Friday 14th November 2014

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 6:49 am

Morning all.

Promising step in the right direction from Balls last night, but when he said

' The public want us to be tough on the small minority of people who cheat the benefits system. They want us to be just as tough on companies and individuals who evade or aggressively avoid the taxes they should rightly pay.'

I feel he missed a great opportunity to say what the financial estimates are for both of these categories in a single sentence. Highlight how one dwarfs the other.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 6:55 am

'General elections as I repeatedly observe are not decided by national party aggregate vote shares but by the outcomes in 650 separate constituency elections fought under first past the post.

Voters are not being asked to choose a Prime Minister or a party but an individual who will represent the area at Westminster. In some fights the personalities, popularity and overall voter appeal of the contenders will matter more than party branding.

All this is why in such a confusing national picture the single seat polling by Lord Ashcroft and others is becoming the best guide to GE15.

We see from the Ashcroft two stage voting intention questioning how things can shift sharply when those sampled are asked to think specifically about their own constituency. That fact alone should cause us to be more sceptical about the national surveys.

Lord Ashcroft is organising some Scottish seat polls as well as moving up the LAB target list to those that are less marginal. At some point the constituency polling will highlight a group of seats beyond LAB’s reach. We are not there yet.'

Smithson at http://www1.politicalbetting.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That last short sentence appears to be willfully ignored by a lot of political commentators.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 7:21 am

Morning All!

Given the current interest in Julie Bailey, I decided it was finally time to publish this piece

Is Julie Bailey, founder of Cure the NHS, guilty of misleading Parliament?

http://flythenest.org/viewtopic.php?p=14482" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **refitman** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 7:29 am

Morning all. Tories lead by 1 point on Yougov:

Latest YouGov / The Sun results 13th November -

Con 33%, (+1)
Lab 32%, (-3)
LD 8%, (+1)
UKIP 15%; (no change)

APP -22 (+3)

Post by **refitman** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 7:49 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Morning All!

Given the current interest in Julie Bailey, I decided it was finally time to publish this piece

Is Julie Bailey, founder of Cure the NHS, guilty of misleading Parliament?

http://flythenest.org/viewtopic.php?p=14482" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good work Paul.

(Also, I now understand some of the messages I've seen on the FTN twitter account)

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:05 am

refitman wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Morning All!

Given the current interest in Julie Bailey, I decided it was finally time to publish this piece

Is Julie Bailey, founder of Cure the NHS, guilty of misleading Parliament?

http://flythenest.org/viewtopic.php?p=14482" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Good work Paul.

(Also, I now understand some of the messages I've seen on the FTN twitter account)

I wonder if we should also put in links to the blog mentioned here a few days ago about the Charity Commission?

JB has been claiming for some time that she wanted CTNHS to be a "proper" charity.
She has also claimed that CTNHS is a "small charity" because donations are less than £5,000.
The Charity Commission refused her first application to register CTNHS as a charity.
JB herself withdrew the second application.
CTNHS claims that it has never received any donations.

It's all very murky.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:11 am

ephemerid wrote:
refitman wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Morning All!

Given the current interest in Julie Bailey, I decided it was finally time to publish this piece

Is Julie Bailey, founder of Cure the NHS, guilty of misleading Parliament?

http://flythenest.org/viewtopic.php?p=14482" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Good work Paul.

(Also, I now understand some of the messages I've seen on the FTN twitter account)

I wonder if we should also put in links to the blog mentioned here a few days ago about the Charity Commission?

JB has been claiming for some time that she wanted CTNHS to be a "proper" charity.
She has also claimed that CTNHS is a "small charity" because donations are less than £5,000.
The Charity Commission refused her first application to register CTNHS as a charity.
JB herself withdrew the second application.

CTNHS claims that it has never received any donations.

It's all very murky.

So why are they soliciting for cash on their website ?

''Support Us

We are a small organisation that relies on the goodwill of its supporters for assistance, you can support us by:

Coming to campaigns
Making donations
Joining our mailing list
Contributions

If you would like to support our campaign with a contribution you can help us in any of the following ways:

A cheque made payable to ‘Cure the NHS’
A Postal Order
Bank transfer ( please contact us for the account details )
Make a contribution through Paypal by using the button below''

http://www.curethenhs.co.uk/support-cure-the-nhs/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:16 am

Here's the link

http://www.worldmedicaltimes.org/cure-t ... ty-or-not/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cure-the-nhs-ctnhs-is-it-a-charity-or-not

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:16 am

And boo to that Yougov

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:18 am

OK…a (notso) serious question. I'm confused (stop sniggering at the back!).

The opinion polls at the 2010 General Election (and indeed the vote itself) are broken down thus…

Tory 35%
Labour 30%
LD 24%
Others, incl. UKIP, 10%

…IMHO that's 35% + a couple for right wing parties and 54% for left, (approximately, of course)…so - if it's now…

Tory 30%
Labour 33%
LD 9%
UKIP 15%

…5% of Tories to UKIP and 3% LD to Labour must surely indicate that the other LD 10% has gone to UKIP…or 10% ex-LD are so disenchanted as to give up voting altogether and the extra 10% for UKIP are 'fresh' voters from the 35% that don't bother (Russellbrandians, perhaps?) . Either way, my real confusion is that throughout my adult life, 55% to 60% of votes at General Elections (and in the polls) have been for left-leaning or perceived left leaning parties. The polls are now telling us that nearly 50% of voters are right wing - so following 2010, 10% to 15% of the electorate (who were left-leaning at the election) have become right wing…based on what? Dodgy Daves' unqualified success as Chief Lying Obfuscating Benefit-thieving Fishpointer?

I hope that makes sense (the question)...and morning all

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:34 am

The SNP attacked the Tories and used the threat of Tory governments at Westminster to bolster the Yes vote - so why are they so hell bent on helping a Tory government win next year ?
Is smashing Labour more important to them than the effect on the lives of UK people under a Tory government ?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 ... l-election" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:35 am

Lonewolfie wrote:OK…a (notso) serious question. I'm confused (stop sniggering at the back!).

The opinion polls at the 2010 General Election (and indeed the vote itself) are broken down thus…

Tory 35%
Labour 30%
LD 24%
Others, incl. UKIP, 10%

…IMHO that's 35% + a couple for right wing parties and 54% for left, (approximately, of course)…so - if it's now…

Tory 30%
Labour 33%
LD 9%
UKIP 15%

…5% of Tories to UKIP and 3% LD to Labour must surely indicate that the other LD 10% has gone to UKIP…or 10% ex-LD are so disenchanted as to give up voting altogether and the extra 10% for UKIP are 'fresh' voters from the 35% that don't bother (Russellbrandians, perhaps?) . Either way, my real confusion is that throughout my adult life, 55% to 60% of votes at General Elections (and in the polls) have been for left-leaning or perceived left leaning parties. The polls are now telling us that nearly 50% of voters are right wing - so following 2010, 10% to 15% of the electorate (who were left-leaning at the election) have become right wing…based on what? Dodgy Daves' unqualified success as Chief Lying Obfuscating Benefit-thieving Fishpointer?

I hope that makes sense (the question)...and morning all

Perhaps the answer lies in the higher scores for Others these days - some of the missing voters you're looking for may have found a home with the Greens and Nationalists

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:39 am

C McC ‏@cmcconnachie 28 minutes ago
Children In Need day today. I will donate money if @nickclegg gives @dannyalexander a wedgie at some point during the day. #ChildrenInNeed

We'd all dig deep in our pockets for that

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:39 am

http://www.cityam.com/1415931745/politi ... m-election" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

cityam wrote:Critics will scoff at the notion that some people make better Prime Ministers than others, but put a group of people in a room and someone will always emerge as top dog. Typically, it’s the one with enough self-belief to set aside concerns that the others won’t like them. This is Miliband’s biggest failing: he desperately wants the approval of the British people.

Right. Given what he's currently withstanding, I really don't get the impression he's that desperate to be "liked".

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:40 am

StephenDolan wrote:'General elections as I repeatedly observe are not decided by national party aggregate vote shares but by the outcomes in 650 separate constituency elections fought under first past the post.

Voters are not being asked to choose a Prime Minister or a party but an individual who will represent the area at Westminster. In some fights the personalities, popularity and overall voter appeal of the contenders will matter more than party branding.

All this is why in such a confusing national picture the single seat polling by Lord Ashcroft and others is becoming the best guide to GE15.

We see from the Ashcroft two stage voting intention questioning how things can shift sharply when those sampled are asked to think specifically about their own constituency. That fact alone should cause us to be more sceptical about the national surveys.

Lord Ashcroft is organising some Scottish seat polls as well as moving up the LAB target list to those that are less marginal. At some point the constituency polling will highlight a group of seats beyond LAB’s reach. We are not there yet.'

Smithson at http://www1.politicalbetting.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That last short sentence appears to be willfully ignored by a lot of political commentators.

...which is why (IMHO), the screeching mantra of 'Milibands unelectable I'm telling you' has absolutely no relation to reality whatsoever...much as the MSM would like it to be so, we don't have a 'presidential' style system - yet they all report as though we have. I can't help feeling more and more optimistic that we can and will turn around the lies of the last 35 years (mostly thanks to Mr Ed yesterday

- it's getting more difficult to resist the temptation to join a political party for the first time...but the alarm bells are still there wrt Bilderberg/Banksters/Maximus (that name's got to be a p***take, surely) et al)

Forgot to add...'but of course...I live in Hope (just...oh, you know the rest

)'

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:45 am

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 9h 9 hours ago
@jameschappers @BethRigby Next LD leader could be the 4 x elected mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill who's standing at GE15.

The stuff of nightmares for Tizme ... hope it does not come to pass.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:48 am

John Mann MP ‏@JohnMannMP 1h1 hour ago
Another retired police officer has come forward to say that they were instructed not to investigate Cyril Smith

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:49 am

From the G piece on Miliband speech yesterday in the comments section:

megamouse wrote:Mouse view: the guardian is a sack of shit who has no right to even print words like "ethics" and "principles".

and

thesensiblechoice wrote: Jesus Guardian, is Russbringer on holiday or something? You know you'll get spanked for this when he gets back dont you?

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:55 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:http://www.cityam.com/1415931745/politi ... m-election?

cityam wrote:Critics will scoff at the notion that some people make better Prime Ministers than others, but put a group of people in a room and someone will always emerge as top dog. Typically, it’s the one with enough self-belief to set aside concerns that the others won’t like them. This is Miliband’s biggest failing: he desperately wants the approval of the British people.
Right. Given what he's currently withstanding, I really don't get the impression he's that desperate to be "liked".

The revealing term here for me is "top dog".

The baying establishment hounds will always see the world like this, never understanding Ed Miliband's approach to leadership as empowering others to change.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:57 am

The SNP will "never, ever" go into coalition with the Conservatives Nicola Sturgeon has said on the day she becomes Scottish First Minister.

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 8:59 am

Has this already been linked, apologies if it has, there again you can't have Farage squirming too many times?!

http://www.channel4.com/news/nigel-fara ... s-miliband" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:00 am

yahyah wrote:The SNP attacked the Tories and used the threat of Tory governments at Westminster to bolster the Yes vote - so why are they so hell bent on helping a Tory government win next year ?
Is smashing Labour more important to them than the effect on the lives of UK people under a Tory government ?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 ... l-election" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is very odd - I'm concerned that the Social-Democrat side of the Yes argument (the ones who berate and deride Labour for 'being the same as the Tories' at the referendum) don't seem to be aware of the SNPs Ultra-NeoConman connections (I know I've been a bit more supportive of Wee Eck, but this isn't good)...and that they vote with the Tories in Holyrood...

“The Housing Act earlier this year was a huge missed opportunity to make a difference in for people feeling the stress of a cost of living crisis. I supported reforming the market with a fair rent cap and more secure tenancies.

“The SNP voted with the Tories against a fairer deal for private tenants in Scotland. They were wrong to do so. We must make renting more affordable. People in Dumfries & Galloway and across Scotland deserve a home, not just a roof over their heads.”

http://www.elainemurray.org.uk/local_ms ... t_campaign

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:06 am

Edited to say this comment is not meant to trigger a big discussion - I posted it somewhat by mistake. I mean some of it, but in no way intend to be disrespectful to those of you who are inclined to Yes and have thought about this angle already and much more besides. Take it as me just struggling to work some stuff out, and please don't be offended, as no offence is intended.

tinyclanger2 wrote:Ironically, while painting themselves as social democrats, the social democratic membership of the Yes campaign are the antithesis of socialism. Many of us in favour of No put forward the argument about the need for us plebs to stand in solidarity against a (largely aristocratic) bourgeoisie, but the Yes socialists were so focused on smashing Westminster they failed to recognise they were doing Cameron's job for him. Without said solidarity those same "British/English/foreign" "wealth creators" will inevitably survive secession a lot better than the average Scot.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:08 am

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 10h 10 hours ago
@dejavousagain Modt of the fieldwork for tonight's YouGov would have been carried out BEFORE EdM speech so you can't draw conclusions.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:09 am

This could be a good start to an interesting evening next Thursday!

JP Janson De Couet retweeted
Labour Left ‏@LabourLeft 9h9 hours ago
The good news is that @andyburnhammp will be on #bbcqt next week. #6monthstowin #WeBackdEd #Ed4PM

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:12 am

tinyclanger2 wrote:Ironically, while painting themselves as social democrats, the social democratic membership of the Yes campaign are the antithesis of socialism. Many of us in favour of No put forward the argument about the need for us plebs to stand in solidarity against a (largely aristocratic) bourgeoisie, but the Yes socialists were so focused on smashing Westminster they failed to recognise they were doing Cameron's job for him. Without said solidarity those same "British/English/foreign" "wealth creators" will inevitably survive secession a lot better than the average Scot.

I agree. Nationalism is not a happy route to internationalism.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:14 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:This could be a good start to an interesting evening next Thursday!

JP Janson De Couet retweeted
Labour Left ‏@LabourLeft 9h9 hours ago
The good news is that @andyburnhammp will be on #bbcqt next week. #6monthstowin #WeBackdEd #Ed4PM

Carwyn Jones did a good job on QT last night ... but the Cardiff audience didn't seem that supportive of Labour. They weren't supportive of the Tories either ... Crabbe was laughed at, never a good moment for a politician when he pretended that David Cameron had always shown the utmost respect for the Welsh NHS ...

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:21 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:
tinyclanger2 wrote:http://www.cityam.com/1415931745/politi ... m-election?

cityam wrote:Critics will scoff at the notion that some people make better Prime Ministers than others, but put a group of people in a room and someone will always emerge as top dog. Typically, it’s the one with enough self-belief to set aside concerns that the others won’t like them. This is Miliband’s biggest failing: he desperately wants the approval of the British people.
Right. Given what he's currently withstanding, I really don't get the impression he's that desperate to be "liked".
The revealing term here for me is "top dog".

The baying establishment hounds will always see the world like this, never understanding Ed Miliband's approach to leadership as empowering others to change.

It's almost as if they (the MSM and the political class/establishment) actually believe(TM) the guff spouted on Leadership Courses - how many organisations trumpet their commitment to 'developing the leaders of the future'? 'Here you go...if you can answer all these questions, pass these exams we've set, act in the particular way we tell you, you'll be a LEADER'. I for one call that as absolute b*******. Can I just (while I seem to be moaning a bit) add in the 'principles of business' as well? People throughout the business world now see 'profit' as the success of their 'business'...which is also complete b*******. None of the pretend principles have any relation to the philosophy, history and knowledge of commerce and how it has evolved...indeed it is highly unlikely that any of the current crop of 'leaders' (as selected by Murkydochia) have ever read any Marx...and yet, without at least a working knowledge of Marx, you can't understand the true nature of capitalism. Frankly I'm amazed that they've managed to keep up the pretence for so long.

(With apologies to those who may have attended leadership courses - I'm sure they can be valuable - I just don't see leadership as something you can learn in a classroom)

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:26 am

Lonewolfie wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:
tinyclanger2 wrote:http://www.cityam.com/1415931745/politi ... m-election?
Right. Given what he's currently withstanding, I really don't get the impression he's that desperate to be "liked".
The revealing term here for me is "top dog".

The baying establishment hounds will always see the world like this, never understanding Ed Miliband's approach to leadership as empowering others to change.
It's almost as if they (the MSM and the political class/establishment) actually believe(TM) the guff spouted on Leadership Courses - how many organisations trumpet their commitment to 'developing the leaders of the future'? 'Here you go...if you can answer all these questions, pass these exams we've set, act in the particular way we tell you, you'll be a LEADER'. I for one call that as absolute b*******. Can I just (while I seem to be moaning a bit) add in the 'principles of business' as well? People throughout the business world now see 'profit' as the success of their 'business'...which is also complete b*******. None of the pretend principles have any relation to the philosophy, history and knowledge of commerce and how it has evolved...indeed it is highly unlikely that any of the current crop of 'leaders' (as selected by Murkydochia) have ever read any Marx...and yet, without at least a working knowledge of Marx, you can't understand the true nature of capitalism. Frankly I'm amazed that they've managed to keep up the pretence for so long.

(With apologies to those who may have attended leadership courses - I'm sure they can be valuable - I just don't see leadership as something you can learn in a classroom)

A good example of this is the reports of Osborne vs. Balls in the House on Monday.

I didn't watch it but it seems Osborne, despite utterly failing to explain his deception, came out "top dog" in the adversarial contest.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:29 am

Mark Ferguson @Markfergusonuk · 1h 1 hour ago
Well @montie might not be defecting to UKIP, but he's scathing about Cameron - "a cuckoo in the nest" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetory ... -ukip.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

and from that linked piece:

...This particularly fractious time to be a Conservative won’t last. I feel – as many Tories do – that there is a cuckoo in the nest at present and he will be gone on either the day after the next election or a year or two afterwards. At some point in the not too distant future the party will have a leader more in tune with the mood of the Conservative voter and with the lower income, aspirational and patriotic voters that Margaret Thatcher and John Major successfully attracted. The unhappy chapter begun in December 2005 will close...

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:37 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:
Lonewolfie wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote: The revealing term here for me is "top dog".

The baying establishment hounds will always see the world like this, never understanding Ed Miliband's approach to leadership as empowering others to change.
It's almost as if they (the MSM and the political class/establishment) actually believe(TM) the guff spouted on Leadership Courses - how many organisations trumpet their commitment to 'developing the leaders of the future'? 'Here you go...if you can answer all these questions, pass these exams we've set, act in the particular way we tell you, you'll be a LEADER'. I for one call that as absolute b*******. Can I just (while I seem to be moaning a bit) add in the 'principles of business' as well? People throughout the business world now see 'profit' as the success of their 'business'...which is also complete b*******. None of the pretend principles have any relation to the philosophy, history and knowledge of commerce and how it has evolved...indeed it is highly unlikely that any of the current crop of 'leaders' (as selected by Murkydochia) have ever read any Marx...and yet, without at least a working knowledge of Marx, you can't understand the true nature of capitalism. Frankly I'm amazed that they've managed to keep up the pretence for so long.

(With apologies to those who may have attended leadership courses - I'm sure they can be valuable - I just don't see leadership as something you can learn in a classroom)
A good example of this is the reports of Osborne vs. Balls in the House on Monday.

I didn't watch it but it seems Osborne, despite utterly failing to explain his deception, came out "top dog" in the adversarial contest.

Aahh but PfY...you're forgetting - George Gideon Oliver Osborne, heir to the Baronetcy of Ballintaylor and Ballylemon, doesn't need 'leadership' courses - along with most of his colleagues and contemporaries he was born to lead...and Balls ain't infection-free when it comes to Neoliberal leadership.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:38 am

Lonewolfie wrote:It is very odd - I'm concerned that the Social-Democrat side of the Yes argument (the ones who berate and deride Labour for 'being the same as the Tories' at the referendum) don't seem to be aware of the SNPs Ultra-NeoConman connections (I know I've been a bit more supportive of Wee Eck, but this isn't good)...and that they vote with the Tories in Holyrood...

“The Housing Act earlier this year was a huge missed opportunity to make a difference in for people feeling the stress of a cost of living crisis. I supported reforming the market with a fair rent cap and more secure tenancies.

“The SNP voted with the Tories against a fairer deal for private tenants in Scotland. They were wrong to do so. We must make renting more affordable. People in Dumfries & Galloway and across Scotland deserve a home, not just a roof over their heads.”

http://www.elainemurray.org.uk/local_ms ... t_campaign

I got called a troll, and blocked, by a couple of 45ers on Twitter earlier this week for daring to mention that; seems the only version of the truth allowed is their own, but I think we knew that already.

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:42 am

I'm not sure if this has been linked before...is it wrong to giggle a little bit at the comments?

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeehous ... ic-figure/

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:44 am

Don't know if we've already done this and it's listed as "sport" rather than "politics" most places, but I'm full of admiration for Jessica Ennis on doing what she feels is right here

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/peopl ... 59764.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

olympic-champion-jessica-ennishill-threatens-to-remove-her-name-from-sheffield-united-stand-if-ched-evans-is-resigned

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:53 am

Tedious anti-Ed stuff continues. Hold your nerve Ed.

Telegraph's hilariously juvenile and pathetic 14 things more popular than Ed

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politic ... iband.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:54 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Mark Ferguson @Markfergusonuk · 1h 1 hour ago
Well @montie might not be defecting to UKIP, but he's scathing about Cameron - "a cuckoo in the nest" http://www.conservativehome.com/thetory ... -ukip.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …
and from that linked piece:
...This particularly fractious time to be a Conservative won’t last. I feel – as many Tories do – that there is a cuckoo in the nest at present and he will be gone on either the day after the next election or a year or two afterwards. At some point in the not too distant future the party will have a leader more in tune with the mood of the Conservative voter and with the lower income, aspirational and patriotic voters that Margaret Thatcher and John Major successfully attracted. The unhappy chapter begun in December 2005 will close...

...but...but...he's their best electoral asset, isn't he? Vastly more popular than his party? Isn't that what we've been told?...and, apologies for mentioning it again, but what are they going to do if links between Thatch

and the cover up of Child Sexual Abuse are found? What if a bit more of the conspiracy is true and she's far more linked than previously thought? We'll smell the grey matter self-combusting from here (in Hope).

mikems · Post by **mikems** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 9:58 am

I think this must be Tizme's campaign :

http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-dc ... or-Victory" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:00 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Don't know if we've already done this and it's listed as "sport" rather than "politics" most places, but I'm full of admiration for Jessica Ennis on doing what she feels is right here

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/peopl ... 59764.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

olympic-champion-jessica-ennishill-threatens-to-remove-her-name-from-sheffield-united-stand-if-ched-evans-is-resigned

Good on her. However, without wanting to offend anyone or minimise the gravity of the crime he committed I'm concerned that whilst Ched Evans is rightly being pressured, a footballer called Lee Hughes killed someone whilst drunk driving about 10 years ago, yet he came out of prison & resumed his career - I think he's still playing.

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:00 am

yahyah wrote:The SNP attacked the Tories and used the threat of Tory governments at Westminster to bolster the Yes vote - so why are they so hell bent on helping a Tory government win next year ?
Is smashing Labour more important to them than the effect on the lives of UK people under a Tory government ?

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 ... l-election" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Morning all.
I read the Scotsman most days,for a little light relief.Great stories like 'sheep dog stolen from farm'.
The yessers/snps are still rabidly posting and expecting another referendum in a year or so,and they hate Labour.Nothing would please them more than Labour being destroyed in Scotland and losing in 2015.
That they loathe 'skeletor' aka Jim Murphy,and want one of the other candidates to become leader of SLP makes me sure that Murphy is indeed the right man for the job.
I do feel so sorry for the majority of Scots who voted no,there is no political respect for them from the SG.
edited to add,what a foul,wet,gloomy day.Which I am going to spend baking christmas cakes and filling the house with the most gorgeous smell of all.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:09 am

On a totally different note, a warning to academics and budding writers alike:

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

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:23 am

Post removed in light of PK1's post below.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:28 am

On a very off topic note, on Radio 4 today they had the 3000th edition of Desert Island Discs (a true gem in the BBC's crown); I was delighted to hear that today's castaway was a personal hero of mine, the truly astonishing and utterly unique Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown. Well worth catching on iPlayer later.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30039300" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:29 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Don't know if we've already done this and it's listed as "sport" rather than "politics" most places, but I'm full of admiration for Jessica Ennis on doing what she feels is right here

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/peopl ... 59764.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

olympic-champion-jessica-ennishill-threatens-to-remove-her-name-from-sheffield-united-stand-if-ched-evans-is-resigned

I really had hoped the Evans business wasn't going to be mentioned here but never mind.

I feel very conflicted about the whole business.

Yes he has been convicted of a despicable crime but I can't help feeling that there's a certain degree of band-wagonning going on.

On sentencing, judges don't demand the criminal apologises for his/her crimes nor make public statements of remorse so to expect such from Evans, when he is appealing his conviction, is ridiculous. An apology at this time would render his appeal nothing more than a joke & I'm glad his legal team have clearly advised him not to bend to public pressure on this.

Being sentenced to prison is not always an indication of guilt. There have been many good men & women sentenced to jail for crimes they did not commit.

On ChedEvans.com is a video from the hotel. Have a look at it & see if the woman fits the description of one so intoxicated as to not know what she was doing.

Until his appeal is heard I don't think he should be playing football but training is an entirely different thing. The public don't get to attend training sessions so they won't be there to 'idolise' him.

I know I'm probably taking a contrary stance to the majority but it's my opinion & if it doesn't fit with the majority then hey ho, we all have one

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:32 am

Indy didn't like Ed's speech yesterday

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/edi ... gn=3682265" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:36 am

pk1 wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Don't know if we've already done this and it's listed as "sport" rather than "politics" most places, but I'm full of admiration for Jessica Ennis on doing what she feels is right here

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/peopl ... 59764.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

olympic-champion-jessica-ennishill-threatens-to-remove-her-name-from-sheffield-united-stand-if-ched-evans-is-resigned
I really had hoped the Evans business wasn't going to be mentioned here but never mind.

I feel very conflicted about the whole business.

Yes he has been convicted of a despicable crime but I can't help feeling that there's a certain degree of band-wagonning going on.

On sentencing, judges don't demand the criminal apologises for his/her crimes nor make public statements of remorse so to expect such from Evans, when he is appealing his conviction, is ridiculous. An apology at this time would render his appeal nothing more than a joke & I'm glad his legal team have clearly advised him not to bend to public pressure on this.

Being sentenced to prison is not always an indication of guilt. There have been many good men & women sentenced to jail for crimes they did not commit.

On ChedEvans.com is a video from the hotel. Have a look at it & see if the woman fits the description of one so intoxicated as to not know what she was doing.

Until his appeal is heard I don't think he should be playing football but training is an entirely different thing. The public don't get to attend training sessions so they won't be there to 'idolise' him.

I know I'm probably taking a contrary stance to the majority but it's my opinion & if it doesn't fit with the majority then hey ho, we all have one

Sorry it's my fault for raising it PK. Sounds like you know much more about it than me.

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:40 am

pk1 wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Don't know if we've already done this and it's listed as "sport" rather than "politics" most places, but I'm full of admiration for Jessica Ennis on doing what she feels is right here

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/peopl ... 59764.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

olympic-champion-jessica-ennishill-threatens-to-remove-her-name-from-sheffield-united-stand-if-ched-evans-is-resigned
I really had hoped the Evans business wasn't going to be mentioned here but never mind.

I feel very conflicted about the whole business.

Yes he has been convicted of a despicable crime but I can't help feeling that there's a certain degree of band-wagonning going on.

On sentencing, judges don't demand the criminal apologises for his/her crimes nor make public statements of remorse so to expect such from Evans, when he is appealing his conviction, is ridiculous. An apology at this time would render his appeal nothing more than a joke & I'm glad his legal team have clearly advised him not to bend to public pressure on this.

Being sentenced to prison is not always an indication of guilt. There have been many good men & women sentenced to jail for crimes they did not commit.

On ChedEvans.com is a video from the hotel. Have a look at it & see if the woman fits the description of one so intoxicated as to not know what she was doing.

Until his appeal is heard I don't think he should be playing football but training is an entirely different thing. The public don't get to attend training sessions so they won't be there to 'idolise' him.

I know I'm probably taking a contrary stance to the majority but it's my opinion & if it doesn't fit with the majority then hey ho, we all have one

Thank you PK1 - I've been struggling to respond in a way that doesn't make it seem I'm condoning rape but you are far more eloquent....so what PK1 said!

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:41 am

pk1 wrote:Indy didn't like Ed's speech yesterday

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/edi ... gn=3682265" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But some nice support from Mr Mark Steel!

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/com ... 59762.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:47 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote: Sorry it's my fault for raising it PK. Sounds like you know much more about it than me.

Actually on reflection I'm glad you did, for it gave me the opportunity to set out my thoughts in a more coherent manner than what has been swirling round in my head these last few weeks, so thank you !

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:49 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
pk1 wrote:Indy didn't like Ed's speech yesterday

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/edi ... gn=3682265" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
But some nice support from Mr Mark Steel!

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/com ... 59762.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The line

although it’s true the Conservatives are much more united, as their MPs stay completely loyal right up to the moment they leave for a different party altogether.

made me chuckle

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Fri 14 Nov, 2014 10:59 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Post removed in light of PK1's post below.

Why on earth did you do that ? Genuinely mystified