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Revealed - Thursday's 7 way debate stage order: Left to right; Bennett, Clegg, Farage, Miliband, Wood, Sturgeon, Cameron.
Miliband in the centre, Cameron on the far right. No doubt we'll be getting a complaint from Cameron about that.
I remember seeing a photo of an EU convention or something where Hollande and Merkel were roughly centre stage on the front row whereas Dave was toward the extreme right on the back row. How I laughed. I can't remember whether or not it was all guns blazing or something along the lines of one cocked in the barrel. Amazingly enough I've just Googled and not found it, but have made some reference to such diplomatic words from our acting PM in the G. So that's another to seek out, I guess.
This?
Lock, load and prepare for ambush - David Cameron's very British approach to Brussels summits (Spectator)
AnatolyKasparov wrote:In *some* respects, parliament continues until 5pm today (that is when online services are switched off for HoC employees, for example)
What is illegal about anyone doing a broadcast there? What law is broken?
He can't claim to be an MP (nor can anyone), but where does he do that?
ohsocynical wrote:Took some of my bad temper out mowing and edging the lawn, but I'm still seething over that article in the Independent about Cameron trying to thwart Labour when Ed beats him.
Don't worry about that too much, not *all* Tories are that daft
It's the sheer seediness - sleaziness - that gets me. I wonder if Rees-Mogg has his finger in this pie, as he's supposed to be an expert on the rules.
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. – Aesop
AnatolyKasparov wrote:In *some* respects, parliament continues until 5pm today (that is when online services are switched off for HoC employees, for example)
What is illegal about anyone doing a broadcast there? What law is broken?
He can't claim to be an MP (nor can anyone), but where does he do that?
This - from Andrew Sparrow over at the Guardian - probably answers those questions -
Constitutional purists may object, too, to Cameron choosing to make this statement where he did. The podium outside Number 10 is not exactly a sacred spot, but it is a venue normally reserved for the more austere announcements a prime minister has to make, not grubby politicking.
Cameron, though, can’t afford the luxury of statesmanship. His situation is perilous, and he has decided that Miliband-bashing offers him his best hope. So Miliband-bashing it had to be.
Shortly after meeting Queen Elizabeth, Brown appeared at No. 10 Downing St. speaking in more stentorian tones. He made no direct mention of Cameron but said a Labour victory would keep Britain’s economic recovery on pace and asked the British public for a “clear and straightforward mandate.”
“Britain is on the road to recovery and nothing we do should put that recovery at risk,” he said, suggesting that the substantial cuts in government spending promised by the Conservative Party, or Tories, would hurt job creation.
With doubts about the Conservative economic plan in British minds, Brown, standing with Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, told voters that a vote for Labour was a vote for experience: "I am not a team of one, I am one of a team," he said.
So there doesn't sound anything wrong in saying "vote for us" on these occasions but using it to slag off your opponent is a bit off.
If I'm not here, then I'll be in the library. Or the other library.
ohsocynical wrote:Took some of my bad temper out mowing and edging the lawn, but I'm still seething over that article in the Independent about Cameron trying to thwart Labour when Ed beats him.
Don't worry about that too much, not *all* Tories are that daft
It's probably because I'm from an older generation, but I loathe the way this lot are treating what used to be positions of great responsibility. What happened to Public service. Honour. Accountability? Putting your country first. Even, God forbid, decency. They might sound old fashioned but we'd all be better off if they were still in use.
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. – Aesop
Shortly after meeting Queen Elizabeth, Brown appeared at No. 10 Downing St. speaking in more stentorian tones. He made no direct mention of Cameron but said a Labour victory would keep Britain’s economic recovery on pace and asked the British public for a “clear and straightforward mandate.”
“Britain is on the road to recovery and nothing we do should put that recovery at risk,” he said, suggesting that the substantial cuts in government spending promised by the Conservative Party, or Tories, would hurt job creation.
With doubts about the Conservative economic plan in British minds, Brown, standing with Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, told voters that a vote for Labour was a vote for experience: "I am not a team of one, I am one of a team," he said.
So there doesn't sound anything wrong in saying "vote for us" on these occasions but using it to slag off your opponent is a bit off.
I was looking for that but couldn't find it. So out of interest - what question did you ask the Mighty Google, please?
AnatolyKasparov wrote:In *some* respects, parliament continues until 5pm today (that is when online services are switched off for HoC employees, for example)
What is illegal about anyone doing a broadcast there? What law is broken?
He can't claim to be an MP (nor can anyone), but where does he do that?
I think the legal stuff comes more from an article in the Independent. [Link on page 1] It's about what happens if there's no clear majority. Cameron is suspected of planning crafty moves. Labour are seeking legal help to make sure he doesn't.
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. – Aesop
Left Unity, a broad left party formed in 2013, said it had chosen a Soho squat as its venue to highlight the number of large buildings sitting empty in London. Film director Ken Loach, who co-founded the party, will attend the launch tomorrow. Left Unity is planning to stand candidates in around 10 constituencies, mainly where Labour has a big majority.
So Labour not only have to fight the Cons, the LDs, Green, SNP they also have to fight the NHAP, TUSC & Left Unity.
All those so-called left-leaning parties....
If they got their act together & joined forces, they could ensure a Con govt for evermore.
Left Unity, a broad left party formed in 2013, said it had chosen a Soho squat as its venue to highlight the number of large buildings sitting empty in London. Film director Ken Loach, who co-founded the party, will attend the launch tomorrow. Left Unity is planning to stand candidates in around 10 constituencies, mainly where Labour has a big majority.
So Labour not only have to fight the Cons, the LDs, Green, SNP they also have to fight the NHAP, TUSC & Left Unity.
All those so-called left-leaning parties....
If they got their act together & joined forces, they could ensure a Con govt for evermore.
Un-flippin-believable isn't it ?
I do wonder whether some of these 'principled' folk actually want a Tory government so they can play the eternal victim or think it will force a change of class consciousness.
Hard to see Ken Loach suffering financially if the Tories get back in.
Last edited by yahyah on Mon 30 Mar, 2015 2:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, told the World at One a few minutes ago that the Tory claim that Labour would raise taxes on every working family by £3,000 was “not very helpful” because it was based on such spurious assumptions. Grant Shapps, the Conservative chairman, subsequently appeared on the programme and effectively tried to deny that Johnson had said this. I’ll post the quotes soon.
If I'm not here, then I'll be in the library. Or the other library.
AnatolyKasparov wrote:Well I don't know myself, tbh - it has always happened, as you say.
I think there is also the official proclamation of dissolution (involving the Great Seal or something) some time today.
We do it properly in Scotland:
The Right Honourable Lord Lyon King of Arms is to summon a new UK Parliament from Edinburgh, in a ceremony which dates back to before the Union of 1707.
The Royal Proclamation will be given by Lord Lyon King of Arms at the Mercat Cross at 3pm on Monday, marking the dissolution of parliament.
...The Sheriff Clerk will also be representing the Sheriff Principal of Lothian and Borders, alongside Her Majesty’s Officers of Arms and the State Trumpeters of Scotland, The Guard of Honour from The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland, and the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.
Paul Johnson, the director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, told the World at One a few minutes ago that the Tory claim that Labour would raise taxes on every working family by £3,000 was “not very helpful” because it was based on such spurious assumptions. Grant Shapps, the Conservative chairman, subsequently appeared on the programme and effectively tried to deny that Johnson had said this. I’ll post the quotes soon.
The disgraced Shapps. Seven days keeping his head down, and now he's back as if nothing had happened...I despair.
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. – Aesop
Am trying to remember a poll result recently, a question something about whether politicians should stand up to business? Am sure more people thought yes, which means the headlines about Ed, Labour and business may not be as damaging as the media, the Libs & Tories may wish.
BBC Wales reporting a big Labour turnout to start the Welsh campaign at Ammanford, a seat lost to Plaid last time. Owen Smith & First Minister Carwyn Jones there, and I spotted our Ceredigion Labour candidate there.
Carwyn says Welsh Labour offer 'hope' whereas Tories offer ' endless austerity with no light at the end of the tunnel', and that Labour would have to cut by 2% in the first few years, it'd be tough, but not Tory 20% cuts.
Clegg said: “About the very last thing the country needs is a lurch to the left or the right. And yet that is exactly what the Conservative and Labour parties are now threatening ... That is a dismal choice.”
yahyah wrote:Am trying to remember a poll result recently, a question something about whether politicians should stand up to business? Am sure more people thought yes, which means the headlines about Ed, Labour and business may not be as damaging as the media, the Libs & Tories may wish.
I remember it but can't find it. However, it got a mention in the Telegraph briefing today:
However, a survey by Populus last year for the FT found that 44% of voters said they would be more likely to support a party that was tougher on big business, with those demanding action including 50% of Tory supporters, 63% of Liberal Democrats, 67% of Ukip backers and 72% of Labour supporters.
It is also not entirely clear – at least to us – when Labour would want to achieve current budget balance. Their oft-stated goal is to eliminate the current budget deficit by, at the latest, the end of the parliament. If that’s all they want to achieve they may need no tax increases or real terms spending cuts – beyond those planned for 2015–16 – at all. But that is later than implied by their having signed up to the Charter for Budget Responsibility. If they take that commitment seriously then they at least need to aim to get to current budget balance by 2018–19. If that’s what they want then they will require about £6 billion of spending cuts or tax increases.
There is real uncertainty about what path the Labour party want to follow for the public finances. The Conservatives have been clearer about what they want to achieve, but they have not been clear about how they would achieve it. They would require substantially bigger spending cuts or tax increases than Labour.
There is little value in bandying around numbers which suggest either party would increases taxes by an average of £3,000 for each working household. We don’t know what they will do after the election. But neither of the two main parties has said anything to suggest that is what they are planning.
yahyah wrote:BBC Wales reporting a big Labour turnout to start the Welsh campaign at Ammanford, a seat lost to Plaid last time. Owen Smith & First Minister Carwyn Jones there, and I spotted our Ceredigion Labour candidate there.
Carwyn says Welsh Labour offer 'hope' whereas Tories offer ' endless austerity with no light at the end of the tunnel', and that Labour would have to cut by 2% in the first few years, it'd be tough, but not Tory 20% cuts.
Good, isn't it?
He's out with our PPC in Ystradgynlais tomorrow.
Hope they get a good turn-out there too.
"Poverty is the worst form of violence" - Mahatma Gandhi
ohsocynical wrote:Fantastic Rowson cartoon today. Clegg or rather the only bit left of him is being buried, but, and it's a big but, he appears to have left out UKIP.
Note Shapps in the Salmond mask. Martin is, as far as I can tell, the only person on the Guardian to 'comment' on the attack on Ed last week proving once again his integrity.
A bit of afternoon viewing for you, in the form of Labour's latest PPB (to be broadcast tomorrow I believe); simple, straightforward and just downright classy.
David Cameron is an arrogant sod, isn't he? "The next Prime Minister walking through that door will be me (Me, Me) or Ed Miliband."
Not a Conservative or a Labour PM, then? (I appreciate that he wants to name Ed Miliband and present him as some sort of hate figure but it still grates.)
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
A bit of afternoon viewing for you, in the form of Labour's latest PPB (to be broadcast tomorrow I believe); simple, straightforward and just downright classy.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Nice. I've embedded it so it's easy for everybody to watch:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
A bit of afternoon viewing for you, in the form of Labour's latest PPB (to be broadcast tomorrow I believe); simple, straightforward and just downright classy.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Nice. I've embedded it so it's easy for everybody to watch:
[youtube]tj_3g6-zSXY[/youtube]
Decent. The only gripe I had was saying zhc would be banned.
Cue the outrage that it's a Scottish voice at the end(Tennant).
Last edited by StephenDolan on Mon 30 Mar, 2015 3:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
A bit of afternoon viewing for you, in the form of Labour's latest PPB (to be broadcast tomorrow I believe); simple, straightforward and just downright classy.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Nice. I've embedded it so it's easy for everybody to watch:
[youtube]tj_3g6-zSXY[/youtube]
Decent. The only gripe I had was saying zhc would be banned.
Cue the outrage that it's a Scottish voice at the end(Tennant).
A Scottish voice calling for people to vote Labour. Half the outrage will be from 45ers.
I always knew there was a reason I liked Martin Freeman and David Tennant.
Left Unity, a broad left party formed in 2013, said it had chosen a Soho squat as its venue to highlight the number of large buildings sitting empty in London. Film director Ken Loach, who co-founded the party, will attend the launch tomorrow. Left Unity is planning to stand candidates in around 10 constituencies, mainly where Labour has a big majority.
So Labour not only have to fight the Cons, the LDs, Green, SNP they also have to fight the NHAP, TUSC & Left Unity.
All those so-called left-leaning parties....
If they got their act together & joined forces, they could ensure a Con govt for evermore.
The NHAP aren't standing in marginals either, afaik. Clive Peedell, who I've met, is standing against Cameron in Witney. I'm pretty sure Clive isn't expecting to be giving up his day job.
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
A bit of afternoon viewing for you, in the form of Labour's latest PPB (to be broadcast tomorrow I believe); simple, straightforward and just downright classy.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Nice. I've embedded it so it's easy for everybody to watch:
[youtube]tj_3g6-zSXY[/youtube]
That's very good, and quite subtle in its own way. Very nice to see the 'choice of values' line - that'll resonate, I think. Is Martin Freeman a lefty then? News to me.
ohsocynical wrote:Took some of my bad temper out mowing and edging the lawn, but I'm still seething over that article in the Independent about Cameron trying to thwart Labour when Ed beats him.
Don't worry about that too much, not *all* Tories are that daft
It's probably because I'm from an older generation, but I loathe the way this lot are treating what used to be positions of great responsibility. What happened to Public service. Honour. Accountability? Putting your country first. Even, God forbid, decency. They might sound old fashioned but we'd all be better off if they were still in use.
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
A bit of afternoon viewing for you, in the form of Labour's latest PPB (to be broadcast tomorrow I believe); simple, straightforward and just downright classy.
" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Nice. I've embedded it so it's easy for everybody to watch:
[youtube]tj_3g6-zSXY[/youtube]
That's very good, and quite subtle in its own way. Very nice to see the 'choice of values' line - that'll resonate, I think. Is Martin Freeman a lefty then? News to me.
Not meaning to offend, but it would have been enough for me without the Scottish voice at the end.
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. – Aesop
Spacedone wrote:
A Scottish voice calling for people to vote Labour. Half the outrage will be from 45ers.
I always knew there was a reason I liked Martin Freeman and David Tennant.
Good acting requires empathy and people on the left have been shown to be more empathic than those on the right, so it seems only natural that the best actors would be socialists and Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example, would be a republican.
"Fall seven times, get up eight" - Japanese proverb
