Wednesday 4th March 2015

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 7:59 pm

Just dawned on me.

These days whenever we read about Farage or UKIP, the EU is never mentioned. Now it's all about immigrants and has become racial and yet the EU was what raised the public awareness of them as a political party.

I would guess it's lost him voters who were only interested in a Referendum.

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:06 pm

TechnicalEphemera wrote:
AngryAsWell wrote:Maternity leave minister returns to help SNP avoid ID database defeat
Aileen Campbell helps the Scottish Government triumph by 64 votes to 61 in a knife-edge vote on proposals that critics claim create ID cards "by the back door".
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... efeat.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...and
Scottish Government survives ‘super ID database’ vote
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-3708227" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Those SNP dudes are actually pretty scary when you get down to it. Nationalists with a bit of control freak thrown in. Authoritarianism is only just around the corner.

Single Police Force; State Guardians for under 18s; Armed police on the streets; Local Authority finances controlled by Holyrood - the result of a single party doing what it wants without a second, revising, chamber.

Definitely an argument for reforming, but not abolishing the HoL.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:07 pm

ohsocynical wrote:Just dawned on me.

These days whenever we read about Farage or UKIP, the EU is never mentioned. Now it's all about immigrants and has become racial and yet the EU was what raised the public awareness of them as a political party.

I would guess it's lost him voters who were only interested in a Referendum.

Your post reminds me of something larger - I feel manipulated when my attention is brought to Issues (things that can & will affect me, though not on a daily basis) I've discovered no longer talked about though the Issue itself hasn't changed. But it's not reported at all.

Manipulated by news not discussed, news that is discussed - how irritating it is to see headlines that aren't Issues but substitute Non-issues dressed up like Issues.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:13 pm

I'm a bit stunned by that Scottish Govt vote re the ID stuff ... in fact I'm a bit amazed that they seem to get away with so much anti Westminster rhetoric re authoritarianism and austerity while behaving in really contradictory ways on so many issues.

That's politics I guess.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:35 pm

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 43s 44 seconds ago
3 English constituencies polled by Lord Ashcroft had 5%+ from CON to LAB swings - bigger than in previous wave before Xmas. Very bad 4 CON

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:36 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:
TechnicalEphemera wrote:
AngryAsWell wrote:Maternity leave minister returns to help SNP avoid ID database defeat
Aileen Campbell helps the Scottish Government triumph by 64 votes to 61 in a knife-edge vote on proposals that critics claim create ID cards "by the back door".
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... efeat.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...and
Scottish Government survives ‘super ID database’ vote
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-3708227" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Those SNP dudes are actually pretty scary when you get down to it. Nationalists with a bit of control freak thrown in. Authoritarianism is only just around the corner.
Single Police Force; State Guardians for under 18s; Armed police on the streets; Local Authority finances controlled by Holyrood - the result of a single party doing what it wants without a second, revising, chamber.

Definitely an argument for reforming, but not abolishing the HoL.

Totally agree on the HoL, all my life (well adult life that is) I've wanted them scrapped. But without them this government would have been able to do even more damage. Have had a total change of mind about their roll. (snap! on posting same link by the way I'd gone looking for it from your previous post so thanks)

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:38 pm

We were talking about homelessness earlier...

Crispin Flintoff ‏@Fruitandvegdon · 2m2 minutes ago
50% more rough sleepers since 2010.
Tories wreck lives.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ho ... er-5235998" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

Toby Latimer · Post by **Toby Latimer** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:38 pm

Jim Murphy didn't major on history then

: 11034176_336678949870563_7552251965004204545_n.jpg (17.75 KiB) Viewed 15059 times

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:43 pm

So not a single rebel in that SNP ID cards vote?

Say what you like about Labour, there'd have been a few lefties vetoing it.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:56 pm

What the ‘Experts’ Think Will Happen in the General Election
http://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/electionsinw ... or/sesrms/

He links to this report on behalf of the Political Studies Association
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5Ik-g ... view?pli=1

'Experts' comprise academics, pollsters and journalists.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 8:57 pm

Toby Latimer wrote:Jim Murphy didn't major on history then
11034176_336678949870563_7552251965004204545_n.jpg

Is that a genuine tweet (because he has deleted it if so) or a Photoshop hatchet job?

Toby Latimer · Post by **Toby Latimer** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:01 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
Toby Latimer wrote:Jim Murphy didn't major on history then
11034176_336678949870563_7552251965004204545_n.jpg
Is that a genuine tweet (because he has deleted it if so) or a Photoshop hatchet job?

Good point, I didn't see it either on twitter - an old work colleague just posted it to Facebook , I'll try and find out where he got it from

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:03 pm

Toby Latimer wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
Toby Latimer wrote:Jim Murphy didn't major on history then
11034176_336678949870563_7552251965004204545_n.jpg
Is that a genuine tweet (because he has deleted it if so) or a Photoshop hatchet job?
Good point, I didn't see it either on twitter - an old work colleague just posted it to Facebook , I'll try and find out where he got it from

On that basis I'm definitely going with hatchet job. I'm no fan of Murphy, and he can justifiably be called many things, but 'stupid' isn't one I'd expect.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:11 pm

I've just found this notification & have posted it elsewhere.
I would have like to have seen it.
Now we'll have to wait until June.

Release: Household Disposable Income and Inequality, 2013-2014 - CANCELLED
Released: 03 March 2015

Frequency of release: Annually
Geographical coverage: UK
Geographical breakdown: UK and GB

This release has been cancelled.

ONS had hoped, in the light of user demand, to produce estimates of median household income and inequality for 2013-14 on a quicker timetable than the annual "Effects of Taxes and Benefits on Household Income" article, which is normally published in the early summer, and provisionally announced a date for March 2015.

However, the need to resolve issues with the source data mean that this cannot now be achieved.

Instead the data will appear as usual in the taxes and benefits article, which has been preannounced with a provisional date of June 2015.

http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/household ... index.html

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:16 pm

Apologies if this has appeared earlier but:

THE police officer at the centre of the notorious Downing Street “Plebgate” incident has accepted £80,000 damages in settlement of his libel action against former chief whip Andrew Mitchell.
The conclusion of Pc Toby Rowland’s defamation case against the MP was announced at the High Court in London today.
Last November Mr Mitchell, who vehemently denied using the word “pleb”, lost a high-profile action against News Group Newspapers, publishers of the Sun.
A judge then declared he had reached the “firm conclusion” that Mr Mitchell had used the “politically-toxic” word in September 2012 when he was not allowed to cycle through the main Downing Street vehicle gates.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/plebgat ... -1-3709131

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:50 pm

Faisal Islam ‏@faisalislam 14 mins14 minutes ago

Strange things happening on the Telegraph website: a story saying PM accepts idea of one 7 way TV debate before election period, now deleted

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:50 pm

Sky news :
Cameron has refused to go head to head with Ed - lol
Not heard all details yet but seem he will do 1 with "all" leaders involved but will not face Ed
Sky put on some clips of Ed at his best to illustrate the item !!

rearofthestore · Post by **rearofthestore** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:53 pm

So this is Cameron's Final Offer re debates.

Cameron 'agrees to just one debate'
Breaking news Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

Miliband will debate 'any time'
No. 10 says its "final offer" is for David Cameron to take part in one TV election debate between 7 party leaders

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31742155" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:56 pm

An argument for (among other things) HoL reform from God himself (well G O'D):

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 86249.html

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:57 pm

Steve Bell

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... my-cartoon" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 9:59 pm

rearofthestore wrote:So this is Cameron's Final Offer re debates.
Cameron 'agrees to just one debate'
Breaking news Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

Miliband will debate 'any time'
No. 10 says its "final offer" is for David Cameron to take part in one TV election debate between 7 party leaders
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31742155" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wouldn't it be funny if 5 of the leaders simply agreed to say nothing during this one debate?

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:02 pm

No. 10 says its "final offer" is for David Cameron to take part in one TV election debate between 7 party leaders

Which 7 party leaders, Dave?
As long as none of them are UK party leaders & don't speak or comprehend English, going once, going twice...

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:02 pm

Angus Carruthers retweeted
Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 20 mins20 minutes ago

letter from downing street to BBC and other broadcasters coming at 10pm

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:02 pm

rearofthestore wrote:So this is Cameron's Final Offer re debates.
Cameron 'agrees to just one debate'
Breaking news Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

Miliband will debate 'any time'
No. 10 says its "final offer" is for David Cameron to take part in one TV election debate between 7 party leaders
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31742155" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Frit.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:05 pm

Hashtag - #CameronChicken

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:08 pm

ohsocynical wrote:Angus Carruthers retweeted
Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 20 mins20 minutes ago

letter from downing street to BBC and other broadcasters coming at 10pm

Dave is a narcissistic, over-indulged crybaby.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:09 pm

Cameron doesn’t own the debates. We do. He needs reminding of this.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:13 pm

The broadcasters respond to the @Number10gov letter on TV debates (see DTEL political lead earlier)
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:16 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:
rearofthestore wrote:So this is Cameron's Final Offer re debates.
Cameron 'agrees to just one debate'
Breaking news Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

Miliband will debate 'any time'
No. 10 says its "final offer" is for David Cameron to take part in one TV election debate between 7 party leaders
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31742155" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Frit.

Quite. And no answers. Everything single they've touched has gone tits up.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:19 pm

Dear Dave. Are you finally admitting you can't defend the indefensible...

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:21 pm

rearofthestore wrote:So this is Cameron's Final Offer re debates.
Cameron 'agrees to just one debate'
Breaking news Continue reading the main story
Related Stories

Miliband will debate 'any time'
No. 10 says its "final offer" is for David Cameron to take part in one TV election debate between 7 party leaders
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31742155" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That page has now updated and has added this:

Under Mr Cameron's proposal, one 90-minute contest would take place before 30 March, when the general election campaign is likely to start.

He says it is his 'final offer.' Where does that man get off!? He's criticizing the organisation of the debates but he's the one who started demanding that other parties should be represented, first with the Greens and then, when they were added, with the DUP!

He's frit!

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:28 pm

Daniel Boffey retweeted
Rafael Behr ‏@rafaelbehr 25m25 minutes ago
Have been pretty relaxed about TV debates stuff. But now suddenly appalled by arrogance of Cameron thinking he doesn't have to bother.

Daniel Boffey retweeted
Rafael Behr ‏@rafaelbehr 19m19 minutes ago
@IsabelHardman @helenlewis pretending to negotiate and using that process for wrecking looks really shabby.

Daniel Boffey ‏@DanielBoffey 16m16 minutes ago
David Cameron and Craig Oliver utterly shameless over leadership debates, it seems. Empty chair the blustering bullies.

Well - even those usually prepared to give Cameron the benefit of doubt don't like his behaviour on this one.

Arrogance doesn't even begin to cover it ...

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:29 pm

Ooops Dave's up set the tory journo's as well
Isabel Hardman ‏@IsabelHardman · 22m22 minutes ago
@helenlewis @rafaelbehr don’t care about journos getting the brush-off, it’s the disregard for a means of engaging electorate I can’t stand

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:31 pm

Paul Waugh ‏@paulwaugh 13m13 minutes ago
If bcasters try to empty-chair PM in a two-way, likely to face legal challenge. Wonder if they'll empty chair him in a Cam-Clegg-EdM prog?

What grounds would there be for a legal challenge? They will have given Cameron every opportunity to participate ... he will have decided not to do so.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:34 pm

Think we should be saying 'well played' to Miliband though - even if there are no debates. He's flushed Cameron out with his questions and constant commitment to the debates .... I don't think the public will be in any doubt who wasn't confident enough to take part.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:38 pm

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 5m 5 minutes ago
@SunPolitics: YouGov/Sun poll tonight - Labour and Tories tied: CON 34%, LAB 34%, LD 8%, UKIP 14%, GRN 6%

Mike Smithson @MSmithsonPB · 21m 21 minutes ago
LAB 4% ahead in Ashcroft 8k national poll
Lab 34%
Con 30%
UKIP 18%
LD 6%
GN 6%

Tish · Post by **Tish** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:40 pm

According to Exaro the police are currently searching Harvey Proctor's house. Movement at last?

http://www.exaronews.com/articles/5510/ ... on-midland" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:47 pm

Chris Bryant retweeted
David Cameron ‏@DavidChameron 13m13 minutes ago
My other demand for the TV election debate is that it is only shown on Dave. That should give me a nice bit of subliminal advertising.

Tish · Post by **Tish** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 10:52 pm

Tony Blair is helping Labour in the best way he can, with cold hard cash

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... rget-seats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

mbc1955 · Post by **mbc1955** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 11:01 pm

Tish wrote:Tony Blair is helping Labour in the best way he can, with cold hard cash

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... rget-seats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mouth shut, pocket open. Phew!

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 11:10 pm

Back to homelessness for a sec
Gail ‏@CharlieWoof81 · 12h12 hours ago
Homelessness in Manchester shoots up 150pc under David Cameron http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... ar_twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … thanks Dave

Night all

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 11:19 pm

mbc1955 wrote:
Tish wrote:Tony Blair is helping Labour in the best way he can, with cold hard cash

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... rget-seats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Mouth shut, pocket open. Phew!

Top effort, let's not look too closely at where he got the cash.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 11:36 pm

Helen Lewis ‏@helenlewis 1h1 hour ago
Have now seen senior types at the Sun, Guardian & Buzzfeed tweet this. Broad coalition of anger at Mail Online: http://tktk.gawker.com/my-year-ripping- ... socialflow" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

Follow the link - and have all your suspicions and concerns about the Daily Mail confirmed ... and then some. No wonder these other news outlets are annoyed.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 11:52 pm

Political Scrapbook ‏@PSbook 3h3 hours ago
NEW → Top Tory MP: it's "impossible" to raise family on £67,000, suggests £225,000 allowance http://politicalscrapbook.net/2015/03/m ... us-225000/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

Yup - you read that right - he wants an 'allowance' (unaudited) of £225,000. And it's Adam Afriye.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 11:54 pm

Left wing SNP!

http://www.kenmacintosh.co.uk/2015/03/0 ... n-welfare/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

welfare delivered via vouchers, with Tory support.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Wed 04 Mar, 2015 11:58 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Political Scrapbook ‏@PSbook 3h3 hours ago
NEW → Top Tory MP: it's "impossible" to raise family on £67,000, suggests £225,000 allowance http://politicalscrapbook.net/2015/03/m ... us-225000/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …
Yup - you read that right - he wants an 'allowance' (unaudited) of £225,000. And it's Adam Afriye.

Wow, just wow.

No normal person earns that sort of money, that really is 1% stuff.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 05 Mar, 2015 12:01 am

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Left wing SNP!

http://www.kenmacintosh.co.uk/2015/03/0 ... n-welfare/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

welfare delivered via vouchers, with Tory support.

Yes - it's incredible isn't it. This along with the ID vote, and their abstention re the vote against austerity today, is why I said I was stunned by the gap between their progressive, anti austerity anti authoritarian rhetoric and what they are actually doing.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 05 Mar, 2015 12:06 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:Left wing SNP!

http://www.kenmacintosh.co.uk/2015/03/0 ... n-welfare/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

welfare delivered via vouchers, with Tory support.
Yes - it's incredible isn't it. This along with the ID vote, and their abstention re the vote against austerity today, is why I said I was stunned by the gap between their progressive, anti austerity anti authoritarian rhetoric and what they are actually doing.

Their police are incredible stop and searchers. 3 times the rate of the Met.

Say what you like about England, we wouldn't have that.

thatchersorphan · Post by **thatchersorphan** » Thu 05 Mar, 2015 12:47 am

AngryAsWell wrote:Back to homelessness for a sec
Gail ‏@CharlieWoof81 · 12h12 hours ago
Homelessness in Manchester shoots up 150pc under David Cameron http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... ar_twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … thanks Dave

Night all

On Friday, Manchester council is set to sign off £2m in cuts to homelessness funding – including to the city’s flagship Booth Centre project – on top of previous savings and hostel closures.
It's going to get worse....

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 05 Mar, 2015 12:50 am

thatchersorphan wrote:
AngryAsWell wrote:Back to homelessness for a sec
Gail ‏@CharlieWoof81 · 12h12 hours ago
Homelessness in Manchester shoots up 150pc under David Cameron http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... ar_twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … thanks Dave

Night all

On Friday, Manchester council is set to sign off £2m in cuts to homelessness funding – including to the city’s flagship Booth Centre project – on top of previous savings and hostel closures.
It's going to get worse....

Oh Christ.

As thing's stand, that's already worse than Johnson's managed.