Monday 13th October 2014

DonutHingeParty · Post by **DonutHingeParty** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 12:49 pm

Pants; I meant giselle. Apologies to both ladies.

I remember doing Comic Relief at the Coca Cola call centre; turned around from a call and got Brian Mawhinney's gleaming chops thrust in my face. Literally the stuff nightmares are made of.

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 12:52 pm

Lonewolfie wrote:
LadyCentauria wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:Debates, wuhooh! Seeing as Miliband is wierd and useless, Cameron is prime ministerial and the Conservatives want May to be a presidential style election the Tories will be chomping at the bit presumably?

[/Sarcasm]
Why does Farridge get a place at one of the debates rather than, say the leading MP of the Greens, the SNP, the DUP, PC, SF, or any other parties who have MPs? And why Farridge when he is not the leader of UKIP in the House of Commons? And is unlikely so to be before May. All he is is a Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, after all.
Ahh - clearly you don't 'get it'...'Friends of Rupert' get treated in a very special way

But but but I am a Friend of Rupert! I had all his annuals from when I was tiny up til 1979 when I gave them to a friend, who loved Rupert even more than I did, for his 21st birthday...
Oh, that Rupert. Mudrock, as some of us used to call him. :shudder:

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 12:56 pm

Interesting chart
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/ ... a1f4921d97" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 12:57 pm

RobertSnozers wrote:I've been dipping in and out for a while, so sincere apologies if this has already been posted, but it's probably worth another listen even if you've heard it already - James O'Brien skewers a Ukip supporter on LBC:

http://metro.co.uk/2014/10/10/passionat ... w-4900910/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's hilarious.

"What are they for?"
"Well...common sense"
"That's not a policy"

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:02 pm

DonutHingeParty wrote:Pants; I meant giselle. Apologies to both ladies.

I remember doing Comic Relief at the Coca Cola call centre; turned around from a call and got Brian Mawhinney's gleaming chops thrust in my face. Literally the stuff nightmares are made of.

Saw Mawhinney once, on the junction of Russell Street and Cromwell Road; I went over to offer him directions, as I assumed he was lost (never came to that part of town usually) - his Special Branch escort were not amused.

I did Comic Relief there a couple of times, thankfully he never turned up although we were once treated to a visit from Barry Fry which was certainly an 'experience'! To be fair to Barry, he was quite good fun; took a few calls, and bought a lot of raffle tickets for the onsite fundraising, which he then distributed to the volunteers manning the phones.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:05 pm

Bloody BBC. Lunchtime News.

"A Labour MP tells us the recent success of UKIP has unsettled many Labour MPs" --- And that was it!

F*****s

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:07 pm

And now they're saying about Farage in the TV debate. No other leaders named. Only him!!!!!

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:11 pm

mikems wrote:Didn't Paxman come out as a tory a little while ago? Has Kay Burley ever given reason to believe she is not a tory?

What wonderful lack of bias in our media! Two tories are to chair the debate between Cameron and Miliband. No problems there of course.

Re Owen Jones - I expect like me he felt a sinking in his guts as Miliband seemed yesterday to continue the failed policy of appeasing fascists and the modern BUF by announcing new 'tough' rules on immigration, all the while supporting the EU's over-arching policy that allows migration in the EU.

But seeing the EU policy can't be changed, surely making out that it could would be even worse?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:13 pm

Mary Creagh MP, Labour's shadow transport secretary, said: "The National Audit Office should urgently conduct a value-for-money enquiry before this sale proceeds.
"We must ensure that taxpayers are not ripped off again by bungling ministers and poor financial advice from the City,"

Poor. It's an asset. No reason to sell it at all. It doesn't improve the public finances at all, because it reduces the value of assets on the balance sheet.

giselle97 · Post by **giselle97** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:17 pm

I noticed today that the 7/10 article on Danny Alexander being the finance spokesperson for Libdems versus Cable has 0 comments at the G. That means that my comment referring to the Libdems Poll where activists chose Cable versus Alexander has been deleted. It obviously didn't fit the narrative.

The G article still has the rather unflattering photo of Alexander on it too - if there ever was a flattering one [bitchy Giselle!]

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:38 pm

BBc News. Interviewing that pillock Austin Mitchell about UKIP. Good choice. Not.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:39 pm

And now they're giving air time to a Blairite....FFS.

Now the Edgbaston bird.

Interviewer admits Labour has best chance of winning, but they are really doing the leadership thing to death.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:40 pm

ohsocynical wrote:BBc News. Interviewing that pillock Austin Mitchell about UKIP. Good choice. Not.

So at least he's not defecting, then?

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:41 pm

ohsocynical wrote:BBc News. Interviewing that pillock Austin Mitchell about UKIP. Good choice. Not.

Sooner that useful idiot walks off into the sunset the better, he's having more publicity with this ''is he, isn't he?'' bullshit than he has for donkeys years.

mikems · Post by **mikems** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:42 pm

Tubby

But seeing the EU policy can't be changed, surely making out that it could would be even worse?

That is actually what he was doing yesterday and what worries me. He should be arguing for free movement of humans if that is what he believes in, not pretending that making statements like yesterday is a) going to attract UKIP support to Labour, b) not repulse current and potential supporters who hate Ukippery in all its forms or c) any real change in policy at all.

If it is possible to make free movement conditional on being able to speak the native language then we should expect retaliation. If not, don't pretend it is except where it is i.e. in public services.

I suspect though that like benefit and health 'tourism' there is very little real problem underlying all this nonsense.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:43 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:
ohsocynical wrote:BBc News. Interviewing that pillock Austin Mitchell about UKIP. Good choice. Not.
So at least he's not defecting, then?

I wish he f*****g would.

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:49 pm

Writer for The Spectator calls Boris Johnson out for what he is, a fool, now, of course all of us know that, good though to see such a pummelling coming from his own side.

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehous ... t-a-choice" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm getting mightily pissed off with idiots having more than their deserved quota of respect, another side-line of this fucking coalition.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:57 pm

letsskiptotheleft wrote:Writer for The Spectator calls Boris Johnson out for what he is, a fool, now, of course all of us know that, good though to see such a pummelling coming from his own side.

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehous ... t-a-choice" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm getting mightily pissed off with idiots having more than their deserved quota of respect, another side-line of this fucking coalition.

But Boris isn't a fool. He has a very clever brain. He's lazy though and has found being the bumbling fool gets him what he wants with the minimum amount of effort, and stops awkward questions about his intentions. If you're the class clown you can get away with murder.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:57 pm

danesclose wrote:Morning all. If anyone fancies going over to The Guardian, a poster called Parkin13 has posted a link to a non-Beta AS Blog:

http://discussion.theguardian.com/discu ... mentpage=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks, but how did they find it ?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 1:58 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
AnatolyKasparov wrote:
ohsocynical wrote:BBc News. Interviewing that pillock Austin Mitchell about UKIP. Good choice. Not.
So at least he's not defecting, then?
I wish he f*****g would.

I'm wondering if I've could some kind of syndrome which places letter in words on reading to make them change their meaning as I keep putting it an "a" in between the "c" and "t"

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:00 pm

Talking of which: McBride.

If Osborne only let the OBR audit Labour's fiscal plans, both parties could now say to UKIP ''No debate parity without an OBR audit.

Which is why I don't buy Osborne's image as some chess grandmaster of political strategy. He's just quite handy as whack-a-mole.

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:14 pm

A COUNCILLOR has called for tighter restrictions on food banks after claims the system is being abused by families who are not in desperate need.

Conservative councillor Dawn Barnett said she knows of residents in her Hove ward who are regularly claiming from food banks while being comfortably off living on benefits.

The call comes as a new report by Brighton and Hove City Council shows that the number of food banks has grown exponentially since 2012 with more set to open in the upcoming months.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/11531064 ... _banks___/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **refitman** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:15 pm

yahyah wrote:
danesclose wrote:Morning all. If anyone fancies going over to The Guardian, a poster called Parkin13 has posted a link to a non-Beta AS Blog:

http://discussion.theguardian.com/discu ... mentpage=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks, but how did they find it ?

It was mentioned by one of the developers on the Beta feedback column, but I couldn't get it to work at the time.

DonutHingeParty · Post by **DonutHingeParty** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:19 pm

The SNP are kicking up about not being included in the Leader's Debates, but I think it's pretty clear that unless you stand in every constituency (or 325 at least) then there is literally no chance of you being the next leader of the country. Now, if Scotland want to have a debate for their MSP elections in May 2016, I'm sure BBC Alba would happily run them.

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:24 pm

yahyah wrote:
danesclose wrote:Morning all. If anyone fancies going over to The Guardian, a poster called Parkin13 has posted a link to a non-Beta AS Blog:

http://discussion.theguardian.com/discu ... mentpage=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks, but how did they find it ?

He did respond to that question & I posted his reply earlier:

You can dig around in the HTML for a "data-discussion-key", simply bung that after the discussion/ in the link above. Should work for any beta comments page.
I plan on posting one each day I'm about until Beta is good enough, I get bored, or it stops working.

I haven't a clue what he means or how to do it but maybe the techs amongst us can help with that.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:35 pm

DonutHingeParty wrote:The SNP are kicking up about not being included in the Leader's Debates, but I think it's pretty clear that unless you stand in every constituency (or 325 at least) then there is literally no chance of you being the next leader of the country. Now, if Scotland want to have a debate for their MSP elections in May 2016, I'm sure BBC Alba would happily run them.

This is clear the SNP can sod off. They get their own debate - in Scotland. The same with the Irish parties (but obviously not in Scotland).

However if Farage gets to play the Greens should.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:44 pm

Just heard that Caroline Lucas is taking legal advice over the debates inclusions. Shouldn't Natalie Bennett be doing this sort of thing? I wonder if Caroline Lucas has regrets over standing down as leader. (Or is it a Green constitutional thing? I'm not au fait with Green internal rules.)

Edited to add -

The SNP are being stupid.

DonutHingeParty · Post by **DonutHingeParty** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:48 pm

TechnicalEphemera wrote:
DonutHingeParty wrote:The SNP are kicking up about not being included in the Leader's Debates, but I think it's pretty clear that unless you stand in every constituency (or 325 at least) then there is literally no chance of you being the next leader of the country. Now, if Scotland want to have a debate for their MSP elections in May 2016, I'm sure BBC Alba would happily run them.
This is clear the SNP can sod off. They get their own debate - in Scotland. The same with the Irish parties (but obviously not in Scotland).

However if Farage gets to play the Greens should.

Farage's tweet: Cameron comparing UKIP to the Green Party devalues the support of the millions of those who have placed their trust in UKIP this year alone

Can we tweet Farage that "Millions" (in the strictest sense of more than 1 million) voted for the Greens in the same election UKIP stood for nationally, and that the Greens polled more than the Lib Dems? (1,136,670 V 1,087,633)

Temulkar · Post by **Temulkar** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:50 pm

PorFavor wrote:Just heard that Caroline Lucas is taking legal advice over the debates inclusions. Shouldn't Natalie Bennett be doing this sort of thing? I wonder if Caroline Lucas has regrets over standing down as leader. (Or is it a Green constitutional thing? I'm not au fait with Green internal rules.)

Edited to add -

The SNP are being stupid.

I think the idea was to counter accusations that the Greens were a one woman party, a la Norbert Fromage and the Kippers. NB has improved tremendously behind the mic fortunately. In a debate with the other leaders she is going to do well. Not least being the only woman, but also having a genuine alternative to espouse.

As it happens the party is seeking legal advice, CL just happened to announce it.

JackPranker · Post by **JackPranker** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:51 pm

TechnicalEphemera wrote:
DonutHingeParty wrote:The SNP are kicking up about not being included in the Leader's Debates, but I think it's pretty clear that unless you stand in every constituency (or 325 at least) then there is literally no chance of you being the next leader of the country. Now, if Scotland want to have a debate for their MSP elections in May 2016, I'm sure BBC Alba would happily run them.
This is clear the SNP can sod off. They get their own debate - in Scotland. The same with the Irish parties (but obviously not in Scotland).

However if Farage gets to play the Greens should.

And Plaid Cymru, neh?

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:54 pm

giselle97 wrote:I bought a Peterborough Evening Telegraph last week to see what was being said by/about Stewart Jackson MP where someone had said he was a possible UKIP man.

That wouldn't have surprised me at all! What say you Lonewolfie? Did you read the article about £3m energy park cost with Jackson bashing the Tory Leader, Marco what'shisname?

Hi Giselle - good to see you

Not really up with the ET (we're more Mercury territory, here in hope…which is, admittedly, just north of Peterborough)

Jackson to Ukip? I think not - but if Ukip stand, with or without Jackson, I reckon Labour will get in (Tgt seat 42 - how apt - is the restaurant at the end of the universe in Peterborough?)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election ... cy/d52.stm

Temulkar · Post by **Temulkar** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:56 pm

Actually I have a feeling this could be the media doing a sly one on Empty Dave. He has been running scared from the debates for 4 years. I hear he now supports the Greens being included if UKIP are. Easy enough for the broadcasters to say ok, and pull the rug from under daves feet.

If he keeps objecting then it wont go down with the electorate left or right.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:59 pm

Reverting to the "lashings of" debate here earlier -

Just heard someone from the British Wine Growers say that something was "not enormous" but was, nevertheless, "huge". Any thoughts?

Temulkar · Post by **Temulkar** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 2:59 pm

Petition on change for greens to be included.

https://www.change.org/p/itv-invite-nat ... on-debates

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:00 pm

mikems wrote:Didn't Paxman come out as a tory a little while ago? Has Kay Burley ever given reason to believe she is not a tory?

What wonderful lack of bias in our media! Two tories are to chair the debate between Cameron and Miliband. No problems there of course.

Ahh yes…Paxman…a list with him and some other names…

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/n ... .politics1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British-American_Project

…quite a long list…but very pleasing to see Benjamin Zephaniah has principles

"I escaped. I got out of the hotel. I went down to Berkeley [the neighbouring city], hung out with some homeless people, went to see a friend of mine."

DonutHingeParty · Post by **DonutHingeParty** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:07 pm

Temulkar wrote:Actually I have a feeling this could be the media doing a sly one on Empty Dave. He has been running scared from the debates for 4 years. I hear he now supports the Greens being included if UKIP are. Easy enough for the broadcasters to say ok, and pull the rug from under daves feet.

If he keeps objecting then it wont go down with the electorate left or right.

But the more parties in the debate, the less sunlight is shone on his own vapid form of arbeit macht frei. I support a two debates between Ed and Dave, and then a minor debate with those parties fielding at least 200 seats, who could plausibly hold the balance of power nationally. Scottish TV can then run ones for the SNP, S4C for Plaid Cymru and Ulster TV for their local parties.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:09 pm

Temulkar wrote:Petition on change for greens to be included.

https://www.change.org/p/itv-invite-nat ... on-debates

Done.

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:11 pm

...drip drip drip...

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/trial-six ... rown-court

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:15 pm

DonutHingeParty wrote:
Temulkar wrote:Actually I have a feeling this could be the media doing a sly one on Empty Dave. He has been running scared from the debates for 4 years. I hear he now supports the Greens being included if UKIP are. Easy enough for the broadcasters to say ok, and pull the rug from under daves feet.

If he keeps objecting then it wont go down with the electorate left or right.
But the more parties in the debate, the less sunlight is shone on his own vapid form of arbeit macht frei. I support a two debates between Ed and Dave, and then a minor debate with those parties fielding at least 200 seats, who could plausibly hold the balance of power nationally. Scottish TV can then run ones for the SNP, S4C for Plaid Cymru and Ulster TV for their local parties.

That sounds eminently sensible. I think we're all agreed that Farage being given such a major role is not on.
But who listens to 'sensible', these days...Not the meeja that's for sure.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:24 pm

Temulkar wrote:Petition on change for greens to be included.

https://www.change.org/p/itv-invite-nat ... on-debates

Done.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:25 pm

Lonewolfie wrote:...drip drip drip...

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/trial-six ... rown-court

The charge states that Quinn, 37, of Littlehampton, sold information to The Sun about Mick Hucknall, Chris Tarrant and Dane Bowers as well as details of the Milly Dowler murder hunt and the M25 rapist Tony Imiela case. He denies the charge.

Funny they like to give the impression that Dowlers business is all behind them now.

gilsey · Post by **gilsey** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:32 pm

Martha Carney was unbelievably rude to Caroline Lucas on WaTO. I don't usually listen to it, that reminds me why.

I bought the Times today, first time ever I think, for the NHS mistake front page. If you didn't laugh, you'd cry.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:37 pm

@RobertSnozers thanks for link.

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:48 pm

gilsey wrote:Martha Carney was unbelievably rude to Caroline Lucas on WaTO. I don't usually listen to it, that reminds me why.

I bought the Times today, first time ever I think, for the NHS mistake front page. If you didn't laugh, you'd cry.

I buy the Sunday Times at the moment.Cheaper than puppy pads and has the most paper for the money.Never read it though.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:54 pm

Rebecca wrote:
gilsey wrote:Martha Carney was unbelievably rude to Caroline Lucas on WaTO. I don't usually listen to it, that reminds me why.

I bought the Times today, first time ever I think, for the NHS mistake front page. If you didn't laugh, you'd cry.
I buy the Sunday Times at the moment.Cheaper than puppy pads and has the most paper for the money.Never read it though.

That's the same rationale as I have when (rarely) buying a newspaper these days! Only it's for going under the cat litter tray in my case. I find that the Telegraph is useful. Should I switch to the Times, do you think?

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:57 pm

Rebecca wrote:
gilsey wrote:Martha Carney was unbelievably rude to Caroline Lucas on WaTO. I don't usually listen to it, that reminds me why.

I bought the Times today, first time ever I think, for the NHS mistake front page. If you didn't laugh, you'd cry.
I buy the Sunday Times at the moment.Cheaper than puppy pads and has the most paper for the money.Never read it though.

That's another reason to by the Groan in hard copy. As I never tire of pointing out they lose money when you buy the paper version whereas they make money when you click on their site

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:58 pm

PorFavor wrote:
Rebecca wrote:
gilsey wrote:Martha Carney was unbelievably rude to Caroline Lucas on WaTO. I don't usually listen to it, that reminds me why.

I bought the Times today, first time ever I think, for the NHS mistake front page. If you didn't laugh, you'd cry.
I buy the Sunday Times at the moment.Cheaper than puppy pads and has the most paper for the money.Never read it though.
That's the same rationale as I have when (rarely) buying a newspaper these days! Only it's for going under the cat litter tray in my case. I find that the Telegraph is useful. Should I switch to the Times, do you think?

See above

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:59 pm

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:
Rebecca wrote:
gilsey wrote:Martha Carney was unbelievably rude to Caroline Lucas on WaTO. I don't usually listen to it, that reminds me why.

I bought the Times today, first time ever I think, for the NHS mistake front page. If you didn't laugh, you'd cry.
I buy the Sunday Times at the moment.Cheaper than puppy pads and has the most paper for the money.Never read it though.

That's another reason to by the Groan in hard copy. As I never tire of pointing out they lose money when you buy the paper version whereas they make money when you click on their site

Good point. I'll take that into account when I run out of paper.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 3:59 pm

Now just how will this be reported?

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB 1m1 minute ago
Ukip up 5% in today's ICM poll for the Guardian
CON 31-2
LAB 35=
LD 11 +1
UKIP 14 +5

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Mon 13 Oct, 2014 4:00 pm

While the poll also contains some difficult messages for Miliband on how voters rate the Labour leader personally, the Tory decline leaves him sitting on a four-point lead.