FlyTheNest

ScarletGas

OK,three guesses as to who the Press Gazette has awarded "Journalist of the year 2016" to. No, its not Dan F Hodges, its not Lady Smug (Isobel Oakeshott, who will be fuming) its not Tom Naturally Dumb (from the Sun and every political TV show you can think of) so that only leaves us one......

ScarletGas

In a government of incompetents is there a minister with a track record (pun intended) of being more dangerously incompetent than Chris Grayling?

ScarletGas

Proof positive we now live in a "post truth" world.

The political editor of the Sun (yes the Sun) has just accused the BBC of misreporting on the Andrew Neil show.

Oh the irony!

ScarletGas

I see Sarah Olney said that the Lib Dems would defend the "open,tolerent,united Britain we love" This has been repeated several times today by Tim Farron. Can I then ask how that squares with the actions of the same party between 2010 and 2015. Recognising that neither were actually in gov...

ScarletGas

7m ago 13:21 The Liberal Democrats’ newest MP walked out of a live radio interview after being given a grilling over her position on Brexit, the Press Association reports (Politics Live, Guardian) It was with Hartley-Brewer on Talk Radio I understand. She should be used to people walking out on her...

ScarletGas

Great article by Michael Mansfield on the current nature of our democracy and the reasons for its current sorry mess. Just a couple of observations both of which have been elucidated well BTL. Firstly the danger of creating another elite whilst removing another. Secondly, he, surprisingly given his ...

ScarletGas

If there is one soundbite that I detest more than any other from this government of soundbites and spin it is the totally disingenuous "we are making the difficult decisions" No for f...ks sake! It is not at all difficult for you smug self satisfied clowns to make a decision. It is, howeve...

ScarletGas

Morning all. Jamie Angus ‏@grvlx001 4m4 minutes ago Liz Truss refuses to appear on #r4today this morning, it was apparently a 'light touch' media round. That's a new one on me... Enjoyed hearing Ed Balls on central bank independence - although I'm sure he'd love to be in politics right now, he's cl...

ScarletGas

Raheem Kassam is finally held to account..... https://twitter.com/fishplums/status/798300098774134785" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Murnaghan has form here I am afraid. Remember the Emily Thornbury interview of a couple of months ago. I think there was a 50/50 split of op...

ScarletGas

So Farage has just told Sky News that " we are run by people that have never worked in the real world"

This from a product of Dulwich College and Commodity trading.

Tells me a whole lot about his total lack of self awareness that he believes that his privileged background is the real world

ScarletGas

So I see the excuse for Farage (has anyone noticed the similarity between him and Zippy?) apologists for not wearing a poppy whilst meeting the new dictator of Trumpton is that it was the 12th and Armistice day had passed. Can anyone imagine the howls coming from the usual suspects (I'm looking at y...

ScarletGas

So the reason/excuse given for the remembrance day interview with Marine Le Pen was to "hold her to account" We are living in an age where we are constantly surprised but I am genuinely amazed that anyone can really think that any BBC TV interviewer (with the possible exception of Andrew N...

ScarletGas

Chilcot and Mansfield. This week has been a reminder of how much I'd enjoy talking to them (well, mainly listening) over a pint. On Mansfield. I would recommend his book Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer if you have not already come across it. Brilliant read which gives a significantly different view on ...

ScarletGas

Haven't been around an awful lot recently so apologies if this has been referenced previously. Not sure how much was discussed here about the recent anniversary of the Aberfan disaster. Hugh Edwards wrote a decent piece in yesterdays Telegraph (sorry cant link) on a programme that he has done to be ...

ScarletGas

I am sure the usual suspect(s) will be along shortly following their own predictably negative agenda but I, for one, was particularly impressed with Keir Starmer. He may have something to learn about parliamentary "rough and tumble" but seemed to draw praise and respect from all sides of t...

ScarletGas

So.......the charlatan that is Ian Smith calls Sir Keir Starmer "a second rate lawyer" Would I would want to be (even if it was true) a "second rate lawyer" or a failed soldier (despite his protestations, listen to his colleagues) a liar (his CV amongst many other examples) or (t...

ScarletGas

Good (I think) tweet from someone called Tom Rosenthal (some sort of TV person I am told)

"With Trump grabbing vaginas and Clinton shaming rape victims cant help but think we were a bit harsh on Miliband about that bacon sandwich"

ScarletGas

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/sep/29/tory-mp-complaint-russell-howard-bbc-trust-philip-davies Tory MP’s complaint about Russell Howard jibes rejected by BBC Trust Guess which MP part two. I am wondering how any sane and rational person could not view Phillip Davies as a windbag and a hypo...

ScarletGas

Hope the weather improves for you ScarletGas and you have a good holiday. The World Service now is not a patch on how it used to be when it was under the Foreign Office. Another thing to blame the Tories for, offloading it onto the BBC with no extra funding I believe. The whole ethos has changed, a...

ScarletGas

Kalimera everyone from rainy Skiathos. I've decided to return to inflict myself on you after a self imposed sabbatical during the nonsense (on all sides equally) of the leadership campaign During my time here during the,all too many,rain breaks I have had the opportunity to avail myself of he BBC wo...

ScarletGas

Llongyfarchiadau Dr OThornhill

ScarletGas

Not been posting at all recently but more of a lurker.Reasons,firstly out of the country a fair bit to places with intermittent connections. Secondly the "discussions" regarding the leadership and general positioning of the Labour party got somewhat overheated in my view (in particular enc...

ScarletGas

Morning. Have woken up in a Carry On film, a world where Boris Johnson is deemed fit to be Foreign Secretary. At least Hague and Hammond had some gravitas. Bora Da Yah Yah, Surely its more like some nightmare version of Top Gear. With May and Hammond already installed all we need (God Forbid) is a ...

ScarletGas

Sch'mae all,

Just a thought

Cameron was telling us all in 2010 that we lived in "broken Britain"

If that was true then what in the hell are we living in now!

Legacy my arse!!

ScarletGas

On the subject of our potential successor to Thatcher Ms Leadsom. Good piece in the Guardian (sorry can't link) on her family background and the assistance of a rich relative. Seems like her rise from/to mediocrity has in no small way been financed by her brother in law one "Guernsey based fina...

ScarletGas

Priceless lack of self awareness from the empty vessel that is Ian Austin. Recent contribution from his Twitter account. "Tory MPs just started voting. For their new leader. Could all be done and dusted by next week.That's how a serious political party acts" This from someone that is part ...

ScarletGas

Listened to 5Live this morning where they were giving the teachers' strike extra coverage. Can't remember the name of the reporter, (Clive Barnett perhaps?), but he was dreadful. If I say he said 'These commie traitors should be hung', I'd only be slightly exaggerating. Then they had a debate with ...

ScarletGas

Question posed from James O'Brien.

When was the last time the nation did not do what Murdoch and Dacre wanted?

ScarletGas

So Corbyn is roundly criticised by his own side for his "reluctant remainer" stance (which I think chimed with a lot of the country) The tories use this to blame anyone who is vaguely of this view for the leave vote yet all of a sudden Theresa May, who did the square root of f..k all durin...

ScarletGas

I hope I have misunderstood Zoe Williams (although I have watched and listened very carefully twice) who has been on Sky News with the ever present Lady Smug (Isobel Oakeshott) Apologies if I have got this wrong but I believe she commented that it was "morally wrong" for Corbyn to stay on ...

ScarletGas

Britain’s number 5 tennis player James Ward has made a surprising intervention into the Brexit debate on the opening day of Wimbledon, urging people to “stop panicking” and revealing that he had voted to leave and was happy with his decision. In a press conference immediately after his straight set...

ScarletGas

Let me make my position clear from the outset. I am one of Corbyns £3ers and I like the cut of his jib.Unless I am informed differently I believe he is honest,principled and answers questions in a direct manner without prevarication.Yes,I agree he is not someone who you could say radiates charism (w...

ScarletGas

Is John Major rewriting history here? Talking of Cameron (who he seems to have a man crush on) he says; "Upon the day he became Prime Minister our economy was on a precipice, our banks were very close to collapse, and the forecast was dire. We now have one of the strongest economies, our banks ...

ScarletGas

So today is my birthday and I have received the extremes of nasty shocks and pleasant surprises in the last few hours. Congratulations to those who have "got their country back" but I have to say that today and for the immediate future it is a country I no longer like or recognise. I despa...

ScarletGas

Btw can anyone remember what Dave's "deal" was? I do remember that he dealt us a pretty crap hand, as usual. Referendum was trumps as I recall. Dave tells us he will stay (may not be his choice) whatever the result and will negotiate the terms if its Brexit. So if this comes to pass why w...

ScarletGas

Well, the day has arrived and this serial waverer has finally made up his mind. Recently I have kept my own counsel on my position here but have lurked and taken note of the opinions expressed, not always agreeing but seeing the logic of everyones argument which in the past few weeks has been a bast...

ScarletGas

Pro-EU MPs could stage guerrilla campaign to reverse Brexit decision MPs could initiate ‘reverse Maastricht’ to minimise number of EU laws the UK pulls out of, or push for a second referendum A British Union flag and an EU flag are seen flying outside the EU commission headquarters in Brussels (Gua...

ScarletGas

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Playing the gender card against Corbyn is so pathetically transparent. And yes, Bennett is a mediocre writer.

However, not surprising considering her partner (John Humphries) is as poor an interviewer as she is a writer.

ScarletGas

George Osborne complaining (you couldn't make this up) that someone else is dealing in "fantasy economics" shows how bizarre this whole EU campaign has become. After the Cameron shameless volte face on Khan it really does drive home to me the total disregard for the intelligence of the ave...

ScarletGas

If you are looking for balance, don't forget it is the BBC. No - it's hard to see how they could achieve perfect balance with a panel of five - unless they had an undecided on. It was more an expression of surprise - would have thought they'd have been more likely to have more Inners than Outers. I...

ScarletGas

Dan HodgesVerified account ‏@DPJHodges According to @MattChorley Ed Miliband "is privately advising Mr Corbyn on how to lead the Labour party". That explains a lot... Dan Dan The Telegraph man at it again... The man is an insignificant little attention seeker who proves he is a fool by be...

ScarletGas

Morning. Have been listening to Radio 4 since before 7am. No mention of the Bristol win. If the situation had been reversed, and it was a Labour wipeout, I'm sure their editor would have noticed and invited a host of 'moderates' to cause trouble. Afternoon. @yahyah, the BBC local news didn't report...

ScarletGas

Here's some of the hard workers who helped Marvin, give them a clap. :clap: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ch28cKsVEAAwRep.jpg Gosh that's St.Cuthbert's Brislington. This is where I was a choirboy and alter server in my formative years and also the church where we married in 1972. Interesting I had th...

ScarletGas

Just reflecting on how appalling our correct intake of political "journalists" are. Once again they get the outcome of an election completely wrong and then try to tell us its our fault because we are looking at the wrong metrics. If I had got forecasts so consistently wrong, remember 2015...

ScarletGas

I tend to ignore everything that John Rentoul says...............whether its spelt correctly or not makes no difference its still shite!

ScarletGas

Anyway, last night's "exclusive". Margaret Hodge, eh? Not only is she actually older than Corbyn, she has a fair amount of "baggage". If that is currently the best that the Bitterites can do...... This is as a stalking horse though - presumably if she did successfully trigger a ...

ScarletGas

I fail to see how this is the Blairites fault. Do they somehow have mind control over Ken Livingstone, Dianne Abbott or Len McClusky? Corbyn's team have utterly mishandled this (Shah was stupid and immature but at least she recognised it). Blaming Blairites for the mis-steps of the top Labour team ...

ScarletGas

I'm sorry Ken Livingstone has had to be suspended from the party. Can't help but feel if a Tory grandee came out with something similar the media would just shrug. He's not an MP or a spokesman for the party. He's virtually retired and hasn't said much that makes a lot sense in a while. He's respon...

ScarletGas

Mann has undoubtedly been a bit of an arse as well, and apparently is going to be spoken to by the whips. Of course, both he and Ken have one big thing in common - an almost insatiable appetite for self publicity. And to hell will the consequences! My father always told me to think before I opened ...

ScarletGas

Moore on the money. The Hillsborough verdict shatters the fantasy that class war doesn’t exist http://gu.com/p/4tyvh" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Watched the ITV News last night for the first time in a long long time. Adios BBC. My goodness, that's a powerful piece of wr...

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