Monday 7th December 2015

Post by **refitman** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 6:30 am

Morning all.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 8:28 am

Morning all.

Sir James Bevan providing a party political broadcast for the Tories. Cuddly questioning from Sarah Montague.

TobyLatimer · Post by **TobyLatimer** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 8:30 am

They knew this would happen -

HOC Library Nov 2014 ;

Central Government spending on flood defences will reduce in real terms over the spending review period. The new funding arrangements seek to encourage more local investment in flood defences, so that schemes that might not be funded nationally may still go ahead. http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ ... fullreport" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

: ScreenShot01217.jpg (158.26 KiB) Viewed 10025 times

The PDF file linked to on the same page says ..... Even with local flood levies, central government spending on flood defences will probably be lower than the previous spending review period , it is by no means certain that any shortfall in central Government funding will be made up at this stage by contributions from other sectors, particularly the local government sector which is already contributing to funding many local flood defence projects http://researchbriefings.files.parliame ... N05755.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

: ScreenShot01218.jpg (91 KiB) Viewed 10025 times

Still, it gives Dave a chance to don his wellies for the Cobra meeting.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 8:37 am

TobyLatimer wrote:They knew this would happen -

HOC Library Nov 2014 ;

Central Government spending on flood defences will reduce in real terms over the spending review period. The new funding arrangements seek to encourage more local investment in flood defences, so that schemes that might not be funded nationally may still go ahead. http://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ ... fullreport" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
ScreenShot01217.jpg

The PDF file linked to on the same page says ..... Even with local flood levies, central government spending on flood defences will probably be lower than the previous spending review period , it is by no means certain that any shortfall in central Government funding will be made up at this stage by contributions from other sectors, particularly the local government sector which is already contributing to funding many local flood defence projects http://researchbriefings.files.parliame ... N05755.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
ScreenShot01218.jpg

Still, it gives Dave a chance to don his wellies for the Cobra meeting.

He'll not don his willies in a hurry. Remember when this happened a couple of years ago, and he decided to pop down to Yalding near Maidstone for a quick photo op ......

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ ... lding-kent" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

All sorts of promises were made that Christmas/New Year but the reality is as you show it TL. Omnishambles doesn't begin to describe these idiots.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 8:46 am

Morning all.

After that story about AET being re-inspected by Ofsted that was posted up last night I went back and looked at the progression of them taking over schools or being pushed into accepting them.

2001/2...........1
2008/9...........3
2009/10.........1
2010/11.........4
2011/12........21
2012/13........45
2013/14.........1

Anyone see any problem there?

Nope, me neither....

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:09 am

@Tubby ''That last sentence. Jesus Christ.''

You took issue with Milne's use of the word pornographic.
The definition of pornographic is quite wide, and can mean 'crude' & 'exploitative' as well as more overtly sexualised meanings according to dictionaries.

I saw one Charlie Hebdo cartoon which clearly was 'lewd' and 'titillating' which are other synonyms for pornographic. It showed a very buxom, naked Muslim woman posturing in a very sexualised way under her full black clothing.

Would be surprised if they'd only done a cartoon like that once, the implication to me, as a woman viewing it, seemed to be to invite viewers to think of women in Islamic dress as being like glamour models, or porn stars just waiting to tempt men, under their clothing.

If Milne has seen more of the Charlie Hebdo work, he may have a point in using the language that he did.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:23 am

The Murdoch press seems to be getting worse since Brooks came back.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:25 am

norman smith ‏@BBCNormanS 3m3 minutes ago
PM to visit areas hit by flooding

I'm sure they're looking forward to that.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:32 am

I hope some people turn up to ask Cameron about the effects of cuts on the Fire Brigade, and call for decent pay increases for the public sector workers a local Tory MP was praising yesterday.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:35 am

Syria conflict: Coalition strike 'kills government forces'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35024408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:37 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Syria conflict: Coalition strike 'kills government forces'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35024408" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Obviously a success for the very accurate weaponry Michael Fallon was boasting about.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:50 am

I posted that Cameron is giving a speech somewhere today and this little snippet caught my eye.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prim ... t-delivers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Prime Minister will also announce an expansion to the government’s coasting schools programme – designed to crack down on schools that aren’t showing signs of improvement and overhaul them – starting next year. The expansion will see the powers to tackle failing and coasting schools– which currently only applies to council run schools, extended to cover academies– of which are there are more than 5,000 across the country.

Bit premature to say about the powers currently being applied since the Bill hasn't gone through as yet but good to see that the unfairness of only applying to council run (sic) schools has been recognised.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:53 am

Just looking at the Guardian.

The right wing hymn sheet today seems to be singing that under Labour we'd have better flood defences but be bankrupt and have Isil on our doorstep.

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 9:57 am

There have been, since 2010, cuts to local authority funding from central government amounting to 40%.

At the same time, with a lot less cash, LAs are expected to do all this -
Pay for the increased demand for health and social care not covered by the NHS;
Pay for the increased demand for hardship payments no longer paid for by DWP;
Pay for the increased demand for accommodation for homeless people/families;
Pay for flood defences and other things previously funded by central government;
Pay for services they are required by law to deliver with no ability to do so.

This government (and the coalition, a Tory administration in all but name) has systematically reduced funding for all manner of things it used to pay for, whilst simultaneously devolving the duty to provide them to LAs but cutting the funding that makes it possible.
Osborne announces wheeze after wheeze in attempts to pretend that LAs can find their own funding from increased council and business taxes, knowing perfectly well that LAs managing deprived areas will never be able to raise the money they need to provide essential services - services they are legally bound to deliver - and the only options they will have is a massive sell-off of assets (if they have any) or bankruptcy.

On floods - the FBU has castigated Cameron for his vocal support of emergency services whilst presiding over swingeing cuts; the army has been deployed (at unknown cost) to help becaus the emergency services can't cope; LAs are now expected to cover the costs of the reduced grants for flood defences from central government; LAs are currently providing emergency shelter for people who have been rendered temporarily homeless by flooding; and the costs of the clean up, repairs to infrastructure, and housing/supporting the elderly and/or vulnerable in the flooded areas has to be met somehow.

During the floods in the winter of 2013/14, Cameron claimed that he would ensure victims were helped and said that money was no object in relieving flood damage; what he would not say is whether he would halt the jobs cuts at the Environment Agency or commit new cash for flood defences. Andrew Dilnot wrote to Owen Paterson asking him to clarify his statement that more was being spent when the figures showed otherwise.
The Repair and Renew grants of up to £5,000 (England only) were announced by Cameron in 2014 - there are no figures that I can find saying how many people got this help. The guidance on it says this - "It is for individual local billing authorities to adopt a local scheme and decide n each individual case whether to provide a grant and at what level". In other words, Joe Bloggs would have to find out what the LA was doing and hope that they qualified for help.

This will be no different. We know Cameron is a liar. He'll make some grand gesture that turns out to be not very grand at all in the small print.
He'll march about in his Hunter wellies and his fleece, pointing at stuff, then be whisked away in his helicopter for a nice lunch somewhere....

Meanwhile, he is happy to see billions disappear in puffs of smoke as the bombs we pay for rain down on Syria.....

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 10:00 am

Just had an email with Ceredigion CLP's AGM minutes and contact details for the newly elected officials.

Labour's county wide membership & registered supporters has increased by over 400% since May.

There seems to be a previously missing welcoming energy coming through in the email too.

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 10:47 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
norman smith ‏@BBCNormanS 3m3 minutes ago
PM to visit areas hit by flooding
I'm sure they're looking forward to that.

Morning all.
I wonder if it will be "Money is no object - we're a rich country" in Carlisle?

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 10:53 am

Carlisle has a Tory MP, so quite possibly.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 10:56 am

Argentina now Venezuela, the right are on a bit of a roll down there.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 11:11 am

The Department for Business said: “The difficult conditions in the global economy affecting manufacturers and others makes it more important than ever that we stick to our long-term economic plan for sustainable growth.”
Pull the other one....

Weak growth in UK manufacturing poses Bank of England dilemma

http://gu.com/p/4ez7q" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TobyLatimer · Post by **TobyLatimer** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 11:26 am

John Prescott might have to dig out the wetsuit again at this rate [youtube]qctuE3flxYc[/youtube]

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 11:28 am

Good morfternoon.

Over at the Politics Live blog (Guardian), there's a quote from a Financial Times article saying that David Cameron is to go full steam ahead to neuter the House of Lords so that he can do what he wants to, when he wants to in the way that he wants to.

David Cameron has been secretly drawing up a plan to bypass an increasingly hostile anti-Tory majority in the House of Lords, which is threatening to wreak havoc with his legislative plans.

The UK prime minister will use the recent bust-up with the Lords on tax-credit reform as a chance to neuter the powers of the upper house.

Lord Strathclyde, the Tory grandee charged by Mr Cameron with reviewing the role of peers, is set to propose this month that the Lords should lose its veto over delegated or “secondary” legislation, such as the measure implementing tax-credit cuts.

Once that veto is removed, Mr Cameron is expected to step up his government’s increasing use of delegated legislation — also known as statutory instruments — to ram contentious measures through the upper house.

“We are being told to use statutory instruments wherever possible to get legislation through,” said one Conservative aide. Statutory instruments receive less parliamentary time and scrutiny than full bills.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 11:37 am

And Tristram Hunt joins the class war -

Tristram Hunt, the former shadow education secretary, is giving a speech about class and inequality this morning. He has previewed his argument in an article for the Mirror. Here’s an extract.

For decades Labour has tried to overcome this injustice [inequality] by dealing with financial poverty; and clearly money matters – a lot.

But social justice is about more than just pounds and pence. It is also about parenting, family breakdown, better homes, stronger communities, social networks, access to culture, health and wellbeing, tackling crime and abuse.

Talking about class would capture this wider story. It would make us think much harder about how privilege sustains itself.

And it can connect in a way that dull statistics never will.

Yet Labour has been too scared to talk about class in recent years. And that must change. (Politics Live, Guardian - my emphasis)

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 11:45 am

PorFavor wrote:Good morfternoon.

Over at the Politics Live blog (Guardian), there's a quote from a Financial Times article saying that David Cameron is to go full steam ahead to neuter the House of Lords so that he can do what he wants to, when he wants to in the way that he wants to.

David Cameron has been secretly drawing up a plan to bypass an increasingly hostile anti-Tory majority in the House of Lords, which is threatening to wreak havoc with his legislative plans.

The UK prime minister will use the recent bust-up with the Lords on tax-credit reform as a chance to neuter the powers of the upper house.

Lord Strathclyde, the Tory grandee charged by Mr Cameron with reviewing the role of peers, is set to propose this month that the Lords should lose its veto over delegated or “secondary” legislation, such as the measure implementing tax-credit cuts.

Once that veto is removed, Mr Cameron is expected to step up his government’s increasing use of delegated legislation — also known as statutory instruments — to ram contentious measures through the upper house.

“We are being told to use statutory instruments wherever possible to get legislation through,” said one Conservative aide. Statutory instruments receive less parliamentary time and scrutiny than full bills.

Shouldn't any proposal to change our democratic system be passed by parliament? That is, both the lower and upper chamber? Given we have a two chamber system, for the majority in one chamber to attempt to neuter the second chamber, which is in place to provide checks and balances to the activities of the first chamber, surely this should send alarm bells ringing? All the Tory government has to do is stick to its own manifesto if it wants to ram things past the Lords as things stand at the moment. Is it really feasible they could get away with changing the function of the second chamber so they can pass into law unchallenged, policies that have never been put before the electorate?

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 11:56 am

Willow904 wrote:
PorFavor wrote:Good morfternoon.

Over at the Politics Live blog (Guardian), there's a quote from a Financial Times article saying that David Cameron is to go full steam ahead to neuter the House of Lords so that he can do what he wants to, when he wants to in the way that he wants to.

David Cameron has been secretly drawing up a plan to bypass an increasingly hostile anti-Tory majority in the House of Lords, which is threatening to wreak havoc with his legislative plans.

The UK prime minister will use the recent bust-up with the Lords on tax-credit reform as a chance to neuter the powers of the upper house.

Lord Strathclyde, the Tory grandee charged by Mr Cameron with reviewing the role of peers, is set to propose this month that the Lords should lose its veto over delegated or “secondary” legislation, such as the measure implementing tax-credit cuts.

Once that veto is removed, Mr Cameron is expected to step up his government’s increasing use of delegated legislation — also known as statutory instruments — to ram contentious measures through the upper house.

“We are being told to use statutory instruments wherever possible to get legislation through,” said one Conservative aide. Statutory instruments receive less parliamentary time and scrutiny than full bills.
Shouldn't any proposal to change our democratic system be passed by parliament? That is, both the lower and upper chamber? Given we have a two chamber system, for the majority in one chamber to attempt to neuter the second chamber, which is in place to provide checks and balances to the activities of the first chamber, surely this should send alarm bells ringing? All the Tory government has to do is stick to its own manifesto if it wants to ram things past the Lords as things stand at the moment. Is it really feasible they could get away with changing the function of the second chamber so they can pass into law unchallenged, policies that have never been put before the electorate?

This (your final point) would be a fundamental change to our democratic system and I find it a deeply disturbing possibility. What's equally, or possibly more, disturbing is that I feel it's highly likely that the bulk of the public won't appreciate the seriousness of this until it's too late. Our political education is lamentable.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 12:14 pm

PorFavor wrote:And Tristram Hunt joins the class war -

Tristram Hunt, the former shadow education secretary, is giving a speech about class and inequality this morning. He has previewed his argument in an article for the Mirror. Here’s an extract.

For decades Labour has tried to overcome this injustice [inequality] by dealing with financial poverty; and clearly money matters – a lot.

But social justice is about more than just pounds and pence. It is also about parenting, family breakdown, better homes, stronger communities, social networks, access to culture, health and wellbeing, tackling crime and abuse.

Talking about class would capture this wider story. It would make us think much harder about how privilege sustains itself.

And it can connect in a way that dull statistics never will.

Yet Labour has been too scared to talk about class in recent years. And that must change. (Politics Live, Guardian - my emphasis)

The same person who wanted the 1% to rule us

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 12:37 pm

My neice has just commented on FaceBook...

Sad when your 4 year old thinks it's a bomb in his advent calander ... No its a bauble Syddy

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 12:59 pm

PorFavor wrote:
Willow904 wrote:
PorFavor wrote:Good morfternoon.

Over at the Politics Live blog (Guardian), there's a quote from a Financial Times article saying that David Cameron is to go full steam ahead to neuter the House of Lords so that he can do what he wants to, when he wants to in the way that he wants to.

Shouldn't any proposal to change our democratic system be passed by parliament? That is, both the lower and upper chamber? Given we have a two chamber system, for the majority in one chamber to attempt to neuter the second chamber, which is in place to provide checks and balances to the activities of the first chamber, surely this should send alarm bells ringing? All the Tory government has to do is stick to its own manifesto if it wants to ram things past the Lords as things stand at the moment. Is it really feasible they could get away with changing the function of the second chamber so they can pass into law unchallenged, policies that have never been put before the electorate?

This (your final point) would be a fundamental change to our democratic system and I find it a deeply disturbing possibility. What's equally, or possibly more, disturbing is that I feel it's highly likely that the bulk of the public won't appreciate the seriousness of this until it's too late. Our political education is lamentable.

A lot has been said about the shortcomings of the Lords as a second chamber, but in all those debates there has always been an assumption it would be replaced by something better. An elected chamber or regional assembly, perhaps. Only David Cameron could propose turning it into something worse - an overpaid, over-priveleged house of cronies which doesn't even perform the slimmest of oversight functions that it does now.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 1:02 pm

I can't see Cameron's planned gerrymandering winning the support of a single non-Tory MP, so this could surely be defeated?

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 1:18 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Carlisle has a Tory MP, so quite possibly.

So did the bits of Somerset that got flooded last year. It was only when it reached the Home Counties that money was no object

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 1:18 pm

Has anyone here heard\seen any more on the Metropolitan Police investigation into MPs' expenses, please?

seeingclearly · Post by **seeingclearly** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 1:25 pm

PorFavor wrote:Good morfternoon.

Over at the Politics Live blog (Guardian), there's a quote from a Financial Times article saying that David Cameron is to go full steam ahead to neuter the House of Lords so that he can do what he wants to, when he wants to in the way that he wants to.

David Cameron has been secretly drawing up a plan to bypass an increasingly hostile anti-Tory majority in the House of Lords, which is threatening to wreak havoc with his legislative plans.

The UK prime minister will use the recent bust-up with the Lords on tax-credit reform as a chance to neuter the powers of the upper house.

Lord Strathclyde, the Tory grandee charged by Mr Cameron with reviewing the role of peers, is set to propose this month that the Lords should lose its veto over delegated or “secondary” legislation, such as the measure implementing tax-credit cuts.

Once that veto is removed, Mr Cameron is expected to step up his government’s increasing use of delegated legislation — also known as statutory instruments — to ram contentious measures through the upper house.

“We are being told to use statutory instruments wherever possible to get legislation through,” said one Conservative aide. Statutory instruments receive less parliamentary time and scrutiny than full bills.

Isn't there a word for governments that change the way parliaaments work inorder to get the results they want?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 1:44 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:I can't see Cameron's planned gerrymandering winning the support of a single non-Tory MP, so this could surely be defeated?

I think there is also a particular committee which it has to get passed by (forget which one) and they are extremely unlikely to be OK with it.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:00 pm

Oh, joy! I've just received another letter (e-mail actually) from America.

L, that was a headline from CNN the other day. [The headline read - Ben Carson: the most misunderstood candidate?]

For some reason, the media and the political class in our country just don't understand me.

Perhaps they just don't want to.

But I think you understand me just fine. In fact, I think we're probably very much alike, and now more than ever, I need you to stand with me in my fight to revive America.

This is who I am -- I'm a proud American. I believe in God and the Judeo-Christian values upon which our nation was founded. I detest political correctness, because the truth matters more.

As a people, we've allowed ourselves to be bullied by a dishonest media and a permanent political class. We're not supposed to use certain words or talk about certain subjects because somewhere, someone might be offended.

I'm running for President to beat back this dangerous trend.

I want to revive America's exceptional spirit and re-establish a government that is truly of, by and for the people.

For months and months, I've spoken with hundreds of thousands of my fellow Americans, sharing my story, my heart, and my solutions for America.

I'll be honest, it's been difficult. I've never seen a media so intent on twisting my words and misleading those who they're supposed to serve -- the American public.

So here's where I'd like to enlist your help -- and I need it now more than ever.

The Iowa Caucuses are on February 1st. Decisions will be made and people will begin to vote for our next President. It may seem like a long way off, but it will be here before we know it.

My campaign is in the midst of reserving airtime so we can run ads on TV and get my message directly to the people who matter most -- the voters.

It's time to bypass the filter of the media, and only you can help me do it.

Even if it's just $5 or $10, please help us get on TV by making a secure donation now.

Now is the time when it really counts.

America was supposed to be a land of citizen-statesmen. Government wasn't meant to consume us or be involved in every aspect of our lives.

I'm running for President because I'm concerned about the future we are leaving our children and grandchildren, and I believe that working with you I can get us back on the right track.

If you believe in me and in our shared vision for a more hopeful America, I ask you to dig deep and make a donation now. I literally cannot do this without you.

Thank you, and God Bless America.

Sincerely,

Ben Carson

Thanks, distant relative in the USA. May we never meet. (Although it might be unsolicited by them also?)

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:02 pm

Well this is a very depressing piece by Greenslade.

Labour is falling apart, but don't blame Jeremy Corbyn for its collapse
Why the ‘broad church’ cannot possibly hold together for much longer
http://www.theguardian.com/media/greens ... s-collapse" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

... A formal SDP-style split has not occurred thus far. But the party no longer makes any sense in its current form. Despite strolling to the Oldham by-election victory, the party is generally regarded by the majority of its MPs, political journalists and their editors, as unelectable.

Yet, if some way were found to tip Corbyn out of office before he proves the naysayers right about his unelectability, it is obvious that his army of supporters would walk away.

And that cataclysmic event has the potential to precipitate the creation of a new party of the left because they would realise the hopelessness of changing Labour from within and quit.

The Labour party has shown amazing resilience throughout its 115-year history. The broad church has survived any number of past crises. But, as with all parties of the left, it cannot sustain itself much longer. It is now on the brink of complete disintegration.

That is not Corbyn’s fault. Don’t blame him. He is a victim of a process over which he has had no control. ...

... It is clear that the church is simply too broad and too battered to act any longer as a coherent united party. The game is up for Labour.

Rightwing UK newspapers may applaud this analysis, of course. They have long sought the elimination of Labour and the eradication of the left as a political force.

That’s the reason I spent days wondering whether I should publish this piece because it appears to support their agenda. Staying silent however seemed counter-productive. The left have to come to terms with what is happening... and going to happen.

I can't argue with many of the factors and circumstances he cites. I don't want to accept his outcome though.

seeingclearly · Post by **seeingclearly** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:03 pm

Have been reading the immediate posts of people living in the floode areas since yesterday. The loss of beautiful Pooley Bridge will cause great difficulties in the area, its a 32 mile trip to get to the other side without it, to jobs, schools, hospitals and more. The Keilder reservoir overflowed into its spillway for the first time people could remember and the overflow contributed to floods downstream. Huge damage to roads too, similar to earthquake damage. The extreme height of the flood waters at their peak tell just how bad this event has been. There were people posting throughout the last two nights to pass on local information on which roads and bridges were impassable. One person said, 'you don't realise what a bridge actualy means until it is gone'. Nature in an awesome display of power. Some mentioning maintenance of culverts and the like as having suffered from the cuts. Everywhere people pulling together. Have to hope evey one has somewhere warm and comfortable to be, with more rain on the way those homes aren't going to dry in a hurry.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:13 pm

Mayor battle heats up as Zac Goldsmith accuses Sadiq Khan of ‘divisive and radical politics’
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics ... 31501.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm not sure this is a wise line of attack.

Good to see Khan's team have come back strong and pointed out that Goldsmith seems to have already gone back on his supposed intent to run a clean campaign.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:14 pm

@rebeccariots2

This may be of interest to you (and others here).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06rjghf

W Stephen Gilbert
Meet the Author

Nick Higham talks to W Stephen Gilbert, who has written a book about the Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Release date:
3 December 2015

29 days left to watch

15 minutes

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:18 pm

... David Cameron is facing fresh accusations of ‘arrogance’ after it emerged the Government will use a Parliamentary technicality to kill off plans to give 16 and 17-year-olds the vote in the EU referendum.

Ahead of a crunch Commons vote on Tuesday, ministers have tabled a motion declaring that extending the franchise to under-18s has ‘financial’ implications and therefore cannot be blocked by the House of Lords.

The Lords has already used its anti-Tory majority to defeat the Government on the subject, just as it did over tax credits, and was due to overturn the Commons vote just before Christmas.

But in a move that underlines the open warfare now between Downing Street and peers, Philip Hammond has invoked ‘financial privilege’ to defy any attempts to change the EU referendum bill going through Parliament.

If a bill is deemed a ‘money resolution’, the House of Lords has no power to block or veto it. According to Parliamentary convention, the Lords does not press a matter to a further vote once a money resolution is applied...

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12 ... mg00000067" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:19 pm

Re the Greenslade piece - I can.

The point is that the "moderates" are a phantom paper army. They cannot even think about an SDP-style breakway because they don't have the capacity - organisational, intellectual or electoral - to do it. They are an empty husk whose bluff has been called by Corbyn (and the SNP, and even UKIP)

Jez will step down before the next GE and be replaced by a more centrist (though still left leaning) successor. There will be no significant split.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:25 pm

The Sun Forced To Take Down 'Made Up' Story On Isis Attackers' Route After Croatia Exposes 'Liar Journalist'
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12 ... _hp_ref=uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Forced to take down - but is there going to be any sanction for publishing such a gross invention? Are they even publishing an apology or clear admission of what was 'wrong' about the removed story.

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:32 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Re the Greenslade piece - I can.

The point is that the "moderates" are a phantom paper army. They cannot even think about an SDP-style breakway because they don't have the capacity - organisational, intellectual or electoral - to do it. They are an empty husk whose bluff has been called by Corbyn (and the SNP, and even UKIP)

Jez will step down before the next GE and be replaced by a more centrist (though still left leaning) successor. There will be no significant split.

I agree a split is unlikely. The Labour party as a whole is more than capable of uniting behind the aim of reducing inequality. It still has an alternative to offer to the Tories as a 'broad church'. There is too much in this article that looks to the past to predict the future, for my liking. A comfort blanket for the political journalist that is unsure of what comes next, perhaps. Personally, when I'm not tearing my hair out at the wanton destruction of current government, I'm quite fascinated to see what does come next for Labour. I'm rubbish at predictions myself, so won't make any, but I think if Labour is to have a positive future it may be worth keeping an eye on what's happening at the bottom of the party as much as the top.

Post by **refitman** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:35 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
The Sun Forced To Take Down 'Made Up' Story On Isis Attackers' Route After Croatia Exposes 'Liar Journalist'
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/12 ... _hp_ref=uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Forced to take down - but is there going to be any sanction for publishing such a gross invention? Are they even publishing an apology or clear admission of what was 'wrong' about the removed story.

I imagine there will be a small apology on page 26.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:41 pm

Re Charlie Hebdo.

It's part of a pretty intellectual tradition of cartoons that we just don't have. More than anyone else it goes for the Front National. If you understand this, then stuff that looks Islamophobic can be understood as satirising the FN view of Muslims. Sadly that doesn't work when people take cartoons out of context .and tweet them about.

It was a low circulation magazine for a reason- if you look for cheap thrills, you'll be disappointed.

That Stop the War made zero attempt to understand it is profoundly depressing to me.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:47 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:Re the Greenslade piece - I can.

The point is that the "moderates" are a phantom paper army. They cannot even think about an SDP-style breakway because they don't have the capacity - organisational, intellectual or electoral - to do it. They are an empty husk whose bluff has been called by Corbyn (and the SNP, and even UKIP)

Jez will step down before the next GE and be replaced by a more centrist (though still left leaning) successor. There will be no significant split.

I thought Greenslade was arguing that it's more likely that the new entrants to and non moderate members in Labour end up leaving and forming something new - rather than the current PLP 'moderates'? The new left party outcome Greenslade anticipates is the main part that I can't accept. I agree that the PLP 'moderates' are not going anywhere - I think they think the party is theirs by rights - as when someone has always sat in a particular place / chair - and those that don't agree with them will somehow see sense (as they see it). Can't see that happening either.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:47 pm

Willow904 wrote:........A comfort blanket for the political journalist that is unsure of what comes next, perhaps. .......

I always find it easiest to work from the premise that the Graun no longer employs anybody worthy to call themselves "journalist".

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:48 pm

StephenDolan wrote:Argentina now Venezuela, the right are on a bit of a roll down there.

From a very low base

And there's no real getting away from it, Maduro is awful - and incompetent.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:49 pm

norman smith ‏@BBCNormanS 22m22 minutes ago
There are "substantial political differences" over PM's demand for benefit curb on EU migrants says EU President Donald Tusk

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 2:58 pm

This is worth reading.

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

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 3:13 pm

yahyah wrote:
I saw one Charlie Hebdo cartoon which clearly was 'lewd' and 'titillating' which are other synonyms for pornographic. It showed a very buxom, naked Muslim woman posturing in a very sexualised way under her full black clothing.

Would be surprised if they'd only done a cartoon like that once, the implication to me, as a woman viewing it, seemed to be to invite viewers to think of women in Islamic dress as being like glamour models, or porn stars just waiting to tempt men, under their clothing.

Or is it making a point about the "the male gaze"? ie that it sexualizes women however unsexualized they try to make themselves? Or perhaps it's celebrating a woman who rebels against a patriarchal tradition of dress?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Mon 07 Dec, 2015 3:17 pm

AnatolyKasparov wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:Argentina now Venezuela, the right are on a bit of a roll down there.
From a very low base

And there's no real getting away from it, Maduro is awful - and incompetent.

Chavez too was basically just chucking oil money about, when you look at what he did rather than what he represented.