not because they were viewed as inherently evil in some fantasy novel sense but because they were viewed as just not very good at what they did.
The Tories get this. That is why, in the end, they will continue to win elections and Labour - under its current direction of travel - will continue to lose them.
An irony is that Osborne isn't even particularly right wing. I've found it impossible to convince more staunch left wing friends of this though.
Again, this depends on your definition of "right-wing".
Since Joe Public does not particularly understand "right-wing" and "left-wing" at all, it's probably more useful to think of "right-wing" in terms of "the most toxic stereotypes of Tories" - and on that score, Osborne fits the stereotypes of Tories being nasty and uncompassionate more than anyone else in the Cabinet. In the same way that Corbyn (and Miliband before him) fits the most toxic stereotypes of Labour being naive and incompetent.
"Osborne’s image as a Star Wars villain is well established on the Left"
Neatly encapsulating the problem the Lefty Left have and why they are going to lose badly next election and everyone after it until they fundamentally change their world view.
The sensible left wing posters on here don't see Osborne or practically any other mainstream politician as some sort of evil to be defeated both politically and morally. They see a man who has a somewhat different view of the best solutions for problems both sides recognise.
I forget who it was the other day (Kle4 or Surbiton) but that is exactly how they put the whole question of political differences. More importantly that is also how the vast majority of the public see both sets of party leaders as well.
The Tories won in May partly because they were able to portray Miliband as ineffectual and a figure of fun. Dangerous to people's futures not by design but by ineptitude. Invariably this is how one side beats the other. Major lost in 97 because of this, Brown in 2010 for the same reason. Not because they were viewed as inherently evil in some fantasy novel sense but because they were viewed as just not very good at what they did.
The Tories get this. That is why, in the end, they will continue to win elections and Labour - under its current direction of travel - will continue to lose them.
An irony is that Osborne isn't even particularly right wing. I've found it impossible to convince left wing friends of this though.
Osborne is interesting, certainly more so than any other Tory - except Gove. He is as left wing as they come with regard to pensioners. He understands the importance of servicing the client vote.
If Jeremy Corbyn is a Jedi, he is Kylo Ren. Well-meaning but dolefully weak, who reluctantly kills all those dangerous murderers and traitors to the First Order to ensure that order and stability are brought to the Galaxy. It's not his fault, honest.
@Morris_Dancer I seem to remember that while Luke blew up the Death Star he did negotiate twice with Vader - aggressive negotiations (as Anakin would say) in Episode V, and the normal kind in Episode VI.
Although I also seem to recall both types were dismal failures. There's a moral there for anyone with a brain, which sadly rules out the Jezziah and his acolytes.
Without attempting to give spoilers, one of the most depressing parts of Episode VII is that no-one appears to have learnt anything from the events of I-VI.
In that way, it is also perhaps the most realistic part.
Are you referring to the writers or the characters?
I've said before that Episode VII, whilst good, is incredibly 'safe' plotwise. And people who've seen it will know what I mean. But in the comment above, I mean characters. I can't say much more without spoilers ...
I'd agree with that comment, but also to avoid spoilers I won't explain further. I actually went back today to try and decide whether I liked it, because I couldn't make my mind up between the cringeworthy 'I've seen this before' or the undoubted flashes of quality the first time.
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
"Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. "
Evidence, please. And a ConHome survey is not evidence.
And I disagree with you about his parliamentary skills.
In fact, point me to three superlative speeches he has made in parliament this year.
Point me to any individual MP who has made more than one superlative speech this year. Indeed 90% of the MPs have not made a superlative speech and that includes your own party leader.
Of course you don't like this because you hate the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. Davis encapsulates the true meaning of being a Parliamentarian which is not 'party first and foremost'.
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
"Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. "
Evidence, please. And a ConHome survey is not evidence.
And I disagree with you about his parliamentary skills.
In fact, point me to three superlative speeches he has made in parliament this year.
Point me to any individual MP who has made more than one superlative speech this year. Indeed 90% of the MPs have not made a superlative speech and that includes your own party leader.
Of course you don't like this because you hate the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. Davis encapsulates the true meaning of being a Parliamentarian which is not 'party first and foremost'.
Urrrm, I'm not a Conservative. I would have thought you would have realised that by now. I'm more likely to join the Libs than Conservatives.
And from what you've said, I take it you cannot even point to one superlative speech by Davis this year?
I love the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. It's just when I hear Davis speak, I don't hear principles.
Establishment figures who helped disgraced bishop avoid prosecution for sex abuse revealed
Former Lord Justice Anthony Lloyd and David Cameron's late godfather Tory MP Tim Rathbone among figures who wrote in support of former Bishop of Gloucester, Peter Ball, one said he was a "saint"
My message is simply this: There is a lot wrong with this planet. There's a lot wrong with this country.
Great message for the true believers - but I wonder how widely shared beyond them it is. I'd have thought 'It's not too bad, things are getting a bit better' would be nearer the mark than 'There's a lot wrong'.....
Re David Davis, I would like to know how much his own political philosophy has changed since his leadership bid, how many of his current views are ones he's always had and how much he is motivated simply by being against whatever Cameron is for. I hope the the answers would be "A fair bit", "Quite a few" and "Not at all".
I can well imagine that the civil libertarian stuff (which appeals to me a lot) is something he has long believed in. It's true that he famously said "Prison works" but that's not inconsistent with being particular about who you put in there and when.
I'm curious about his opposition to the tax credit changes. I wonder what his views are on a redistributive welfare state and how those may have changed since 2005. As I recall he was not renowned as a wet in those days.
Likewise on Syria, how have his views on military intervention changed since he voted for invading Iraq?
I'd like to know that it's not just that he doesn't like Dave.
With all that said, he is an independent voice and sometimes one of the few that challenges the Government at all, eg on the DRIP Act. I'd rather have him in Parliament than not.
Oh crickey...that is a real life version of the Towering Inferno movie.
I hope everyone gets out okay (and the firemen are all okay as well).
It'll be interesting to discover how long it took to get into that state. For a new tower, fire codes should prevent 'ordinary' fires from spreading like that within a certain period.
"Osborne’s image as a Star Wars villain is well established on the Left"
Neatly encapsulating the problem the Lefty Left have and why they are going to lose badly next election and everyone after it until they fundamentally change their world view.
The sensible left wing posters on here don't see Osborne or practically any other mainstream politician as some sort of evil to be defeated both politically and morally. They see a man who has a somewhat different view of the best solutions for problems both sides recognise.
I forget who it was the other day (Kle4 or Surbiton) but that is exactly how they put the whole question of political differences. More importantly that is also how the vast majority of the public see both sets of party leaders as well.
The Tories won in May partly because they were able to portray Miliband as ineffectual and a figure of fun. Dangerous to people's futures not by design but by ineptitude. Invariably this is how one side beats the other. Major lost in 97 because of this, Brown in 2010 for the same reason. Not because they were viewed as inherently evil in some fantasy novel sense but because they were viewed as just not very good at what they did.
The Tories get this. That is why, in the end, they will continue to win elections and Labour - under its current direction of travel - will continue to lose them.
An irony is that Osborne isn't even particularly right wing. I've found it impossible to convince left wing friends of this though.
Osborne is interesting, certainly more so than any other Tory - except Gove. He is as left wing as they come with regard to pensioners. He understands the importance of servicing the client vote.
To be honest though Southam, assuming he's up against Boris, May & Javid, I'm assuming when pushed (extremely hard!) liberal centrists would prefer Osborne. He would probably be more likely to tackle vested interests (eg. Airports, NIMBYism, Landed Interests) than Cameron or the others, he's more of a liberal than a Conservative.
In addition from an electoral point of view it would appear the voters just don't like him, and he also runs the risk of his economic record catching up with him as with Brown. If Labour sorts its shit out after Corbyn he's probably the one you'd want to face.
So from a Labour moderate position can I ask the PB Conservative members to vote for Osborne please? Ta.
My message is simply this: There is a lot wrong with this planet. There's a lot wrong with this country.
Great message for the true believers - but I wonder how widely shared beyond them it is. I'd have thought 'It's not too bad, things are getting a bit better' would be nearer the mark than 'There's a lot wrong'.....
I find people tend more to the latter than the former, personally.
My message is simply this: There is a lot wrong with this planet. There's a lot wrong with this country.
Great message for the true believers - but I wonder how widely shared beyond them it is. I'd have thought 'It's not too bad, things are getting a bit better' would be nearer the mark than 'There's a lot wrong'.....
I find people tend more to the latter than the former, personally.
People inevitably think things are getting worse. Indeed, it's a case of "well, sure, 2015 worked out OK, but 2016? Can't see that working"
My message is simply this: There is a lot wrong with this planet. There's a lot wrong with this country.
Great message for the true believers - but I wonder how widely shared beyond them it is. I'd have thought 'It's not too bad, things are getting a bit better' would be nearer the mark than 'There's a lot wrong'.....
I find people tend more to the latter than the former, personally.
As messages go it's not exactly Morning in Britain is it?
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
I quite agree...back to work for me, this project wont get off the ground on its own.
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Most Conhome readers are Tory members although it does break down it does sometimes break down its figures into members and non-members
Even the headline says it is 'readers' and not 'members'.
Voodoo. And that goes, as you say in your other post, for Gove.
Conhome surveys do tend to be pretty accurate though, for example it got the 2005 leadership election spot on
That was ten years ago. I wonder if, with the rise of UKIP, whether ConHome's readership profile has altered?
I must add I don't hate Davis, or even particularly dislike him. It's just that his anger at having lost to Cameron, and having not been allowed back into cabinet, seems to pollute his thinking.
Establishment figures who helped disgraced bishop avoid prosecution for sex abuse revealed
Former Lord Justice Anthony Lloyd and David Cameron's late godfather Tory MP Tim Rathbone among figures who wrote in support of former Bishop of Gloucester, Peter Ball, one said he was a "saint"
I watched "Spotlight" last night - on this very theme, of the great and good of Boston blocking all attempts to get the Catholic Church held to account for decades of child abuse. ("Spotlight" was the Boston Globe equivalent of the Sunday Times Insight team.) Worth a watch, but it ended too soon - wanted to see more of the Bishop Law getting his comeuppance (or not, as he got moved to one of the most prestigious churches in Rome...)
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
My message is simply this: There is a lot wrong with this planet. There's a lot wrong with this country.
Great message for the true believers - but I wonder how widely shared beyond them it is. I'd have thought 'It's not too bad, things are getting a bit better' would be nearer the mark than 'There's a lot wrong'.....
I find people tend more to the latter than the former, personally.
You need to get yourself some more positive thinking friends ;-)
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
"Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. "
Evidence, please. And a ConHome survey is not evidence.
And I disagree with you about his parliamentary skills.
In fact, point me to three superlative speeches he has made in parliament this year.
Point me to any individual MP who has made more than one superlative speech this year. Indeed 90% of the MPs have not made a superlative speech and that includes your own party leader.
Of course you don't like this because you hate the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. Davis encapsulates the true meaning of being a Parliamentarian which is not 'party first and foremost'.
Urrrm, I'm not a Conservative. I would have thought you would have realised that by now. I'm more likely to join the Libs than Conservatives.
And from what you've said, I take it you cannot even point to one superlative speech by Davis this year?
I love the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. It's just when I hear Davis speak, I don't hear principles.
Then you are deaf.
I could point to any number of interventions, written questions and committee hearings this year over data retention, snoopers charter, British involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, the West Lothian question and the EU.
As I say he puts principles before party and I wish more MPs were willing to do that.
My message is simply this: There is a lot wrong with this planet. There's a lot wrong with this country.
Great message for the true believers - but I wonder how widely shared beyond them it is. I'd have thought 'It's not too bad, things are getting a bit better' would be nearer the mark than 'There's a lot wrong'.....
I find people tend more to the latter than the former, personally.
You need to get yourself some more positive thinking friends ;-)
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Most Conhome readers are Tory members although it does break down it does sometimes break down its figures into members and non-members
Even the headline says it is 'readers' and not 'members'.
Voodoo. And that goes, as you say in your other post, for Gove.
Conhome surveys do tend to be pretty accurate though, for example it got the 2005 leadership election spot on
That was ten years ago. I wonder if, with the rise of UKIP, whether ConHome's readership profile has altered?
I must add I don't hate Davis, or even particularly dislike him. It's just that his anger at having lost to Cameron, and having not been allowed back into cabinet, seems to pollute his thinking.
No evidence of that at all, Cameron still has a high approval rating in Comhome surveys
@Wanderer surely it was Howard who said 'Prison works?' I thought Tory penal policy softened considerably under Davis, even though Howard was the leader.
Ps regarding that hotel fire, it looks pretty grim. If that much of the building is affected, it seems very unlikely there are not people-possibly a lot of people-trapped there.
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
I can imagine LM and VC-M would be excellent dinner party guests
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
"Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. "
Evidence, please. And a ConHome survey is not evidence.
And I disagree with you about his parliamentary skills.
In fact, point me to three superlative speeches he has made in parliament this year.
Point me to any individual MP who has made more than one superlative speech this year. Indeed 90% of the MPs have not made a superlative speech and that includes your own party leader.
Of course you don't like this because you hate the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. Davis encapsulates the true meaning of being a Parliamentarian which is not 'party first and foremost'.
Urrrm, I'm not a Conservative. I would have thought you would have realised that by now. I'm more likely to join the Libs than Conservatives.
And from what you've said, I take it you cannot even point to one superlative speech by Davis this year?
I love the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. It's just when I hear Davis speak, I don't hear principles.
Then you are deaf.
I could point to any number of interventions, written questions and committee hearings this year over data retention, snoopers charter, British involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, the West Lothian question and the EU.
As I say he puts principles before party and I wish more MPs were willing to do that.
I can't disagree with you on that Richard; he is both eloquent and incisive. His main problem is that he does seem to object to anything the leadership of his own party suggests. This lack of self-awareness is a problem; and rightly led us (well, me, anyway) to vote for DC.
To be honest though Southam, assuming he's up against Boris, May & Javid, I'm assuming when pushed (extremely hard!) liberal centrists would prefer Osborne. He would probably be more likely to tackle vested interests (eg. Airports, NIMBYism, Landed Interests) than Cameron or the others, he's more of a liberal than a Conservative.
In addition from an electoral point of view it would appear the voters just don't like him, and he also runs the risk of his economic record catching up with him as with Brown. If Labour sorts its shit out after Corbyn he's probably the one you'd want to face.
So from a Labour moderate position can I ask the PB Conservative members to vote for Osborne please? Ta.
Well There is no way that, even if Osborne is elected leader, he will stand up against NIMBYs, and that is for the very simple reason that rural property owners are part of the Tory base It is a bit like when PB commenters insist Labour tackle Muslims or public sector workers when those are core parts of the Labour support base, it ain't gonna happen guys
David Davis is a walking disaster area for the Conservatives. A small man who cannot put aside his own image and petty grievances.
Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. And rightly so. Davis is a far better Parliamentarian and MP than almost any of the current cabinet with the possible exception of Michael Gove.
"Clearly most of the Tory members do not agree with you. "
Evidence, please. And a ConHome survey is not evidence.
And I disagree with you about his parliamentary skills.
In fact, point me to three superlative speeches he has made in parliament this year.
Point me to any individual MP who has made more than one superlative speech this year. Indeed 90% of the MPs have not made a superlative speech and that includes your own party leader.
Of course you don't like this because you hate the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. Davis encapsulates the true meaning of being a Parliamentarian which is not 'party first and foremost'.
Urrrm, I'm not a Conservative. I would have thought you would have realised that by now. I'm more likely to join the Libs than Conservatives.
And from what you've said, I take it you cannot even point to one superlative speech by Davis this year?
I love the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. It's just when I hear Davis speak, I don't hear principles.
Then you are deaf.
I could point to any number of interventions, written questions and committee hearings this year over data retention, snoopers charter, British involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, the West Lothian question and the EU.
As I say he puts principles before party and I wish more MPs were willing to do that.
I am not deaf. And Whilst I agree with your final sentence, I disagree that I see much of it in Davis. You evidently disagree.
[Princess Liz Kendall is escorted by Lord Livingstone into an audience with Grand Moff Corbyn]
Princess Liz: Governor Corbyn, I should have expected to find you holding Livingstone's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought onboard.
Grand Moff Corbyn: Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it, signing the order to terminate your political career.
Princess Liz: [sarcastically] I'm surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself.
Grand Moff Corbyn: Princess Liz, before your deselection, I would like to invite you to a ceremony that will make this progressive party operational. No Labour Stronghold will dare oppose the Corbynistas now.
Princess Liz: The more you tighten your grip, Corbyn, the more safe seats will slip through your fingers.
Grand Moff Corbyn: Not after we demonstrate the power of this policy. In a way, you have determined the choice of the constituency that is to be targeted first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the Rebel base, I have chosen to test our activists' destructive power on your home planet of Leicester.
Princess Liz: [shocked] No! Leicester is peaceful, we have no weapons. You can't possibly—
Grand Moff Corbyn: You would prefer another target, a military target? Then name the system! [stepping closer to Liz and pinning her against Darth Livingstone] I grow tired of asking this, so it will be the last time. Where is the Rebel base?
Princess Liz: [looks at view-screen showing Leicester for a moment, then, resigned] Derby. They're all on Derby.
Grand Moff Corbyn: There you see, Lord Livingstone? She can be reasonable. Proceed with the operation. You may fire when ready.
Princess Liz: [indignant] What?!
Grand Moff Corbyn: You're far too trusting. Derby is too remote to make an effective demonstration, but don't worry. We will deal with your rebel friends soon enough!
[Liz watches helplessly as Leftist activists descend on Leicester]
An irony is that Osborne isn't even particularly right wing. I've found it impossible to convince left wing friends of this though.
Osborne is interesting, certainly more so than any other Tory - except Gove. He is as left wing as they come with regard to pensioners. He understands the importance of servicing the client vote.
To be honest though Southam, assuming he's up against Boris, May & Javid, I'm assuming when pushed (extremely hard!) liberal centrists would prefer Osborne. He would probably be more likely to tackle vested interests (eg. Airports, NIMBYism, Landed Interests) than Cameron or the others, he's more of a liberal than a Conservative.
In addition from an electoral point of view it would appear the voters just don't like him, and he also runs the risk of his economic record catching up with him as with Brown. If Labour sorts its shit out after Corbyn he's probably the one you'd want to face.
So from a Labour moderate position can I ask the PB Conservative members to vote for Osborne please? Ta.
I joined the Conservative Party a couple of days ago as I want nothing to do with CorLab. I am, by inclination, a centrist liberal though.
The dilemma I would see is that I would certainly prefer Osborne to any of his more genuinely Tory opponents. However, as you say, he would also be less likely to win an election and the whole reason I have joined his party is because I want to see Corbynism buried beneath an almighty landslide.
Labour sorting its shit out would indeed change matters. I don't see it happening.
One can only agree with the closing quotation: - this month’s Oldham byelection showed what an election without polls look like. Pre-election expectations of a close vote were set by reportage, cosy briefings, betting markets and gut instinct. They were all wrong.
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
I can imagine LM and VC-M would be excellent dinner party guests
I've met both, and both are very pretty. Mensch possibly prettier.
Possibly the most jealous I've been in 2015 right now.
Seriously, though, VC-M's poker autobiography is a thrill. Always been drawn to those with a quicker wit!
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
I can imagine LM and VC-M would be excellent dinner party guests
I've met both, and both are very pretty. Mensch possibly prettier.
Sky reporting it started on 50th floor and has consumed next 20 up.
It's burning around the bottom floors now. It's bizarre - there's a guy on Twitter livestreaming it via Periscope. Social media makes all these things more vivid - or frightening.
I thought the authorities had blocked Periscope there?
Sky reporting it started on 50th floor and has consumed next 20 up.
It's burning around the bottom floors now. It's bizarre - there's a guy on Twitter livestreaming it via Periscope. Social media makes all these things more vivid - or frightening.
If it isn't a purposeful/terrorist incident (and that's unlikely), then something's gone majorly wrong. Architect's designing what's cool, and fitting function around that form, has always worried me.
@Wanderer surely it was Howard who said 'Prison works?' I thought Tory penal policy softened considerably under Davis, even though Howard was the leader.
Ps regarding that hotel fire, it looks pretty grim. If that much of the building is affected, it seems very unlikely there are not people-possibly a lot of people-trapped there.
Sorry, you're right. What Davis said was "Build more prisons."
To be honest though Southam, assuming he's up against Boris, May & Javid, I'm assuming when pushed (extremely hard!) liberal centrists would prefer Osborne. He would probably be more likely to tackle vested interests (eg. Airports, NIMBYism, Landed Interests) than Cameron or the others, he's more of a liberal than a Conservative.
In addition from an electoral point of view it would appear the voters just don't like him, and he also runs the risk of his economic record catching up with him as with Brown. If Labour sorts its shit out after Corbyn he's probably the one you'd want to face.
So from a Labour moderate position can I ask the PB Conservative members to vote for Osborne please? Ta.
If I got a vote in the Tory leadership contest, I would currently rank the "Big 3" as follows:
01 Theresa May (I think she'd be a moderately tough electoral prospect for Labour to face, but trying to think of the country I think she'd be a less-bad PM than her two main rivals - IMO, she has a bit more integrity and will atleast occasionally make decisions based on what she thinks is right rather than what's in the interests of the Conservative Party. Plus frankly even as a lefty I agree with most of what she's done as Home Sec when it comes to dealing with national security, etc.)
02 George Osborne (would hate his policies as PM, but he would be eminently beatable for Labour if they replaced Corbyn before 2020)
03 Boris Johnson (the toughest opponent Labour could face electorally, yet also would IMO be a bad PM for the country making decisions based on whims and what would give him a good day's headlines)
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
I can imagine LM and VC-M would be excellent dinner party guests
I've met both, and both are very pretty. Mensch possibly prettier.
Possibly the most jealous I've been in 2015 right now.
Seriously, though, VC-M's poker autobiography is a thrill. Always been drawn to those with a quicker wit!
I read her memoir and found it slightly flat. She's a good writer, and clearly very intelligent, but it didn't quite work for me.
I remember poker-player NPXMP saying he liked it, so perhaps if you have a special interest in games, cards, stats, it has more attraction.
I don't have a special interest in those topics, but I loved the book. But not as much as her other book.
Dubai Media Office @DXBmediaoffice (bing translation): Currently there are 4 firefighters on site to deal with the fire and ensure the safety of everyone
I presume they mean 'fire engines'.....still four sounds orders of magnitude too few...
Dubai Media Office @DXBmediaoffice (bing translation): Currently there are 4 firefighters on site to deal with the fire and ensure the safety of everyone
I presume they mean 'fire engines'.....still four sounds orders of magnitude too few...
If they are lucky they might even be given a bucket to try and put it out...
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
I used to be like that a bit. And then I married a woman who grew up in the USSR, where NYE was the big festival.
She's currently spending an hour and a half getting ready for the party whilst I'm lounging around on my phone.
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
I can imagine LM and VC-M would be excellent dinner party guests
I've met both, and both are very pretty. Mensch possibly prettier.
Possibly the most jealous I've been in 2015 right now.
Seriously, though, VC-M's poker autobiography is a thrill. Always been drawn to those with a quicker wit!
I read her memoir and found it slightly flat. She's a good writer, and clearly very intelligent, but it didn't quite work for me.
I remember poker-player NPXMP saying he liked it, so perhaps if you have a special interest in games, cards, stats, it has more attraction.
Could be true - the cards were pretty key to the structure. Liked the sound of the IoM tourney!
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
I can imagine LM and VC-M would be excellent dinner party guests
I've met both, and both are very pretty. Mensch possibly prettier.
Possibly the most jealous I've been in 2015 right now.
Seriously, though, VC-M's poker autobiography is a thrill. Always been drawn to those with a quicker wit!
I read her memoir and found it slightly flat. She's a good writer, and clearly very intelligent, but it didn't quite work for me.
I remember poker-player NPXMP saying he liked it, so perhaps if you have a special interest in games, cards, stats, it has more attraction.
I don't have a special interest in those topics, but I loved the book. But not as much as her other book.
Subtlety lost after a couple of glasses of champers - has she written something else?
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
I can imagine LM and VC-M would be excellent dinner party guests
I've met both, and both are very pretty. Mensch possibly prettier.
Possibly the most jealous I've been in 2015 right now.
Seriously, though, VC-M's poker autobiography is a thrill. Always been drawn to those with a quicker wit!
I read her memoir and found it slightly flat. She's a good writer, and clearly very intelligent, but it didn't quite work for me.
I remember poker-player NPXMP saying he liked it, so perhaps if you have a special interest in games, cards, stats, it has more attraction.
I'm a casual poker player and loved her book. She really captures what is seductive about the game.
Dubai Media Office @DXBmediaoffice (bing translation): Currently there are 4 firefighters on site to deal with the fire and ensure the safety of everyone
I presume they mean 'fire engines'.....still four sounds orders of magnitude too few...
If they are lucky they might even be given a bucket to try and put it out...
I wonder if they'd even tackle it when it's that big?
What are their priorities? Pure guesswork: 1) Clear the building, including rescue. 2) Clear the immediate area. 3) Contain fire. 4) Tackle fire.
It might be best to contain and let it burn out. I'd also worry about structural stability, although from piccies not all the building's on fire.
Where's TFS when we need him?
Edit: looks like they've been 'lucky' the fire's on the lee, not windward side of the building.
Wow that's one hell of a fire. I used in live in a company apartment just across the way from there when I worked out in Dubai for a few months. I watched them build the Burj Khalifa though my front windows. I left before it was finished though.
I am wondering if this hotel is going to withstand the heat and not collapse, the flames are now almost reaching the top.....from the ground floor
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
I can imagine LM and VC-M would be excellent dinner party guests
I've met both, and both are very pretty. Mensch possibly prettier.
Possibly the most jealous I've been in 2015 right now.
Seriously, though, VC-M's poker autobiography is a thrill. Always been drawn to those with a quicker wit!
I read her memoir and found it slightly flat. She's a good writer, and clearly very intelligent, but it didn't quite work for me.
I remember poker-player NPXMP saying he liked it, so perhaps if you have a special interest in games, cards, stats, it has more attraction.
I don't have a special interest in those topics, but I loved the book. But not as much as her other book.
Subtlety lost after a couple of glasses of champers - has she written something else?
The excellent: Once More, With Feeling: How we tried to make the greatest porn film ever
Given that Dubai's main alleged charm is its status as a holiday destination it may have come a cropper. Its not good business to fry the guests. Where are the sprinklers? Is everything it is built out of combustible?
I can't get my head around that she is married to manager of those well known quiet sober early to bed types, AC/DC, Metallica, Red Hot Chilli Peppers. I some how doubt the above are following Louise advice in celebrating New Year.
She was a notorious party girl in her youth - she's admitted to significant drug use.
She just doesn't like the forced jollity of New Year's Eve, and I totally agree with her. I'm staying in, with my elder daughter Lucy. I might be eating a bit of cheese later.
She's good friends with a colleague of mine. He's also friends with Victoria Coren, so he's clearly got good taste in friends.
I can imagine LM and VC-M would be excellent dinner party guests
I've met both, and both are very pretty. Mensch possibly prettier.
Possibly the most jealous I've been in 2015 right now.
Seriously, though, VC-M's poker autobiography is a thrill. Always been drawn to those with a quicker wit!
I read her memoir and found it slightly flat. She's a good writer, and clearly very intelligent, but it didn't quite work for me.
I remember poker-player NPXMP saying he liked it, so perhaps if you have a special interest in games, cards, stats, it has more attraction.
I don't have a special interest in those topics, but I loved the book. But not as much as her other book.
Subtlety lost after a couple of glasses of champers - has she written something else?
The excellent: Once More, With Feeling: How we tried to make the greatest porn film ever
Given that Dubai's main alleged charm is its status as a holiday destination it may have come a cropper. Its not good business to fry the guests. Where are the sprinklers? Is everything it is built out of combustible?
From the little I can remember of my courses on this sort of thing (I was more groundworks than steelwork), the first job is to contain fire for a certain period within the room/area it started.
All rooms bar bathrooms in my house and others on the estate have spring-shut doors. Blooming annoying with a little 'un who enjoys playing with doorstops. I was told that was due to fire code.
Sky reporting it started on 50th floor and has consumed next 20 up.
It's burning around the bottom floors now. It's bizarre - there's a guy on Twitter livestreaming it via Periscope. Social media makes all these things more vivid - or frightening.
How do you even extinguish a fire like that? Is it possible? Or do you just let it burn itself out, like a forest fire, once it gets that big?
Perhaps you ought to ask the people who built the Shard. Presumably the people who commission design and build these things have a plan to fight a fire.
I've just heard a repeat of Ken Livingstone's interview on LBC regarding Simon Danczuk. He managed to get sexual abuse, paedophiles all in the same sentence. God, these people really are something, they would trample over their own mother to score a political point.
As I said earlier, SD has been a bloody fool, it's hard to believe he fell for this.
I'm convinced that every time she appears on QT, Newsnight, in the Guardian etc, that Labour lose another few hundred votes to the Tories in marginals.
Comments
@philipjcowley Favourite footnote so far in the 2015 election book! https://t.co/i8OnDtIRS8
Every year.
Personally, I just don't get New Year, never have.
Evidence, please. And a ConHome survey is not evidence.
And I disagree with you about his parliamentary skills.
In fact, point me to three superlative speeches he has made in parliament this year.
@Morris_Dancer I seem to remember that while Luke blew up the Death Star he did negotiate twice with Vader - aggressive negotiations (as Anakin would say) in Episode V, and the normal kind in Episode VI.
Although I also seem to recall both types were dismal failures. There's a moral there for anyone with a brain, which sadly rules out the Jezziah and his acolytes.
In that way, it is also perhaps the most realistic part.
I've said before that Episode VII, whilst good, is incredibly 'safe' plotwise. And people who've seen it will know what I mean. But in the comment above, I mean characters. I can't say much more without spoilers ...
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/live-media-die-media-how-10672226
Glass houses and throwing stones springs to mind.
Cabinet Office
10% of #NewYearsHonours are for work in education, 7% in health and 12% in industry: https://t.co/cGpKJfVnDT https://t.co/wzn92exYij
Since Joe Public does not particularly understand "right-wing" and "left-wing" at all, it's probably more useful to think of "right-wing" in terms of "the most toxic stereotypes of Tories" - and on that score, Osborne fits the stereotypes of Tories being nasty and uncompassionate more than anyone else in the Cabinet. In the same way that Corbyn (and Miliband before him) fits the most toxic stereotypes of Labour being naive and incompetent.
Voodoo. And that goes, as you say in your other post, for Gove.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/quiz-who-said-what-about-women-in-2015/
Annoyingly I still can't decide!
Of course you don't like this because you hate the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. Davis encapsulates the true meaning of being a Parliamentarian which is not 'party first and foremost'.
Hmmmm...Bullllllllllllllllllllllssssssssssssssss....
And from what you've said, I take it you cannot even point to one superlative speech by Davis this year?
I love the idea of someone putting principles before personal political or party gain. It's just when I hear Davis speak, I don't hear principles.
Former Lord Justice Anthony Lloyd and David Cameron's late godfather Tory MP Tim Rathbone among figures who wrote in support of former Bishop of Gloucester, Peter Ball, one said he was a "saint"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/12076285/Establishment-figures-who-helped-disgraced-bishop-avoid-prosecution-for-sex-abuse-revealed.html
My message is simply this: There is a lot wrong with this planet. There's a lot wrong with this country.
Great message for the true believers - but I wonder how widely shared beyond them it is. I'd have thought 'It's not too bad, things are getting a bit better' would be nearer the mark than 'There's a lot wrong'.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obRM9bv7jA8
I can well imagine that the civil libertarian stuff (which appeals to me a lot) is something he has long believed in. It's true that he famously said "Prison works" but that's not inconsistent with being particular about who you put in there and when.
I'm curious about his opposition to the tax credit changes. I wonder what his views are on a redistributive welfare state and how those may have changed since 2005. As I recall he was not renowned as a wet in those days.
Likewise on Syria, how have his views on military intervention changed since he voted for invading Iraq?
I'd like to know that it's not just that he doesn't like Dave.
With all that said, he is an independent voice and sometimes one of the few that challenges the Government at all, eg on the DRIP Act. I'd rather have him in Parliament than not.
It'll be interesting to discover how long it took to get into that state. For a new tower, fire codes should prevent 'ordinary' fires from spreading like that within a certain period.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Address_Downtown_Dubai
In addition from an electoral point of view it would appear the voters just don't like him, and he also runs the risk of his economic record catching up with him as with Brown. If Labour sorts its shit out after Corbyn he's probably the one you'd want to face.
So from a Labour moderate position can I ask the PB Conservative members to vote for Osborne please? Ta.
David Davis is Conhome readers parliamentarian of the year.
Of course he is.
I must add I don't hate Davis, or even particularly dislike him. It's just that his anger at having lost to Cameron, and having not been allowed back into cabinet, seems to pollute his thinking.
I could point to any number of interventions, written questions and committee hearings this year over data retention, snoopers charter, British involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts, the West Lothian question and the EU.
As I say he puts principles before party and I wish more MPs were willing to do that.
Ps regarding that hotel fire, it looks pretty grim. If that much of the building is affected, it seems very unlikely there are not people-possibly a lot of people-trapped there.
There is no way that, even if Osborne is elected leader, he will stand up against NIMBYs, and that is for the very simple reason that rural property owners are part of the Tory base
It is a bit like when PB commenters insist Labour tackle Muslims or public sector workers when those are core parts of the Labour support base, it ain't gonna happen guys
Princess Liz: Governor Corbyn, I should have expected to find you holding Livingstone's leash. I recognized your foul stench when I was brought onboard.
Grand Moff Corbyn: Charming to the last. You don't know how hard I found it, signing the order to terminate your political career.
Princess Liz: [sarcastically] I'm surprised you had the courage to take the responsibility yourself.
Grand Moff Corbyn: Princess Liz, before your deselection, I would like to invite you to a ceremony that will make this progressive party operational. No Labour Stronghold will dare oppose the Corbynistas now.
Princess Liz: The more you tighten your grip, Corbyn, the more safe seats will slip through your fingers.
Grand Moff Corbyn: Not after we demonstrate the power of this policy. In a way, you have determined the choice of the constituency that is to be targeted first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the Rebel base, I have chosen to test our activists' destructive power on your home planet of Leicester.
Princess Liz: [shocked] No! Leicester is peaceful, we have no weapons. You can't possibly—
Grand Moff Corbyn: You would prefer another target, a military target? Then name the system! [stepping closer to Liz and pinning her against Darth Livingstone] I grow tired of asking this, so it will be the last time. Where is the Rebel base?
Princess Liz: [looks at view-screen showing Leicester for a moment, then, resigned] Derby. They're all on Derby.
Grand Moff Corbyn: There you see, Lord Livingstone? She can be reasonable. Proceed with the operation. You may fire when ready.
Princess Liz: [indignant] What?!
Grand Moff Corbyn: You're far too trusting. Derby is too remote to make an effective demonstration, but don't worry. We will deal with your rebel friends soon enough!
[Liz watches helplessly as Leftist activists descend on Leicester]
The dilemma I would see is that I would certainly prefer Osborne to any of his more genuinely Tory opponents. However, as you say, he would also be less likely to win an election and the whole reason I have joined his party is because I want to see Corbynism buried beneath an almighty landslide.
Labour sorting its shit out would indeed change matters. I don't see it happening.
One can only agree with the closing quotation:
- this month’s Oldham byelection showed what an election without polls look like. Pre-election expectations of a close vote were set by reportage, cosy briefings, betting markets and gut instinct. They were all wrong.
Seriously, though, VC-M's poker autobiography is a thrill. Always been drawn to those with a quicker wit!
https://www.periscope.tv/w/1OyKAaomEezKb
A bit like Stubbins, LeMessurier and the Citigroup Centre:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2014/04/17/the_citicorp_tower_design_flaw_that_could_have_wiped_out_the_skyscraper.html
01 Theresa May (I think she'd be a moderately tough electoral prospect for Labour to face, but trying to think of the country I think she'd be a less-bad PM than her two main rivals - IMO, she has a bit more integrity and will atleast occasionally make decisions based on what she thinks is right rather than what's in the interests of the Conservative Party. Plus frankly even as a lefty I agree with most of what she's done as Home Sec when it comes to dealing with national security, etc.)
02 George Osborne (would hate his policies as PM, but he would be eminently beatable for Labour if they replaced Corbyn before 2020)
03 Boris Johnson (the toughest opponent Labour could face electorally, yet also would IMO be a bad PM for the country making decisions based on whims and what would give him a good day's headlines)
I presume they mean 'fire engines'.....still four sounds orders of magnitude too few...
She's currently spending an hour and a half getting ready for the party whilst I'm lounging around on my phone.
What are their priorities? Pure guesswork:
1) Clear the building, including rescue.
2) Clear the immediate area.
3) Contain fire.
4) Tackle fire.
It might be best to contain and let it burn out. I'd also worry about structural stability, although from piccies not all the building's on fire.
Where's TFS when we need him?
Edit: looks like they've been 'lucky' the fire's on the lee, not windward side of the building.
I am wondering if this hotel is going to withstand the heat and not collapse, the flames are now almost reaching the top.....from the ground floor
I'm going out for a poker-filled New Year with friends myself, so HNY everyone, our swords will cross again soon...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Once-More-Feeling-tried-greatest/dp/1841154377/
Sky news.
Looks like one to read. Sounds a bit like the first chapter of David Foster Wallace's Consider the Lobster, writ large.
All rooms bar bathrooms in my house and others on the estate have spring-shut doors. Blooming annoying with a little 'un who enjoys playing with doorstops. I was told that was due to fire code.
Don't they...?
BBC now covering the story – although PB coverage appears ahead of them. #natch.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35207451
Or was that The Poseidon Adventure?
As I said earlier, SD has been a bloody fool, it's hard to believe he fell for this.
This month's polling averages:
CON: 38.8% (-)
LAB: 31.2% (+0.9)
UKIP: 13.0% (-0.5)
LD: 6.8% (-0.1)
GRN: 4.2% (+0.9) https://t.co/3weJY5sK7S
Abbott has taken the bait and responded to Mandelson's column.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/31/jeremy-corbyn-labour-peter-mandelson
I'm convinced that every time she appears on QT, Newsnight, in the Guardian etc, that Labour lose another few hundred votes to the Tories in marginals.
Keep going Diane!