Saturday, 20th & Sunday, 21st December 2104

Post by **refitman** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:18 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
refitman wrote:
rearofthestore wrote:Bet this is what the Guardian/Observer highlights in its headlines:

Approval Ratings
Cameron -11
Miliband -28
The do mention it, but only in the terms that Miliband's has improved, while Cameron's have slipped. They do mention him 'forgetting' parts of the conference speech, but all in all, it's not very anti.

Rubisher's definitely on holiday.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... inium-poll" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I read on Twitter that Rubbisher was leaving the Guardian?

He's going to become chairman of the parent trust.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:25 pm

Ukip grassroots leave in protest at selection of ex-Tories and celebrities
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... rnalSearch#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(sorry if already posted have got my twitter ADD head on)

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:27 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:Ukip grassroots leave in protest at selection of ex-Tories and celebrities
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... rnalSearch#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
(sorry if already posted have got my twitter ADD head on)

Which reminds me - does Osborne suffer from ADD ?
....that is Adding up Deficit Disorder

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:33 pm

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

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:34 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:
Tish wrote:These polls are all great, but I find it difficult to believe that the Autumn Statement could have had such a massive impact straight away. Aren't we always being told that one off political events don't really resonate with the public in such a dramatic way, unless they're the big kind of sex/fraud scandals that excite the tabloids? It makes me wonder how reliable all those polls claiming that that the parties were neck and neck a few weeks really were, becouse we now seem to be back at the same sort of figures that we've been at for the last three years, Labour with a 5/6 point lead.

I do wonder if the rise of the smaller parties is playing havoc with the traditional polling techniques, the way the Greens and the Lib Dems in particular are leaping up and down the polls is just ridiculous.
Its me, last time I did a "what paper do you read" survey for you gov I put the Sun, had 2 political polls since, after having none for a good year or more

I said at the time that the autumn statement from Osborne was massive overreach.

People will not vote to return to the 1930s. Cameron was really careful in the run up to 2010 to promise no cuts to front line services (which was bollocks of course). Osborne basically promised to hammer public services as a point of principle.

You could hear the collective intake of breath in the country when he said it. As the reality of 1930s state spending starts to enter the national consciousness the vote is starting to slip away. The problem is the 1930s line sticks, they won't be able to shift it.

Add a massive NHS crisis to the mix, with an impact in multiple constituencies, plus the inevitable floods crisis and they are well screwed.

Sweet.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:47 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:
Tish wrote:This is from yesterday, so apols if already posted but I couldn't see it anywhere. It seems that UKIPs "ordinary blokes" are not very happy about being pushed aside for a bunch of ex Tories and D List celebs. It's almost like they were just another political party stitching up the selection process for mates of the hierarchy.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... rnalSearch" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Some of the ex-Tory activists who've joined UKIP won't be happy either. It'll remind them of Cameron seeking to control candidates.
I have to sympathise. Some of them have been shabbily treated.

Indeed. You don't have to be a dinosaur to object to it either, if you've knocked on doors for years.

Especially if you then see Louise Mensch get a seat.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:48 pm

Not forgetting that mention of the 1930s brings about a subliminal fear of war and fascists.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:49 pm

"300,000 less people getting home care since Cameron became PM"

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/da ... re-4847571" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PS I say people because the media tends to portray/state it as purely pensioners.If it is the figure will be higher overall.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:50 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:Please don't let too many licences be issued prior to the election. Not that I'm expecting this evidence led government to take such reports on-board.

http://m.theatlantic.com/national/archi ... an/383868/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The drop in oil price has the added benefit that it makes fracking less cost efficient and workable

Yep.

Though free tax losses will tempt the firms to do some.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:51 pm

Tim Shipman ‏@ShippersUnbound 5m5 minutes ago
3 sitting MPs and 3 peers in paedophile dossier sent to police: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 498731.ece" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … by new colleague Tom Harper

Heck.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:58 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:
Tim Shipman ‏@ShippersUnbound 5m5 minutes ago
3 sitting MPs and 3 peers in paedophile dossier sent to police: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 498731.ece" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … by new colleague Tom Harper
Heck.

Double and treble heck.

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 10:58 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:
AngryAsWell wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:Please don't let too many licences be issued prior to the election. Not that I'm expecting this evidence led government to take such reports on-board.

http://m.theatlantic.com/national/archi ... an/383868/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The drop in oil price has the added benefit that it makes fracking less cost efficient and workable
Yep.

Though free tax losses will tempt the firms to do some.

This government will probably offer them a massive subsidy just to get it started before their window of opportunity closes.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:04 pm

I don't have access to the Sunday Times ... but could this just be trying to take the heat out of the recent Cameron, Shapps, May SPADs story? Quick let's turn the spotlight back on Miliband ... ?

Tim Shipman @ShippersUnbound · 16m 16 minutes ago
Labour candidates lash out at Miliband: http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 498743.ece" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

I'm willing to bet 'lash out' is completely over the top ... or 'hyperbolic' I believe is the Osborne phrase.

Tish · Post by **Tish** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:04 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:
Tish wrote:These polls are all great, but I find it difficult to believe that the Autumn Statement could have had such a massive impact straight away. Aren't we always being told that one off political events don't really resonate with the public in such a dramatic way, unless they're the big kind of sex/fraud scandals that excite the tabloids? It makes me wonder how reliable all those polls claiming that that the parties were neck and neck a few weeks really were, becouse we now seem to be back at the same sort of figures that we've been at for the last three years, Labour with a 5/6 point lead.

I do wonder if the rise of the smaller parties is playing havoc with the traditional polling techniques, the way the Greens and the Lib Dems in particular are leaping up and down the polls is just ridiculous.
Its me, last time I did a "what paper do you read" survey for you gov I put the Sun, had 2 political polls since, after having none for a good year or more

That is a very good point though, now we "the people" have a much better understanding of how these thing work, it's much easier to subvert them and give the pollsters the answers they want in order to make our personal opinions seem more significant. That's why I don't for one moment believe these polls that are coming out of Scotland putting the SNP 20 points ahead, it's not that hard to work out the sort of people that the pollsters are looking for and then get a bunch of people to pretend that they are exactly that and rig the polls.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:09 pm

Spacedone wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:
AngryAsWell wrote: The drop in oil price has the added benefit that it makes fracking less cost efficient and workable
Yep.

Though free tax losses will tempt the firms to do some.
This government will probably offer them a massive subsidy just to get it started before their window of opportunity closes.

The Autumn Statement was the place to do it. Didn't hear about it.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:13 pm

Theresa May to scrap panel for inquiry into child sex abuse
http://www.exaronews.com/articles/5438/ ... -sex-abuse

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:14 pm

An example of the UK's Gold Standard Fracking Regulations. Filmed by the BBC at the iGas Ellesmere Port site.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:15 pm

Mark Field, a rare vocal supporter of immigration among Tory MPs, has written the foreward for a report by universities attacking Theresa May proposals.

http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/highere ... Debate.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:19 pm

Paedophile operations ex police to submit dossier to met chief
http://www.exaronews.com/articles/5433/ ... -met-chief

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:28 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:To add to Toby's festive pick of the shits (sorry, I do think the expletive is justified in this case) here's a cracker of an article from the Northern Echo.

All together now - boo, hiss, it's IDS
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/featur ... _it_s_IDS/
IT is pantomime season, so it’s time to pick the politician most deserving of your festive boos, hisses and catcalls.

My villain is someone who boasts of transforming our complex benefits system to “make work pay”, but who has overseen a car-crash of expensive bungling and delay.

His CV also includes the bedroom tax and botched new disability benefits, both of which are causing huge suffering to the most vulnerable people.

And, when confronted with evidence that his policies have sparked an epidemic of hunger, he stuck two fingers up to the Archbishop of Canterbury and others most worried about it.

Not only that, when challenged, he delivered the most outrageous porky to try to disguise his lack of action on food banks…a blatant untruth.

Yes, my pantomime villain is Iain Duncan Smith who, incredibly, is still in his job after nearly five years of this dismal, disastrous record...
and he then details the car crash record of IDS ... it's very bloody.

Stands to applaud

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:29 pm

I normally wouldn't touch the Express but this latest about Katie Hopkins really has to be seen to be believed.

Katie Hopkins: I was the target of Sydney terrorist as well as 9/11 and 7/7 attackers
http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/5 ... -terrorist" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Batshit crazy attention troll.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:53 pm

Mail has "secret plans to double ambulance waiting times"Hunt categorically denied this on twitter.Burnham asked him if he had increased red category 2 by three minutes,but he didn't reply.The latter are serious cases but deemed less time critical than Cat 1.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sat 20 Dec, 2014 11:58 pm

The Sunday People ‏@thesundaypeople 2h2 hours ago
#BedroomTax: How Nick Clegg and Lib Dems betrayed poorest voters by siding with Tories. http://sundaypeo.pl/1CeXDOq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 12:01 am

HindleA wrote:Mail has "secret plans to double ambulance waiting times"Hunt categorically denied this on twitter.Burnham asked him if he had increased red category 2 by three minutes,but he didn't reply.The latter are serious cases but deemed less time critical than Cat 1.

BBC are just reporting that they have seen the internal memo confirming this ...

Editing to add this from the Mail piece:

According to the leaked document, drawn up by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE), NHS England has agreed ‘in principle’ to relax the maximum ambulance wait for what are known as ‘Red 2’ incidents.
It stated the organisation ‘had a firm position that any changes would be made after the General Election’.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... veals.html

How brazen is that?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 12:05 am

@RR2 cheers.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 12:15 am

RIP John Freeman

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30565798" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hobiejoe · Post by **Hobiejoe** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 1:24 am

HindleA wrote:RIP John Freeman

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30565798" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Crikey, that's one hell of a career, my respects to Mr Freeman.

Is there anyone who might even come close to matching that CV these days? Or would it be more appropriate to ask if modern media would allow anyone to match that CV?

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 1:30 am

https://www.change.org/p/new-era-should ... -of-an-era

New Era Estate to be taken over by Dolphin Square Foundation which, I think, is their housing association.

Toby Latimer · Post by **Toby Latimer** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 8:25 am

Hunt is a duplicitous pillock, the latest revelation makes a mockery of the 'F.A.C.E' campaign which emphasized how important it is to get treatment asap (or any situation requiring emergency treatment really)

If you see any one of these three signs, it’s TIME to call 999. Stroke is always a medical emergency that requires immediate medical attention.

Recognising the signs of stroke and calling 999 for an ambulance is crucial. The quicker a patient arrives at a specialist stroke unit, the quicker they will receive appropriate treatment and the more likely they are to make a better recovery. If you suspect a stroke, always dial 999

http://www.stroke.org.uk/FAST" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

: ScreenShot00138.jpg (77.34 KiB) Viewed 8405 times

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 8:47 am

Morning all.

Will the public trust the coalition members with the NHS ever again? May is relatively close in the election cycle but a hell of a long way away for a health system crumbling. Even if the hallowed all important economy had recovered, the deficit had been cleared and the majority weren't in a worse financial position due to the actions of this coalition, this one issue should be enough of an albatross around the coalition members to destroy their reelection chances.
When the MSM are becoming critical of what is happening without blaming it on quangos, greedy gps, PFI and any other 'Labour by extension' reasons Cameron and Osborne must know their goose is cooked.

If the polls show a consistent gap in winter and spring what can we expect in the final budget (that Balls would inevitably have to stick to short term). Blatant scorched earth / election bribes?

All my own personal opinion of course

Toby Latimer · Post by **Toby Latimer** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 8:54 am

: B5VTrnuIMAAbgOM.jpg (116.2 KiB) Viewed 8388 times

Look who Nigel has been getting chummy with ...

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 9:04 am

Toby Latimer wrote:
B5VTrnuIMAAbgOM.jpg

Look who Nigel has been getting chummy with ...

Terrible thing to say ... but if he went, I wouldn't particularly mind that it was him that went ... I'd just be very annoyed at the stupidity of it from a supposedly Labour politician and the no doubt huge ramifications for 'Ed's leadership crisis' .... (yawn).

But - given Ukip's slow motion car crash ... Danczuk really would be incredibly stupid to make that move. I reckon Carswell must have had a few serious misgivings about his move recently. But then ...

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 9:08 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Toby Latimer wrote:
B5VTrnuIMAAbgOM.jpg

Look who Nigel has been getting chummy with ...
Terrible thing to say ... but if he went, I wouldn't particularly mind that it was him that went ... I'd just be very annoyed at the stupidity of it from a supposedly Labour politician and the no doubt huge ramifications for 'Ed's leadership crisis' .... (yawn).

But - given Ukip's slow motion car crash ... Danczuk really would be incredibly stupid to make that move. I reckon Carswell must have had a few serious misgivings about his move recently. But then ...

Indeed, what does Danczuk gain from moving? For starters the WATO would no longer have him on speed dial to criticise Miliband!

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 9:13 am

Andy Burnham very good on Radio 4 just now re the decision to lengthen ambulance arrival time targets ... which Hunt didn't reveal to the HoC when he was answering questions just 3 days after. They actually allowed him to speak without interruption so he was able to say what he thought the problems were and how they should be addressed.

Editing to add:

Andy Burnham ‏@andyburnhammp 26s26 seconds ago
15/12: @Jeremy_Hunt approves changes to 999 response. 18/12: he answers Q in Parliament on ambulance services but withholds details. Serious

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 9:23 am

Simon Danczuk ‏@SimonDanczuk 38m38 minutes ago
I'm on @LBC just after 9am talking about all things UKIP!

Times like this I'd like to help this man find a cliff.

Editing to add:

Simon Danczuk retweeted
LBC ‏@LBC 7m7 minutes ago
.@SimonDanczuk tells @LBC that @Nigel_Farage is "an interesting guy... Probaby the most successful politician of 2014. A fun guy."

And, what a surprise, Danczuk himself is retweeting this.

Toby Latimer · Post by **Toby Latimer** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 9:28 am

A fun guy or a fungi

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 9:38 am

Toby Latimer wrote:A fun guy or a fungi

Some kind of yeast infection anyway...

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 9:45 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Simon Danczuk ‏@SimonDanczuk 38m38 minutes ago
I'm on @LBC just after 9am talking about all things UKIP!
Times like this I'd like to help this man find a cliff.

Editing to add:
Simon Danczuk retweeted
LBC ‏@LBC 7m7 minutes ago
.@SimonDanczuk tells @LBC that @Nigel_Farage is "an interesting guy... Probaby the most successful politician of 2014. A fun guy."
And, what a surprise, Danczuk himself is retweeting this.

As much as I want Labour to win that is one seat I'd be prepared to sacrifice!! Especially if we got this one in exchange.

Toby Latimer · Post by **Toby Latimer** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 10:19 am

Well, if I need an ambulance quickly & it gets delayed at least I've got my new donor card in my wallet

: B5Sb1wkIYAIBwjK.jpg (24.59 KiB) Viewed 8286 times

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 10:29 am

Andy Burnham has written to Jeremy Hunt about the changes to ambulance waiting times. This one is too serious for the loyal press to bury.

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1057648 ... tempt-over" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 10:41 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Andy Burnham has written to Jeremy Hunt about the changes to ambulance waiting times. This one is too serious for the loyal press to bury.

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1057648 ... tempt-over" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Anyone know the statistics for increased chance of death for each minute the ambulance is delayed?

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 10:47 am

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 38084.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Most transparent government ever. Hmm.

Toby Latimer · Post by **Toby Latimer** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 10:55 am

I would have thought that the longer the delay in getting treatment to stroke patients, it follows that even if they survive then there is a much greater chance that the recovery will be longer, and it is more likely that they will suffer an increased disability, which in the long run will cost a lot more to the NHS and the social services in after care, than if they had a more rapid response in getting to hospital.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 11:33 am

HindleA wrote:RIP John Freeman

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30565798" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Last surviving MP of the 1945 GE - there are 2 or 3 unsuccessful candidates from then still alive, most notably Lord (Denis) Healey.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 11:42 am

Danczuk only has a small majority (about 800) and his Rochdale seat will be vulnerable to UKIP. I do hope he goes.
Morning all

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 11:44 am

Good morning.

Yes, I know it's been done but . . .

Labour races into seven-point lead as ratings for Nigel Farage show sharp fall
Observer/Opinium poll puts Labour on 36%, with the Tories on 29% and Ukip down three points to 16%
(Guardian - my emphasis)

Well, that's Christmas sorted for me, then.

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 11:44 am

Morning all.
Apparently James Murdoch threatened the head of OFCOM, telling him "We know where you live".
As Peter Jukes points out, people thought Tom Watson was exaggerating when he referred to Murdoch as a Mafia boss

Apologies for the Mail link

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... r-bid.html

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 11:52 am

AngryAsWell wrote:Danczuk only has a small majority (about 800) and his Rochdale seat will be vulnerable to UKIP. I do hope he goes.
Morning all

That is a majority over the LibDems, who have imploded there even more spectacularly than the national average.

Its not vulnerable to UKIP either, really, it is a much more non-white seat than neighbouring Heywood/Middleton (if you are thinking that because of the by-election there)

Nah, Danczuk is doing it because he is a right wing opportunist and self publicist - he likes the attention, no question

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 12:01 pm

Return of the Blairite Undead:

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... it-message

Please, Lord Mandelson, Please just f@*k off

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 21 Dec, 2014 12:05 pm

Spacedone wrote:
Toby Latimer wrote:A fun guy or a fungi
Some kind of yeast infection anyway...

Best described as a fungal infection.