Friday May 27th 2016

[AnatolyKasparov]

Three local council byelections this week:

Hambleton DC/N Yorkshire CC - this "double vacancy" saw two Tory holds, but with slightly contrasting results. The district seat saw the Tories hold with an increased share (a bit under half) on last year (the first election since major boundary changes) when there was a huge difference between the votes for their two candidates - so much so that the sole UKIP candidate sneaked the second seat by a handful of votes. This time round, UKIP were pushed into third by Labour (even though their share was also down) as they saw their own vote drop by 10 per cent; the last place was taken by the localist Yorkshire First with a still respectable 12%. The county seat saw the Tories win with a very similar share, but this was actually down on 2013 when they had taken over half the vote. But, again, UKIP were down by some 10% and were almost caught by Labour (competitive here back in 2005) who held their share despite the increased competition this time - Yorkshire First taking a slightly lower share than the district election, but still twice that of the Greens who finished last.

East Staffordshire DC - Labour gain from UKIP, eliminating the only purple presence on this council and meaning Labour has a full set of three councillors here again (as in 2011, 2007 and 2003) though a strong BNP showing here in the middle election of that trio indicated some possibility here for populist right politics and last year the only UKIP candidate easily outpolled the last Labour candidate (and was just behind the second) This time round, though, a double figure Labour increase meant they easily came out on top, whilst UKIP dropped to less than 30%. Also clearly down were the Tories, pressing Labour quite hard themselves on GE day but a distant third now. Of the also rans, an Independent placed best with just 6% - but that was easily ahead of both the Greens (well down on a year ago, when they may have hot the Labour vote slightly) and the LibDems, whose first electoral showing here this millennium was rewarded with just 1.5%.

Next week sees a busy start to June - seven contests in all, including the only deferred election from earlier this month (in Aldershot)

[rebeccariots2]

Sky News Tonight ‏@SkyNewsTonight 45m45 minutes ago
Scientists have said that the Olympics should be moved or postponed due to Zika - Professor Arthur Caplan explains

I've been surprised there hasn't been more discussion about the public health implications of having so many people converge on Rio re Zika.

[ohsocynical]

Night PF

[ohsocynical]

Three local council byelections this week:

Hambleton DC/N Yorkshire CC - this "double vacancy" saw two Tory holds, but with slightly contrasting results. The district seat saw the Tories hold with an increased share (a bit under half) on last year (the first election since major boundary changes) when there was a huge difference between the votes for their two candidates - so much so that the sole UKIP candidate sneaked the second seat by a handful of votes. This time round, UKIP were pushed into third by Labour (even though their share was also down) as they saw their own vote drop by 10 per cent; the last place was taken by the localist Yorkshire First with a still respectable 12%. The county seat saw the Tories win with a very similar share, but this was actually down on 2013 when they had taken over half the vote. But, again, UKIP were down by some 10% and were almost caught by Labour (competitive here back in 2005) who held their share despite the increased competition this time - Yorkshire First taking a slightly lower share than the district election, but still twice that of the Greens who finished last.

East Staffordshire DC - Labour gain from UKIP, eliminating the only purple presence on this council and meaning Labour has a full set of three councillors here again (as in 2011, 2007 and 2003) though a strong BNP showing here in the middle election of that trio indicated some possibility here for populist right politics and last year the only UKIP candidate easily outpolled the last Labour candidate (and was just behind the second) This time round, though, a double figure Labour increase meant they easily came out on top, whilst UKIP dropped to less than 30%. Also clearly down were the Tories, pressing Labour quite hard themselves on GE day but a distant third now. Of the also rans, an Independent placed best with just 6% - but that was easily ahead of both the Greens (well down on a year ago, when they may have hot the Labour vote slightly) and the LibDems, whose first electoral showing here this millennium was rewarded with just 1.5%.

Next week sees a busy start to June - seven contests in all, including the only deferred election from earlier this month (in Aldershot)

Anatoly: Would it be all right if I posted this on the Bracknell Labour page?

[Willow904]

Have you had the thunder, lightning and torrential rain RR ?

Welcome home to Toby.

And yes to Yahyah, we've had forked lightening, ear-splitting thunder, dimming lights, torrential rain and screaming kids (only half putting it on!) all the way over here on the other side of the Bristol Channel, since about 6.30pm. Can't remember the last time we had a proper storm right overhead. Shame it's probably washed away all the seeds we put in last weekend. Oh well. Happy bank holiday weekend everyone

[StephenDolan]

http://www.adamsmith.org/blog/stop-sayi ... signalling



STOP SAYING 'VIRTUE SIGNALLING

Amen. Wes Streeting, I'm looking at you.

[ohsocynical]

I'm alright Jack ‏@IamalrightJack 4h4 hours ago

The Mirror Needs Your Help - Can anyone get the Rossendale & Darwen election spending return?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/pa ... al-8041095" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … PLEASE KEEP SHARING RT

[ohsocynical]

Have you had the thunder, lightning and torrential rain RR ?

Welcome home to Toby.

And yes to Yahyah, we've had forked lightening, ear-splitting thunder, dimming lights, torrential rain and screaming kids (only half putting it on!) all the way over here on the other side of the Bristol Channel, since about 6.30pm. Can't remember the last time we had a proper storm right overhead. Shame it's probably washed away all the seeds we put in last weekend. Oh well. Happy bank holiday weekend everyone

Sorry but it's been a beautiful day here, warm and sunny, and although cloudy now it's quite calm. Wind coming from the NE at present though, so chilly. Tomorrow should be dry...

[ohsocynical]

Barnaby Spen ‏@Barnabyspeak 10m10 minutes ago

Why haven't I seen Cameron asked why a team of lawyers have been sent to Thanet to prevent police investigating election fraud?

[Tubby Isaacs]

News at Ten from Ebbw Vale on the EU referendum. Nice to see someone sounding sceptical that the Westminster government would see the area as a priority.

[citizenJA]

France strikes: How might British travellers be affected?
7 hours ago

British travellers to France are being urged to think ahead after days of industrial action disrupted travel and left fuel in short supply across much of the country.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36387653" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Heads up!

[citizenJA]

What is happening in France?

Strikes and blockades by workers disrupted six of France's eight oil refineries this week. However, all but one of the fuel depots being
blockaded have now been freed. France's CGT union announced on Friday it would be holding an indefinite strike at the Total petrol
refinery in Donges. The availability of fuel at petrol stations is now reported to be improving slightly, but there may still be shortages
and queues, especially in Brittany, Normandy and northern France, of half an hour or an hour. Port workers in Marseille, Cherbourg,
Le Havre and St Malo have also taken industrial action. And there been disruption on some high-speed TGV rail services, as well as
regional and commuter trains.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36387653" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I only found out about it below the line elsewhere.

[citizenJA]

Demonstrators...clashing with French riot police in Paris during a protest against the government's labour market reforms on Thursday.

http://www.straitstimes.com/world/frenc ... -on-strike" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Published an hour ago. Did anyone here know French demonstrators were rioting yesterday?

[citizenJA]

FOR the past week, France has felt like a country on the verge of civic insurrection. Union blockades of petrol refineries and
depots have caused widespread fuel shortages. Some 2,300 petrol stations have either run dry, or are rationing sales at the
pump. The government has dipped into its strategic reserves to maintain supplies. Panic has created shortages, as motorists
queue to fill up their tanks. The showdown is fast turning into a battle over the survival of both the Socialist government and
the reformist French left.

The strikes have touched not only the petrol industry. The Confédération Générale du Travail (CGT), France’s biggest union,
which is historically close to the Communist Party, has organised protests and walkouts for the past few months on the railways
and Paris metro, as well as French nuclear-energy plants. Riot police have been dispatched to clear illegally blocked fuel depots,
most of which have now been freed. Daily images of tear gas and police water cannons, burning tyres and serious street violence
—rioters hurled a petrol bomb into a police car while two officers were still inside —have dominated the news.

http://www.economist.com/news/europe/21 ... ver-future" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh?

[citizenJA]

Managers take over operations, reopen pipes at French oil hub
PARIS | By Bate Felix

Managers have taken over operations and reopened pipes at the CIM oil port terminal in Le Havre, northern France, after union
members decided to extend their strike on Friday, a CGT union official said. CIM, which handles about 40 percent of French
crude imports, has not been able to deliver crude to refineries and refined products to the market since Tuesday after workers
joined a nationwide rolling strike against planned labor reforms.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-franc ... SKCN0YI28P

[citizenJA]

France has a nation-wide strike for a week, I read, and not a word about it from the Guardian, for example.

[citizenJA]

Here’s how you could be affected if you are planning on coming to France for Euro 2016:
Nationwide strikes

When: After striking on Thursday May 26th, unions opposed to the labour reforms have called again for nationwide walkouts
and street protests on June 14th, four days after the opening game of Euro 2016.

How serious: As of late, these days of action have resulted in transport problems on train services and in airports across France.

- Which of France's strikes could affect Euro 2016?
Published: 27 May 2016

http://www.thelocal.fr/20160527/which-o ... -euro-2016" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh, god, don't let sport be affected!

[citizenJA]

Speaking at the G7 summit in Japan, Mr Hollande said: "I will keep going because I think these are good reforms,"
and insisted the government would do all it could to ensure normal life could resume for most people.

"Our primary duty ... is to do everything to maintain the supply of
fuel to the public and to continue to provide essential public services."

http://news.sky.com/story/1702945/riot- ... -in-france" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

yes, our sacred right to petrol

The French government has passed controversial labour laws
The workers aren't in favour

[HindleA]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/m ... a-outbreak" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


WHO urged to consider moving Rio Olympics because of Zika
Health experts write to UN agency expressing concern that event will speed up spread of virus linked to birth defects

[HindleA]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/m ... protesters" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Brussels police fire water cannon at anti-austerity protesters

Tuesday’s protest is the first of months of planned demonstrations and national strikes led by trade unions against the policies of Charles Michel’s government.

[gilsey]

Government receives hundreds of badger cull concern responses
http://www.vettimes.co.uk/news/governme ... responses/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[citizenJA]

François Hollande resists union pressure to abandon labour reforms
Neither French president nor unions show any sign of budging as strikes, fuel blockades and petrol shortages continue

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/m ... mid-strife" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A very tame image of Hollande and UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, gaze at each other at the G7 summit lead this article published in the Guardian about seven hours ago.

[citizenJA]

Goodnight, everyone
love,
cJA

[Hobiejoe]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/m ... protesters



Brussels police fire water cannon at anti-austerity protesters

Tuesday’s protest is the first of months of planned demonstrations and national strikes led by trade unions against the policies of Charles Michel’s government.

Boris must be soooo jealous that he didn't get to play with his squirty toys like the Belgians are before leaving office.

[HindleA]

@cja I think World War Three started three weeks ago,but the question of weather implications of Remain/Leave decision took precedence.

[Hobiejoe]

Well, as a somewhat lapsed nautical type I've tried to decipher the bunting in Rowson's latest, but there's too many random pennants (triangular flags) that I can't identify as they're normally for numerals, and any number of historically correct ensigns of the union flag with a white surround that were in use back in the day. I don't doubt that the Cartoonist knows exactly what message he wishes flown from the masthead, but my research of Nelsonian flag etiquette collides with my need to be abed just about...now.

[HindleA]

His offer of a Mars Bar didn't tempt me,a Bounty at the very least.

[HindleA]

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... -dont-vote" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Ed Miliband warns Britain could leave EU if young people don't vote
Former Labour leader warns against complacency and admits remain campaign has been too Tory and too male

[HindleA]

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/juni ... ns#history" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

On 27 May, NHS Employers published the terms and conditions of the contract agreement, as reached by the government, NHS Employers and the BMA. This has been agreed by the government, NHS Employers and the BMA, subject to securing the support of BMA junior doctor members in a referendum.

The Department of Health have also published an equalities statement, which considers the new proposals and their impact on junior doctors.


http://www.nhsemployers.org/your-workfo ... s-contract" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... amily-test" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;