Saturday 30th April, Sunday 1st May 2016 & Monday 2nd May

[AnatolyKasparov]

To be blunt about it, the Jewish population in GL isn't big enough to swing elections (save maybe in the most knife edge circumstances)

No, as in 2012 this is an attempt to sow doubt in the minds of voters more generally. I doubt it will succeed in this instance, but am taking nothing for granted before Friday

[RogerOThornhill]

Interesting take on the services driving the UK economy from Andrew Sentance.

Services rescue UK economy from worsening downturn

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/201 ... -downturn/

In the past, we looked to manufacturing industry to be the main engine of economic growth – through job creation, higher productivity and export success. In all three areas, the services sector is now taking over. For those of us who grew up in a world dominated by manufacturing industry before the 1970s, this may feel uncomfortable. But it is the new reality for the UK economy.

[citizenJA]

Livingstone implied (even if he did not explicitly state) that "Hitler was a Zionist".

That is a gross misreading of history - to put it at its most charitable - and one frequently seen in far-right circles. And, absolutely obviously, deeply hurtful and offensive.

(my bold)

Please post Livingstone's exact statement leading you to this conclusion because I've apparently not read
or understood what Livingstone's said. Are those Livingstone's words in between quotation marks?

[citizenJA]

http://schoolsweek.co.uk/hertfordshire- ... ign=buffer

Council faces £5.6m bill for free school

Send Number 10 the invoice

[citizenJA]

Thank you nicky and willow - very helpful in helping my thinking

Thanks from me too, everyone, sincerely

[refitman]

I don't think JC has ever stated that, has he? The issue with him is his past association with some rather dubious types on the Palestinian (etc) side who may well hold such views......

I think you may have misunderstood me, I agree with your comment about KL's behaviour and that JC agrees with us, hence the suspension

Yes I did, soz

Mods - any chance of expanding this thread to take in the bank holiday Monday?

Good spot, forgot about that. Monday has been added.

[TR'sGhost]

Wish the Graun weren't quite so nervous about this manufactured crisis and opened the comments section.

The dead cats (aka Livingstone and Mann) are clear enough, but what's going on with Johnson, Goldsmith and a tiny Cameron? They're let off the hook while the media hysteria about Labour keeps on, but why are they covered in what looks like vomit?

(my bold)

Picture of Zac Goldsmith recently tweeted he's awkwardly holding a pint in pub standing behind/next to Johnson
Important this - awkwardly holding a pint so we can laugh at him a bit dilutes his caustic campaign to become London Mayor
(Dave Hill gives a tidy summation of Goldsmith's 'poisonous campaign' linked here - http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/dave ... r-campaign" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Tory party/Zac Goldsmith have mailed election leaflets to select Londoners warning Sadiq Khan's election as Mayor will jeopardise their jewellery
Tory party/Goldsmith accused Sadiq Khan of sharing space with 'extremists', specifically naming Islamic Imam, Suliman Gani, forgetting Gani is a
Tory supporter photographed with Goldsmith at various functions

Dave Cameron recently used the floor of Commons to accuse Sadiq Khan of sharing platforms with Imam Suliman Gani, leader of the Tooting Islamic Centre
while accusing the Imam of supporting IS (Islamic State)
Gani denies this allegation and has issued a statement that Cameron's accusation he's an IS supporter is a lie, Cameron has unjustly used Parliamentary
privilege to make the allegation and he's contact legal support to clear his name following Cameron's accusations
(Peter Oborne 27 April 2016 article link
http://www.middleeasteye.net/columns/da ... -695528146" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Zac Goldsmith's paternal grandfather is Jewish
Zac Goldsmith is currently married to banking heiress, Alice Rothschild
The Rothschild family are Jewish
Boris Johnson/the Tory party label the Labour party anti-Semitic

I read a statement by Gani that he is seeking legal advice over Cameron's statement.

Trouble is that anything said in Parliament is privileged, and no action for defamation may be brought against any MP or Lord for what they said in the relevant House. The idea being that Members should not be restricted in debates by the fear that stating the truth might get you sued and bankrupted.

Which is an important principle, and also says quite a lot about English defamation law, where those with deepest pockets tend to win and the burden of proof means a wealthy plaintiff always has the stronger position.

Unfortunately it's a double-edged sword which can also be abused by unprincipled not so honourable members to make all kinds of allegations about anyone in the knowledge they can't be touched. Though the PM accusing someone who supports their party, has canvassed for their party and met senior members of their party to discuss how they can help the PM's party at least as recently as last year of being an anti-British extremist decent people would have nothing to do with is certainly a bit unusual.

[ohsocynical]

We're all chatty this morning.

I'm distracted. I haven't written fiction in quite a few years, the brain had completely dried up, but for some reason I woke in the middle of the night with the opening to a monologue buzzing around in my head. It was so clear and persistent that in the end I got up and jotted it down. I've been working on it this morning. Slow going though. I'm out of practice.

Don't think about it, just keep writing, and go back and revise it later. First draft is always wrong, so dont waste time getting it right until you have got it all out. If that makes sense.

Yes. It's how I try to work, but when it's a monologue I have to get the flow right and get under the characters skin. Become them if I'm on a roll. Once I can do that, they take over.
I'm afraid I end up with dozens of drafts. Editing is a painful and lengthy process because I have so many gaps in my grammar and punctuation.

I shan't do anything with it. I'm just pleased my brain has woken up again.

[ohsocynical]

I think you may have misunderstood me, I agree with your comment about KL's behaviour and that JC agrees with us, hence the suspension

Yes I did, soz

Mods - any chance of expanding this thread to take in the bank holiday Monday?

Good spot, forgot about that. Monday has been added.

Mr Ohso and I knew it's bank holiday Monday because our son casually asked if we had any plans. Luckily we knew he was hinting it's his fiftieth birthday. They don't grow up do they

[Willow904]

Livingstone implied (even if he did not explicitly state) that "Hitler was a Zionist".

That is a gross misreading of history - to put it at its most charitable - and one frequently seen in far-right circles. And, absolutely obviously, deeply hurtful and offensive.

(my bold)

Please post Livingstone's exact statement leading you to this conclusion because I've apparently not read
or understood what Livingstone's said. Are those Livingstone's words in between quotation marks?

From Sky News:

http://news.sky.com/story/1686687/livin ... r-comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In his interview with the BBC on Thursday morning, Mr Livingstone said: "Let's remember when Hitler won his election in 1932 his policy then was that Jews should be moved to Israel. He was supporting Zionism.

"This is before he went mad and ended up killing six million Jews."

The bit about Hitler "supporting" Zionism initially is arguably factually correct, but for the life of me I can't see the relevance. The second bit about Hitler going mad is just plain offensive in its phrasing, as if he woke up one day and accidently exterminated 6m people in a psychotic fit. Really, really poor judgement, poor phrasing and poor arguments. Not helpful.

[citizenJA]

I read a statement by Gani that he is seeking legal advice over Cameron's statement.

"On 18 April 2016 Andrew Neil on the BBC’s London’s Mayor: The Big Debate stated that I am ‘a supporter of Islamic State’.
Yesterday (20 April 2016) the Prime Minister in Parliament during Prime Minister’s Questions repeated this allegation when
he said, ‘this man [ie, me] supports IS’.

Saying I support Islamic State is untrue and highly damaging to my reputation.

I am totally opposed to the so-called Islamic State (also known as ISIS, IS, Daesh, etc), which I view as a terrorist and inhumane
organisation. Indeed, as an Imam and community leader, I have campaigned against the evils of Islamic State to my fellow Muslims,
and to others in the community.

For the avoidance of any doubt, I state again that Islamic State is in no way compatible with my beliefs. I condemn IS
wholeheartedly, and have done so repeatedly in public and in private since its inception.

This allegation that has been made about me is a smear on my good name. It is highly distressing to me, my family, and to those
who know me.

I make this statement to set the record straight, although no doubt many people who have heard this allegation about me will
continue to believe it until I either restore my reputation through the legal system or obtain an apology from Andrew Neil and the BBC.

In relation to David Cameron saying in Parliament that I support IS, I understand that he can do this despite it being untrue
and at the same time avoid any legal implications by relying upon Parliamentary privilege.

This matter is now in the hands of my lawyers and I intend to take it forward through them."

- Imam Suliman Gani

http://www.islam21c.com/politics/david- ... ani/#_ftn4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RogerOThornhill]

Well quite.

SATs were designed as an accountability measure...but then Morgan decided that pupils who don't meet the required standard at KS2 have to retake them in year 7.

But this doesn't make the tests a pass or fail.

Eh?

Utterly incoherent.

[citizenJA]

Livingstone implied (even if he did not explicitly state) that "Hitler was a Zionist".

That is a gross misreading of history - to put it at its most charitable - and one frequently seen in far-right circles. And, absolutely obviously, deeply hurtful and offensive.

(my bold)

Please post Livingstone's exact statement leading you to this conclusion because I've apparently not read
or understood what Livingstone's said. Are those Livingstone's words in between quotation marks?

From Sky News:

http://news.sky.com/story/1686687/livin ... r-comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In his interview with the BBC on Thursday morning, Mr Livingstone said: "Let's remember when Hitler won his election in 1932 his policy then was that Jews should be moved to Israel. He was supporting Zionism.

"This is before he went mad and ended up killing six million Jews."

The bit about Hitler "supporting" Zionism initially is arguably factually correct, but for the life of me I can't see the relevance. The second bit about Hitler going mad is just plain offensive in its phrasing, as if he woke up one day and accidently exterminated 6m people in a psychotic fit. Really, really poor judgement, poor phrasing and poor arguments. Not helpful.

Thank you for this, I wanted to know if I'd not read something more but I've read it all.
Was Livingstone saying this live on camera first then quoted after ward?
I don't watch or listen to live media, I read
I've got to confess something, people
I don't understand the outrage over Livingstone's statement
This maybe

I live in a community of people and you're all part of that community
I take all the opinions of my friends here seriously and I'll promise you this - I'll reflect and study myself over this because I may be walking around believing misguided, inaccurate information lacking truth and wholesome sensitivity towards others

I welcome your responses and thank you for your patience with me.

[citizenJA]

To be blunt about it, the Jewish population in GL isn't big enough to swing elections (save maybe in the most knife edge circumstances)

No, as in 2012 this is an attempt to sow doubt in the minds of voters more generally. I doubt it will succeed in this instance, but am taking nothing for granted before Friday

I entirely agree with you - exactly what I think too

[mbc1955]

I'm distracted. I haven't written fiction in quite a few years, the brain had completely dried up, but for some reason I woke in the middle of the night with the opening to a monologue buzzing around in my head. It was so clear and persistent that in the end I got up and jotted it down. I've been working on it this morning. Slow going though. I'm out of practice.

Don't think about it, just keep writing, and go back and revise it later. First draft is always wrong, so dont waste time getting it right until you have got it all out. If that makes sense.

Yes. It's how I try to work, but when it's a monologue I have to get the flow right and get under the characters skin. Become them if I'm on a roll. Once I can do that, they take over.
I'm afraid I end up with dozens of drafts. Editing is a painful and lengthy process because I have so many gaps in my grammar and punctuation.

I shan't do anything with it. I'm just pleased my brain has woken up again.

That's such a great feeling. I've been blocked on fiction writing for the last couple of years and I'm slowly trying to get it restarted. I need a 'woken-up' moment like yours.

[citizenJA]

Morning all

I still think Corbyn has made a good move in have an inquiry to nip this in the bud.....I don't believe ant-semitism is there in any major way (as suggested by the letter from Jewish members suggests) but some of the anti-Zionists have to be more careful with their terminology and behaviour

I would ask the question as well is anti-Zionism (i.e. opposition to the State of Israel's existence inherently racist because it is defined as a Jewish state) or is it acceptable based on the displacement of the Palestinian people to enable its formation?

On a second point, I hope Labour (I doubt McTernan, Mann and their like will) will jump as strongly on any indications of anti-semitism towards all the Semitic people coming from the Tories and UKIP as strongly! Goldsmith, to me, has run an overtly racist campaign and there are numerous examples almost as strong coming from other ranking Tories.....

If you believe IS are wrong in seizing land they believe is their ethnic homeland, over-riding existing borders and displacing other ethnic and religious groups already living there, then you are basically expressing an opinion that zionism is wrong, as far as I'm concerned. Israel, however, has long been established so anti-zionism is obsolete in a way. You can't object to a person born in Israel wanting to continue to live in their place of birth, its not fair. So being anti-zionist is either completely reasonable or completely racist, depending on what you mean by it. Which is very convenient for those who want to smear Corbyn. My husband is a raving socialist, absolutely adores Ken Livingstone and contends he is deliberately making the minefield arguments Corbyn simply can't. I'm not so convinced Ken is helping! But I don't question the integrity of his intentions. Meanwhile, the Jewish population is very small, the Muslim population somewhat bigger. Does smearing Labour as anti-Semitic really damage them? Especially when Jewish Labour supporters seem so awake to the contrived nature of the criticism? In many ways I thought the insinuations that Khan was associated with extremist sympathisers was more damaging (if people believe it) but this anti-Semitism row has rather eclipsed that. Strange times.

Crosby, who orchestrated Johnson's campaign against Livingstone in 2012, remembered that there were accusations of anti semitism against KL that seemed to gain traction amongst some Jewish Londoners. He thinks these dog whistle tactics can work again, especially with the assistance of the Tory media.
I think he's wrong and Khan will still win.

(my bold)

Yes, this is a desperate thing and I think Khan will win
I don't trust Tory party leadership - the Tory party is a bad club to join, dishonourable and false

[ohsocynical]

Don't think about it, just keep writing, and go back and revise it later. First draft is always wrong, so dont waste time getting it right until you have got it all out. If that makes sense.

Yes. It's how I try to work, but when it's a monologue I have to get the flow right and get under the characters skin. Become them if I'm on a roll. Once I can do that, they take over.
I'm afraid I end up with dozens of drafts. Editing is a painful and lengthy process because I have so many gaps in my grammar and punctuation.

I shan't do anything with it. I'm just pleased my brain has woken up again.

That's such a great feeling. I've been blocked on fiction writing for the last couple of years and I'm slowly trying to get it restarted. I need a 'woken-up' moment like yours.

Once upon a time it only used to take a name to set me off. I used to use a random name engine which threw up all sorts of weird combinations. I'd write the story and tone the name down afterwards. I never did anything with them because they are a bit whacky, but I thoroughly enjoyed writing them, which is what it's all about.

Waking up in the night with a story start line in my head has only happened a couple of times.
When it did happen I used to assure myself I'd remember it in the morning, but of course didn't.
Sure enough I couldn't remember last nights brainwave, so was thankful I'd made the effort to sit up and write it down although I didn't turn the light on. The scrawl in the back of a book I'm reading [sacrilege!] was almost indecipherable. but I got the gist of it.

[mbc1955]

Yes. It's how I try to work, but when it's a monologue I have to get the flow right and get under the characters skin. Become them if I'm on a roll. Once I can do that, they take over.
I'm afraid I end up with dozens of drafts. Editing is a painful and lengthy process because I have so many gaps in my grammar and punctuation.

I shan't do anything with it. I'm just pleased my brain has woken up again.

That's such a great feeling. I've been blocked on fiction writing for the last couple of years and I'm slowly trying to get it restarted. I need a 'woken-up' moment like yours.

Once upon a time it only used to take a name to set me off. I used to use a random name engine which threw up all sorts of weird combinations. I'd write the story and tone the name down afterwards. I never did anything with them because they are a bit whacky, but I thoroughly enjoyed writing them, which is what it's all about.

Waking up in the night with a story start line in my head has only happened a couple of times.
When it did happen I used to assure myself I'd remember it in the morning, but of course didn't.
Sure enough I couldn't remember last nights brainwave, so was thankful I'd made the effort to sit up and write it down although I didn't turn the light on. The scrawl in the back of a book I'm reading [sacrilege!] was almost indecipherable. but I got the gist of it.

Most of the time, what comes into my head in the night is lost. It tends to be very impressionistic and I'm rarely more than half awake and not capable of writing it down. Sometimes it's too vivid and forces me awake enough. More often, that kind of inspiration comes just after going to bed, before falling asleep, when the mind's suddenly free and a line runs through my head and I put on the bedside light and scribble frantically: I can get a couple of notepad pages out of that.

I've been in training this week at work, as part of which we've been discussing how you can create (or stop) a habit in 30 days. So, for the next 30 days (starting Wednesday), I am writing a minimum of 250 words per day (exceeded the mark each of three days already).

I'm retraining the muscles with the intention that after 30 days, the habit will stick. Best of luck with your efforts.

[AnatolyKasparov]

Anyway, that "joke" by Ian Austin. What a total and absolute 24-carat bellend

[HindleA]

http://www.theguardian.com/housing-netw ... dApp_Tweet" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Each 'investment opportunity' means a life of insecurity for the tenants I help

[ephemerid]

The Electoral Commission has issued a statement on the allegations of overspending by the Tories at the GE and at previous bye-elections.

http://www.electoralcommission.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It has requested that the CPS and the police consider applying for an extension to the time limit for pursuing criminal prosecutions.
It does not expect to have completed its investigations before the cut-off date - ie. one year after the date of the GE.
It will meet with the CPS and the police on Wednesday to discuss this - but it is for the CPS/police to make the application, the EC can't.

The EC is currently investigating whether the Conservative Party has met its reporting obligations - ie. gave full, true, and accurate spending returns to the Returning Officers in the relevant constituencies within 35 days of the date of the elections.
It is checking the 2015 GE generally and also the bye-elections in Newark, Clacton, and Rochester/Strood.

Anyone found guilty of an offence under the Representation of the People Act relating to a false declaration of spending can be imprisoned or fined, and is excluded from elective office for 3 years.

I hope that the EC is able to convince the CPS/police to apply for that extension. We need to get to the bottom of this.
If the Tories cheated, we need to know - whether it made a difference to the results or not, if they cheated they are corrupt.

[ohsocynical]

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 4m4 minutes ago

Does anybody know if Lynton Crosby's firm has been beaten by a BME opponent before? Could be a first next Friday

[ephemerid]

I think I might stop commenting on the Twattosphere for a bit.

I'm more than a tad irritated with people I like being utterly hideous about Corbyn - the man just can't do anything right for some folks, it seems.

How I wish we could just all get behind the leader, love him or hate him (or like me, be somewhere in-between), and fight the bloody Tories.

I'm sick of the squabbling. I left the party because I felt that any party that would not support its own leader didn't deserve my support. I was thinking of joining again; but when Labour people act as if Corbyn was the devil incarnate I'm better off out of it.

[rebeccariots2]

I think I might stop commenting on the Twattosphere for a bit.

I'm more than a tad irritated with people I like being utterly hideous about Corbyn - the man just can't do anything right for some folks, it seems.

How I wish we could just all get behind the leader, love him or hate him (or like me, be somewhere in-between), and fight the bloody Tories.

I'm sick of the squabbling. I left the party because I felt that any party that would not support its own leader didn't deserve my support. I was thinking of joining again; but when Labour people act as if Corbyn was the devil incarnate I'm better off out of it.

Just try to remember it's just *some* Labour people if you can Ephie. Unfortunately they tend to be very vocal and so their opinions seem disproportionately loud. When I'm with other Labour members out and about I don't hear any of this destructive nonsense. That's very reassuring.

[rebeccariots2]

If people want a pleasant surprise - try listening again to Any Answers on Radio 4. The sole subject covered is the 'anti-semitism' that is supposedly rife in the Labour party.

Almost every caller was Jewish and just about every one of them was reasoned and balanced about the current situation and far from buying the line that Labour has a massive problem. It was an informative and constructive discussion.

[yahyah]

Afternoon.

Am fed up to the back teeth of being made to feel, as a Labour member, that I prance around in an SS uniform and jack boots, hang swastikas on my washing line, whilst claiming The Protocols of the Elders of Zion was actually written by Jewish people.

I'm avoiding the BBC as I get so exasperated, particularly after hearing this morning's Today programme.

John Humphries did try and tackle Goldsmith on his dirty campaigning but was very feeble.
He let Goldsmith ramble on and on, and didn't keep on the attack with some of his tougher questions.

[yahyah]

Michael White should know better, surely this is as offensive as anything Livingstone uttered ?

MichaelWhite @michaelwhite 40m
Agreed. Maybe you could put something in Ken's tea to calm him down ?
Polonium perhaps ?

[rebeccariots2]

Here's the humour bath for the day ....

What Dominiczak did get right was that those looking to destabilise Corbyn are trying to frame the issue not merely as right versus left, or indeed as anything personal (although, of course, it is exactly that), but as “Labour needs strong leadership”. The message being given to the press is that Corbyn did not suspend Ken Livingstone quickly enough, although that suspension came almost as soon as Ken had inserted foot in mouth.

Also at the top of the rebels’ agenda is to warn that shadow chancellor John McDonnell covets the Top Job, and therefore by implication he must be somehow prevented from getting it. All that would then be needed would be a candidate, preferably in possession of a safe seat. The Tel does not go there, but Zelo Street will. I am reliably informed that a long-serving Labour MP has agreed to "retire early" if required.

That is because the “Big Name” the rebels are courting, and I am told is willing to make a challenge for the leadership, is not at present an MP. The challenger the Labour right is waiting for is none other than David Miliband, and the only reason he has not already returned from New York City is because the International Rescue Committee has insisted on holding him to his contract, but that may be about to change....

http://zelo-street.blogspot.co.uk/2016/ ... -plot.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I thought David Miliband was rumoured to be going to join Hillary Clinton's team in some role if she gets the top job in the US ...

Don't know if Tim Fenton's source is making mischief or misguided in cloud cuckoo land or spot on .... I still find this suggestion ridiculously funny. Just what a Labour party trying to pull itself together and create a new vision for itself needs eh - David Miliband?

[ephemerid]

Ms.Riots and Yahyah - thank you.

[AnatolyKasparov]

Here's the humour bath for the day ....

What Dominiczak did get right was that those looking to destabilise Corbyn are trying to frame the issue not merely as right versus left, or indeed as anything personal (although, of course, it is exactly that), but as “Labour needs strong leadership”. The message being given to the press is that Corbyn did not suspend Ken Livingstone quickly enough, although that suspension came almost as soon as Ken had inserted foot in mouth.

Also at the top of the rebels’ agenda is to warn that shadow chancellor John McDonnell covets the Top Job, and therefore by implication he must be somehow prevented from getting it. All that would then be needed would be a candidate, preferably in possession of a safe seat. The Tel does not go there, but Zelo Street will. I am reliably informed that a long-serving Labour MP has agreed to "retire early" if required.

That is because the “Big Name” the rebels are courting, and I am told is willing to make a challenge for the leadership, is not at present an MP. The challenger the Labour right is waiting for is none other than David Miliband, and the only reason he has not already returned from New York City is because the International Rescue Committee has insisted on holding him to his contract, but that may be about to change....

http://zelo-street.blogspot.co.uk/2016/ ... -plot.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I thought David Miliband was rumoured to be going to join Hillary Clinton's team in some role if she gets the top job in the US ...

Don't know if Tim Fenton's source is making mischief or misguided in cloud cuckoo land or spot on .... I still find this suggestion ridiculously funny. Just what a Labour party trying to pull itself together and create a new vision for itself needs eh - David Miliband?

Have the people pushing this *really* not noticed how his recent intervention in the EU referendum debate went down like a lead balloon?

[HindleA]

https://blog.scope.org.uk/2016/04/27/we ... mpaigners/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

“We are reinvigorating the disability movement” – Scope For Change launches

http://dpac.uk.net/2016/04/scope-endthebullshit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SCOPE #endthebullshit!

[ohsocynical]

Afternoon.

Am fed up to the back teeth of being made to feel, as a Labour member, that I prance around in an SS uniform and jack boots, hang swastikas on my washing line, whilst claiming The Protocols of the Elders of Zion was actually written by Jewish people.

I'm avoiding the BBC as I get so exasperated, particularly after hearing this morning's Today programme.

John Humphries did try and tackle Goldsmith on his dirty campaigning but was very feeble.
He let Goldsmith ramble on and on, and didn't keep on the attack with some of his tougher questions.

I've got to the point I reply one word --- Rubbish --- to Michael Dewars Tweets. At least most of the other Labour MPs are keeping quiet for the moment. But not him. He has to bloody pipe up.

[rebeccariots2]

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 2h2 hours ago
Good piece ob the battle to be London mayor. Tory tatics very questionable.

'It's ugly and dangerous': the inside story of the battle to be London mayor
The contest between Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan has been marred by accusations of racism. Has this become the dirtiest fight in British political history?
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... are_btn_tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good evidenced analysis of the dog whistle tactics employed by Crosby and the Tories in various election campaigns.

[citizenJA]

The Electoral Commission has issued a statement on the allegations of overspending by the Tories at the GE and at previous bye-elections.

http://www.electoralcommission.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It has requested that the CPS and the police consider applying for an extension to the time limit for pursuing criminal prosecutions.
It does not expect to have completed its investigations before the cut-off date - ie. one year after the date of the GE.
It will meet with the CPS and the police on Wednesday to discuss this - but it is for the CPS/police to make the application, the EC can't.

The EC is currently investigating whether the Conservative Party has met its reporting obligations - ie. gave full, true, and accurate spending returns to the Returning Officers in the relevant constituencies within 35 days of the date of the elections.
It is checking the 2015 GE generally and also the bye-elections in Newark, Clacton, and Rochester/Strood.

Anyone found guilty of an offence under the Representation of the People Act relating to a false declaration of spending can be imprisoned or fined, and is excluded from elective office for 3 years.

I hope that the EC is able to convince the CPS/police to apply for that extension. We need to get to the bottom of this.
If the Tories cheated, we need to know - whether it made a difference to the results or not, if they cheated they are corrupt.

Is this the link to what you're writing about below, Ephemerid? I'm confused by the, 'i-am-a/journalist' part of the website link.
My Linus operating system update causes wonky problems for me sometimes - it's not directly related to a website link but a filter
might have gotten turned off and I'm trying to sort it all out.

http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i ... -election3

[yahyah]

Husband's on tenterhooks waiting to hear how his team does, they could be relegated.

That's why he's so sanguine about being a Labour supporter, he's had years of practice as a Halifax Town fan.

[mbc1955]

Here's the humour bath for the day ....

What Dominiczak did get right was that those looking to destabilise Corbyn are trying to frame the issue not merely as right versus left, or indeed as anything personal (although, of course, it is exactly that), but as “Labour needs strong leadership”. The message being given to the press is that Corbyn did not suspend Ken Livingstone quickly enough, although that suspension came almost as soon as Ken had inserted foot in mouth.

Also at the top of the rebels’ agenda is to warn that shadow chancellor John McDonnell covets the Top Job, and therefore by implication he must be somehow prevented from getting it. All that would then be needed would be a candidate, preferably in possession of a safe seat. The Tel does not go there, but Zelo Street will. I am reliably informed that a long-serving Labour MP has agreed to "retire early" if required.

That is because the “Big Name” the rebels are courting, and I am told is willing to make a challenge for the leadership, is not at present an MP. The challenger the Labour right is waiting for is none other than David Miliband, and the only reason he has not already returned from New York City is because the International Rescue Committee has insisted on holding him to his contract, but that may be about to change....

http://zelo-street.blogspot.co.uk/2016/ ... -plot.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I thought David Miliband was rumoured to be going to join Hillary Clinton's team in some role if she gets the top job in the US ...

Don't know if Tim Fenton's source is making mischief or misguided in cloud cuckoo land or spot on .... I still find this suggestion ridiculously funny. Just what a Labour party trying to pull itself together and create a new vision for itself needs eh - David Miliband?

Have the people pushing this *really* not noticed how his recent intervention in the EU referendum debate went down like a lead balloon?

Probably not. None of them can see through their Blair-tinted spectacles in the first place.

[ohsocynical]

Why did Philip Green let this charlatan get hold of BHS? Revealed, the dodgy deals and bankruptcy of the failed racing driver who bought firm for £1 - and took out millions

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... lions.html

Once upon a time this would have been a tar and feather and run them out of town on a pole event.

[ephemerid]

https://blog.scope.org.uk/2016/04/27/we ... mpaigners/

“We are reinvigorating the disability movement” – Scope For Change launches

http://dpac.uk.net/2016/04/scope-endthebullshit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SCOPE #endthebullshit!

DPAC is right.

Debbie Jolly's piece is angry, and rightly so.

SCOPE have been nowhere while DPAC, BlackTriangle, the Spartacii, Boycott Workfare, JohhnyVoid, and many/various other groups and individuals have written, emailed, blogged, marched, wheeled, turned up at select committee hearings, chained themselves to railings, tried to camp on Westminster Green, got themselves kettled or arrested, and fought with all they've got, however little, to stop the attacks of this and the last government on sick, disabled, unemployed, and poor people in this country.

SCOPE was running 130 Mandatory Work Activity placements a month in 240 of its shops; claimed that mandatory work experience was "of real benefit"; and only pulled out when activists had already shamed three other charities into withdrawing from the scheme.
Articles in the Guardian at the time (in 2012) reported what the CEO of SCOPE had to say on the subject - there were many BTL commentators who had direct experience of MWA in charity shops and the facts are that these charities knew exactly what the DWP was up to. As they would, having signed service level agreements to be paid for taking on people to work for free.

The pomposity of these people beggars belief. "We are reinvigorating the disability movement". FFS.
I've got news for SCOPE - it isn't even part of the disability movement I'm involved in.

[yahyah]

I'm reading the psychologist Oliver James' book 'Not in Your Genes' at the moment.
He is not a fan of the medical model of mental health problems, and points out there is still no real evidence it is in 'your genes'.

In the book he uses real life people to explore the effect of nurture (or lack of it).
One of the people is Vince Cable, who had a tyrannical and unpleasant father, a right winger.

Of Cable, he writes:

''...from time to time Cable would present himself as the champion of left wing economic ideas...

...Yet the fascinating thing about Cable is he was never remotely a man of the traditional left...
as he makes abundantly clear in his 2008 autobiography.
Misleadingly entitled Free Radical, he admits in it that he only adopted left wing positions to curry favour with voters.''

James quotes a large extract from Cable's book in the end notes. What a cynical man Cable is.

[citizenJA]

I think I might stop commenting on the Twattosphere for a bit.

I'm more than a tad irritated with people I like being utterly hideous about Corbyn - the man just can't do anything right for some folks, it seems.

How I wish we could just all get behind the leader, love him or hate him (or like me, be somewhere in-between), and fight the bloody Tories.

I'm sick of the squabbling. I left the party because I felt that any party that would not support its own leader didn't deserve my support. I was thinking of joining again; but when Labour people act as if Corbyn was the devil incarnate I'm better off out of it.

My spouse and I went leafleting for a couple hours today for Labour's candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner for
Staffordshire, George Adamson. Wonderful man. I'd the pleasure of meeting with him at a regular Labour meeting
just down the road some weeks ago. I hadn't remembered he was going to be there and mistook him for a Labour
member I'd not met yet. Nothing fake, insincere or aggrandised about him. Former Black Country police officer,
Cannock Chase Council leader since 2011.

http://www.staffslabour.co.uk/pcc

http://www.labour.org.uk/people/detail/george-adamson


Staffordshire's current PCC is inadequate - Tory by the name of Matthew Ellis.

http://www.staffordshire-pcc.gov.uk/

http://www.staffslabour.co.uk/labour_sl ... comes_cuts

[ohsocynical]

I'm reading the psychologist Oliver James' book 'Not in Your Genes' at the moment.
He is not a fan of the medical model of mental health problems, and points out there is still no real evidence it is in 'your genes'.

In the book he uses real life people to explore the effect of nurture (or lack of it).
One of the people is Vince Cable, who had a tyrannical and unpleasant father, a right winger.

Of Cable, he writes:

''...from time to time Cable would present himself as the champion of left wing economic ideas...

...Yet the fascinating thing about Cable is he was never remotely a man of the traditional left...
as he makes abundantly clear in his 2008 autobiography.
Misleadingly entitled Free Radical, he admits in it that he only adopted left wing positions to curry favour with voters.''

James quotes a large extract from Cable's book in the end notes. What a cynical man Cable is.

My sister always maintains patterning in childhood dictates much of our mental health in adulthood. We learn how to cope with problems and worries, or not, from our parents. I think she's partially right but you can't put every type of mental illness down to just that.

[citizenJA]

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 2h2 hours ago
Good piece ob the battle to be London mayor. Tory tatics very questionable.

'It's ugly and dangerous': the inside story of the battle to be London mayor
The contest between Zac Goldsmith and Sadiq Khan has been marred by accusations of racism. Has this become the dirtiest fight in British political history?
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... are_btn_tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good evidenced analysis of the dog whistle tactics employed by Crosby and the Tories in various election campaigns.

"...veteran spin doctor Bruce Hawker, who worked for the Australian Labour party through many elections and knows first-hand
how the Crosby machine works. “He’s always been very good at what we call wedge politics; where you try to drive your usual
Labour followers from the candidate or the leadership.”

This wedge is heavily researched. Crosby’s business partner Textor surveys large numbers of micro groups to find out what
would put them off a candidate. “In the last British election, Ukip was going to be the wedge point,” Hawker says. “But the
circumstances changed and it became Scotland. They look to the weakest spot in the Labour campaign and just work and
work at that weakness, till it blows up into something much more significant.”'

(my bold)

Money buying finding out what puts people 'off a candidate'.
This shouldn't be allowed in a country where people rely on the leadership of democratic governments to represent them.
These tactics are fundamentally dishonest, disingenuous and corrupt.
How can it be justified to employ people to use tricks and tactics?
This isn't fair, it's not about wanting to be a public servant, serving those represented, it's about taking power to use for personal advantage.

[yahyah]

post deleted as pic came out too big.

[HindleA]

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016 ... CMP=twt_gu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Vulnerable people regularly refused access to GPs, says charity

[HindleA]

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

'You're a sinner': how a Mormon university shames rape victims
Rape survivors at Brigham Young University, considered the ‘Mormon Harvard’, face penalties under its strict honor code. Now they’re fighting back

[HindleA]

Dr.Phil Hammond
Hard to reconcile public service values with public sector bullying. Dedication & compassion at the base strangled by enforcement at the top

[yahyah]

Apparently the new Observer Opinium poll has Tories + 5 and Labour and the Kippers minus 2.

[TechnicalEphemera]

I think I might stop commenting on the Twattosphere for a bit.

I'm more than a tad irritated with people I like being utterly hideous about Corbyn - the man just can't do anything right for some folks, it seems.

How I wish we could just all get behind the leader, love him or hate him (or like me, be somewhere in-between), and fight the bloody Tories.

I'm sick of the squabbling. I left the party because I felt that any party that would not support its own leader didn't deserve my support. I was thinking of joining again; but when Labour people act as if Corbyn was the devil incarnate I'm better off out of it.

It is easy to forget (because it is a gradual erosion) just how much damage Corbyn's crowd have done to the Labour Party. It didn't have to be this way when he was elected, he could have ditched Stop The War, dumped Trident opposition (or at least toned it down) and worked on uniting the party around a centre left campaign for radical economic change.

Instead he has allowed Momentum to have their internal battles, split the party on defence and put idiots like Milne, Abbot, Livingstone (and the class war supporting Muppet who's name I forget) into key positions in the party. The result being an endless supply of ammunition to his enemies and repeated shooting of feet. Corbyn can probably be admired for loyalty but his friends have dragged him down.

The argument has always been he is part of a new mass movement that will defy convention and sweep him to power. This may be true, in which case he will record large gains in council seats in England (Miliband's result was ok, not stunning and should be improved on by a leader looking like they may return a party to power). However given the advantages of Tory disarray he has that Miliband didn't have if he does worse you have to conclude he probably isn't a viable election winner.

It seems highly likely that Boris will lead the Tory party in 2020, it is therefore essential for democracy in this country he is either stopped, or at least denied a big majority. It is not party loyalty to stick with a Labour leader who is not able to deliver that, it is damaging to the party and to the country.

If Corbyn doesn't look a likely winner (or close loser) he needs to be replaced, but it won't be by a Blairite and it won't be from the current leaders inner circle.

[AnatolyKasparov]

Well, I'm certainly not convinced about the Boris bit for starters......

Corbyn won't be there in 2020, I have always been pretty convinced of that.

His successor, I am almost equally convinced, will be somebody from the soft left who hasn't stood for the leadership before.

[rebeccariots2]

In my idle moments (there aren't many of them today) I've been wondering who might be the long serving MP in a 'safe seat' who is willing to retire early so the Blairite king can return and take up his rightful position ....

Editing to add: They must be very very sure of their constituents.