Correct. Formal pacts are probably more trouble than they're worth, but parties mostly know where to focus their efforts. Labour does much better than the LibDems in in SE outside London in ever… (View Post)

Just an a practical note, the optimal moment for this sort of bet is the Saturday after the Labour conference. There is no serious effort to disrupt this one - there will be a big crowd for Corbyn�… (View Post)

Having lived in various foreign countries, my experience is that local people are generally friendly but they expect you to make the first move (except in small towns in America, where the neighbors … (View Post)

Belated congratulations and best wishes. I was extremely happy in Switzerland - it was only love of politics that brought me back, as Swiss politics are... not very exciting. One tip for what it'… (View Post)

Exactly. When I briefly tried the benefits system after losing my seat I found a marginal tax rate of effectively 80% on the casual earnings I reported. I concludede that I was either a mug for takin… (View Post)