Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th March

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 2:39 pm

Swarthlander, have you eaten all the Welsh cakes?
Good-afternoon, friends.
I've not read the weekend thread.
I'm jumping on here in need of some biscuit with my tea this afternoon.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 2:42 pm

Wait.
Never mind.
I've found the chocolate.

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 2:46 pm

yahyah wrote:Finance expert Paul Lewis not impressed.

Paul Lewis @paullewismoney · 6m 6 minutes ago
Not one detail about annuity buyback or tax on it by GO #Marr. Just 'right way to treat people who have worked hard and saved hard'. *sigh*

Paul Lewis @paullewismoney · 13m 13 minutes ago
Will Osborne say anything other than old slogans? eg mend the roof while sun is shining, longterm economic plan, difficult decisions etc

Despite the fact that Moneybox is frequently an entertainment black hole, it's generally very informative, and I've long harboured the view that Paul Lewis is a - well - bit of a lefty, actually. Missed Marr this morning. Sounds like I missed nowt.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 2:47 pm

Hi JA, when you've finished munching the choc...

How did you get on yesterday in Birmingham?
Giselle was there...did you manage to meet up?

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 2:55 pm

Anyone know what has happened between Farron and international politician of statue, Paddy Ashdown?

Unseemly spat I have heard it described?

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:01 pm

letsskiptotheleft wrote:Anyone know what has happened between Farron and international politician of statue, Paddy Ashdown?

Unseemly spat I have heard it described?

Handbags or a 'fracas' I wonder.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:02 pm

Lib Dem says Lib Dem lacks judgement shocker.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31896919" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:03 pm

yahyah wrote:Hi JA, when you've finished munching the choc...

How did you get on yesterday in Birmingham?
Giselle was there...did you manage to meet up?

I regret I was unable to attend yesterday's Labour meeting in Birmingham.

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:07 pm

yahyah wrote:
letsskiptotheleft wrote:Anyone know what has happened between Farron and international politician of statue, Paddy Ashdown?

Unseemly spat I have heard it described?
Handbags or a 'fracas' I wonder.

Handbags, for definitely.

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:07 pm

tinyclanger2 wrote:
ScarletGas wrote:If anyone doubts that the BBC has assumed the role of state broadcaster they should watch Marr this morning.

Balls was interrupted ( as usual) time and time again with Marr trying to major on the SNP issue rather than the economy.

Osborne was allowed to talk uninterrupted with Marr even apologised for interrupting him at one point.

I am a supporter of the BBC but programmes such as this does it no credit and only gives credence to the arguments of its opponents.
I was once a proud supporter of the BBC and now mostly live without it. Out of my life in the last year or two have been the Guardian most of the Independent, the New Statesman and the BBC. I rely quite highly on FTN to filter out the dross and bring in valuable specialist information streams.

(edited for repetition, gaps, grammar and general crapness)

Thanks TC. When I read posts like that, I remember with something of a start just why we're all here. There's plenty of truth and insightful comment out there - you've just got to know where to look.

Tell other posters elsewhere about FTN if you can. It's great that Swarthy has signed up and immediately pitched in (not trying to single you out mate!), but it would be even better if our lurkers delurked (? Is that a word?) and where possible signed up to FTN. I know there are still some excellent posters over at CiF, and I'd love them to come here and share their wit and wisdom, as it would make the place even better than I think it currently is (despite recent problems).

IMO, FTN is a pretty high quality filter with some fairly discerning inhabitants, and I'm very glad of the quality it produces - particularly when compared to the trollfest that is CiF, or the festival of racism, fascism and sheer stupidity available via the Daily Wail (for example).

We have something here that's worth growing. I'm open to ideas, as, I'm sure, are Dan and Paul.

Just don't mention the elk flavour ice cream.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:08 pm

Who ate all the elk flavoured ice cream.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:10 pm

citizenJA wrote:Wait.
Never mind.
I've found the chocolate.

I ended up buying one too many Easter eggs. You've just reminded me

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:11 pm

letsskiptotheleft wrote:
yahyah wrote:
letsskiptotheleft wrote:Anyone know what has happened between Farron and international politician of statue, Paddy Ashdown?

Unseemly spat I have heard it described?
Handbags or a 'fracas' I wonder.
Handbags, for definitely.

Handbags at dawn. Thatcher rules.

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:12 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:
DANNY Alexander has called on voters to form a unionist alliance to stop his and other Liberal Democrat seats falling into the hands of nationalists.

Speaking to Scotland on Sunday yesterday, the chief secretary to the treasury admitted that he is fighting for his political life but believes he will defy the polls and win his Highland seat.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-3719004

Words fail me!

It's just talk from a has been. May he be crushed in May.

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:13 pm

Oh FFS !

TaxdodgersAlliance trying to whip up a storm:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-so ... e-31895703" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can't see what there is to be 'outraged' about & fwiw, why should MP's fund these wreaths out of their own funds when they are representing their community, as the elected political representative !

I bet our Leaders don't personally pay for the wreaths laid at the cenotaph each year.

Typical Tories though - cost of everything, value of none.

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:16 pm

pk1 wrote:I can't get the detail from the front page of todays Times but Tim Shipman has said this in his morning briefing:

http://times-deck.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaw ... bd19e.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Len McCluskey, general secretary of the Unite union, Labour’s biggest paymaster, wants his old mate Karie Murphy on the shortlist. Ed Miliband, remembering the shemozzle in Falkirk last year, wants her nowhere near it.

Last week The Sunday Times revealed concerns at the top of the party that failure to accommodate McCluskey’s wishes would lead Unite to withhold their final donation to Labour before the election, of £1.5 million. Unite says this is “laughable” but Labour folk say they have abandoned hope of the money ever appearing.

Into this morass has stepped one A. C. L. Blair Esq, much travelled international power broker and former (but now sadly much unloved) Labour prime minister. The Sunday Times reveals, on its front page, details of a dinner Blair hosted for Miliband and various donors at his London home last Monday to drum up cash; it has led to an intriguing £1m deal to plug the gap and water down the influence of the unions.

At the dinner Assem Allam, chairman of Hull City Football Club, told Miliband he would give Labour £300,000 on top of the £200,000 he has already handed over this year. But crucially he also promised a further £500,000 if the Labour leader loses money by standing up to McCluskey.

Allam said: “I want to see a strong Labour party less reliant on trades union money, so I have said if you have any problem with the Unite money, I will make my donation £1m.”

Blair’s role in the dinner reveals that he is more involved in Labour’s campaign than previously thought. I’m told he is planning further fundraisers, perhaps a speech on Europe and a campaign trip to his old Sedgefield seat in the weeks ahead.

Allam thinks he’ll have to cough up, having been “assured [that] under no circumstances” will Miliband “give in” to McCluskey’s pressure. Miliband has appointed Harriet Harman, his deputy, to the panel of three who will interview those seeking the Halifax seat on Tuesday, to stop Murphy being selected.

Predictably, Blair’s involvement has provoked a backlash with union-backed MPs like Jim Sheridan last night accusing him of “underhand tactic” to “freeze out honest, hard-working trade unionists” that would cost Labour seats.
Thoughts ?

It's got 'absolute and utter cock' written all over it. Nothing attributed to anyone when you check it carefully.

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:21 pm

citizenJA wrote:Who ate all the elk flavoured ice cream.

If I thought it was Eric fucking Pickles, I'd poison the next batch.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:47 pm

Petty, I know - but I feel petty today

"Osborne's psychiatrist brother is suspended AGAIN... over 'serious misconduct' with female patient"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tient.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:50 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:Petty, I know - but I feel petty today

"Osborne's psychiatrist brother is suspended AGAIN... over 'serious misconduct' with female patient"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tient.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Absolutely shocking! Sick.
There's nothing petty about news a psychiatrist is suspended over inappropriate conduct with a patient.
Jesus these are degenerate times.
Like god damn Rome during the fall of empire.

Post by **refitman** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:54 pm

One for Pratchett fans and computer geeks:

Redditors are using computer code and a niche reference from one of Terry Pratchett’s books to make sure his name lives on forever.

Hundreds of users have left the term ‘GNU Terry Pratchett’ on the /r/discworld forum and others are now leaving it in HTML and JavaScript on their own websites since the author passed away on Thursday.

http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/r ... lJjYpijRag" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 3:59 pm

Pack of hounds attack Chinese man's car after he kicks sleeping dog

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world ... 03155.html#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 4:01 pm

ErnstRemarx wrote:
Eric_WLothian wrote:
DANNY Alexander has called on voters to form a unionist alliance to stop his and other Liberal Democrat seats falling into the hands of nationalists.

Speaking to Scotland on Sunday yesterday, the chief secretary to the treasury admitted that he is fighting for his political life but believes he will defy the polls and win his Highland seat.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/t ... -1-3719004

Words fail me!
It's just talk from a has been. May he be crushed in May.

I'm sure there was a link on Twitter about him getting in another lot of bother over donations this time from an avowed tax avoider.
Evidently he - Alexander - is pumping a lot of money into his campaign.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 4:17 pm

I've been down the well for some time now.
I'm okay; I'm not alone.
FTN is a good place.
I love you, friends.
I'll write another day.
love
JA

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 4:30 pm

Took part in the 38 degrees send a letter to PPCs to ask them how they would vote or what they feel about TTIP.

This is from my local UKIP PPC.
__________________________________________________________________________
-----Original Message-----
From
Sent: 14 March 2015 18:14
To: richardthomas@ukipbracknell.co.uk
Subject: Will you stop TTIP?

Dear Richard Thomas

As a candidate in my local constituency, I would like you to oppose the TTIP trade deal.
I’m really worried about the effect of TTIP (The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership) on further privatisation of our NHS and public services, as well as the inclusion of an ISDS clause which could allow corporations to sue governments. A document leaked last week showed that the NHS still isn’t exempt from the deal. You can read more about it here: https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/ttip-leaked" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Please can you tell me what you will do to stop this deal and protect our public services?

Yours sincerely,

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Richard Thomas <richardthomas@ukipbracknell.co.uk>
Attachments10:37 (5 hours ago)

to me

Thank you for your e-mail.

Whilst I am generally in favour of free trade agreements, they do need to be drawn up to support the UK’s national interest. This one clearly does not.

Part of the problem is one that UKIP alone fights on- the fact that this agreement is not actually being negotiated by our own government, but by the EU. UKIP’s policy is to leave the EU, and negotiate bilateral trade agreements with states all round the world, not just Europe. The world is now a smaller place, and we need to be trading with other nations such as China- a fact that has changed significantly since the inception of the EU some 60 years ago.

In terms of this specific proposed trade agreement, I oppose it, due to the burdens it places on this country. These burdens are well outlined by the 38 Degree movement.
In addition to insisting on a referendum on the UK’s continued membership of the EU, I would table a motion in Parliament calling for ministers to block this proposed trade deal. I feel confident that this would be passed by the House, and that ministers would be forced to act.

The second part of your question asks specifically about public services. These have been run down over the past few years to a point where many no longer qualify for the title ‘service’.

My ‘Manifesto for Bracknell’ (which I attach) shows how I would increase spending on many services. It also shows how this funding will be met. A large part of this extra funding goes to the NHS, part of which being used to abolish prescription charges. It also increases funding on a whole range of public services where the current government’s ‘efficiency’ savings have bitten too hard.

Please feel free to forward the ‘Manifesto’ to anybody else you feel may be interested.

Thank you for your interest.

Richard Thomas

UKIP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bracknell Constituency

01344 761788

Published and promoted by Richard Thomas on behalf of UKIP Bracknell, both of 214 Mount Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 9EB

A MANIFESTO FOR BRACKNELL

As Bracknell constituency is now a two way marginal seat between UKIP and the Conservatives, giving local people a real chance of electing a UKIP MP next year, it is right that my plans for Parliament are free for everyone to see.
Nobody is seriously expecting Nigel Farage to be Prime Minister after the election, but most people expect there to be a hung Parliament. There is likely to be a number of UKIP MPs (quite possibly more than the Lib Dems), with possibly a new coalition government involving UKIP or a minority government supported by UKIP MPs.
So, where would I stand, as the newly elected MP for Bracknell constituency, in the negotiations which will take place after the election?

On the spending side of the government’s accounts, my aims would be to fully fund the NHS (costing £21.9 billion initially). When people cannot get an appointment with their GP then it really is a sorry state of affairs for the NHS.
As part of this settlement, I would abolish charges for NHS prescriptions. This would cost £0.5 billion. Part of this would be offset by a slight reduction in fees paid to pharmacies and dispensing doctors, and also by eliminating the administration cost to the NHS of applying the charges, but the bulk of the funding would come from the extra global sum provided above.

I will also restore many of the excessive cuts to public services carried out by the current government (costing £3.3 billion). Again, when people miss holidays because passports from the Passport Agency take too long, and when border staff are insufficient in number to prevent illegal migrants entering the country, then perhaps we should recognise that cuts have been too deep. Some of this £3.3 billion will also be fed back into local government to restore some lost services there.

I believe in having a grammar school in every town, allowing bright children from all backgrounds to access the best universities. This will cost £1.1 billion.
People on low incomes (the minimum wage) should not be paying tax. I would increase the tax threshold to £13,124 per annum, reducing the tax paid by anybody earning up to £100,000 a year. The benefit of this would be proportionately greater for those on lower incomes. This would cost £6.1 billion.

Our armed services have also been cut too far. An ‘army’ should be 100,000 personnel, but our army has been reduced below that to the status of a self defence force. Restoring the army to 100,000 would cost £1.4 billion.

On the capital side, I would scrap the HS2 project, saving (net of money already spent or committed) £39.8 billion. I would use this to invest in capital transport projects. Funding rail improvements on the existing network should be funded out of this, which would remove the need for inflation busting rail fare increases currently being imposed on Bracknell’s commuters.
I would also set aside £15.1 billion for road improvements. This would include trunk roads (the A303) as well as grants to councils for improvements to bus services and cycleways.
Also included in this figure would be £800 million set aside to sort out the A329/ A322 through Bracknell town- I have consulted the public on three options, and the most popular is to construct a series of underpasses and flyovers along the existing route, separating through traffic from local traffic, and freeing up the roundabouts on the route.
People will read this, and wonder how I would pay for these promises.

I would abolish two government departments (with their cabinet ministers).
The Department for Overseas Aid would go as a result in aid reductions, and be replaced by a junior minister (the Aid Minister) within the Foreign Office (as was the case before Tony Blair changed it). I would reduce overseas aid to that needed for humanitarian aid (earthquakes, droughts, famine and civilian victims of war). This would save £10.2 billion.

I would also abolish the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. This would save £3.9 billion of unnecessary spending, with the remainder of spending on useful services being transferred between the Department for Education and the Foreign Office.

There would need to be another junior minister in the Foreign Office (the Trade Minister), as well as potentially one in the Education Department. There would be a net reduction in ministerial posts, including the two cabinet ministers.
Leaving the EU will save (at a conservative estimate) £25.1 billion. I have allowed in my budget £5.4 billion for various current EU programmes in the UK, which the UK Government will wish to continue (support for farmers, various construction programmes).

The total current spending under my programme equals the savings to be made. On the capital side, there will be an overall reduction, due to the huge cost of the HS2 programme.
In terms of economic growth and the current government deficit, the two go hand in hand.
People will be aware that there are two ways of reducing a deficit- reduce spending or increase income. The current Conservative government has tried to reduce the deficit by cutting spending, but failed. Government borrowing is still well over £100 billion a year, and likely to remain there for some time.

The budget I outline above has a second advantage. By switching spending from abroad to the UK, there will be an instant boost to GDP of some 2%. This will magnify itself as the increased national income is itself being spent. If the UK can achieve real per capital GDP growth of 3% the current government deficit will be eliminated over 4 years.
These are my spending plans. There are other important issues that electors are interested in.
I am not a ‘little Englander’. I am internationalist in outlook. Many people I met when addressing NATO conferences or when discussing trade and defence with President George Bush (senior) are now in their various national Parliaments, from Turkey to Canada and the US. I am a firm believer in talking to, and trading with, the whole world, not just the part which has formed the EU.

In terms of domestic policy, we must reduce immigration. We can do this in two ways outlined above- leaving the EU, so people do not have an automatic right of entry, and ensuring our border staff are in a position to halt illegal immigration. I do not, however, take the view that anybody currently here legally should be removed.
By reducing immigration, we will ease the constant demand for overdevelopment on greenfield sites. I will fight the kinds of development that we have seen forced on this area by the government, and planned by local councils.

As stated above, I would fully fund the NHS. In terms of local health policy, I fully support Heatherwood Hospital and Royal Berkshire Hospital (the current MP wants to close both, and replace them with a new hospital in Maidenhead). If a new hospital for the area is ever seriously proposed, I will fight for it to be built in Bracknell (there is a suitable site at Amen Corner). I also fully support the provision of community pharmacies (I declare an interest as the owner of a small chain of pharmacies, none in the Bracknell area). The current MP wants to close virtually all our local pharmacies to save money- a policy I will reverse as our MP.

On energy policy, it is total madness to remove coal fired generating capacity (such as blowing up Didcot A power station) when there is not yet any sustainable bulk generating capacity to replace it. Certainly, wind power and solar can contribute to our energy needs, but not at the huge subsidy now added to our electricity bills, and not as a ‘replacement’ for proven, constant technologies. If the lights go out this winter or next (which is quite possible) it will be this misguided energy policy to blame.

I will oppose a third runway (or runway extension) at Heathrow. The summer of 2014 saw a huge increase in aircraft noise in the constituency, which would be made worse by more runway capacity (and therefore more flights) at Heathrow. The UK does need more airport capacity, and I think it is now time to seriously consider a radical solution such as a new airport in the Thames Estuary.
In terms of the way I, as the MP, will represent the constituency, I will change this completely from what is done at the moment.

I will continue to live in the heart of the constituency (in Crowthorne). I grew up in Bracknell, went to Brakenhale School, and had my first job here. This would be a welcome change, as the current MP lives in Marlow.

I will claim no personal expenses (and unlike the current MP) will not claim £21,000 for a taxpayer funded flat in London- many people from this constituency commute to London, paying their own fares, and do not get a flat from their employer.
My office and all my staff will be in the constituency- I will go to Westminster to represent local people, not come out of the Westminster bubble to represent the political elite to us.
I do have a second income, but that is not unusual for MPs today. However, I do believe that an MP with a second income should not get the full parliamentary salary (MPs who become ministers only get about half the salary for being an MP, so why shouldn’t any other MP with a second income?).
I will only accept £39,300 in salary (this is the rate that an MP gets when they also have a salary as a minister). I do not support the proposed 10% increase in MP’s salaries.

This is my programme if local people elect me as their MP. Many people may have questions which arise from it, and are welcome to contact me, or come to one of our public meetings. I expect the programme to form part of negotiations following a hung parliament.

One final thought on the likely make up of that parliament is that any UKIP vote in Bracknell constituency will not result in Ed Milliband being prime minister. It will probably result in Nick Clegg not being deputy prime minister, and may well result in a change of Tory leader to someone more in tune with the outlook of people in this area. So, a vote for UKIP can get you a UKIP MP who will be better for Bracknell than a Conservative one.

Richard Thomas
UKIP Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bracknell Constituency
Published, promoted and printed by Richard Thomas on behalf of UKIP Bracknell, both of 214 Mount Lane, Bracknell, RG12 9EB

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 4:33 pm

citizenJA wrote:I've been down the well for some time now.
I'm okay; I'm not alone.
FTN is a good place.
I love you, friends.
I'll write another day.
love
JA

Sorry to hear that JA.
Had the blues last autumn, wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
Things do turn around though, even if it feels as if it never will.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 4:41 pm

Afternoon all.

Those of you who remember Frank Fisher when he wrote for the Guardian will know that he turned loon and was a potential candidate for UKIP but...

https://disqus.com/home/discussion/tele ... 1889203625" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Frank Fisher gentlemenabedinengland • 10 days ago
A lot of socialist arseholes too though, and they're the ones who will be in charge in 2020.

which depends on one's definition of a socialist and...

Frank Fisher Robert Lee • 10 days ago
I've already been purged I'm afraid. UKIP has centralised control over who is permitted to represented the party, and I was rejected, so not a great deal I could do. I've quit. I dare say UKIP will win some seats in 2015 - I'm not sure if the hollowed-out party will survive until 2020, I suppose it might, as a more overtly left-wing party along Syriza lines, but that wouldn't be something I could support anyway.

Shame - I was looking forward to see him getting trounced.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 4:52 pm

He's a libertarian. No more explanation needed.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 5:03 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:Petty, I know - but I feel petty today

"Osborne's psychiatrist brother is suspended AGAIN... over 'serious misconduct' with female patient"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tient.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I know that most families are dysfunctional to a greater or lesser degree, but the Osborne's are proof that money, titles and a posh job don't mean a thing.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 5:23 pm

Winning candidate: Phillip James Lee

Majority: 15,704
Electorate: 76,888
Total number of votes cast: 52,432
Adjusted turnout: 67.81
Number of postal votes cast: 10,098
Number of proxy votes cast: 309
Number of rejected votes: 73

Vote share

P.J. Lee, Conservative Party (52.4%)
R.W. Earwicker, Liberal Democrat (22.3%)
J.S. Piasecki, Labour Party (16.8%)
M.P. Barter, United Kingdom Independence Party (4.4%)
M.A. Burke, British National Party (2.4%)
D.H. Young, Green Party (1.6%)
D.J. Haycocks, Scrap Members Allowances (0.1%)

Table of detailed results

Candidate surname Candidate initials Party / description Votes (no) Percentage of votes won
Lee P.J. Conservative Party 27,327 52.4
Earwicker R.W. Liberal Democrat 11,623 22.3
Piasecki J.S. Labour Party 8,755 16.8
Barter M.P. United Kingdom Independence Party 2,297 4.4
Burke M.A. British National Party 1,253 2.4
Young D.H. Green Party 821 1.6
Haycocks D.J. Scrap Members Allowances 60 0.1

Help!!!

The UKIP manifesto I posted a short while ago optimistically states Bracknell is a marginal...
The LibDems are pretty much wiped out I believe.

Does a 15,000 or so Conservative majority make this a marginal? Given the swings in this weekends polls is a UKIP takeover for 2nd pushing Labour into 3rd place possible?

Is it me or does a 4.4% of the vote in 2010 for UKIP, equate with being a close runner to the Conservatives in 2015?

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 5:27 pm

citizenJA wrote:I've been down the well for some time now.
I'm okay; I'm not alone.
FTN is a good place.
I love you, friends.
I'll write another day.
love
JA

{{hugs}} CJA, really hope things buck up for you soon, that dragged down feeling is the pits.

Thinking of you and sending happy vibes,
Love right back at ya!
xxx

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 5:34 pm

Blimey. Posting on here this weekend feels a bit like trying to push a marble uphill with my nose.

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 5:42 pm

ohsocynical wrote:Blimey. Posting on here this weekend feels a bit like trying to push a marble uphill with my nose.

What's up Mrs ohso?

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 5:49 pm

Rebecca wrote:
ohsocynical wrote:Blimey. Posting on here this weekend feels a bit like trying to push a marble uphill with my nose.

What's up Mrs ohso?

Hard work getting any sort of response. Only a few bothering.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 5:50 pm

Your posts are appreciated OhSo.

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 5:52 pm

What did Labour ever do for Scotland?

John McTernan, still, the thrust of what he says is unarguable. With those who can reason, above the shouts of ''red Tories''.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/john-mc ... 33572.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 5:53 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
Rebecca wrote:
ohsocynical wrote:Blimey. Posting on here this weekend feels a bit like trying to push a marble uphill with my nose.

What's up Mrs ohso?
Hard work getting any sort of response. Only a few bothering.

Maybe people are busy with mothers day?
Not me,Rosie won't even allow me a cake,boo hoo !got a glass of wine tho.
Have you read any good books lately?am waiting for the new elly Griffiths to come out in a few days.

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 6:10 pm

I just got an email from Ed Miliband,so lots of you probably have too,wanting to be asked questions on just about anything.
I'm going to ask why carers allowance is lower than JSA.Every year there's a carers day,then we all are forgotten about.
Selfish,I know,but I have always wondered.
What are you all going to ask?

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 6:18 pm

Lloyd-George, Nye Bevan can rest easy in their graves. Kinnock is still one of the great orators in Wales.

The competition is less than fierce.

Guto Bebb, few days ago.

Great to support Llandudno in bloom outside ASDA today. The rain will encourage growth.

Surprised he didn't ''long term economic plan''.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 6:20 pm

@ ohsocynical

Hello! I've had a splitting headache all day so I'm not firing on all two cylinders. But I have read and appreciated all your efforts. Although it has seemed a bit disjointed here today. Or maybe that's just me not being quite with-it.

Hobiejoe · Post by **Hobiejoe** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 6:20 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
Rebecca wrote:
ohsocynical wrote:Blimey. Posting on here this weekend feels a bit like trying to push a marble uphill with my nose.

What's up Mrs ohso?
Hard work getting any sort of response. Only a few bothering.

Sorry Ohso, lurking whilst making gravy! Am keeping up with stuff, but just being my usual reticent self.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 6:40 pm

Rebecca wrote:I just got an email from Ed Miliband,so lots of you probably have too,wanting to be asked questions on just about anything.
I'm going to ask why carers allowance is lower than JSA.Every year there's a carers day,then we all are forgotten about.
Selfish,I know,but I have always wondered.
What are you all going to ask?

I was going to ask him how many kitchens he has if I were ever given the opportunity - but now that opportunity has arisen it's a question that's already been answered in depth. Oh, well.

Actually, I asked about the 5 pledges. And then made a donation. Have I just started a new "cash for questions" scandal?

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 7:14 pm

ohsocynical wrote:Blimey. Posting on here this weekend feels a bit like trying to push a marble uphill with my nose.

Sorry Ohso, I don't know the answer to your questions

sorry...

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 7:16 pm

PorFavor wrote:
Rebecca wrote:I just got an email from Ed Miliband,so lots of you probably have too,wanting to be asked questions on just about anything.
I'm going to ask why carers allowance is lower than JSA.Every year there's a carers day,then we all are forgotten about.
Selfish,I know,but I have always wondered.
What are you all going to ask?
I was going to ask him how many kitchens he has if I were ever given the opportunity - but now that opportunity has arisen it's a question that's already been answered in depth. Oh, well.

Actually, I asked about the 5 pledges. And then made a donation. Have I just started a new "cash for questions" scandal?

You and me both - lol
I asked for him to PLEASE stop using that divisive, worn-out term "hardworking people"

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 7:17 pm

PorFavor wrote:
Rebecca wrote:I just got an email from Ed Miliband,so lots of you probably have too,wanting to be asked questions on just about anything.
I'm going to ask why carers allowance is lower than JSA.Every year there's a carers day,then we all are forgotten about.
Selfish,I know,but I have always wondered.
What are you all going to ask?
I was going to ask him how many kitchens he has if I were ever given the opportunity - but now that opportunity has arisen it's a question that's already been answered in depth. Oh, well.

Actually, I asked about the 5 pledges. And then made a donation. Have I just started a new "cash for questions" scandal?

yeah,I made a donation too.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 7:17 pm

Or, if anything still worse, "hardworking families"

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 7:18 pm

Rebecca wrote:I just got an email from Ed Miliband,so lots of you probably have too,wanting to be asked questions on just about anything.
I'm going to ask why carers allowance is lower than JSA.Every year there's a carers day,then we all are forgotten about.
Selfish,I know,but I have always wondered.
What are you all going to ask?

I'm reading backwards (always read last page of books first as well - grins) so answered to PorFavor's post

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 7:20 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Or, if anything still worse, "hardworking families"

I put both in as
Hardworking people/families

(Edit to add - nice to see you

)

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 7:27 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:
PorFavor wrote:
Rebecca wrote:I just got an email from Ed Miliband,so lots of you probably have too,wanting to be asked questions on just about anything.
I'm going to ask why carers allowance is lower than JSA.Every year there's a carers day,then we all are forgotten about.
Selfish,I know,but I have always wondered.
What are you all going to ask?
I was going to ask him how many kitchens he has if I were ever given the opportunity - but now that opportunity has arisen it's a question that's already been answered in depth. Oh, well.

Actually, I asked about the 5 pledges. And then made a donation. Have I just started a new "cash for questions" scandal?
You and me both - lol
I asked for him to PLEASE stop using that divisive, worn-out term "hardworking people"

I was going to ask about the HWP\F but thought a lot of other people would have done so and picked another subject. I suppose the more who ask about HWP|F the better, though, now I think about it more clearly. However, as I mentioned earlier, I'm a bit below par today.

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 7:27 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:
Rebecca wrote:I just got an email from Ed Miliband,so lots of you probably have too,wanting to be asked questions on just about anything.
I'm going to ask why carers allowance is lower than JSA.Every year there's a carers day,then we all are forgotten about.
Selfish,I know,but I have always wondered.
What are you all going to ask?
I'm reading backwards (always read last page of books first as well - grins) so answered to PorFavor's post

Oh,so do I!To make sure it has a happy ending.Glad I'm not the only one.I read magazines from back to front as well.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 15 Mar, 2015 7:29 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
Winning candidate: Phillip James Lee

Majority: 15,704
Electorate: 76,888
Total number of votes cast: 52,432
Adjusted turnout: 67.81
Number of postal votes cast: 10,098
Number of proxy votes cast: 309
Number of rejected votes: 73

Vote share

P.J. Lee, Conservative Party (52.4%)
R.W. Earwicker, Liberal Democrat (22.3%)
J.S. Piasecki, Labour Party (16.8%)
M.P. Barter, United Kingdom Independence Party (4.4%)
M.A. Burke, British National Party (2.4%)
D.H. Young, Green Party (1.6%)
D.J. Haycocks, Scrap Members Allowances (0.1%)

Table of detailed results

Candidate surname Candidate initials Party / description Votes (no) Percentage of votes won
Lee P.J. Conservative Party 27,327 52.4
Earwicker R.W. Liberal Democrat 11,623 22.3
Piasecki J.S. Labour Party 8,755 16.8
Barter M.P. United Kingdom Independence Party 2,297 4.4
Burke M.A. British National Party 1,253 2.4
Young D.H. Green Party 821 1.6
Haycocks D.J. Scrap Members Allowances 60 0.1
Help!!!

The UKIP manifesto I posted a short while ago optimistically states Bracknell is a marginal...
The LibDems are pretty much wiped out I believe.

Does a 15,000 or so Conservative majority make this a marginal? Given the swings in this weekends polls is a UKIP takeover for 2nd pushing Labour into 3rd place possible?

Is it me or does a 4.4% of the vote in 2010 for UKIP, equate with being a close runner to the Conservatives in 2015?

I really don't know but will have a crack at it
Looking at the above I wouldn't call it a marginal but would think Labour will be hard pushed to get to 2dn place. Even if all LibDems swapped to Labour it would be a struggle and a lot (few?) may go Green with BNP and some tory's going UKip.
Sorry not to be more help