Weekend Edition - Saturday 13th. and Sunday 14th December

[Tubby Isaacs]

The War Office has been sold.

Bought on a long-lease arrangement from the MOD by Hinduja in partnership with a Spanish company.

It will be developed into a hotel and luxury apartments.

Sickening.

It should have been developed into bedsits for MPs so they stop having taxpayer funded second homes when they live in fucking Surrey and rent out their London properties. Yes, Maude, Grayling, and all the rest - I'm looking at you.

I assume the new lessees are paying quite a lot of money.

Maude's seat is in West Sussex, Horsham. 30 odd miles from London, though it does go into Victoria, 10 minutes walk from Westminster.

[Willow904]

You won't find a 45er who will admit to the SNP being neoliberal, I've been assured they are only real socialists on these islands; even Owen Jones and OneButtonMichael are Red Tories to them. It seems less like a political movement and more like a cult with each passing day which is why, TC, mentioning inconvenient details like the falling oil price is a waste of breath.

I'm beginning to see more than a few similarities between the SNP and Ukip. I'm wondering if nationalism is naturally right wing. The corporate tax thing is a good example. It's all very well using low corporation tax to attract investment which is then redistributed to the benefit of Scottish people, but if it is at the expense of ordinary people living in other countries then it's not socialism, is it? The over-riding impulse of nationalism is one of selfishness, of drawing back into ever smaller groups of people which look after themselves with no regard to the impact on other groups of people. The contrast with Cuba sending doctors to West Africa to tackle the ebola crisis couldn't be striking. Real socialism is global, it sees all people as equal and equally deserving and will attempt to help everyone regardless of geography or social class. Both the SNP and Ukip seem highly manipulative constructions to me. Right-wing politics dressed up as left and obscured by the simplicity of the nationalist message, playing on the natural human instinct that makes us wary of outsiders.

I think that comparison is unfair- the SNP are impeccably internationalist, and have got support partly because UKIP are dragging the UK away from internationalism, the commitment to international aid excepted.

I think any new nation is going to find it hard to be anything but pretty hardnosed, with lowish corporation tax and short term focus on the deficit, even without the Bank of England chucking on a strait-jacket if it's to be Scotland's central bank too. There's been a fair bit of unfair leftist comment on the right-wing small statism of Eastern Europe- when others are doing it, it's hard to avoid it- and that's leaving out the structures inherited from Soviet days, which would see state money nicked by the in-crowd.

I find the 45 types absolutely deluded about left wing iScotland. Left wing policies in a devolved Parliament is surely the way to go. Not that I think the SNP are leftwing, more chucking Barnett money about.

You're right. Generally speaking the comparison is unfair. It's only in specific aspects that I see similarities. The point about the SNP's internationalism is a fair one but its commitment to low corporation tax destroys any claims to socialism. Low corporation tax is a race to the bottom that robs us all. I get what you're saying about necessary evils and I don't think an SNP independent Scotland would be a terrible place. Just that it is too far embroiled in neoliberalism itself to be going around calling Labour right-wing. What you say about the SNP chucking Barnett money about is spot on. What is missing is the fact that Blair already tried it - the redistribution of the proceeds of neoliberalism - and it has failed spectacularly. I am, however, interested in the SNPs proposals for land reforms. That particular direction of travel looks much more promising if the SNP really do want to be a left-wing party.

[rebeccariots2]

I'm still amazed at the sheer nastiness and lack of embarrassment of some of those who ring in to Any Answers to sneer and insult those groups they feel are beneath them ... in this case those who need to use food banks. Some exceptionally unpleasant views expressed by a few this week.

But heartened that they were more than countered by the obviously highly intelligent, decent and compassionate views and experiences expressed by several others. The bloke who described how he barely manages to feed himself once a day ... John ... was a wonderful sounding person. He can clearly budget, and can clearly cook - he even eats porridge.

The debate on this programme won't have done the Tories or Lib Dems any favours. As one of the callers said - Rees Mogg and Jeremy Browne both came across as condescending out of touch fools.

[Tubby Isaacs]

I am, however, interested in the SNPs proposals for land reforms. That particular direction of travel looks much more promising if the SNP really do want to be a left-wing party.

Yes, I agree. They did though flunk rail renationalization, and are to the right of "London" Labour, who are at least going to have a public bidder shaking up some of the really bad franchises.

I share your frustration with the "45" Scottish Nationalist rubbish. I don't think the leadership of the SNP have even wanted to do it.

[Tubby Isaacs]

From Vince Cable's former Spad, Giles Wilkes, who is often good.

When set out as mere numbers in a government document, these figures can appear unremarkable. To thinkers on the right they simply herald a welcome return to the sort of lean and efficient government the UK needs to compete in the global economy. But set against the expectations of modern Britain they represent a change more abrupt than anything attempted since postwar demobilisation.

Instead of The Road to Wigan Pier, an episode of recent history could have been invoked to make this point. Just 20 years ago, the previous Conservative government was in the middle of a period of austerity much milder than what is envisaged by the coalition. By the end of the 1990s, news reports were full of schools with leaking roofs, patients dying in NHS corridors and crime at a postwar peak. The British Social Attitudes Survey found three in five Brits supported higher tax and spending.

Such recent memories are a better guide to what the British can bear than cloudy black-and-white images from before the war. The state is more lavishly funded than in the 1930s but society’s standards have risen even faster. Conservative nostalgia for the budgetary discipline of that decade must be tempered when they recall the 1945 election. Revolt against decades of hardship propelled Labour to victory. When they returned to power, the Tories were obliged to enlarge the state’s promise of decent welfare and healthcare, not dismantle it.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8294d04a-8080 ... z3Lmk7Nvok" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tubby Isaacs]

Don't know if this was posted. Warwick's column from the other day.

Ofsted have become far less interested in school food. As Warwick says, nice argument with Jamie Oliver in prospect. Even lots of people who dislike Oliver thought he was on the side of the angels on this one.

http://www.theguardian.com/education/20 ... hool-meals" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rebeccariots2]

From Vince Cable's former Spad, Giles Wilkes, who is often good.

When set out as mere numbers in a government document, these figures can appear unremarkable. To thinkers on the right they simply herald a welcome return to the sort of lean and efficient government the UK needs to compete in the global economy. But set against the expectations of modern Britain they represent a change more abrupt than anything attempted since postwar demobilisation.

Instead of The Road to Wigan Pier, an episode of recent history could have been invoked to make this point. Just 20 years ago, the previous Conservative government was in the middle of a period of austerity much milder than what is envisaged by the coalition. By the end of the 1990s, news reports were full of schools with leaking roofs, patients dying in NHS corridors and crime at a postwar peak. The British Social Attitudes Survey found three in five Brits supported higher tax and spending.

Such recent memories are a better guide to what the British can bear than cloudy black-and-white images from before the war. The state is more lavishly funded than in the 1930s but society’s standards have risen even faster. Conservative nostalgia for the budgetary discipline of that decade must be tempered when they recall the 1945 election. Revolt against decades of hardship propelled Labour to victory. When they returned to power, the Tories were obliged to enlarge the state’s promise of decent welfare and healthcare, not dismantle it.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8294d04a-8080 ... z3Lmk7Nvok" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He makes good points. I remember it well - too well. The problem is the Tories, Lib Dems and Ukip - aided and abetted by a slavish and lazy press - have done a good job of getting a fair number of people to blame immigration and / or the 'scroungers', in our society, or indeed NHS patients for not looking after themselves properly (i.e. being obese or smoking) or the nurses / social workers / teachers / managers for being crap at their jobs for all the ills of today ... I don't remember the same kind of demonising and blaming, certainly not to the same extent, in the 90s.

[yahyah]

From the Indie:

''Coalition row erupts as workers are 'priced out' of tribunals
Exclusive: Lib Dems demand Tory minister conducts urgent review''

Funny how those Lib Dems start squawking louder the closer the countdown clock gets to May 2015.

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna has said a Labour government would overhaul the whole system, making it free again but also quicker than the laborious former system.

He pointed out that the Lib Dems were part of the Government that introduced the fees in the first place, calling Ms Swinson’s letter “a cynical and utterly shameless attempt to distance her party from tribunal fees just five months before the general election”.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/busin ... 22569.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tinyclanger2]

Aneurin Bevan @bevaninheaven
How can wealth persuade poverty to use its political freedom to keep wealth in power? Here lies whole art of Tory politics #CameronMustGo

Exactly. And indeed they have become more successful at it than Thatcher. Demonising ourselves to ourselves. But it is us who fall for it.

[tinyclanger2]

Jon Swindon @jon_swindon
We need everyone on fire tonight. They've got away with it far too long now. #ToriesMustGo - One Voice @CharlieWoof81 pic.twitter.com/sVrGLGKmNp

[tinyclanger2]

Funny how those Lib Dems start squawking louder the closer the countdown clock gets to May 2015.l

Yeah - they really are the proverbial scum of the earth.

[rebeccariots2]

FoodstuffsAdvertisedAsIdealForFoodbank.jpg (76.81 KiB) Viewed 16045 times

Emma Lewell-Buck MP retweeted
Mark ‏@toon_lad99 5h5 hours ago
When foodstuffs are advertised as ideal for foodbanks it proves #ToriesMustGo #FeedingBritain @EmmaLewellBuck

[AnatolyKasparov]

There was a fair amount of "demonising" under Thatcher too - and we didn't have social media to counter it back then.

[rebeccariots2]

From the Indie:

''Coalition row erupts as workers are 'priced out' of tribunals
Exclusive: Lib Dems demand Tory minister conducts urgent review''

Funny how those Lib Dems start squawking louder the closer the countdown clock gets to May 2015.

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna has said a Labour government would overhaul the whole system, making it free again but also quicker than the laborious former system.

He pointed out that the Lib Dems were part of the Government that introduced the fees in the first place, calling Ms Swinson’s letter “a cynical and utterly shameless attempt to distance her party from tribunal fees just five months before the general election”.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/busin ... 22569.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I met someone yesterday who has managed to take her former employer to an employment tribunal - hearing in a few weeks .... only because she found she could claim on her professional association cover for it. Otherwise she would have been out of a job ... for having spoken out about bad practice ... and with no redress at all. Loss of income, loss of reputation (they villified her) and awful stress over a long period of time. And she knows many others in a similar position ... but most haven't been as fortunate with finding a way to fund a tribunal. It stinks.

[tinyclanger2]

But then nor did we have quite such an unrelentingly right wing MSM.

[Tubby Isaacs]

There was a fair amount of "demonising" under Thatcher too - and we didn't have social media to counter it back then.

But you didn't get "think hospitals are crap? look at those poor people using it too much"

[AnatolyKasparov]

But then nor did we have quite such an unrelentingly right wing MSM.

Not *that* far off tbh - and even back then the Graun was much more excited by the SDP than Labour

[ephemerid]

The War Office has been sold.

Bought on a long-lease arrangement from the MOD by Hinduja in partnership with a Spanish company.

It will be developed into a hotel and luxury apartments.

Sickening.

It should have been developed into bedsits for MPs so they stop having taxpayer funded second homes when they live in fucking Surrey and rent out their London properties. Yes, Maude, Grayling, and all the rest - I'm looking at you.

I assume the new lessees are paying quite a lot of money.

Maude's seat is in West Sussex, Horsham. 30 odd miles from London, though it does go into Victoria, 10 minutes walk from Westminster.

Maude also has a town house in Lambeth, 5 minutes walk away from the House, which he rents out.

Several MPs have flats which they rent out to other MPs too. Then we pay the rent.

The War Office has more than a thousand separate rooms, some of them very large. It has 2 miles of corridors.
It has more than 500,000 square feet of space.
It could be converted into housing for anyone, if not MPs then maybe local people waiting for a council home.

An iconic building, and not the first (and very unlikely to be the last) to go.

At least it's not the Qataris for once.

This is wrong.

[rebeccariots2]

norman smith @BBCNormanS · 9h 9 hours ago
SNP want Tory Govt to stoke demands for another referendum says @DAlexanderMP @BBCr4today

That does seem to be it in a nutshell.

[Tubby Isaacs]

It could be converted into housing for anyone, if not MPs then maybe local people waiting for a council home.

Historic buildings aren't cheap to convert. Like St Pancras, the money involved is so great that high end conversions are understandable.

[tinyclanger2]

It's this sort of thing that drives it.

Dominic Littlewood follows fraud officers as they bust the benefits thieves stealing millions of pounds every year, while charities and councils track down people who actually deserve government help

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mc0cr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paid for by TV licences. As are programmes about James Saturday Morning Kitchen bloke flying around the country. Or indeed Andrew Marr. Or some other BBC regular going to do something they can afford to do anyway, but would rather do courtesy of the license fee.

[yahyah]

It's this sort of thing that drives it.

Dominic Littlewood follows fraud officers as they bust the benefits thieves stealing millions of pounds every year, while charities and councils track down people who actually deserve government help

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mc0cr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paid for by TV licences. As are programmes about James Saturday Morning Kitchen bloke flying around the country. Or indeed Andrew Marr. Or some other BBC regular going to do something they can afford to do anyway, but would rather do courtesy of the license fee.

Don't forget Griff 'Can't afford Labour's Mansion Tax' Rhys Jones.

He got the BBC to pay him for a series about his million pound farm restoration project in Wales.

[ephemerid]

It could be converted into housing for anyone, if not MPs then maybe local people waiting for a council home.

Historic buildings aren't cheap to convert. Like St Pancras, the money involved is so great that high end conversions are understandable.

Maybe so - but I am sick of seeing our heritage ending up as bloody hotels and high-end apartments for rich people.

The old Westminster Hospital in Dean Ryle Street was a beautiful building. It's a bloody apartment block - rightmove had a flat there recently for £6 Million.

I understand what you're saying - but we have loads of dosh to go to war but nowt to preserve our old buildings and keep them for the people whose forbears built them.

We have a lot of cash for this - there is an article in the G Society section about how NHS litigation is now costing double what it did when the coalition came to office.
95% of all NHS professionals say that they think the re-organisation has harmed the NHS; seems the patients harmed by problems with the NHS and their lawyers agree.

So what if converting our iconic building is expensive? Surely it's worth it?

[tinyclanger2]

Don't forget Griff 'Can't afford Labour's Mansion Tax' Rhys Jones.

He got the BBC to pay him for a series about his million pound farm restoration project in Wales.

Brentwood School and Cambridge

[tinyclanger2]

This is from June, sorry, but just found it by mistake:

The rich will only work if you give them money and the poor will only do so if you take it away.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/com ... 20562.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It seems to summarise the current thinking nicely.

[LadyCentauria]

FoodstuffsAdvertisedAsIdealForFoodbank.jpg

Emma Lewell-Buck MP retweeted
Mark ‏@toon_lad99 5h5 hours ago
When foodstuffs are advertised as ideal for foodbanks it proves #ToriesMustGo #FeedingBritain @EmmaLewellBuck

The Morning Star picked up on this:
http://www.morningstaronline.co.uk/a-77 ... Ix3uUa-jFk

and got a statement from the Co-op:

A spokeswoman for the Central England Co-operative Society said the label was placed because “we have permanent foodbanks situated in over 60 of our food stores, in response to requests from local foodbanks and our customers to support them.”

Fine. Good. In which case every shelf in the store which has food in packets, jars, or tins, should have a label on it just saying Donate to our Foodbank. And the same sign should be on baby-food shelves, nappies etc., shelves, household-goods shelves, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, skincare, tampons. In fact, if anything that is non-perishable or long-lasting at room temperature regardless of which range (basic, fancy, fanciest) - or brand - is on those shelves! Don't lead the shop's customers into the belief™ that the foodbank only wants the cheapest range. Let the customer's purse and/or natural generosity dictate which particular items they buy!

Don't just give fuel-for-bodies; give a bit of love and hope too. Maybe even a treat.

[tinyclanger2]

ToriesMustGo has just kicked off and is currently (after 2 mins) neck and neck with the previous UK #1 #AFCvNUFC (footie)

[tinyclanger2]

Iceman cometh @iceman_cometh1
RT @EtonOldBoys: It was that cold this morning, I saw a Tory politician with his hands in his own pockets #ToriesMustGo

[tinyclanger2]

Less than 20 mins in #ToriesMustGo now at #10 with 932 tweets to 864 (#AFCvNUFC still at #1)

[Tubby Isaacs]

It could be converted into housing for anyone, if not MPs then maybe local people waiting for a council home.

Historic buildings aren't cheap to convert. Like St Pancras, the money involved is so great that high end conversions are understandable.

Maybe so - but I am sick of seeing our heritage ending up as bloody hotels and high-end apartments for rich people.

The old Westminster Hospital in Dean Ryle Street was a beautiful building. It's a bloody apartment block - rightmove had a flat there recently for £6 Million.

I understand what you're saying - but we have loads of dosh to go to war but nowt to preserve our old buildings and keep them for the people whose forbears built them.

We have a lot of cash for this - there is an article in the G Society section about how NHS litigation is now costing double what it did when the coalition came to office.
95% of all NHS professionals say that they think the re-organisation has harmed the NHS; seems the patients harmed by problems with the NHS and their lawyers agree.

So what if converting our iconic building is expensive? Surely it's worth it?

The building's still there, with hopefully pretty strict conditions over what can happen to the outside, which is all anyone's ever seen of it. No-one's suggesting knocking it down.

I used to work opposite the old Westminster Hospital, in Cleland House, John Islip Street. The building looked pretty awful then (2000-3). Had no idea it was a nice building. The new flats look very mediocre indeed.

Social housing in Whitehall doesn't seem to be a great use of money you save from waste elsewhere. Social housing in central London, sure, but not this street.

[AnatolyKasparov]

Keir Starmer selected as Labour's candidate for the next GE in Holborn & St Pancras - on the first ballot reportedly.

[LadyCentauria]

It could be converted into housing for anyone, if not MPs then maybe local people waiting for a council home.

Historic buildings aren't cheap to convert. Like St Pancras, the money involved is so great that high end conversions are understandable.

So slap a Section 106 (or whatever) onto the developing lease-holder to provide a percentage of social-rent dwellings. And require them to match the standard of workmanship of the SR dwellings to the non-SR ones. And the same square-footage for each size dwelling. And no bloody Poor Doors!

BTW, did the Hinduja Bros conglomerate have to tender for this lease or did they just buy it as highest-bidder?

(I am very much in Manifesto-/Bills-mode tonight...)

[rebeccariots2]

Keir Starmer selected as Labour's candidate for the next GE in Holborn & St Pancras - on the first ballot reportedly.

Good, I think. He seems like he's someone with some good experience and able to hold his own with PR and speaking sense. And it will help keep Michael Crick quiet ...

Michael Crick @MichaelLCrick · 3h 3 hours ago
@benatom1 In fact v few lawyers nowadays. Unless Keir Starmer picked in Holborn today, Labour could struggle to fill law offices. Tories too

[AnatolyKasparov]

Crick was whining about not enough SPADs being picked for the next GE earlier today - really

[LadyCentauria]

It's this sort of thing that drives it.

Dominic Littlewood follows fraud officers as they bust the benefits thieves stealing millions of pounds every year, while charities and councils track down people who actually deserve government help

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00mc0cr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Paid for by TV licences. As are programmes about James Saturday Morning Kitchen bloke flying around the country. Or indeed Andrew Marr. Or some other BBC regular going to do something they can afford to do anyway, but would rather do courtesy of the license fee.

Yep. But never a large disclaimer pointing out that any supermarket chain (and many other businesses) would be very proud to have as low levels of fraudsters and thieves amongst their staff and clientele as the DWP, BenefitsAgency, Housing Benefit, et al., have...

[ephemerid]

Historic buildings aren't cheap to convert. Like St Pancras, the money involved is so great that high end conversions are understandable.

Maybe so - but I am sick of seeing our heritage ending up as bloody hotels and high-end apartments for rich people.

The old Westminster Hospital in Dean Ryle Street was a beautiful building. It's a bloody apartment block - rightmove had a flat there recently for £6 Million.

I understand what you're saying - but we have loads of dosh to go to war but nowt to preserve our old buildings and keep them for the people whose forbears built them.

We have a lot of cash for this - there is an article in the G Society section about how NHS litigation is now costing double what it did when the coalition came to office.
95% of all NHS professionals say that they think the re-organisation has harmed the NHS; seems the patients harmed by problems with the NHS and their lawyers agree.

So what if converting our iconic building is expensive? Surely it's worth it?

The building's still there, with hopefully pretty strict conditions over what can happen to the outside, which is all anyone's ever seen of it. No-one's suggesting knocking it down.

I used to work opposite the old Westminster Hospital, in Cleland House, John Islip Street. The building looked pretty awful then (2000-3). Had no idea it was a nice building. The new flats look very mediocre indeed.

Social housing in Whitehall doesn't seem to be a great use of money you save from waste elsewhere. Social housing in central London, sure, but not this street.

Inside, it was lovely. Old art deco style staircases, balconies, and windows.

I worked there for some time and obviously I have a fondness for it.

[AnatolyKasparov]

CyberNats swarming all over the Graun comments today, for some reason I can't quite fathom. Worried?

[TheGrimSqueaker]

CyberNats swarming all over the Graun comments today, for some reason I can't quite fathom. Worried?

MacMeh!

[ephemerid]

I have sent about 20-odd #ToriesMustGo Tweets so far.

It's going well - hope Tiny Clanger is keeping count!

[citizenJA]

Evening, my friends, I've been catching up with news here first - I wanted to tell you all this. FlyTheNest has become the first place I check for news. It's been this way for me for some time now - check out when I started posting daily - that'll give the time.

I've re-read the above & I can't figure out how to make it sound less rhapsodic & more matter-of-fact. So, I'll leave it & post it. I got to use the word 'rhapsodic'; that's always a treat for me.

[tinyclanger2]

TMG update with caveat that I don't understand the numbers that show in different bits of Topsy. Will explore when have time, but for the moment, using the same methodology for both the current status at 105 mins in was:

TMG - 5231 tweets but not showing in top ten after brief spell at #8
AFCvNUFC #1 4250 tweets in same time period using same method.

[rebeccariots2]

Evening Citizen. Rhapsodic is a fine word.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

I have sent about 20-odd #ToriesMustGo Tweets so far.

It's going well - hope Tiny Clanger is keeping count!

Twitter can't trot out the algorithim excuse tonight, all looking very odd.

TheJollySqueaker
‏@AndyLucia "One Arsene Wenger" tweeted 12k times, trending at 3. ToriesMustGo tweeted 40k times .... nada! So #ToriesMustGo for stopping free speech.

[rebeccariots2]

These #ToriesMustGo ... #CameronMustGo hashtags really are mines of information and education. Look what I just spotted.

Deportation of US music legend “in public interest” claims Home Office
http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2014/12/1 ... me-office/

More of Teresa May's new immigration rules madness on display.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

These #ToriesMustGo ... #CameronMustGo hashtags really are mines of information and education. Look what I just spotted.

Deportation of US music legend “in public interest” claims Home Office
http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2014/12/1 ... me-office/

More of Teresa May's new immigration rules madness on display.

That is the point that the Tories and the meeja have missed; they can stop it trending (and I think, this evening, that has become obvious) but those tweets are still there and they increasingly form the basis of a valuable library highlighting the faults, shortcomings and transgressions of this mob. So power to the people, as that nice Wolfie Smith used to say.

[RogerOThornhill]

Keir Starmer selected as Labour's candidate for the next GE in Holborn & St Pancras - on the first ballot reportedly.

Excellent news. When you think of what we have now in Chris Grayling who isn't even a lawyer, having someone of Starmer's calibre to fill one of the legal positions is good stuff.

When he was said to be in the running I checked his law firm's website which has been in that constituency for a fair number of years so can hardly be accused of having been parachuted in. Born in Southwark apparently.

[StephenDolan]

Woe betide anyone trying to get a healthy debate going BTL on the Jim Murphy elected pieces.

[rebeccariots2]

Dan Hodges @DPJHodges · 1h 1 hour ago
This is brilliant. I've entered. I want it. You can too... http://tinyurl.com/pwnjc3k" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[tinyclanger2]

These #ToriesMustGo ... #CameronMustGo hashtags really are mines of information and education. Look what I just spotted.

Deportation of US music legend “in public interest” claims Home Office
http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2014/12/1 ... me-office/

More of Teresa May's new immigration rules madness on display.

That is the point that the Tories and the meeja have missed; they can stop it trending (and I think, this evening, that has become obvious) but those tweets are still there and they increasingly form the basis of a valuable library highlighting the faults, shortcomings and transgressions of this mob. So power to the people, as that nice Wolfie Smith used to say.

I think this is the most important point. To that end I can imagine the using CMG as an archive of information "bricks", and adding any "twitter storm" tag for specific campaigns might be productive.

[rebeccariots2]

Woe betide anyone trying to get a healthy debate going BTL on the Jim Murphy elected pieces.

Cheerleader Lindsay has written a piece about his election on LibDemVoice. I think it's fair to say she doesn't seem to like him. And BTL there is more criticism - and two pretty unpleasant comments by Tony Greaves. What has happened to that man? I used to think he was someone with high levels of fair play, equalities for all, do the decent thing, awareness. Post Rennard and now this ... disappointed.