Saturday 22st & Sunday 23rd November 2014

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 3:38 pm

No comments allowed on that article, of course.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 3:42 pm

norman smith @BBCNormanS · 8h 8 hours ago
David Owen backs Ed Miliband - "brave....courageous ". @BBCRadio4 #strangeworld

Did he? What for / on what basis?

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 3:43 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
norman smith @BBCNormanS · 8h 8 hours ago
David Owen backs Ed Miliband - "brave....courageous ". @BBCRadio4 #strangeworld
Did he? What for / on what basis?

It was on Today this morning. He roasted the Lib Dems for what they'd done to the NHS, said he would never vote Tory.

Think he also called Ed likeable or something similar too, seemed just about to say 'unlike...' when he got cut off by Naughtie.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 3:47 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
norman smith @BBCNormanS · 8h 8 hours ago
David Owen backs Ed Miliband - "brave....courageous ". @BBCRadio4 #strangeworld
Did he? What for / on what basis?

Presumably on the NHS.

Owen was a big opponent of the 2012 Act.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 3:51 pm

RebeccaR

The piece with David Owen starts at about 49 minutes in here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04pqz6n" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That segment also includes Paul Nutttall from UKIP and finishes at about 57 minutes in.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 3:52 pm

I'm going to apologise for posting this ... sorry. I really thought all the conjecture and rumour had stopped for the time being ... my stupid.

amol rajan @amolrajan · 5h 5 hours ago
Astonished at how many v senior Labour ppl tell me Chuka has got post-Ed leadership sown up. At this rate there'll be a coronation in March

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 3:55 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:I'm going to apologise for posting this ... sorry. I really thought all the conjecture and rumour had stopped for the time being ... my stupid.

amol rajan @amolrajan · 5h 5 hours ago
Astonished at how many v senior Labour ppl tell me Chuka has got post-Ed leadership sown up. At this rate there'll be a coronation in March

I will stay calm, I will stay calm, I will stay calm, I will stay calm.....

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 3:57 pm

Chuka is the new A Johnson, then. Right down to making it crystal clear he is 100% not interested in the job right now

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 3:59 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:I'm going to apologise for posting this ... sorry. I really thought all the conjecture and rumour had stopped for the time being ... my stupid.

amol rajan @amolrajan · 5h 5 hours ago
Astonished at how many v senior Labour ppl tell me Chuka has got post-Ed leadership sown up. At this rate there'll be a coronation in March

More stirring no doubt, regardless, don't these media types realise how any Labour leadership works, it's not a cosy little set-up that only involves MPs and Labour staff, there's members, unions to be considered, I doubt Chuka would be their first choice?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:01 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:I'm going to apologise for posting this ... sorry. I really thought all the conjecture and rumour had stopped for the time being ... my stupid.

amol rajan @amolrajan · 5h 5 hours ago
Astonished at how many v senior Labour ppl tell me Chuka has got post-Ed leadership sown up. At this rate there'll be a coronation in March

Wow, so we've had the "Labour rejects working class bloke" and now it's "they want to put a middle class black in charge".

This is utter tripe.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:11 pm

It will soon be Mrs Balls being hyped, using the "let's have the first ever woman Labour leader" meme......

(which, apart from anything else, airbrushes both Beckett and Harman from the party's history)

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:12 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
pk1 wrote:Labour's former culture secretary Tessa Jowell is planning to run for mayor of London in 2016.

She told the BBC she is "certainly planning to run" to become Labour's candidate to replace the conservative incumbent Boris Johnson, but said now "isn't time for a formal declaration".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-30159049" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
My, she has kept that one under her hat, hasn't she. Bless 'er, she never really mastered subtlety.

I actually quite like Tessa, she was my MP when I lived in London so I obviously met her a lot when working with her CLP; but as much as I like her I don't want her, or any of the big guns, to get the nod as I think London would be far better off with Christian Wolmar at the helm - he doesn't have any of the baggage of the others and really knows his stuff, especially on transport matters.
I think he's more esteemed as a historian of railways rather than an expert on the ins and outs of operations. Anyway, there's ample expertise in TfL.

I think you need a politician for the job, preferably one on the up. Sadiq Khan for me.

He is mainly known as a historian of railways, but that came out of his day job as transport correspondent for the Independent where he was a vocal critic of Major's rail privatisation programme (and he is not a fan of HS2 either); he has also written extensively on local government and housing issues. As I said, he knows his stuff and, yes, he is no expert on day to day operations but neither was Livingstone & he did a decent enough job.

Not Sadiq Khan for me, simply because he can be doing a more valuable job in Government; if they don't win the GE then, fine, Sadiq for Mayor. But if they don't win the GE I doubt I'll be around long enough to care; when the Tories fully privatise the NHS I won't be able to afford my asthma meds ......

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:13 pm

HindleA wrote:From next year,dialysis will no longer be a prescribed service in the English NHS,for those of you feel so inclined an e-petition against.

http://linkis.com/direct.gov.uk/yXEsS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Duly signed and shared on G+

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:15 pm

Well. I woke up this morning and decided rather than dwell on yesterday I'd move my big bookcase to the other side of the room. Took me hours but I've finally got my books arranged by author. It's something I'd wanted to do for a long time.

Took the advice posted on here recently, and have ordered some books from AbeBooks.
They are a subsidiary of Amazon though so not sure if that's breaching my boycott of Amazon.

Now I'm ready to do some anti Dave Tweets.

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:17 pm

LadyCentauria wrote:
HindleA wrote:From next year,dialysis will no longer be a prescribed service in the English NHS,for those of you feel so inclined an e-petition against.

http://linkis.com/direct.gov.uk/yXEsS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Duly signed and shared on G+

Signed too.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:18 pm

BBC News 24 dragging up Dan Hodges to comment yet again.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:27 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote: He is mainly known as a historian of railways, but that came out of his day job as transport correspondent for the Independent where he was a vocal critic of Major's rail privatisation programme (and he is not a fan of HS2 either); he has also written extensively on local government and housing issues. As I said, he knows his stuff and, yes, he is no expert on day to day operations but neither was Livingstone & he did a decent enough job.

Not Sadiq Khan for me, simply because he can be doing a more valuable job in Government; if they don't win the GE then, fine, Sadiq for Mayor. But if they don't win the GE I doubt I'll be around long enough to care; when the Tories fully privatise the NHS I won't be able to afford my asthma meds ......

It's his comments on HS2 that put me off him. Tim Fenton took him on here.

http://zelo-street.blogspot.co.uk/2014/ ... -pass.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I don't know how clued up he is on local government now. I have one very old book of which he's a co-author though, about the municipal left.

I dealt with him once on his site, and he did reply, but was a bit, well brusque. Didn't strike me as particularly socially aware.

I would miss Khan from a Labour government though.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:27 pm

Clegg has reappeared - been out canvassing in Sheffield.

He seems to have been given an easy ride by the press [looking at you Guardian] after the 0.87% vote in R & S.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:29 pm

Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB Nov 21
LAB lead up with Populus
Lab 36 (=), Con 33 (-2), LD 9 (+2), UKIP 14 (+3)

Please excuse me but I'm going to use some very crude language here.

I can just imagine Crosby saying: That fucking, fucking Miliband. What is it going to take?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:35 pm

Adam Bienkov on Johnson's rather less than likeable antics this week.

http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2014/11 ... oris-johns" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Johnson is often viewed as a likeable 'tell it like it is' figure. But anybody who regularly watches him front of the Assembly will discover a much more slippery character beneath the cuddly facade. Yesterday he was at turns dismissive, aggressive and abusive. Following his questioning on ABP, the Assembly questioned him about leaked plans to cut GLA youth services by 90%. Rather than answer the questions, Johnson dismissed them, telling Labour's Andrew Dismore to "shove it up your…."

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:39 pm

ohsocynical wrote:Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB Nov 21
LAB lead up with Populus
Lab 36 (=), Con 33 (-2), LD 9 (+2), UKIP 14 (+3)

Please excuse me but I'm going to use some very crude language here.

I can just imagine Crosby saying: That fucking, fucking Miliband. What is it going to take?

I've a horrible feeling it won't matter. Looking at the general picture the election has already been won. By the media and for their own ends. This country is fucked isn't it?

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:47 pm

yahyah wrote:BBC News 24 dragging up Dan Hodges to comment yet again.

The image that has conjured up may never leave me .....

@Tubby Isaacs, I've always found Christian perfectly pleasant to deal with, online and in real life. Maybe you caught him on an off day?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 4:54 pm

The foxhunting ban 10 years on: has the countryside changed for ever?
It was one of New Labour’s defining policies – but a decade after the hunting ban came in, enthusiasts still ride out across the country. So did the law change things? Can the pursuit survive? And what’s it like chasing fox urine?
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014 ... d-for-ever

This article is exactly what I would expect from a Countryside Alliance bod - an attempt to talk about the lovely eccentric folk and culture around the hunting rather than the bloody sport itself. Except - it's not supposedly written by a Countryside Alliance bod - it's by someone who is Vice Chair of the Somerset Wildlife Trust. Aaaahhhh - thought I recognised that name - and the Somerset Wildlife Trust link jogged my memory. That'll be the Somerset Wildlife Trust which is, according to reports from various people on the ground down there, stuffed with local toffs on its board and has done sweet FA to oppose the badger cull ...

Apparently the Countryside Alliance strategy is to get itself linked with all sorts of other much nicer and more appealing countryside activities and issues - jobs, fundraisers, country shows etc - and not mention the hunting which is really the raison d'etre of its big wigs. This article seems to bear that out.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:00 pm

Some background to the removal of dialysis from specialist commission status

http://www.kidney.org.uk/home/news-2/co ... s-services" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.kidney.org.uk/home/news-2/no ... ithout-me/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.kidney.org.uk/home/news-2/ap ... issioning/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.kidney.org.uk/home/news-2/br ... ng-status/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:04 pm

letsskiptotheleft wrote:
LadyCentauria wrote:
HindleA wrote:From next year,dialysis will no longer be a prescribed service in the English NHS,for those of you feel so inclined an e-petition against.

http://linkis.com/direct.gov.uk/yXEsS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Duly signed and shared on G+
Signed too.

Me too.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:08 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
yahyah wrote:BBC News 24 dragging up Dan Hodges to comment yet again.
The image that has conjured up may never leave me .....

@Tubby Isaacs, I've always found Christian perfectly pleasant to deal with, online and in real life. Maybe you caught him on an off day?

Ah, I defer.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:13 pm

I see the Beeb have just given a whole load of air time to Austin Mitchell - the Grimsby poison tongue. I've managed not to hear too much of what he said about white vans by crunching my crisps as loudly as I could.

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:16 pm

ohsocynical wrote:Mike Smithson ‏@MSmithsonPB Nov 21
LAB lead up with Populus
Lab 36 (=), Con 33 (-2), LD 9 (+2), UKIP 14 (+3)

Please excuse me but I'm going to use some very crude language here.

I can just imagine Crosby saying: That fucking, fucking Miliband. What is it going to take?

Why won't he die?????? she adds.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:20 pm

More from the wit & wisdom of Lib Dem Paul Barker

''paul barker 22nd Nov '14 - 5:10pm
Does it occur to any of the people complaining about Cleggs silence that right now The “Story” in the MSM & online is either “Have UKIP peaked ?” , who will Defect or Whitevanmangate, bad for UKIp, Tories or Labour.
No-one is talking about us (except us of course) & we should strive to keep it that way.
Politics will close for Xmas in a few days so lets keep Voters last memories of 2014 on bad news for our rivals.''
http://www.libdemvoice.org/rochester-st ... l#comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's why Lib lover Rusbridger is laying off Clegg too.

Post by **refitman** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:22 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
letsskiptotheleft wrote:
LadyCentauria wrote: Duly signed and shared on G+
Signed too.
Me too.

Also signed.

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:22 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:I see the Beeb have just given a whole load of air time to Austin Mitchell - the Grimsby poison tongue. I've managed not to hear too much of what he said about white vans by crunching my crisps as loudly as I could.

Grima Wormtongue came to mind then.

george guessing · Post by **george guessing** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:29 pm

hello all ,
I've been lurking in the kitchen for a while and now decided to fully join the party.
Managed to catch Any Questions this afternoon from Melton Mowbray , not one question or word from the audience about the Thornberry nonsense despite the slight prompting by Dimbleby ( REFERENCEd ISLINGTON TYPE MP's ! )and the UKIPPER .

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:29 pm

Off topic - but may I ask for some advice from dog owners here ?

We've been invited to a buffet lunch to meet some new neighbours.
They have three rescue dogs.

I like dogs but am very nervous about them after a nasty incident many years ago.

What's the best way to act around dogs when entering a room [presuming the new neighbours don't put them outside] ?
I don't want to appear uncaring but don't want to accidentally make one of the dogs suddenly jump at me.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:30 pm

yahyah wrote:More from the wit & wisdom of Lib Dem Paul Barker

''paul barker 22nd Nov '14 - 5:10pm
Does it occur to any of the people complaining about Cleggs silence that right now The “Story” in the MSM & online is either “Have UKIP peaked ?” , who will Defect or Whitevanmangate, bad for UKIp, Tories or Labour.
No-one is talking about us (except us of course) & we should strive to keep it that way.
Politics will close for Xmas in a few days so lets keep Voters last memories of 2014 on bad news for our rivals.''
http://www.libdemvoice.org/rochester-st ... l#comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's why Lib lover Rusbridger is laying off Clegg too.

Mmmm, the 'keeping a low profile' ploy. Pretty dumb.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:35 pm

george guessing wrote:hello all ,
I've been lurking in the kitchen for a while and now decided to fully join the party.
Managed to catch Any Questions this afternoon from Melton Mowbray , not one question or word from the audience about the Thornberry nonsense despite the slight prompting by Dimbleby ( REFERENCEd ISLINGTON TYPE MP's ! )and the UKIPPER .

Welcome George. Very glad you've come out of the kitchen to join us - long may it last.

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:35 pm

yahyah wrote:Off topic - but may I ask for some advice from dog owners here ?

We've been invited to a buffet lunch to meet some new neighbours.
They have three rescue dogs.

I like dogs but am very nervous about them after a nasty incident many years ago.

What's the best way to act around dogs when entering a room [presuming the new neighbours don't put them outside] ?
I don't want to appear uncaring but don't want to accidentally make one of the dogs suddenly jump at me.

If possible ask if the neighbours can keep them in a separate room when you arrive, I do with mine, they aren't so excitable when they enter the room and someone is there, easier said than done I know, but try not to show your nervousness, anyway, sure if they are overbearing, and dogs can be your neighbours will put them outside or in another room?

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:35 pm

yahyah wrote:Off topic - but may I ask for some advice from dog owners here ?

We've been invited to a buffet lunch to meet some new neighbours.
They have three rescue dogs.

I like dogs but am very nervous about them after a nasty incident many years ago.

What's the best way to act around dogs when entering a room [presuming the new neighbours don't put them outside] ?
I don't want to appear uncaring but don't want to accidentally make one of the dogs suddenly jump at me.

I would imagine they're pretty well trained if they're ex rescue. Tell your neighbours you're a nervous around dogs. If they're decent owners they'll make sure they don't bother you. Otherwise just relax, stand quietly and let them sniff you. And if you do get brave and want to put out your hand, you always present the back of your hand. It's non threatening.

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:38 pm

yahyah wrote:Off topic - but may I ask for some advice from dog owners here ?

We've been invited to a buffet lunch to meet some new neighbours.
They have three rescue dogs.

I like dogs but am very nervous about them after a nasty incident many years ago.

What's the best way to act around dogs when entering a room [presuming the new neighbours don't put them outside] ?
I don't want to appear uncaring but don't want to accidentally make one of the dogs suddenly jump at me.

Why not have a word with the neighbours,or ask mr yahyah to pop over,and explain that you're nervous of dogs.
Then,if the rescue dogs are a bit boisterous,the owners will hopefully shut them in a different room.
Or give Mr yahyah a pocketful of dog biscuits and the dogs will pester him while you go off and chat to the new neighbours!

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:38 pm

george guessing wrote:hello all ,
I've been lurking in the kitchen for a while and now decided to fully join the party.
Managed to catch Any Questions this afternoon from Melton Mowbray , not one question or word from the audience about the Thornberry nonsense despite the slight prompting by Dimbleby ( REFERENCEd ISLINGTON TYPE MP's ! )and the UKIPPER .

Pleased to meet you.

Post by **refitman** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:40 pm

george guessing wrote:hello all ,
I've been lurking in the kitchen for a while and now decided to fully join the party.
Managed to catch Any Questions this afternoon from Melton Mowbray , not one question or word from the audience about the Thornberry nonsense despite the slight prompting by Dimbleby ( REFERENCEd ISLINGTON TYPE MP's ! )and the UKIPPER .

Welcome george. The more the merrier

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:41 pm

Thanks for the advice !
Am sure a glass of wine will help still the nerves.
Am very shy with new people as well, in real life.

& welcome to FTN georgeguessing.

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:41 pm

A belated evening all.
My spiced beef pie filling,sans chestnuts,has been in the slow cooker all day.Smells lovely and I want to eat it.But won't.The combination of allspice,juniper berries,bottled green peppercorns and wine,oh and beef and shallots,is perfect.Try it.

george guessing · Post by **george guessing** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:48 pm

Thank you for the welcome

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 5:52 pm

@george guessing

Hello!

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 6:03 pm

Nick Cohen @NickCohen4 · Nov 21
Guardian podcast featuring me @guardian_clark, @gabyhinsliff & @hugh_muir http://gu.com/p/43gy2/stw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; on why Ukip get away with it

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/aud ... are_btn_tw

Worth a listen. Interesting conversation.

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 6:09 pm

george guessing wrote:hello all ,
I've been lurking in the kitchen for a while and now decided to fully join the party.
Managed to catch Any Questions this afternoon from Melton Mowbray , not one question or word from the audience about the Thornberry nonsense despite the slight prompting by Dimbleby ( REFERENCEd ISLINGTON TYPE MP's ! )and the UKIPPER .

Welcome Mr. G - very nice to have you posting here. Feel free to get stuck in; you know what it's like if you've been a-lurkin'. If you feel you need a locker and somewhere to park your bike, let us know, otherwise the kettle's through there and I'm told that some very nice cakes are now available courtesy of some of the fabulous chefs that post here, posting as outraged extremist lefties (I have got that right, haven't I?).

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 6:14 pm

Rebecca wrote:A belated evening all.
My spiced beef pie filling,sans chestnuts,has been in the slow cooker all day.Smells lovely and I want to eat it.But won't.The combination of allspice,juniper berries,bottled green peppercorns and wine,oh and beef and shallots,is perfect.Try it.

I'm liking the sound of that. Puff pastry lid (great for heartburn/indigestion) to follow? Serve the bugger with roasties or chips, no namby-pambying with posh veg.

george guessing · Post by **george guessing** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 6:17 pm

ErnstRemarx wrote:
george guessing wrote:hello all ,
I've been lurking in the kitchen for a while and now decided to fully join the party.
Managed to catch Any Questions this afternoon from Melton Mowbray , not one question or word from the audience about the Thornberry nonsense despite the slight prompting by Dimbleby ( REFERENCEd ISLINGTON TYPE MP's ! )and the UKIPPER .
Welcome Mr. G - very nice to have you posting here. Feel free to get stuck in; you know what it's like if you've been a-lurkin'. If you feel you need a locker and somewhere to park your bike, let us know, otherwise the kettle's through there and I'm told that some very nice cakes are now available courtesy of some of the fabulous chefs that post here, posting as outraged extremist lefties (I have got that right, haven't I?).

Thanks. As for the "leftie "bit , I'll have to plead guilty as charged.

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 6:24 pm

george guessing wrote:
ErnstRemarx wrote:
george guessing wrote:hello all ,
I've been lurking in the kitchen for a while and now decided to fully join the party.
Managed to catch Any Questions this afternoon from Melton Mowbray , not one question or word from the audience about the Thornberry nonsense despite the slight prompting by Dimbleby ( REFERENCEd ISLINGTON TYPE MP's ! )and the UKIPPER .
Welcome Mr. G - very nice to have you posting here. Feel free to get stuck in; you know what it's like if you've been a-lurkin'. If you feel you need a locker and somewhere to park your bike, let us know, otherwise the kettle's through there and I'm told that some very nice cakes are now available courtesy of some of the fabulous chefs that post here, posting as outraged extremist lefties (I have got that right, haven't I?).
Thanks. As for the "leftie "bit , I'll have to plead guilty as charged.

What? You're not a chef too, are you?

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Sat 22 Nov, 2014 6:26 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Adam Bienkov on Johnson's rather less than likeable antics this week.

http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2014/11 ... oris-johns" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Johnson is often viewed as a likeable 'tell it like it is' figure. But anybody who regularly watches him front of the Assembly will discover a much more slippery character beneath the cuddly facade. Yesterday he was at turns dismissive, aggressive and abusive. Following his questioning on ABP, the Assembly questioned him about leaked plans to cut GLA youth services by 90%. Rather than answer the questions, Johnson dismissed them, telling Labour's Andrew Dismore to "shove it up your…."

I find his performances at London Assembly meetings cringeworthy. He rarely conceals his contempt for the majority of the Assembly Members, nor his impatience to leave, clearly hates not being able to do his one-man-show in front of them, and basks in the rosy glow of praise when some of the Tory Members ~~crawl up his backside~~ speak in the only language he wants to hear – that of approbation and adoration.

I do not understand why so many Londoners think it is a good idea to repeatedly elect a second-rate would-be comedian as Mayor; and I can already hear the voices on the doorstep should we face a General Election with him at the helm of the Conservative & Unionist Party:

Me: Is there a particular reason you have decided to vote Conservative instead, this time?
Member of the electorate: It's that Boris. We love him. He's so funny. (Dissolves into giggles)