Monday 27th April 2015 - GE minus 10 days

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:36 pm

@Onebuttonmonkey
Thank you, my friend, I was cheered up by Mr. Meek this afternoon.
I know his name but I think it's been years since I've read anything from him.
I look forward to reading more of his work.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:43 pm

: Speaking Our For Wildlife.jpg (100.87 KiB) Viewed 12415 times

Chris Williamson retweeted
Freeda Brocks ‏@FredaBrox 9m9 minutes ago
@ChriswMP speaking out in favour of wildlife
#badgermonday

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:45 pm

From BTL on UK Polling Report

MIKEY
I was going to say that just because the Ashcroft poll is unpleasant news for a lot of us it doesn’t mean it is wrong….then I saw Statgeeks comment that it polls Con at 9% higher than Lab in Scotland and then I smell a rat.
Its an outlier.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:48 pm

Latest from the G blog above the line

Sturgeon isn’t convinced by Miliband’s rejection of a potential “confidence and supply” deal with SNP.
"What he says the morning after the election will be different than what he says now. A vote by vote arrangement is both most likely and a way in which a big team of SNP MPs can wield influence for Scotland’s benefit."

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/liv ... a3d74a87b8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Westminster MPs are elected by their constituencies to benefit the UK as a whole. Is Sturgeon's comment in any way wise? She promised in the SNP manifesto the SNP MPs elected to the House of Commons would work to benefit everyone in the UK. She made a great big point about it.

onebuttonmonkey · Post by **onebuttonmonkey** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:49 pm

So here's how the election campaign seems to have gone to me today:

1) Tories astroturf a letter (in a way and get it planted on the front page of a national newspaper
2) Press runs reports that Cameron now seems more sincere

This Tory campaign really is the worst I've ever witnessed. Why aren't they being called on it?

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:52 pm

onebuttonmonkey wrote:So here's how the election campaign seems to have gone to me today:

1) Tories astroturf a letter (in a way and get it planted on the front page of a national newspaper
2) Press runs reports that Cameron now seems more sincere

This Tory campaign really is the worst I've ever witnessed. Why aren't they being called on it?

Operation Chaos
Bewilder the Electorate
Frighten the People
Hoot, holler & create Mayhem
Pray to Tory gods it results in enough fear produced to pull off something like the 2010 Tory-led coalition government

Post by **refitman** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:56 pm

Whew! That was a monumental catchup.

Have booked next Friday off work, means I can stay up late Thursday.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:58 pm

Goodnight, everyone.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:58 pm

I don't understand the Evan Davis interview with Sturgeon as reported in the G live blog. The exchange doesn't make logical sense.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 7:59 pm

PorFavor wrote:Goodnight, everyone.

Goodnight, PF

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:03 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Iain Martin retweeted
Gerry Hassan ‏@GerryHassan 4m4 minutes ago
TNS Scotland poll: SNP 32% lead over Labour:
SNP 54% (+2)
Lab 22% (-2)
Con 13% (=)
LDem 6% (=)
Green 2% (-1)
UKIP 2% (+1)
#GE2015

Kiran Stacey ‏@kiranstacey 8m8 minutes ago
Voters in our Glasgow East focus group think Margaret Curran will lose her seat. Most think Tories will win nationally, but don't care.

It's the 'don't care' that gets me.

Even though they have more autonomy than us, don't they realise what Cameron will do to them especially since Sturgeon so publicly derided them.

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:04 pm

refitman wrote:Whew! That was a monumental catchup.

Have booked next Friday off work, means I can stay up late Thursday.

Great minds, I'll see you here.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:04 pm

PorFavor wrote:Goodnight, everyone.

Night PF

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:08 pm

Here's Sturdy Alex's round-up of how the 5000 letter fell apart today. Also contains a link to Andrew Neil pummelling David Gauke into the ground.

https://sturdyblog.wordpress.com/2015/0 ... lectorate/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My favourite of the "small business owners" on the list has to be the bloke who works as a waiter in a restaurant and is a Tory Parliamentary candidate. I wonder how he slipped onto that list...

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:13 pm

citizenJA wrote:Latest from the G blog above the line
Sturgeon isn’t convinced by Miliband’s rejection of a potential “confidence and supply” deal with SNP.
"What he says the morning after the election will be different than what he says now. A vote by vote arrangement is both most likely and a way in which a big team of SNP MPs can wield influence for Scotland’s benefit."

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/liv ... a3d74a87b8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Westminster MPs are elected by their constituencies to benefit the UK as a whole. Is Sturgeon's comment in any way wise? She promised in the SNP manifesto the SNP MPs elected to the House of Commons would work to benefit everyone in the UK. She made a great big point about it.

Remember "there will be a currency union" when the 3 major parties said there wouldn't be?

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:16 pm

diGriz wrote:
refitman wrote:Whew! That was a monumental catchup.

Have booked next Friday off work, means I can stay up late Thursday.
Great minds, I'll see you here.

I really wanted to do that too but unfortunately it falls on a busy day at work... not that that's going to stop me from staying up until Sheffield Hallam is announced.

There's going to be a lot of yawning at work on that day.

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:16 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
Iain Martin retweeted
Gerry Hassan ‏@GerryHassan 4m4 minutes ago
TNS Scotland poll: SNP 32% lead over Labour:
SNP 54% (+2)
Lab 22% (-2)
Con 13% (=)
LDem 6% (=)
Green 2% (-1)
UKIP 2% (+1)
#GE2015

Kiran Stacey ‏@kiranstacey 8m8 minutes ago
Voters in our Glasgow East focus group think Margaret Curran will lose her seat. Most think Tories will win nationally, but don't care.

It's the 'don't care' that gets me.
Even though they have more autonomy than us, don't they realise what Cameron will do to them especially since Sturgeon so publicly derided them.

That poll also reported 29% undecided. It's not over yet!

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:19 pm

refitman wrote:Whew! That was a monumental catchup.

Have booked next Friday off work, means I can stay up late Thursday.

Why? What's on?

There's an election a week on Thursday though

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:19 pm

Spacedone wrote:Here's Sturdy Alex's round-up of how the 5000 letter fell apart today. Also contains a link to Andrew Neil pummelling David Gauke into the ground.

https://sturdyblog.wordpress.com/2015/0 ... lectorate/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

My favourite of the "small business owners" on the list has to be the bloke who works as a waiter in a restaurant and is a Tory Parliamentary candidate. I wonder how he slipped onto that list...

[Edit] That pic was a bit too big, the new one is far away.

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:20 pm

Anyone feeling passionate tonight?

Reminds me, Nate Silver and Panorama coming up, expect a flurry of activity from Hodges afterwards.

And with that, passion dissipated.

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:23 pm

letsskiptotheleft wrote:Anyone feeling passionate tonight?

Reminds me, Nate Silver and Panorama coming up, expect a flurry of activity from Hodges afterwards.

And with that, passion dissipated.

I FEEL BLOODY PASSIONATE! I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY BLOODY DO!

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:25 pm

From the other place;

Earlier he said he was “pumped up” and “bloody lively”, now the prime minister says he’s “fired up” and “hungrier” for re-election than he was five years ago.

saf2008 ucic
4m ago
1 2

What a coincidence Dave - 1million people are hungrier than 5 years ago too - which is why they go to food banks!

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:27 pm

John Cleese hits out at Boris Johnson over 'non dom' tax avoidance

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

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:33 pm

And lo, the mighty Sturgeon did walk upon the land and did smite the wingnut headed Evan beast. She did then walk upon a loch, waxing mightily about how she would bend the Miliwallace to her will, heal a few sick people and cook a chip supper for to feed the 5000. And the multitudes rejoiced to hear her wisdom, saying "Verily she shall lead us from the bondage of the Red Tories, the gullible & the quislings and deliver us to a land flowing with milk and honey with which to flavour our oats".

And that, to be honest, is not as extreme as some of the 45er comments BTL about her interview with Evan Davis. I surely hope these cult members can be deprogrammed when she fails to live up to their expectations because, quite frankly, nobody could ever hope to live up to their expectations!

Night PF.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:33 pm

Quarter of Tory MPs are landlords, says research

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenancie ... 04.article" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Gosh! what a surprise ....

LadyCentauria · Post by **LadyCentauria** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 8:55 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:Let me introduce you to Bella.
Bella Chilling Out.jpg
Bella - our new dog - is going to act as my pollster between now and May 8th. I will be basing my predictions on which way she tugs on the lead ... and which side of her temporary enclosure she mostly tries to make her frequent Houdiniesque escape attempts from. I think she may just give these polling companies a run for their money. As you can see she's got a pretty relaxed attitude to it all.

She's beautiful! I shall look forward to reading the Bella Index

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:00 pm

RR2, if you don't train Bella to bark "Five minutes" I shall be very disappointed. She looks like a real sweety.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:07 pm

I have nothing against BTL as such. There should be room for all sorts of housing solutions.

When I was growing up whole streets with a couple of hundred houses, were owned by one landlord. It wasn't that hard to find a place to rent when you were starting out in life, which meant families could stay near each other and rents were affordable, but typically greedy the landlords did very little in the way of upkeep and repair and no modernisation.
As soon as tenants began wondering about inside toilets and bathrooms and public health boards started asking them to update their properties, then they began to unload their portfolios.

Now with the rise of BTL and the silly subsidies they are getting, once again landlords have created a need for legislation to rein them in.

Social housing is so important.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:12 pm

Nate Silver - Tories likely to be the largest party.

Ashcroft - Tories 6 points ahead.

Sturgeon - Tories bullied Miliband.

That Labour supporting Guardian hey?

I missed out 'Obama cabinet member supports Cameron'

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:12 pm

Alex Andreou is continuing, with help, to chip away at this ridiculous letter. His latest update says:

Here is a list of dozens of businesses included as signatories which are dissolved or in liquidation. A wonderful advertisement of the effectiveness of the policies which they, apparently, endorse.

(My bold). On a personal note, as my day was started reading NickyB proclaiming this as an election winning moment I am deriving a certain quiet satisfaction watching that prediction tumble around his ears.

https://sturdyblog.wordpress.com/2015/0 ... lectorate/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:16 pm

ohsocynical wrote:I have nothing against BTL as such. There should be room for all sorts of housing solutions.

When I was growing up whole streets with a couple of hundred houses, were owned by one landlord. It wasn't that hard to find a place to rent when you were starting out in life, which meant families could stay near each other and rents were affordable, but typically greedy the landlords did very little in the way of upkeep and repair and no modernisation.
As soon as tenants began wondering about inside toilets and bathrooms and public health boards started asking them to update their properties, then they began to unload their portfolios.

Now with the rise of BTL and the silly subsidies they are getting, once again landlords have created a need for legislation to rein them in.

Social housing is so important.

I don't mind BTL as a principle, but I do mind paying (via the tax relief system) for people to make a packet out of a property that they could not afford to buy without said tax relief. I also object to BTL owners making another packet, again out of my tax, from housing benefit.

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:28 pm

Incidentally, Sky have been running ads for the upcoming New Royal Baby show (yet to be scheduled).

It also squeezes in David Cameron in the HoC congratulating them on their procreation.

GetYou · Post by **GetYou** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:31 pm

refitman wrote:Whew! That was a monumental catchup.

Have booked next Friday off work, means I can stay up late Thursday.

Yeah, so I have I. Got an election party planned. Let's hope it's worth it

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:31 pm

Angi Mansi ‏@WorkPsychol 2 hrs2 hours ago

Having spent an afternoon explaining the differences between Tory/Labour policies, result! Four #NHS staff now going to #VoteLabour

This I find incredible. There are still nurses that would vote Conservative? We're doomed....

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:34 pm

GetYou wrote:
refitman wrote:Whew! That was a monumental catchup.

Have booked next Friday off work, means I can stay up late Thursday.
Yeah, so I have I. Got an election party planned. Let's hope it's worth it

My stomach's starting to churn already.

55DegreesNorth · Post by **55DegreesNorth** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:36 pm

Hello, Ducky.

I just saw you turn into a duck, a black one facing right, with a tail where the ape has a gun. The trick is not to look directly at the avatar.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:51 pm

55DegreesNorth wrote:Hello, Ducky.

I just saw you turn into a duck, a black one facing right, with a tail where the ape has a gun. The trick is not to look directly at the avatar.

Oh yes, shrink the avatar down and there it is.

Quick start a brain dead meme about whether you see a duck or a gorilla.

diGriz · Post by **diGriz** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:53 pm

TechnicalEphemera wrote:
55DegreesNorth wrote:Hello, Ducky.

I just saw you turn into a duck, a black one facing right, with a tail where the ape has a gun. The trick is not to look directly at the avatar.
Oh yes, shrink the avatar down and there it is.

Quick start a brain dead meme about whether you see a duck or a gorilla.

Oh, please don't.

By the way I just checked the thread that polled about my avatar. I'm not sure the weighting is accurate.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 9:56 pm

When your neighbours just won't behave!

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

:lol!:

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:08 pm

Eddie Mair comparing Labour manifesto to SNP during NS interview earlier
"You’re about as brave & bold as Ed Miliband'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05rnyz4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:12 pm

"Leading Tory says party has not used billboards in Hampstead and Kilburn election fight because tactic is reserved for marginal

JUSTICE secretary Chris Grayling tonight (Monday) responded to concerns from Conservative voters that the party was not campaigning hard enough in the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency ahead of the general election by saying the party’s big billboards and leaflet campaigns were reserved for marginal seats.
The Tory big hitter’s comments added to the frustration of party supporters who were among an audience at the JW3 Centre in Finchley Road. They had been upset by the unexpected withdrawal of party co-chairman Grant Shapps from a pre-election Q&A session with Mr Grayling sent as a substitute speaker."

http://www.camdennewjournal.com/whynobillboards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:13 pm

diGriz wrote:
TechnicalEphemera wrote:
55DegreesNorth wrote:Hello, Ducky.

I just saw you turn into a duck, a black one facing right, with a tail where the ape has a gun. The trick is not to look directly at the avatar.
Oh yes, shrink the avatar down and there it is.

Quick start a brain dead meme about whether you see a duck or a gorilla.
Oh, please don't.

By the way I just checked the thread that polled about my avatar. I'm not sure the weighting is accurate.

I changed my mind after the pollster asked how I was going to vote in that election.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:15 pm

The Agenda ‏@agendaitv 1h1 hour ago
On #TheAgenda tonight @nick_clegg tells @tombradby "I'm going to unveil my red lines in an orderly fashion over the next few days" #GE2015

He can't even make tawdry sound properly tawdry - tries to make it sound neat and sensible.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:17 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:"Leading Tory says party has not used billboards in Hampstead and Kilburn election fight because tactic is reserved for marginal

JUSTICE secretary Chris Grayling tonight (Monday) responded to concerns from Conservative voters that the party was not campaigning hard enough in the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency ahead of the general election by saying the party’s big billboards and leaflet campaigns were reserved for marginal seats.
The Tory big hitter’s comments added to the frustration of party supporters who were among an audience at the JW3 Centre in Finchley Road. They had been upset by the unexpected withdrawal of party co-chairman Grant Shapps from a pre-election Q&A session with Mr Grayling sent as a substitute speaker."

http://www.camdennewjournal.com/whynobillboards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well they have every right to be disappointed with Grayling - but to be 'upset by the unexpected withdrawal of party co-chairman Grant Shapps' is plain barking ...

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:19 pm

Mail back on "Miliband Land Grab" which has been "branded Stalinist".

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:21 pm

Philip Lee on front of Mirror. Not in a good way.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:23 pm

TORY LETTER SIGNATORY ON TRIAL FOR FRAUD AFTER OFFERING ‘HARVARD UNIVERSITY’ DEGREES FROM HER FLAT
http://politicalscrapbook.net/2015/04/t ... -her-flat/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This stunt has Shapps written all over it.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:27 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Philip Lee on front of Mirror. Not in a good way.

I've check can't find anything?

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:35 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Mail back on "Miliband Land Grab" which has been "branded Stalinist".

Ah. The media finally spotted the sting in the tail of this morning's announcement on housing policy. I was a little surprised there wasn't more focus on it earlier today. Probably weighing up whether to stick to the "they're all the same" approach to keep disillusioned Labour voters at home or go full "reds under the bed" to scare apathetic Tory types to get out and vote. The sad thing is, whilst the mail grumbles that Miliband's a Stalinist, Sturgeon will still be calling him a Red Tory, even as the SNP's manifesto is revealed to be - exactly the same as Labour's (except the Trident bit).

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Mon 27 Apr, 2015 10:35 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
AngryAsWell wrote:"Leading Tory says party has not used billboards in Hampstead and Kilburn election fight because tactic is reserved for marginal

JUSTICE secretary Chris Grayling tonight (Monday) responded to concerns from Conservative voters that the party was not campaigning hard enough in the Hampstead and Kilburn constituency ahead of the general election by saying the party’s big billboards and leaflet campaigns were reserved for marginal seats.
The Tory big hitter’s comments added to the frustration of party supporters who were among an audience at the JW3 Centre in Finchley Road. They had been upset by the unexpected withdrawal of party co-chairman Grant Shapps from a pre-election Q&A session with Mr Grayling sent as a substitute speaker."

http://www.camdennewjournal.com/whynobillboards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Well they have every right to be disappointed with Grayling - but to be 'upset by the unexpected withdrawal of party co-chairman Grant Shapps' is plain barking ...

If a majority of 42 is not a marginal what is?