Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th April 2015

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 7:40 pm

Hello all.

Not too well today, hence the silence.

Ernst - many thanks for posting the response from Reeves.

I'm no further on here, and as always the expression used is "disabled people" with no mention of the fact that those undergoing the WCA are ill.

Reeves is clearly unaware that DWP already uses WCA info to deny DLA and vice versa - happened to me.

I'm grateful for your efforts, Ernst, but I remain very disappointed in Reeves. Shame.

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 7:41 pm

Time somebody put Sturgeon back in her box:

NICOLA Sturgeon has said she cannot give Ed Miliband a guarantee that there will not be a second independence referendum during the lifetime of the next parliament because such a decision would be taken by the Scottish people

.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/snp-ref ... -1-3747109

Given that Holyrood doesn't have the authority to call a referendum without first seeking an Act of (the Westminster) Parliament, it's Ed Miliband that will take that decision.

ChrisDean · Post by **ChrisDean** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 7:46 pm

@ PaulfromYorkshire

Delighted to hear that you have enjoyed the weekend down here in the Forest of Dean.

The sight of the fresh green leaves on the beech trees is spectacular isn't it and next month when the bluebells carpet the ground beneath them, it really will be a case of "wow".

I haven't been out in the woods this weekend but I did enjoy a sunny Saturday afternoon bowling at the "opening of the green" at the Royal Forest of Dean Bowling Club.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 7:51 pm

WalesOnline ‏@WalesOnline 49 minutes ago

@Plaid_Cymru 'could vote down future Labour Queen Speech', says leader Leanne Wood

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... ld-9075564" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

Oops Snap

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 7:55 pm

PorFavor wrote:Goodnight, everyone.

Night PF

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 7:55 pm

Lib Dems complain BBC reneged on TV debates deal with Nick Clegg
Paddy Ashdown says Clegg did not opt out of 16 April debate and had assurance that final interviews would feature only him, Cameron and Miliband
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... tv-debates" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They never seem to come out of these 'deals' very well, do they? Funny that. Still - if it's consistency you want ... they're consistently poor at getting a fair deal, let alone the upper hand, when it comes to the Tories.

I've decided the most important head to roll on May 7th is Clegg's. Without him the likelihood of a repeat of this ghastly coalition is far less likely ... and the Lib Dems might even just fall into some semblance of a party that Labour could talk with (I don't mean formal coalition before anyone has a fainting or hissy fit).

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 7:58 pm

Daniel Boffey ‏@DanielBoffey 10m10 minutes ago
David Cameron's rather desperate performance on Marr has made me rethink the outcome of this election..don't see panic in the eyes of Ed M

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:05 pm

Revealed: The low-pay misery of Scottish minister's minions leaves Scottish Government on the rack
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scott ... ar_twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Scottish Government have been accused of dodging European employment laws by using agency staff in their offices.

Workers on temporary contracts are paid a third less than permanent employees.

Meanwhile a private recruitment firm rakes in hundreds of thousands of pounds from the deal.

Using Paid Between Assignment (PBA) contracts allows the government to ignore EU regulations which give temps the same conditions as permanent employees after 12 weeks.

Ministers’ sanction of the controversial contracts can be revealed as the SNP and Labour face criticism by the head of Scotland’s trade union group for failing to protect workers.

Yesterday, the SNP-led government were branded hypocrites after making a pledge to improve workers’ conditions...

Last night, the Scottish Government said agency workers would be paid the same wage as permanent staff from tomorrow.

A spokesman added: “We’re moving to pay parity for agency staff which means that, starting this coming week, none of them will be put on PBA contracts.

"This follows our discussions with trade unions.

“We employ temporary staff to give the organisation flexibility to meet immediate business needs.

“This is common business practice across the public and private sectors.”

Well that's good news then. I'd like to think they were going to do this anyway ... what do people reckon?

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:07 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Daniel Boffey ‏@DanielBoffey 10m10 minutes ago
David Cameron's rather desperate performance on Marr has made me rethink the outcome of this election..don't see panic in the eyes of Ed M

He may have been smiling at the end of that Marr interview, but Cameron's eyes were looking daggers as the camera panned away. He's used to BBC interviewers helping, not hindering, him. Did he really think he would continue to get an easy ride once we hit the strict impartiality rules of the campaign period?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:10 pm

Willow904 wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
Daniel Boffey ‏@DanielBoffey 10m10 minutes ago
David Cameron's rather desperate performance on Marr has made me rethink the outcome of this election..don't see panic in the eyes of Ed M
He may have been smiling at the end of that Marr interview, but Cameron's eyes were looking daggers as the camera panned away. He's used to BBC interviewers helping, not hindering, him. Did he really think he would continue to get an easy ride once we hit the strict impartiality rules of the campaign period?

He's got such an inbuilt sense of entitlement, and has become so used to being pampered and petted by the media, he probably did think that.

Stupid man.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:14 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:Time somebody put Sturgeon back in her box:

NICOLA Sturgeon has said she cannot give Ed Miliband a guarantee that there will not be a second independence referendum during the lifetime of the next parliament because such a decision would be taken by the Scottish people
.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/uk/snp-ref ... -1-3747109

Given that Holyrood doesn't have the authority to call a referendum without first seeking an Act of (the Westminster) Parliament, it's Ed Miliband that will take that decision.

They're loving the Tories demonise them, aren't they? Utter contempt for the 55% too.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:17 pm

John Rentoul ‏@JohnRentoul 1m1 minute ago
SNP voters: 72% want coalition with Lab. @DamianSurvation poll on Sky

I honestly don't know what to say about that ... it's so contradictory with the SNP rhetoric about Labour and the greater likelihood of returning a Tory / Cameron government if Scotland doesn't elect any or many Labour MPs ...

We are living through very very strange times.

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:17 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Revealed: The low-pay misery of Scottish minister's minions leaves Scottish Government on the rack
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scott ... ar_twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Scottish Government have been accused of dodging European employment laws by using agency staff in their offices.

Workers on temporary contracts are paid a third less than permanent employees.

Meanwhile a private recruitment firm rakes in hundreds of thousands of pounds from the deal.

Using Paid Between Assignment (PBA) contracts allows the government to ignore EU regulations which give temps the same conditions as permanent employees after 12 weeks.

Ministers’ sanction of the controversial contracts can be revealed as the SNP and Labour face criticism by the head of Scotland’s trade union group for failing to protect workers.

Yesterday, the SNP-led government were branded hypocrites after making a pledge to improve workers’ conditions...

Last night, the Scottish Government said agency workers would be paid the same wage as permanent staff from tomorrow.

A spokesman added: “We’re moving to pay parity for agency staff which means that, starting this coming week, none of them will be put on PBA contracts.

"This follows our discussions with trade unions.

“We employ temporary staff to give the organisation flexibility to meet immediate business needs.

“This is common business practice across the public and private sectors.”
Well that's good news then. I'd like to think they were going to do this anyway ... what do people reckon?

One rule for the privileged, another for the minions:

The Scottish parliament voted unanimously on Tuesday to increase basic salaries for MSPs by 0.7%, pushing the official overall salary for Scotland’s first minister to £144,687 – outstripping the prime minister’s overall pay of £142,500 and that of Boris Johnson, the London mayor, who earns £143,911.

However, Sturgeon’s officials played down the significance of the pay rise, pointing out that Scottish ministers were still enforcing a voluntary pay freeze introduced under Alex Salmond’s leadership in 2008.

That meant Sturgeon’s overall pay would remain at £135,605 since she will continue voluntarily repaying the £8,306 difference, putting that sum into general public spending along with all other SNP ministers.

The 0.7% pay increase gives all 129 MSPs a salary of £59,089. It means Scottish ministers will now have an official pay package of £103,495. Carwyn Jones, the first minister of Wales, receives £134,722.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... a-sturgeon

Interesting concept in the quote:- "Scottish ministers were still enforcing a voluntary pay freeze." (as opposed to voluntarily complying with an enforced freeze)?

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:24 pm

refitman wrote:
tinyclanger2 wrote:Dear technologically competent one/s, is there by any chance a "heart" emoticon.
Code: Select all
:heart:

Excellent. thanks.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:24 pm

Fair enough, Sturgeon doesn't take all that money, but it's still a lot, isn't it? For what they regard as an insultingly weak institution.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:26 pm

Hmm...

Inspiration Trust
‏@InspirationEast
RT @rachel_desouza grateful to our dear Sponsor Sir Theo as he stands down from his DfE role,proud of all he's done for children & academies

You may recall I spotted this a couple of weeks back and wonder whether "stands down" is exactly the right phrase when "asked to go by the next incumbent" might be more accurate.

Incidentally "our dear sponsor"?

Certainly done your career no harm eh, Dame Rachel?

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:35 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Fair enough, Sturgeon doesn't take all that money, but it's still a lot, isn't it? For what they regard as an insultingly weak institution.

To be pedantic (again), she takes it all, then somehow pays some back. I wonder if there's any tax advantage in doing it this way rather than just setting their salaries lower in the first place.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:43 pm

michelle maher ‏@mmaher70 8 hrs8 hours ago

Lord Ashcroft's Poll for Wirral West McVey's seat says she is losing to Labour by 5% Go on the #Wirral #ge2015

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:49 pm

I see that the 'Red Ed' nickname has been subverted to 'Red Hot Ed' blt in a few different places. That'll miff some journos.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:51 pm

Out-of-touch Prime Minister David Cameron enjoyed secret day of blood sports with Chipping Norton set

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ou ... on-5550910

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 8:51 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
Just the two Kingdoms, what a lightweight.

At various times in our history English Kings have also claimed the title of King of France (although never actually taking the throne officially), King of Ireland (from Henry VIII onward) and King of Scotland (from James i/VI onwards); under the Act of Union Scotland and England became the "United Kingdom" but Ireland remained separate until 1801.

So multiple titles are not a new thing for the monarchy; two of the most extreme example were Henry II (who was Count of Anjou, Count of Maine, Duke of Normandy, Duke of Aquitaine, Count of Nantes, King of England and Lord of Ireland) and William III (who was sovereign Prince of Orange, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland, and Overijssel in the Dutch Republic and King of England, Ireland, and Scotland).
Not just Henry II:
In the Channel Islands The Queen is known as The Duke of Normandy. At official functions, islanders raise the loyal toast to 'The Duke of Normandy, our Queen'.

...While the islands today retain autonomy in government, they owe allegiance to The Queen in her role as Duke of Normandy.
I have that on the highest authority :
http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Queen ... lands.aspx

Some Channel Islanders claim that as William The Bastard conquered them first England belongs to them.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:03 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
Out-of-touch Prime Minister David Cameron enjoyed secret day of blood sports with Chipping Norton set

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ou ... on-5550910

Bastard.

Hypocritical bastard.

Hypocritical conniving bastard.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:05 pm

Getting a bit heated in Brighton it seems

Cllr Warren Morgan @warrenmorgan
· 2h 2 hours ago
The husband of the Green candidate and fmr MP Caroline Lucas came out of his house and started to shout abuse at us!

Cllr Warren Morgan @warrenmorgan
· 2h 2 hours ago
"WHY ARE YOU STANDING AGAINST THE BEST MP THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD? YOU ARE POISONOUS!" As if no-one should dare contesting her seat.

A bit more on his twitter feed

https://twitter.com/warrenmorgan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:07 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
ohsocynical wrote:
Out-of-touch Prime Minister David Cameron enjoyed secret day of blood sports with Chipping Norton set

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ou ... on-5550910
Bastard.

Hypocritical bastard.

Hypocritical conniving bastard.

Mixing with a bunch of has-beens

He is a key member of the Chipping Norton set, which is named after the Cotswolds town and includes figures such as former Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson, ex-newspaper editor Rebekah Brooks and former pop star Alex James.

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:08 pm

Cameron will say anything to stay in power. It's just business, and he has so little regard for the British (and particularly English) people that he thinks they will believe anything.

(I

nats)
(

Clanger)

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:17 pm

Eric_WLothian wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
ohsocynical wrote:
Bastard.

Hypocritical bastard.

Hypocritical conniving bastard.
Mixing with a bunch of has-beens

He is a key member of the Chipping Norton set, which is named after the Cotswolds town and includes figures such as former Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson, ex-newspaper editor Rebekah Brooks and former pop star Alex James.

With Blur about to go back into the studio is it fair to call Alex james a "former pop star"? He makes damn good cheeses too.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:20 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:Getting a bit heated in Brighton it seems

Cllr Warren Morgan @warrenmorgan
· 2h 2 hours ago
The husband of the Green candidate and fmr MP Caroline Lucas came out of his house and started to shout abuse at us!

Cllr Warren Morgan @warrenmorgan
· 2h 2 hours ago
"WHY ARE YOU STANDING AGAINST THE BEST MP THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD? YOU ARE POISONOUS!" As if no-one should dare contesting her seat.

A bit more on his twitter feed

https://twitter.com/warrenmorgan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Interesting, suggests Lucas is feeling the heat in Brighton. Maybe it isn't as clear cut as the polls suggest.

Or perhaps he was just having a really bad day.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:21 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
Eric_WLothian wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote: Bastard.

Hypocritical bastard.

Hypocritical conniving bastard.
Mixing with a bunch of has-beens

He is a key member of the Chipping Norton set, which is named after the Cotswolds town and includes figures such as former Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson, ex-newspaper editor Rebekah Brooks and former pop star Alex James.
With Blur about to go back into the studio is it fair to call Alex james a "former pop star"? He makes damn good cheeses too.

Fair point Alex James - recovering former pop star and Tory tosser.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:23 pm

TechnicalEphemera wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
Eric_WLothian wrote: Mixing with a bunch of has-beens

With Blur about to go back into the studio is it fair to call Alex james a "former pop star"? He makes damn good cheeses too.
Fair point Alex James - recovering former pop star and Tory tosser.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:24 pm

ED MILIBAND will fast-track rail renationalisation if Labour wins power, launching a review of the franchising system in his first 100 days.

Miliband plans to let the public sector bid against private train firms to provide services in a change that Labour says will deliver a better deal for passengers and taxpayers.

A Labour government could even suspend the existing franchising process while a review takes place — a move that will anger train firms eyeing lucrative deals. “We will look very closely at suspending the franchising process while this urgent review is conducted,” a party source said.

(Pay wall - cant read more..)
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 545969.ece" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:29 pm

Very off topic. File this one under "restoration of faith in humanity".

Lost toy lion returned after Hughenden Manor 'adventure'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-be ... s-32371730" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:29 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:ED MILIBAND will fast-track rail renationalisation if Labour wins power, launching a review of the franchising system in his first 100 days.

Miliband plans to let the public sector bid against private train firms to provide services in a change that Labour says will deliver a better deal for passengers and taxpayers.

A Labour government could even suspend the existing franchising process while a review takes place — a move that will anger train firms eyeing lucrative deals. “We will look very closely at suspending the franchising process while this urgent review is conducted,” a party source said.

(Pay wall - cant read more..)
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/new ... 545969.ece" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We have to get him in. But my nerves can't stand it.
(large glass of scotch emoticon)

tinyclanger2 · Post by **tinyclanger2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:31 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Very off topic. File this one under "restoration of faith in humanity".

Lost toy lion returned after Hughenden Manor 'adventure'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-be ... s-32371730" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That's brilliant.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:37 pm

John Mann ‏@JohnMannMP 4m4 minutes ago
I found a would be Liberal Democrat voter today after many months of looking. After our discussion he is unlikely to be so on May 7th

Nobody has yet identified themselves to me as a Lib Dem voter .... I've been doing canvassing sessions since last October. How many sessions do you think it might take? Or are they just too too shy?

And I've been canvassing in an area that supposedly had a much higher Lib Dem vote in 2010 than predicted.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:53 pm

George Eaton @georgeeaton · 53m 53 minutes ago
Essential analysis from @May2015NS on why Miliband is far likelier to be PM than Cameron http://bit.ly/1HIjEab" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Very interesting analysis of potential vote / seat outcomes and pact options.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 9:55 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
ohsocynical wrote:
Out-of-touch Prime Minister David Cameron enjoyed secret day of blood sports with Chipping Norton set

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ou ... on-5550910
Bastard.

Hypocritical bastard.

Hypocritical conniving bastard.

Correct. Didn't Cameron say something recently, a quote from him rather out of context about hunting? You'd asked questions about his saying it...apologies for not going through the pages to find it.

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 10:24 pm

TechnicalEphemera wrote:
AngryAsWell wrote:Getting a bit heated in Brighton it seems

Cllr Warren Morgan @warrenmorgan
· 2h 2 hours ago
The husband of the Green candidate and fmr MP Caroline Lucas came out of his house and started to shout abuse at us!

Cllr Warren Morgan @warrenmorgan
· 2h 2 hours ago
"WHY ARE YOU STANDING AGAINST THE BEST MP THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD? YOU ARE POISONOUS!" As if no-one should dare contesting her seat.

A bit more on his twitter feed

https://twitter.com/warrenmorgan" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Interesting, suggests Lucas is feeling the heat in Brighton. Maybe it isn't as clear cut as the polls suggest.

Or perhaps he was just having a really bad day.

I said that on here, only the other day. I phone canvassed for Peter Kyle in Hove & the very first reason people give for saying they voted Green previously but won't do so again, is because of the state the Green council has made of running things, most notably the waste services.

Somebody posted up photos taken in the rubbish strewn City & for a tourist attraction, it's a bloody disgrace !

I know pollsters & experts think Lucas is a shoo-in but I wouldn't be anywhere near as confident. There is real animosity towards the Greens amongst Brighton & Hove residents.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 10:39 pm

FT City Network: Support for Labour’s non-dom reforms
There is clear appetite for reform of the UK’s “non-domicile” tax system among some of the City of London’s elite, giving heart to Ed Miliband’s plan to scrap the 200-year-old regime.
Despite widespread scepticism in the City about some of the policies of a prospective Labour government, prominent contributors to the Financial Times’s latest City Network debate suggest the non-dom rules should be changed and loopholes closed in line with the Labour policy initiative.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a2e7ba20-e52e ... z3XnEq86MD" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mr AAW keeps telling me the tide is turning. I hope so.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 10:42 pm

2 polls so far conducted entirely AFTER #bbcdebate

YouGov/S Times:LAB 36 CON 33 UKIP 13 LD 8 GR 5
YouGov/Sun:LAB 35 CON 34 UKIP 13 LD 8 GR 5

ErnstRemarx · Post by **ErnstRemarx** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 10:42 pm

ephemerid wrote:Hello all.

Not too well today, hence the silence.

Ernst - many thanks for posting the response from Reeves.

I'm no further on here, and as always the expression used is "disabled people" with no mention of the fact that those undergoing the WCA are ill.

Reeves is clearly unaware that DWP already uses WCA info to deny DLA and vice versa - happened to me.

I'm grateful for your efforts, Ernst, but I remain very disappointed in Reeves. Shame.

Send me more questions - I told her you had more - and I will send them to her. What's the point of me being a Labour activist/politician unless I'm a thorn in the side of authority? If things work out, I'll have a direct conduit to the person making decisions in the DWP. You help me irk and remind her to whom she owes a duty of care, and we will be able to exercise an influence for good - I hope.

On a slightly sadder note, and to explain my absences of late, last Friday gone MsRemarx and I attended the funeral of an ex-colleague of hers from Unite, a nice guy who succumbed to lung cancer having beaten off throat cancer. Saw rucks of comrades I'd not seen for a while at the funeral and saw a Glaswegian ex-docker (who's as hard as fuck) openly weep. What a day. It's only when you get into those suroundings at such times that you realise how precious life is and just how valuable all your mates and comrades really are.

So, with that in mind, here's to the memory of Francis John Tobin, a true socialist, a Labour member, a good friend, a gaymo of this parish and a wit of some renown, and to all the people I saw on Friday who shared his love and values, and to all my good friends here on FTN. If were to lose any of you, my life would be cheapened.

Right, let's crack on and get rid of the right wing scum in government.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 10:47 pm

Wonga set to post loss amid clampdown on payday lenders
Wonga, the controversial payday lender, will announce it has fallen into the red, while an industry-wide crackdown on short-term lenders threatens its recovery

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/news ... nders.html

Another bit of good news.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 10:50 pm

Ed Miliband for PM ‏@Vote_Labour 28 mins28 minutes ago
Me too and I've blocked several anti English snp voters today for abuse & aggression & insults.

bettie nuttall ‏@ErnNutt 23 mins23 minutes ago
@Vote_Labour That is why I dont think SNP will do as well as they think - because Labour voters dare not admit

bettie nuttall retweeted
Ed Miliband for PM ‏
@ErnNutt I totally agree with you. My close friend lives in Edinburgh, she had her windows put through because she displayed a Labour poster

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 11:02 pm

"Whenever the Greens piously claim they are "different" and an "alternative" show them this."

If you click on the right side photo (the large bit with "Central Party on it) it highlights donations made to the Green's - from Zac and Ben Goldsmith.
Zac is a tory MP, his brother Ben is a non-dom who between them have donated £55,000. Perhaps this answers the question I asked the other day about where they had found the money to stand in so many seats.
One way to split the left, but not sure its an ethical way.
Yes, they both have ecologically "green" backgrounds but (to me) it seems wrong to be an MP for a one party and donate to another (knowing that doing so disadvantages your opposition) or to be a non-dom giving a political party money. If you can't be bothered to live here you should not be influencing politics with money from outside the UK.

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

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 11:12 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:"Whenever the Greens piously claim they are "different" and an "alternative" show them this."

If you click on the right side photo (the large bit with "Central Party on it) it highlights donations made to the Green's - from Zac and Ben Goldsmith.
Zac is a tory MP, his brother Ben is a non-dom who between them have donated £55,000. Perhaps this answers the question I asked the other day about where they had found the money to stand in so many seats.
One way to split the left, but not sure its an ethical way.
Yes, they both have ecologically "green" backgrounds but (to me) it seems wrong to be an MP for a one party and donate to another (knowing that doing so disadvantages your opposition) or to be a non-dom giving a political party money. If you can't be bothered to live here you should not be influencing politics with money from outside the UK.

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

I agree with you here because he's a Tory. The Tory party is untrustworthy. Zac Goldsmith is an environmentalist. He's invested in renewables & seems to have some clue about the perils we face polluting our atmosphere. However, no one has a gun to head making him remain a Tory. The Tory party hasn't values or policies worth the time of day, in my opinion, & he voted for the Bedroom Tax, the Health & Social Care Act of 2012 - the whole nasty list of Tory horrors.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 11:16 pm

David Maddox ‏@DavidPBMaddox 46m46 minutes ago
Interesting new website on one view of SNP record in government...maybe a bit late for this election campaign http://www.snp.fail/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 11:25 pm

The creation of the largest marine protection area in the world will be pledged by the Labour Party as part of its “green plan” to be carried out under an Ed Miliband government.
Labour will create new ocean reserves around several British overseas territories, including the Pitcairn Islands in the South Pacific. It will also pledge more marine conservation zones around the UK, claiming that the coalition has not done enough to protect UK seas.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 87209.html#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 11:28 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
David Maddox ‏@DavidPBMaddox 46m46 minutes ago
Interesting new website on one view of SNP record in government...maybe a bit late for this election campaign http://www.snp.fail/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Liberal Democrats put that website together.

Published and promoted by and on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats 4 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5DR

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 11:34 pm

citizenJA wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
David Maddox ‏@DavidPBMaddox 46m46 minutes ago
Interesting new website on one view of SNP record in government...maybe a bit late for this election campaign http://www.snp.fail/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Liberal Democrats put that website together.

Published and promoted by and on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats 4 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5DR

Well spotted citizen.

Tizme1 · Post by **Tizme1** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 11:35 pm

Evening all,

Frequently over the last month or two, I've wanted to wish you all well during the campaign - especially those of you actively involved - natch. And then I've read a few comments, sighed, and buggered off with a sense of frustration and, more importantly, sadness. There has been so much I wanted to comment on, but I realised there was no point - you wouldn't 'hear' what I was saying nor would you accept it in a spirit of friendship.

As I'm sure you all know, I like Ed Miliband. I respect him and think he is a man of integrity - as far as I can trust or know anyone I haven't met. And that was the case from the moment he was elected Leader. Believe you me, I take some stick for that view not only with other Green party members locally, but also with some local Labour party members and Councillors.

I know there are some dissenting voices on here, but, many of you say you think Ed will be a great PM etc so, I'm wondering why you doubt his strategy and tactics? I've never doubted for instance that he would, and should, do pretty much whatever TV debates [or 'nearly' debates] were offered to him. Many people in the MSM were suggesting he was running a risk by doing the 'challengers' debate. I guess they have to fill column inches. But on here, I'd have expected people to see that it could only be a good thing - assuming of course that you really do think he will be a good PM. Personally, I think that particular debate was the more important one. It established Ed as the only alternative PM and more importantly, it established the fact that the 'other' leaders know it. Don't just listen to the debate, look at the body language. Btw did any of you notice, at the very end, all the participants except Farage went into the audience? Farage disappeared off stage and didn't engage with the audience at all. That'll be because he's a 'man of the people' I'll guess eh?

Anyway, I guess really I just want to say good luck, try and stay kind and honest [some of you haven't on occasion], and lets hope we at least emerge with a Non Tory government regardless of the make up of such a government!

Bright blessings.

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Sun 19 Apr, 2015 11:36 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
Wonga set to post loss amid clampdown on payday lenders
Wonga, the controversial payday lender, will announce it has fallen into the red, while an industry-wide crackdown on short-term lenders threatens its recovery

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/news ... nders.html
Another bit of good news.

Don't worry - I'm sure one of their peers will give them a loan to tide them over...