Thursday 20th November 2014 - Rochester & Strood

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 1:51 pm

"Support group(ESA)chances increased by upper tribunal decision"

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/2 ... r-tribunal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

mikems · Post by **mikems** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 2:21 pm

The New Era estate campaign needs signatures :

https://www.change.org/p/new-era-should ... 2BHl2n8%3D" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 2:22 pm

Rochester by-election is certainly proving to be rather more interesting and diverse than Clacton, even if the result is likely to be the same:

: Tweet.jpg (73.75 KiB) Viewed 16877 times

DonutHingeParty · Post by **DonutHingeParty** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 2:26 pm

Guardian:

The population of Rochester appears to be about 75% Ukip activists today.

It's almost as if everyone else is at work, and UKIP only appeal to pensioners and the independently wealthy, isn't it?

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 2:38 pm

Angus Robertson (SNP Westminster Leader) has just called for the rollout of ESA and PIP to be halted in Scotland, pending the outcome of the process of devolution of further powers to Scotland, so that it can be fully investigated and tested to ensure that the Scottish Parliament would (or would not be) able to deliver it in the event that Social Security matters are further devolved to Scotland.

(Not verbatim, but that is roughly what he said.)

Edit to add: and he might have included UC, but will have to check Hansard later...

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 2:44 pm

The boffins at CERN have just announced the discovery of two new sub-atomic particles, both of which had been predicted to exist but never before seen.

http://home.web.cern.ch/about/updates/2 ... -particles" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I love science

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 2:51 pm

Anyone want a laugh? How about this:

In signs of an emerging strategy that could risk carrying over the controversy about his alleged meddling in politics into his kingship, sources close to the heir say he is set to continue to express concerns and ask questions about issues that matter to him, such as the future of farming and the environment, partly because he believes he has a duty to relay public opinion to those in power...

Courtiers also argue that his 40 years as heir carrying out thousands of engagements across the country and abroad mean he is uniquely well-placed to relay public opinion...

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 ... les-allies

Personally, I can't think of anybody less well placed to be aware of public opinion than Chas and his "courtiers" (what a strange, old-fashioned word), except, perhaps, the Tories. ...But there again, one would expect him to be a Tory.
The idea of an over privileged, unelected busybody interfering at the highest level of an elected government (of any colour) seems to me to be abhorrent.
I was pretty much neutral on the issue of the monarchy. Now I'm veering towards supporting a republic.

As Paul Flynn is quoted as saying:

“If he continues to be a controversial figure on issues like complementary medicine and country sports he could precipitate a constitutional crisis if he comes up against a government which is bent on some course of action and he disagrees and refuses to sign the act of parliament."

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 2:57 pm

A Canadian woman who took a vacation to Hawaii while six months pregnant unexpectedly went into labor. Now she and her husband are facing bankruptcy thanks to a $950,000 medical bill for services rendered. The best part about the whole thing? She didn’t even mess up and travel uninsured. She did everything she was supposed to—she bought medical insurance for the trip, got doctor approval, and she still got screwed.

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/231378/ ... ign=buffer

Every UKIP and Tory voter should be made to read this.

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 2:57 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:Anyone want a laugh? How about this:

In signs of an emerging strategy that could risk carrying over the controversy about his alleged meddling in politics into his kingship, sources close to the heir say he is set to continue to express concerns and ask questions about issues that matter to him, such as the future of farming and the environment, partly because he believes he has a duty to relay public opinion to those in power...

Courtiers also argue that his 40 years as heir carrying out thousands of engagements across the country and abroad mean he is uniquely well-placed to relay public opinion...

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 ... les-allies
Personally, I can't think of anybody less well placed to be aware of public opinion than Chas and his "courtiers" (what a strange, old-fashioned word), except, perhaps, the Tories. ...But there again, one would expect him to be a Tory.
The idea of an over privileged, unelected busybody interfering at the highest level of an elected government (of any colour) seems to me to be abhorrent.
I was pretty much neutral on the issue of the monarchy. Now I'm veering towards supporting a republic.

As Paul Flynn is quoted as saying:

“If he continues to be a controversial figure on issues like complementary medicine and country sports he could precipitate a constitutional crisis if he comes up against a government which is bent on some course of action and he disagrees and refuses to sign the act of parliament."

Or as I heard it put more succinctly: "He'd be wise to remember what happened to a previous king called Charles."

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 2:59 pm

LadyCentauria wrote:Angus Robertson (SNP Westminster Leader) has just called for the rollout of ESA and PIP to be halted in Scotland, pending the outcome of the process of devolution of further powers to Scotland, so that it can be fully investigated and tested to ensure that the Scottish Parliament would (or would not be) able to deliver it in the event that Social Security matters are further devolved to Scotland.

(Not verbatim, but that is roughly what he said.)

The same Angus Robertson that called for the GE to be postponed "so politicians can concentrate on negotiating with Scotland if there is a vote for independence".

Surely, if social security matters are devolved, the Scottish Parliament could do what it wants with ESA and PIP - including scrapping them?

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 3:06 pm

Spacedone wrote: Or as I heard it put more succinctly: "He'd be wise to remember what happened to a previous king called Charles."

Didn't I read somewhere that he wants to use one of his other names for that very reason? (He's got plenty to choose from).

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 3:13 pm

Emily Thornberry MP @EmilyThornberry · 3m 3 minutes ago
Tales from #Rochester: 2 women- 1 works in a Care Home > voting UKIP."I saw EdM on itv - he talks lot of sense, but we're protesting now"

Emily Thornberry MP @EmilyThornberry · 8m 8 minutes ago
Tales from #Rochester "I'm voting Labour because I'm worried about my knees & the future of the NHS - and I hate Chris Grayling"

Emily Thornberry MP @EmilyThornberry · 9m 9 minutes ago
Tales from #Rochester: "I used to vote Tory but now UKIP- I sent that Mark Reckless 4 emails & he's never replied"

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 3:22 pm

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/20 ... panic-room" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How can you charge the bedroom tax on a stalked woman’s panic room?

In court, Rebekah Carrier will continue to make the case that, when drafting the bedroom tax regulations, the government didn’t take account of the discriminatory impact on this group of women (and it is mainly women). This is the government’s legal duty under the Public Sector Equality Duty, which requires that a public authority have due regard to the need to “eliminate discrimination, harassment, [and] victimisation”. And Iain Duncan Smith, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, will continue to fight for A’s money. We must hope that he will fail in this fight. We must hope that the duty to protect women from violent partners, that the duty to save lives, will be seen as more important than saving money in the very short term.

onebuttonmonkey · Post by **onebuttonmonkey** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 3:45 pm

Afternoon all.

It's been a particularly dismal time politically, and I've not had the stamina to do a #bbcqt preview in a while - I can't even bring myself to watch the bloody thing. But this week, being even more bleak than normal, has prompted a particularly long-winded, angry rant about the show and its guests:

http://onebuttonmonkey.squarespace.com/ ... ngham.html

Tonight, David Dimbleby presents Question Time, the BBC’s reason-immolating squabble-cauldron, from Birmingham...

Enjoy, if that's the word...

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 4:30 pm

citizenJA wrote:
TechnicalEphemera wrote:Not bothered about Boris, he is a US citizen and he is refusing to pay US tax on his earnings because it is unfair.

I expect him to end up in serious trouble pretty quickly.
You're correct. The US Internal Revenue Service is not an entity to toy around with. Johnson knows this & if he's still sane, he'll pay - the story is to make him look big, I think, by pretending he's not going to pay.

Of course, he could always revoke his US citizenship and passport – but would have to be seen by a US Government-appointed psychiatrist, to ensure both that he is of sound mind and is that he is not being coerced by any person or entity, before they would accept his revocation...

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 4:37 pm

LadyCentauria wrote:
citizenJA wrote:
TechnicalEphemera wrote:Not bothered about Boris, he is a US citizen and he is refusing to pay US tax on his earnings because it is unfair.

I expect him to end up in serious trouble pretty quickly.
You're correct. The US Internal Revenue Service is not an entity to toy around with. Johnson knows this & if he's still sane, he'll pay - the story is to make him look big, I think, by pretending he's not going to pay.
Of course, he could always revoke his US citizenship and passport – but would have to be seen by a US Government-appointed psychiatrist, to ensure both that he is of sound mind and is that he is not being coerced by any person or entity, before they would accept his revocation...

Boris for President

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 4:44 pm

Simon Danczuk retweeted
George Eaton ‏@georgeeaton 11m11 minutes ago
Lib Dems set to lose their deposit for the 11th time in this parliament in Rochester tonight.

My heart bleeds for them.

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 4:45 pm

Spacedone wrote:The boffins at CERN have just announced the discovery of two new sub-atomic particles, both of which had been predicted to exist but never before seen.

http://home.web.cern.ch/about/updates/2 ... -particles" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I love science

My son's currently on a Physics A Level trip to CERN . Hopefully he'll bring me one back

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 4:46 pm

Fiona O'Donnell MP retweeted
Kevin Maguire ‏@Kevin_Maguire 25m25 minutes ago
Just heard the Tory spin on Rochester. It is, in brief: Labour suffer crushing defeat by losing safe Conservative seat to Ukip

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 4:49 pm

Dr Éoin Clarke ‏@LabourEoin 20h20 hours ago
Wow. This is massive. The Sun finally apologises for trying to smear Labour's Andy Burnham by using Tory NHS Lies

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B21XREZCIAAJdXF.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 4:58 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
Dr Éoin Clarke ‏@LabourEoin 20h20 hours ago
Wow. This is massive. The Sun finally apologises for trying to smear Labour's Andy Burnham by using Tory NHS Lies

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B21XREZCIAAJdXF.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Unfortunately the smear job worked, the "fact" is referenced time after time. Thanks Jarman.

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 4:58 pm

onebuttonmonkey wrote:Afternoon all.

It's been a particularly dismal time politically, and I've not had the stamina to do a #bbcqt preview in a while - I can't even bring myself to watch the bloody thing. But this week, being even more bleak than normal, has prompted a particularly long-winded, angry rant about the show and its guests:

http://onebuttonmonkey.squarespace.com/ ... ngham.html

Tonight, David Dimbleby presents Question Time, the BBC’s reason-immolating squabble-cauldron, from Birmingham...
Enjoy, if that's the word...

Well, I did. Again, the sort of insights and writing that should be available to every thinking person in the UK (so about 50% of the population then). A link to it from FTN should be tweeted fotwith - Adam? Dan?

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:00 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
Dr Éoin Clarke ‏@LabourEoin 20h20 hours ago
Wow. This is massive. The Sun finally apologises for trying to smear Labour's Andy Burnham by using Tory NHS Lies

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B21XREZCIAAJdXF.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's a fairly mealy-mouthed clarification, written in such a way as to allow the reader to assume that those deaths happened and it's just that nobody can confirm it.

Presumably Burnham threatened to sue them or something.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:16 pm

: MonsterRavingLoonies.jpg (44.68 KiB) Viewed 16698 times

Otto English retweeted
Jamie Ross @JamieRoss7 · 5h 5 hours ago
Just spoke to the Monster Raving Loony Party. They are genuinely confident of beating the Lib Dems today.

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:20 pm

Spacedone wrote:The boffins at CERN have just announced the discovery of two new sub-atomic particles, both of which had been predicted to exist but never before seen.

http://home.web.cern.ch/about/updates/2 ... -particles" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I love science

That is brilliant! It just shows how long it can take for data to be fully analysed, though, doesn't it.
I'm really looking forward to what they'll be able to do once the current re-fit is over and the LHA is powered up again in the coming Spring.

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:22 pm

According to The Guardian, Gove is "absolutely 100% sure no more Tory MPs will defect to UKIP"

In that case I wonder who the next defector will be

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:39 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:
LadyCentauria wrote:Angus Robertson (SNP Westminster Leader) has just called for the rollout of ESA and PIP to be halted in Scotland, pending the outcome of the process of devolution of further powers to Scotland, so that it can be fully investigated and tested to ensure that the Scottish Parliament would (or would not be) able to deliver it in the event that Social Security matters are further devolved to Scotland.

(Not verbatim, but that is roughly what he said.)
The same Angus Robertson that called for the GE to be postponed "so politicians can concentrate on negotiating with Scotland if there is a vote for independence".

Surely, if social security matters are devolved, the Scottish Parliament could do what it wants with ESA and PIP - including scrapping them?

Yep, hence the "...(or would not be) able to deliver it..." That could only happen with full devo on social security matters, which the current Govt. do not appear to be minded to offer. And I don't know whether or not the Smith report will suggest that it should.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:41 pm

For the Red Dwarf fans amongst you ....

Rachel Garrick ‏@RC_Garrick · 3h3 hours ago  Rochester, South East
#RochesterStrood @naushabahkhan is out there smoking Kippers. She'll be back for breakfast. #TogetherWeKhan (had to be said)

Couple of comments on Twitter say that the Guardian are have gone into faux outrage meltdown over a photo posted by Emily Thornberry; kicking off with the "R & S is bad news for Labour" narrative early?

EDIT - Ah, its a Staines/Cole Lynton-approved special which, obviously, any journal of repute would simply ignore .........

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:42 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Emily Thornberry MP @EmilyThornberry · 3m 3 minutes ago
Tales from #Rochester: 2 women- 1 works in a Care Home > voting UKIP."I saw EdM on itv - he talks lot of sense, but we're protesting now"

Emily Thornberry MP @EmilyThornberry · 8m 8 minutes ago
Tales from #Rochester "I'm voting Labour because I'm worried about my knees & the future of the NHS - and I hate Chris Grayling"

Emily Thornberry MP @EmilyThornberry · 9m 9 minutes ago
Tales from #Rochester: "I used to vote Tory but now UKIP- I sent that Mark Reckless 4 emails & he's never replied"

That last one had me roflmaoing! Doncha just love people

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:44 pm

LadyCentauria wrote:
citizenJA wrote:
TechnicalEphemera wrote:Not bothered about Boris, he is a US citizen and he is refusing to pay US tax on his earnings because it is unfair.

I expect him to end up in serious trouble pretty quickly.
You're correct. The US Internal Revenue Service is not an entity to toy around with. Johnson knows this & if he's still sane, he'll pay - the story is to make him look big, I think, by pretending he's not going to pay.
Of course, he could always revoke his US citizenship and passport – but would have to be seen by a US Government-appointed psychiatrist, to ensure both that he is of sound mind and is that he is not being coerced by any person or entity, before they would accept his revocation...

The US IRS follow tax-owning persons to the ends of the earth & beyond to collect. Johnson can do what he wants with his citizenship. They'll get the debt they say he owes. I don't say this with animosity toward either - The IRS' remit transcends the US Military.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:51 pm

mikems wrote:The New Era estate campaign needs signatures :

https://www.change.org/p/new-era-should ... 2BHl2n8%3D" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you, Mikems, for calling this to my attention.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 5:53 pm

citizenJA wrote:
LadyCentauria wrote:
citizenJA wrote:You're correct. The US Internal Revenue Service is not an entity to toy around with. Johnson knows this & if he's still sane, he'll pay - the story is to make him look big, I think, by pretending he's not going to pay.
Of course, he could always revoke his US citizenship and passport – but would have to be seen by a US Government-appointed psychiatrist, to ensure both that he is of sound mind and is that he is not being coerced by any person or entity, before they would accept his revocation...
The US IRS follow tax-owning persons to the ends of the earth & beyond to collect. Johnson can do what he wants with his citizenship. They'll get the debt they say he owes. I don't say this with animosity toward either - The IRS' remit transcends the US Military.

Absolutely. He will pay the tax he owes AND if he wishes to renounce his citizenship pay them $2500.

Nice.

mbc1955 · Post by **mbc1955** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:05 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:For the Red Dwarf fans amongst you ....

Rachel Garrick ‏@RC_Garrick · 3h3 hours ago  Rochester, South East
#RochesterStrood @naushabahkhan is out there smoking Kippers. She'll be back for breakfast. #TogetherWeKhan (had to be said)
Couple of comments on Twitter say that the Guardian are have gone into faux outrage meltdown over a photo posted by Emily Thornberry; kicking off with the "R & S is bad news for Labour" narrative early?

EDIT - Ah, its a Staines/Cole Lynton-approved special which, obviously, any journal of repute would simply ignore .........

Yes, this is the piece of shit in question: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... kip-tories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's getting increasingly ludicrous, the depths into which the paper will sink to mount yet another exercise in Ed-evisceration. The only possible conclusion to be drawn is that the Guardian actively wants a Conservative/UKIP run country in 2015. Is there no-one who will rid us of this turbulent jumped-up gobshite of an editor?

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:13 pm

Good evening.

Anyone know what time the result is due in or if there's any radio coverage overnight ?

Post by **refitman** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:25 pm

ErnstRemarx wrote:
onebuttonmonkey wrote:Afternoon all.

It's been a particularly dismal time politically, and I've not had the stamina to do a #bbcqt preview in a while - I can't even bring myself to watch the bloody thing. But this week, being even more bleak than normal, has prompted a particularly long-winded, angry rant about the show and its guests:

http://onebuttonmonkey.squarespace.com/ ... ngham.html

Tonight, David Dimbleby presents Question Time, the BBC’s reason-immolating squabble-cauldron, from Birmingham...
Enjoy, if that's the word...
Well, I did. Again, the sort of insights and writing that should be available to every thinking person in the UK (so about 50% of the population then). A link to it from FTN should be tweeted fotwith - Adam? Dan?

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:27 pm

mbc1955 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:For the Red Dwarf fans amongst you ....

Rachel Garrick ‏@RC_Garrick · 3h3 hours ago  Rochester, South East
#RochesterStrood @naushabahkhan is out there smoking Kippers. She'll be back for breakfast. #TogetherWeKhan (had to be said)
Couple of comments on Twitter say that the Guardian are have gone into faux outrage meltdown over a photo posted by Emily Thornberry; kicking off with the "R & S is bad news for Labour" narrative early?

EDIT - Ah, its a Staines/Cole Lynton-approved special which, obviously, any journal of repute would simply ignore .........
Yes, this is the piece of shit in question: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... kip-tories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's getting increasingly ludicrous, the depths into which the paper will sink to mount yet another exercise in Ed-evisceration. The only possible conclusion to be drawn is that the Guardian actively wants a Conservative/UKIP run country in 2015. Is there no-one who will rid us of this turbulent jumped-up gobshite of an editor?

Apparently Rowena Mason has weighed in with a second article now. Such a shame, Mason used to be a decent journo, but the Guardian has reduced her to their level of hackery. Ah well, at least we know what the strategy is for tomorrow.

Post by **refitman** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:28 pm

yahyah wrote:Good evening.

Anyone know what time the result is due in or if there's any radio coverage overnight ?

Claire Phipps, at the Graun, said they're expecting the result at about 3am.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:31 pm

refitman wrote:
yahyah wrote:Good evening.

Anyone know what time the result is due in or if there's any radio coverage overnight ?
Claire Phipps, at the Graun, said they're expecting the result at about 3am.

Thanks Dan.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:32 pm

So. Tomorrow should be interesting

Post by **refitman** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:32 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
mbc1955 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:For the Red Dwarf fans amongst you ....
Couple of comments on Twitter say that the Guardian are have gone into faux outrage meltdown over a photo posted by Emily Thornberry; kicking off with the "R & S is bad news for Labour" narrative early?

EDIT - Ah, its a Staines/Cole Lynton-approved special which, obviously, any journal of repute would simply ignore .........
Yes, this is the piece of shit in question: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... kip-tories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's getting increasingly ludicrous, the depths into which the paper will sink to mount yet another exercise in Ed-evisceration. The only possible conclusion to be drawn is that the Guardian actively wants a Conservative/UKIP run country in 2015. Is there no-one who will rid us of this turbulent jumped-up gobshite of an editor?
Apparently Rowena Mason has weighed in with a second article now. Such a shame, Mason used to be a decent journo, but the Guardian has reduced her to their level of hackery. Ah well, at least we know what the strategy is for tomorrow.

She was decent until she was the Telegraph was forced to apologise for her attributing false statements to a Ukip candidate: http://onthewight.com/2013/08/23/daily- ... ax-quotes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:33 pm

yahyah wrote:
refitman wrote:
yahyah wrote:Good evening.

Anyone know what time the result is due in or if there's any radio coverage overnight ?
Claire Phipps, at the Graun, said they're expecting the result at about 3am.

Thanks Dan.

I heard 4am.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:39 pm

I was gardening and doing chores all afternoon so am still catching up...what was so terrible about what Thornberry tweeted ?

It's bizarre - all the crap about Labour and the Guardian article .....most perplexing.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:42 pm

yahyah wrote:I was gardening and doing chores all afternoon so am still catching up...what was so terrible about what Thornberry tweeted ?

It's bizarre - all the crap about Labour and the Guardian article .....most perplexing.

I agree, Yahyah - I can't make sense of it. Could someone explain the Thornberry thweet, please?

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:46 pm

yahyah wrote:I was gardening and doing chores all afternoon so am still catching up...what was so terrible about what Thornberry tweeted ?

It's bizarre - all the crap about Labour and the Guardian article .....most perplexing.

She posted an image of a house adorned with three English flags and with a white Transit parked outside. She has now tweeted an apology.

Emily Thornberry MP @EmilyThornberry
· 29m 29 minutes ago
I apologise for any offence caused by the 3 flag picture. People should fly the England flag with pride!

OK, granted, the picture was a little crass; even though it was posted without comment there was a bit of an implied sneer, but it certainly didn't warrant the fuss made. As I say, it sets the tone for the next 24 hours media coverage rather nicely.

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:47 pm

mbc1955 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:For the Red Dwarf fans amongst you ....

Rachel Garrick ‏@RC_Garrick · 3h3 hours ago  Rochester, South East
#RochesterStrood @naushabahkhan is out there smoking Kippers. She'll be back for breakfast. #TogetherWeKhan (had to be said)
Couple of comments on Twitter say that the Guardian are have gone into faux outrage meltdown over a photo posted by Emily Thornberry; kicking off with the "R & S is bad news for Labour" narrative early?

EDIT - Ah, its a Staines/Cole Lynton-approved special which, obviously, any journal of repute would simply ignore .........
Yes, this is the piece of shit in question: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... kip-tories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's getting increasingly ludicrous, the depths into which the paper will sink to mount yet another exercise in Ed-evisceration. The only possible conclusion to be drawn is that the Guardian actively wants a Conservative/UKIP run country in 2015. Is there no-one who will rid us of this turbulent jumped-up gobshite of an editor?

Modern terrace houses with faux Grecian pillars. Poor souls. This pic is a comment on the dangers of lax planning laws under the Tories, right? No? Oh, I see. Labour snubbing nationalistic working class voters is the story here. As if typical white van man has ever been anything but a Thatcherite. It's the SNP that's hammering Labour, let's face it. If anything has been bad for Ed Miliband it's the Scottish referendum, but at least, with a new leader in Scotland there's hope of getting those voters back. I'm not so sure about Tory defectors to Ukip - that ball is seriously rolling now.

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:51 pm

Trust Simon Danczuk to stick his oar, more a storm in an egg cup than tea.

Handily for him Mailonline were at hand to record his condemnation.

With ''friends'' like him...

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:54 pm

yahyah wrote:Good evening.

Anyone know what time the result is due in or if there's any radio coverage overnight ?

I don't know what time the result is expected but QT Extra Time continues until 1 a.m. and is followed by Up All Night, which will include coverage of the Rochester and Strood by-election. Both on BBC R5L.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 6:59 pm

Meanwhile in the real world - the one away from Westminster and media luvvie land - women's refuge services have been cut / lost to the tune of 17% under this government. And they weren't lavish to begin with - the progress that had been made was very hard won. I heard the most depressing piece on Womens Hour this morning. We are going backwards under this lot faster than we could go forward under any government.

The kind of services for women fleeing violence and abuse some local authorities are now offering / dictating (take your pick) included 'dispersed places' - i.e. a room in hostels, hotels with no proper support on hand - and time limited refuge places - e.g. 8 weeks and you're out. One pregnant woman who went into labour in the last week of her time limited support was granted a 2 week extension as a special dispensation - and then she was out. There are, apparently, many more women who are now being forced to become homeless and live on the streets in order to escape abuse (including with their children) or having to stay with the abuser and continue being abused (including with their children).

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 7:00 pm

Don't normally make an habit of watching QT, think I will tonight, Ken Clarke and Carswell should be entertaining enough, that nincompoop from the TPA is diabolical judging by the only time I have seen her before, an appearance on Newsnight, unluckily for her she came up against James O'Brien, Evan Davis would have made her a cup of cocoa and fetched her slippers.

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Thu 20 Nov, 2014 7:00 pm

yahyah wrote:I was gardening and doing chores all afternoon so am still catching up...what was so terrible about what Thornberry tweeted ?

It's bizarre - all the crap about Labour and the Guardian article .....most perplexing.

I just went to the Graun to find out & was greeted with their survey so completed that instead - not that they will like what I said

In the 'tell us why you visit that other site instead of the Guardian', my comment was:

It's less patronising & it's journalists are more evenly balanced.
If I wanted to read how everything is "bad for Ed Miliband", I'd read the burblings of Dan Hodges or Isabel Hardman.
The journalism in the Guardian has seriously worsened in the last 4 years & for a left-leaning publication, I expect it to use it's resources to report on how badly the government is running the country instead of finding every reason under the sun to be a reason for your readers not to vote Labour.
The volume of trolling that is not dealt with by the moderators has greatly reduced the time I spend on the site & the comments I make on the site.
I know of several ex-readers who share my opinion but the Editor doesn't seem to care how many of us leave his site now that Ukip & the Conservative party have invaded & it saddens me to predict that your paper will advocate voting for a minor party again in the hope of keeping Labour out of power in favour of the Cons.

I never did find out what the tweet was all about