Monday 21st August 2017
Posted: Mon 21 Aug, 2017 7:10 am
Morning all.
For the third time in a row, Westminster’s voting system failed to do what it says on the tin – produce a big government majority.
Today the Electoral Reform Society launch our report on June’s vote: ‘The 2017 General Election: Volatile Voting, Random Results’.
It shows the General Election saw the second highest level of electoral volatility – the movement of votes between parties – since 1931. People are switching sides and shopping around at astonishing levels.
But millions of those people’s votes are being thrown on the electoral scrapheap. 68% of votes had no impact on the result. That’s 22 million votes going to waste.
Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
Whitby was warm and sunny all week, it didn't rain on us once, which wasn't what I was expecting from Yorkshire, I have to say! We caught the purple heather up on the moors in full bloom and even braved the North Sea for a paddle with the kids.
It was nice to get away from Tory Brexit bullshit for a bit. Back home to drizzle, though. Oh well. I hope everyone's well and Mrs RogerOThornhill is getting on OK with her diagnosis and treatment.
Disability campaigners from Britain tell the United Nations the Government has betrayed people in the UK
Activists will give evidence to a committee sitting in Geneva
I didn't realise you'd gone to Whitby, you picked a good time for it, driest weather we've had for about 6 weeks. Did you go to Hadley's, that's our favoured fish & chip spot.Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
Whitby was warm and sunny all week, it didn't rain on us once, which wasn't what I was expecting from Yorkshire, I have to say! We caught the purple heather up on the moors in full bloom and even braved the North Sea for a paddle with the kids.
It was nice to get away from Tory Brexit bullshit for a bit. Back home to drizzle, though. Oh well. I hope everyone's well and Mrs RogerOThornhill is getting on OK with her diagnosis and treatment.
I did wonder if the weather was a bit unusually sunny, on account of so many people out and about! We got our fish and chips from Quayside, which got thumbs up all round, though we don't really get good fish and chips here in Somerset (too far from the sea) so we're easily impressed.gilsey wrote:I didn't realise you'd gone to Whitby, you picked a good time for it, driest weather we've had for about 6 weeks. Did you go to Hadley's, that's our favoured fish & chip spot.Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
Whitby was warm and sunny all week, it didn't rain on us once, which wasn't what I was expecting from Yorkshire, I have to say! We caught the purple heather up on the moors in full bloom and even braved the North Sea for a paddle with the kids.
It was nice to get away from Tory Brexit bullshit for a bit. Back home to drizzle, though. Oh well. I hope everyone's well and Mrs RogerOThornhill is getting on OK with her diagnosis and treatment.
I am, thanks. Amazing the difference a bit of sunshine can make. And no cooking for a week, bliss!PorFavor wrote:Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
Whitby was warm and sunny all week, it didn't rain on us once, which wasn't what I was expecting from Yorkshire, I have to say! We caught the purple heather up on the moors in full bloom and even braved the North Sea for a paddle with the kids.
It was nice to get away from Tory Brexit bullshit for a bit. Back home to drizzle, though. Oh well. I hope everyone's well and Mrs RogerOThornhill is getting on OK with her diagnosis and treatment.
Hello! Nice to see you back. I hope you're rested and recharged.
Welcome back! I wish I'd something more clever to write you this morning. Please have some toast with honey. It's the best I can do.Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
Whitby was warm and sunny all week, it didn't rain on us once, which wasn't what I was expecting from Yorkshire, I have to say! We caught the purple heather up on the moors in full bloom and even braved the North Sea for a paddle with the kids.
It was nice to get away from Tory Brexit bullshit for a bit. Back home to drizzle, though. Oh well. I hope everyone's well and Mrs RogerOThornhill is getting on OK with her diagnosis and treatment.
No, it's always like that through the summer holidays, honestly.Willow904 wrote: I did wonder if the weather was a bit unusually sunny, on account of so many people out and about!
That is often (though not always) the case in mid-August tbf.Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
That, and how much Labour antisemitism there is.AnatolyKasparov wrote:That is often (though not always) the case in mid-August tbf.Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
Says it all that the main issue for too many at the moment appears to be a bell's bongs
I had no idea Whitby was such a tourist hotspot. I can see why, though. Definitely worth the 6 hour trip.gilsey wrote:No, it's always like that through the summer holidays, honestly.Willow904 wrote: I did wonder if the weather was a bit unusually sunny, on account of so many people out and about!
Regatta this week, it's even busier.
The Big Ben thing is so symptomatic of this government. No forward planning, no imagination. You could have a lot of fun with it, putting up a replica somewhere with recorded bongs. A Big Ben app for a portable experience. Mini Big Bens scattered round London with a trail to follow.AnatolyKasparov wrote:That is often (though not always) the case in mid-August tbf.Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
Says it all that the main issue for too many at the moment appears to be a bell's bongs
Any amount is too much. But the usual suspects only want to weaponise it for their own cynical purposes.StephenDolan wrote:That, and how much Labour antisemitism there is.AnatolyKasparov wrote:That is often (though not always) the case in mid-August tbf.Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
Says it all that the main issue for too many at the moment appears to be a bell's bongs
More like how the right wing media are losing their way in some respects.NonOxCol wrote:Hi.
I can't dismiss Big Ben as mere silly season frivolity I'm afraid. Everything about it is symbolic of a country that's totally lost its way. I find it enraging.
PorFavor wrote:A total eclipse is to take place today in the US. The "Tweets" should be entertaining.
citizenJA has successfully washed her hairStephenDolan wrote:That, and how much Labour antisemitism there is.AnatolyKasparov wrote:That is often (though not always) the case in mid-August tbf.Willow904 wrote:Morning.
Bit quiet on the politics front, isn't it?
Says it all that the main issue for too many at the moment appears to be a bell's bongs
HindleA wrote:Reminds me I still have deep cherry hair colouring to use.
The way the BBC treated that "story" was pretty scandalous.HindleA wrote:"I’ve talked to people at the BBC, including their economics editor, about why they cannot apply the BBC Trust’s recommendations on science coverage to economics. (The Trust’s conclusion, in summary, is that in controversial areas the BBC should go with the overwhelming scientific consensus. In other words recognise scientific knowledge, and not treat it as just an opinion.) I think a summary of their response to my question is that economics should not be regarded as a science: there is no economic knowledge, just opinions. What that attitude means in practice is that the public do not hear from the many experts in international trade we have in the UK (and there are many), but instead they hear from Patrick Minford."
Treated in the sense of covered it at all?AnatolyKasparov wrote:The way the BBC treated that "story" was pretty scandalous.HindleA wrote:"I’ve talked to people at the BBC, including their economics editor, about why they cannot apply the BBC Trust’s recommendations on science coverage to economics. (The Trust’s conclusion, in summary, is that in controversial areas the BBC should go with the overwhelming scientific consensus. In other words recognise scientific knowledge, and not treat it as just an opinion.) I think a summary of their response to my question is that economics should not be regarded as a science: there is no economic knowledge, just opinions. What that attitude means in practice is that the public do not hear from the many experts in international trade we have in the UK (and there are many), but instead they hear from Patrick Minford."
Sorry for the Express link, but it is gossip, after all.David Davis' ex-aide claims Brexit Sec is lazy & only works three-day week in bizarre rant
DAVID Davis is lazy and only works a three-day week, the Brexit Secretary's former chief of staff has claimed.
Well, that is certainly one viewTubby Isaacs wrote:Treated in the sense of covered it at all?AnatolyKasparov wrote:The way the BBC treated that "story" was pretty scandalous.HindleA wrote:"I’ve talked to people at the BBC, including their economics editor, about why they cannot apply the BBC Trust’s recommendations on science coverage to economics. (The Trust’s conclusion, in summary, is that in controversial areas the BBC should go with the overwhelming scientific consensus. In other words recognise scientific knowledge, and not treat it as just an opinion.) I think a summary of their response to my question is that economics should not be regarded as a science: there is no economic knowledge, just opinions. What that attitude means in practice is that the public do not hear from the many experts in international trade we have in the UK (and there are many), but instead they hear from Patrick Minford."
I seem to remember, vaguely, that when the Davids Cameron and Davis leadership contest was going on there was quite a lot of muttering about David Davis's "laziness".Willow904 wrote:Anyone know anything about this James Chapman? His twitter presence has gone a bit off the wall. Fisticuffs among once Tory friends?:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/ ... itter-lazy" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;Sorry for the Express link, but it is gossip, after all.David Davis' ex-aide claims Brexit Sec is lazy & only works three-day week in bizarre rant
DAVID Davis is lazy and only works a three-day week, the Brexit Secretary's former chief of staff has claimed.
The Campaign group in control of the party don't want to turn it around.Tubby Isaacs wrote:Simon Wren-Lewis is right here. Hard Brexit damage was forecast to be long term. If Labour goes with it, it'll inherit the damage and it'll get blamed on its "far left agenda".
https://mainlymacro.blogspot.co.uk/2017 ... ption.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I don't underestimate the difficulty in turning this around, but it needs to happen.