Tuesday 20th December 2016

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 2:11 pm

Dear xxx

This morning, on LBC radio, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage launched an outrageous attack on us, on Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, and by association on everyone who believes in HOPE not hate. Our lawyer has just sent Farage a letter demanding he retracts and publicly apologises or we will begin legal proceedings against him.

Edit to add link
http://linkis.com/hopenothate.org.uk/d53Qt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 2:19 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:Dear xxx

This morning, on LBC radio, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage launched an outrageous attack on us, on Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, and by association on everyone who believes in HOPE not hate. Our lawyer has just sent Farage a letter demanding he retracts and publicly apologises or we will begin legal proceedings against him.

Edit to add link
http://linkis.com/hopenothate.org.uk/d53Qt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can he afford to fight a court case? He was, after all, telling us how hard up he was a few days ago . . .

Edited to add -

Perhaps he'll ask
Donald Trump
To stump
Up

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 2:24 pm

May refuses to give explicit commitment to letting MPs vote on final Brexit deal (Politics Live, Guardian)

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 2:30 pm

@yahyah

A Christmas cat! How wonderful. He sounds splendid.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 2:59 pm

PorFavor wrote:
May refuses to give explicit commitment to letting MPs vote on final Brexit deal (Politics Live, Guardian)

Jo Maugham QC
‏@JolyonMaugham

Disgraceful. What Number 10 said when it was trying to persuade the Divisional Court to dismiss the Gina Miller case; and what it says now.

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 3:04 pm

Pound stumbles to month low after latest Brexit deal jitters
Anxiety over the nature of Britain's divorce from Europe has seen sterling slip back down after cautious gains seen last month.

http://news.sky.com/story/pound-stumble ... s-10702525" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 3:20 pm

UK Perspectives 2016: Housing and home ownership in the UK
ONS Digital

The UK housing market comprises 28.1 million residential properties in 2014.
Linked to income, wealth and availability of lending, the housing market is sensitive to the overall economic climate.

- On average house prices have increased by 7% per year since 1980.
- Since 1980, the greatest annual increase in house prices was 25.6% in 1988.
- In 2015, the average price (mix adjusted) of a property in the UK stood at £279,000.

http://visual.ons.gov.uk/uk-perspective ... in-the-uk/

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 3:25 pm

'He was just some Joseph looking for a manger'

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 3:29 pm

The Stranger Song
Leonard Cohen

'It's true that all the men you knew were dealers
Who said they were through with dealing
Every time you gave them shelter
I know that kind of man
It's hard to hold the hand of anyone
Who is reaching for the sky just to surrender
Who is reaching for the sky just to surrender

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind
You find he did not leave you very much not even laughter
Like any dealer he was watching for the card
That is so high and wild
He'll never need to deal another
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger

And then leaning on your window sill
He'll say one day you caused his will
To weaken with your love and warmth and shelter
And then taking from his wallet
An old schedule of trains, he'll say
"I told you when I came I was a stranger
I told you when I came I was a stranger"

But now another stranger seems
To want you to ignore his dreams
As though they were the burden of some other
O you've seen that man before
His golden arm dispatching cards
But now it's rusted from the elbows to the finger
And he wants to trade the game he plays for shelter
Yes he wants to trade the game he knows for shelter'

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 3:35 pm

Cohen songs were part of the score 1971 US film called, McCabe and Mrs. Miller
Sadder than hell, that film

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 3:43 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:Dear xxx

This morning, on LBC radio, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage launched an outrageous attack on us, on Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, and by association on everyone who believes in HOPE not hate. Our lawyer has just sent Farage a letter demanding he retracts and publicly apologises or we will begin legal proceedings against him.

Edit to add link
http://linkis.com/hopenothate.org.uk/d53Qt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And if anybody has any doubts as to the mentality of his supporters, just look at the comments btl in the Indie.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 86536.html

(actually, I don't recommend reading them unless you have a strong stomach).

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 4:28 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:
AngryAsWell wrote:Dear xxx

This morning, on LBC radio, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage launched an outrageous attack on us, on Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, and by association on everyone who believes in HOPE not hate. Our lawyer has just sent Farage a letter demanding he retracts and publicly apologises or we will begin legal proceedings against him.

Edit to add link
http://linkis.com/hopenothate.org.uk/d53Qt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And if anybody has any doubts as to the mentality of his supporters, just look at the comments btl in the Indie.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 86536.html

(actually, I don't recommend reading them unless you have a strong stomach).

TBF it appears to be a hardcore of 4/5 doing it.

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 4:40 pm

StephenDolan wrote:
Eric_WLothian wrote:
AngryAsWell wrote:Dear xxx

This morning, on LBC radio, former UKIP leader Nigel Farage launched an outrageous attack on us, on Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, and by association on everyone who believes in HOPE not hate. Our lawyer has just sent Farage a letter demanding he retracts and publicly apologises or we will begin legal proceedings against him.

Edit to add link
http://linkis.com/hopenothate.org.uk/d53Qt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And if anybody has any doubts as to the mentality of his supporters, just look at the comments btl in the Indie.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 86536.html

(actually, I don't recommend reading them unless you have a strong stomach).
TBF it appears to be a hardcore of 4/5 doing it.

True - and there's a similar group on 'The Scotsman', although there are more rigorous moderators there. (I see the Herald & Guardian are playing safe by not allowing comments).

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:01 pm

Ed Miliband slams Sky bid: 'Murdoch has learned nothing'

Former Labour leader argues in parliament that nothing has changed since tycoon’s last attempted takeover five years ago (Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/ ... ed-nothing

frightful_oik · Post by **frightful_oik** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:11 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:
Eric_WLothian wrote: And if anybody has any doubts as to the mentality of his supporters, just look at the comments btl in the Indie.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 86536.html

(actually, I don't recommend reading them unless you have a strong stomach).
TBF it appears to be a hardcore of 4/5 doing it.
True - and there's a similar group on 'The Scotsman', although there are more rigorous moderators there. (I see the Herald & Guardian are playing safe by not allowing comments).

Can't be that important, BBC haven't mentioned it on PM.
Why do they love this odious man so much?

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:17 pm

frightful_oik wrote:
Eric_WLothian wrote:
StephenDolan wrote: TBF it appears to be a hardcore of 4/5 doing it.
True - and there's a similar group on 'The Scotsman', although there are more rigorous moderators there. (I see the Herald & Guardian are playing safe by not allowing comments).
Can't be that important, BBC haven't mentioned it on PM.
Why do they love this odious man so much?

It finally made it to the BBC News website about 20 minutes ago.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38383754

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:22 pm

@RogerOThornhill

See? Easy mistake to make.

A police force has admitted failings in the handling of the murder of the notorious criminal John “Goldfinger” Palmer after officers mistook six gunshot injuries for surgery wounds. (Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... s-failings

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:24 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:Pound stumbles to month low after latest Brexit deal jitters
Anxiety over the nature of Britain's divorce from Europe has seen sterling slip back down after cautious gains seen last month.

http://news.sky.com/story/pound-stumble ... s-10702525" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Those super-smart financiers have finally realised that "red, white & blue Brexit" doesn't really amount to much of a plan for the future?

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:24 pm

Fracking to go ahead in North Yorkshire after high court ruling

Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Ryedale lose bid to stop fracking in village of Kirby Misperton
(Guardian)

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... urt-ruling

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:33 pm

PorFavor wrote:
Fracking to go ahead in North Yorkshire after high court ruling

Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Ryedale lose bid to stop fracking in village of Kirby Misperton
(Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... urt-ruling

I can't bear this news. Alone it'd be devastating. The series of atrocious news is awful. If I hadn't love in my life I'd have nothing but despair.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:50 pm

PorFavor wrote:
Ed Miliband slams Sky bid: 'Murdoch has learned nothing'

Former Labour leader argues in parliament that nothing has changed since tycoon’s last attempted takeover five years ago (Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/ ... ed-nothing

Ed Miliband has used this phrase before. 'They've learned nothing', he says about those continuing wrong action.
I don't watch or listen to news and have only a written account of Miliband's words. He expects people to live and
learn from their mistakes. Every good teacher I've ever studied with works this way with students. Mistakes must
be corrected and learned from until the mistake isn't made and the lesson learned. Miliband said it about Dave
Cameron after the Scottish referendum. 'Cameron's learned nothing.' Miliband is incredulous powerful people
without the excuse of ignorance keep on doing the wrong thing. I like Ed Miliband a lot.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:53 pm

citizenJA wrote:
I like Ed Miliband a lot.

So do I!

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:54 pm

PorFavor wrote:
citizenJA wrote:
I like Ed Miliband a lot.
So do I!

Me too

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 5:57 pm

Maureen Fitzsimmons‏ @mojos55
Funny how the working class are celebrated and listened to when it comes to Brexit but they're the militant hard-left when they strike

Yep.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 6:02 pm

Willow904 wrote:
Maureen Fitzsimmons‏ @mojos55
Funny how the working class are celebrated and listened to when it comes to Brexit but they're the militant hard-left when they strike
Yep.

Even funnier how they don't seem to notice.

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 6:02 pm

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... -kettering" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Workers at cereal company Weetabix are to go on strike in the new year after voting for action in a row over shift patterns.

Members of the Usdaw union backed industrial action by 9-1 on a turnout of almost 70%.

So much for Tory claims of strikes taking place on the back of minimal backing from low turnouts.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 7:19 pm

Shocked etc.

DfE's accounts contain 'pervasive' errors, warns spending watchdog

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/br ... g-watchdog

The academy programme will create "significant risks" if the Department for Education fails to strengthen its financial accounting, the government's audit watchdog has warned.

The National Audit Office has found "material and pervasive" levels of "error and uncertainty" in the DfE's accounts, published today, for the third year running.

So let me see if I have this right.
1. Back in 2010 there were about 200 academies - all with a year end date of August whereas the DfE, like all govt depts, end their year in March.
2. Instead of thinking "Wait. If we want thousands more of these, it'll give us real problems" - they did nothing.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 8:30 pm

citizenJA wrote:
PorFavor wrote:
Fracking to go ahead in North Yorkshire after high court ruling

Friends of the Earth and Frack Free Ryedale lose bid to stop fracking in village of Kirby Misperton
(Guardian)
https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... urt-ruling
I can't bear this news. Alone it'd be devastating. The series of atrocious news is awful. If I hadn't love in my life I'd have nothing but despair.

Remember the disgraceful overturning of Labour's victory on this?

[Perhaps with the complicity of some Labour peers?]

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 8:34 pm

Folk will have noted that I enjoy following Angela Rayner on Twitter

Angela Rayner MP ‏@AngelaRayner 53m53 minutes ago
Chatting with constituents on local housing estate today their main concerns were housing, schools, NHS, Docs appts, A&E, fly tipping&crime

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 9:21 pm

Lexi Alexander ‏@Lexialex Dec 19
I just saw someone tweet that Turkey should have never allowed Muslims into their country...I will now take a hammer to my head

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 9:24 pm

Macron moves ahead of Fillon in French popularity poll

http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKBN1490OS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 9:46 pm

Daily Express Issue Correction After Ipso Uphold Complaint About Article On English In Schools

http://linkis.com/huffingtonpost.co.uk/DLzdr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 10:01 pm

Goodnight, everyone.
love,
cJA

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 10:04 pm

This is getting some nods of approval from those - including me - who are getting a bit tired of the 24/7 media blitz of that school.

https://theprimaryhead.com/2016/12/20/t ... me-to-tea/

And I’m not sure why, when, so much of what they’re actually doing is pretty unremarkable. I hate to break it to you, tigers, but a lot of the ‘Michaela Way’ is just a normal way to run a school. That’s not to say that, in my opinion, you seem to lack a level of operational subtlety that I personally feel is vital for running such a complex organisation as a school. I also find the ‘top of the pyramid’ drills a little over zealous for my tastes but, hey, I’m not your target reader am I? Who is I wonder? Is this book’s publication part of your recruitment drive? Is it a ‘Michaela Way’ SEF? Or is it a fairy tale that you can read to yourself at bedtime to help you forget about all the anti-Michaela tweets out there?

There was another blog from another primary head that effectively said "Well, actually we do a lot of this stuff already - you ain't the first!" - they may have some good ideas but goodness me, they really do go on about it all!

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 10:22 pm

One of their cheerleaders wrote about Michaela today.

http://www.learningspy.co.uk/featured/l ... -michaela/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

When I asked my guides about whether the schools is too strict they’re were emphatic that it’s not. It’s strict, they told me, but not too strict. No one gets in trouble here because the teachers help us stay out of trouble. Don’t they sometimes just feel like blowing off steam and doing something naughty? Oh no! They look at me like I’m a bit weird whilst remaining unfailingly polite and respectful.

Not everyone is going to like Michaela – it’s just too much of a culture shock. Even when the school gets its first external results in two year’s time, critics will still be able to say, but it’s just an exam factory, or, you can’t measure the things that really matter. Birbalsingh nods wildly and shouts, “Yes, but I wish they could!” If you could reliably measure children’s happiness, she’s convinced Michaela would be off the scale. On my limited exposure, I can only agree. When I asked my guides what one thing they would change about the school they honestly couldn’t think of anything.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 10:27 pm

Academy trust that runs Dorset schools slammed for failing disadvantaged pupils
AN ACADEMY trust that runs a number of schools in Dorset has been slammed for failing disadvantaged pupils and not being able to account for the impact of £2 million of government money.

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/149447 ... ed_pupils/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 10:37 pm

Oddly enough, no-one has yet answered my question about how these individuals got to be involved in the early days pre-opening. Funny that...

To me, this is the elephant in the room - how many new schools have such people who just happened to be on hand? Any?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 10:45 pm

I love the way Didau (who fancies himself as a Mr Evidence Data etc) is already booking incredible exam results in for Michaela because he's had a couple of guided tours.

Did they inform the police about these death threats? Who on earth are these visitors who left the kids in tears?

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 10:47 pm

Actually, I remember one HT of a new Free School in London (from memory I think it was one of the CET primaries) who said that she didn't get any help whatsoever either before or after opening and just felt completely isolated - obviously with no LA to back her up.

Compare and contrast with the obvious hand-holding given to the celeb school...

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 10:48 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:Academy trust that runs Dorset schools slammed for failing disadvantaged pupils
AN ACADEMY trust that runs a number of schools in Dorset has been slammed for failing disadvantaged pupils and not being able to account for the impact of £2 million of government money.

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/149447 ... ed_pupils/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That was a widespread problem a few years ago, not being able to demostrate value from the Pupil Premium. But they really should be doing it now without even thinking about it.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 10:52 pm

Ah, found it.

https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/br ... king-warns

“Within six months [of the free schools opening] it became it clear it wasn’t working,” she told TES, saying that the trust had decided to concentrate on special education and “go back to what we do well”.

A lack of support in setting up the free schools had been a major problem, Ms Fogel said.

“There was no part of this that anyone said ‘let’s give you a hand’, you know, ‘we’ll see what we can do’ – there was nobody.”

Asked if she meant that the government was not helping enough, she said: “I don’t think generally there is enough joined-up thinking with free schools and that’s the problem, support is all part of that.”

I said long ago that Brirbalisngh wasn't going to be allowed to fail so all of this hired help was parachuted in to hand-hold. Still stand by that.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 11:02 pm

Lib Dems talking a good game in Greater Manchester. They've got Corbyn and Burnham's stupid comments to attack.

If there's a London like run off, they could be competitive in it. But they might not make it at all, of course.

Labour would win on a single ballot, I would think.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 11:11 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Lib Dems talking a good game in Greater Manchester. They've got Corbyn and Burnham's stupid comments to attack.

If there's a London like run off, they could be competitive in it. But they might not make it at all, of course.

Labour would win on a single ballot, I would think.

Genuinely can I check whether the "stupid comments" but applies to Corbyn as well as Burnham?

I agree that the latter has lost the plot. Shame. Corbyn clearly presents some issues electorally, but I don't think he makes too many stupid comments.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 11:11 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Lib Dems talking a good game in Greater Manchester. They've got Corbyn and Burnham's stupid comments to attack.

If there's a London like run off, they could be competitive in it. But they might not make it at all, of course.

Labour would win on a single ballot, I would think.

Ah go on, what Corbyn stupid comments are you saying that the Lib Dems should be attacking?

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 11:16 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Lib Dems talking a good game in Greater Manchester. They've got Corbyn and Burnham's stupid comments to attack.

If there's a London like run off, they could be competitive in it. But they might not make it at all, of course.

Labour would win on a single ballot, I would think.

Not so sure about that, I've been looking closely at Jane Brophy and liking what I read/see, shame the Greens haven't put up a more experienced candidate. Life long Labour friend has already made up her mind that she would rather not vote at all than vote for flip-flop. She's opting for Jane. I can't vote UKIP lite, so will probably vote Jane, just need to check out any independents. OH feels the same, as do 5 voting age relatives plus the only 2 neighbours I've spoken to about the election.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 11:20 pm

StephenDolan wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:Lib Dems talking a good game in Greater Manchester. They've got Corbyn and Burnham's stupid comments to attack.

If there's a London like run off, they could be competitive in it. But they might not make it at all, of course.

Labour would win on a single ballot, I would think.
Ah go on, what Corbyn stupid comments are you saying that the Lib Dems should be attacking?

I didn't say comments. I said him. He's less popular among Labour voters than Theresa May, so they probably don't have to do too much.

But his Lexiter rubbish about subsidizing outside the Single Market were a gift. So was his Article 50 the day after.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 11:22 pm

UKIP group ordered to repay €172,000 to EU ...
...by tomorrow..

http://www.politico.eu/article/ukip-gro ... cember-21/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Tue 20 Dec, 2016 11:23 pm

The BBC disgracefully using UKIP soundbites as part of a newstory.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38379157" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Open door policy on migration" in Germany. That'll be news to a few people.