Wednesday 9th December 2015

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 2:16 pm

TobyLatimer wrote:Andrew Sparrow's verdict on Osborne's performance AT PMQs

"It served as a reminder that doing PMQs is actually much harder than it looks and that David Cameron, who has now had 10 years’ practice, is a hard act to follow"

A hard act to follow ? i can't work out if this is praise for Cameron or facetious ridicule at Osborne

Sparrow genuinely thinks that Cameron does a good job at PMQs, especially when he has avoided answering questions and does his Flashman act. There were weeks when Ed M had dismantled OGRFG but, because Cameron finished off with one of his 'humorous' ad homs, Andrew would declare him the victor. I know I bang on about how bad that paper has become, and the unfettered partisanship shown, but you really can't get a better illustration than that.

TobyLatimer · Post by **TobyLatimer** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 2:17 pm

Is 'backbenching' a word ? Sounds like it should be the title of a song by Chumbawamba

TobyLatimer · Post by **TobyLatimer** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 2:20 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
TobyLatimer wrote:Andrew Sparrow's verdict on Osborne's performance AT PMQs

"It served as a reminder that doing PMQs is actually much harder than it looks and that David Cameron, who has now had 10 years’ practice, is a hard act to follow"

A hard act to follow ? i can't work out if this is praise for Cameron or facetious ridicule at Osborne
Sparrow genuinely thinks that Cameron does a good job at PMQs, especially when he has avoided answering questions and does his Flashman act. There were weeks when Ed M had dismantled OGRFG but, because Cameron finished off with one of his 'humorous' ad homs, Andrew would declare him the victor. I know I bang on about how bad that paper has become, and the unfettered partisanship shown, but you really can't get a better illustration than that.

I used to think Sparrow was better than some of his colleagues who scribble at the Graun, he certainly is nailing his colours to the mast lately though.

TobyLatimer · Post by **TobyLatimer** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 2:29 pm

PMQs 2006, in which Cameron asks Blair about low morale in the NHS. [youtube]NpVycRpa2L8[/youtube]

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 2:31 pm

Jim Pickard ‏@PickardJE 3m3 minutes ago
Stop The War Coalition says it has sacked the individual responsible for sharing two inappropriate posts on website http://app.ft.com/cms/s/1cf98160-9e64-1 ... d//product" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 2:38 pm

Heard a bit of PMQs as I was driving back from work. The commentator said Labour MPs sounded as though they were enjoying themselves and they hadn't done that for rather a long time .... (inference being what a downer Corbyn is, I presume).

The bit I heard was the same old same old game playing. It made me feel gloomy that some seem to think a format that makes Westminster - and some Labour MPs - feel good is so preferable to something that might make the public feel better represented and responded to.

And to top that it had Osborne mangling his language even more presumably to prove he's getting down wiv whoever, bruv. I heard him say 'a cuppla hunred' - and winced.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 2:41 pm

BBC Andrew Kerr ‏@BBCandrewkerr 18m18 minutes ago
Donald Trump dropped as a GlobalScot - Scottish Government announces. A letter will be sent to him. #trump

What on earth is a 'GlobalScot'? And who conferred that honour (I presume it's an honour of some kind) on him?

danesclose · Post by **danesclose** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 2:42 pm

TobyLatimer wrote:Is 'backbenching' a word ? Sounds like it should be the title of a song by Chumbawamba

Or perhaps something Osborne may have got up to in his youth (if Natalie Rowe is to be believed)

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 4:21 pm

Thank you Robert. Trump's over lyrical waxing is rather barf making.

This down to earth headline / tweet is probably more accurate than the GlobalScot malarkey.

Kate Devlin ‏@_katedevlin 1h1 hour ago
Trump dumped as a business ambassador for Scotland
http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/ ... ref=twtrec" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 4:28 pm

How The Bridge's heroine became a role model for women with autism
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/disability-34995327" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 4:37 pm

"It is really your behaviour that determines whether you're a patriot," he once said.

"If you're trashing your own country, ruining the soils, contaminating the waters and the air, cutting down trees, overfishing the lakes, rivers and oceans, you're not much of a patriot."
Profile: Douglas Tompkins, billionaire-turned-conservationist - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35048806" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 4:44 pm

@ChiOnwurah
We knew it, we knew they knew, now they know we know - EU says UK Govt cld have saved Redcar https://shar.es/1Ga1qq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; by @jude_kd @Labour4NE

... The European Commission has stated that support could have been given to the plant for research and development, to develop innovation, to support training and employment or protect and enhance the environment. Research by Jude Kirton-Darling, Labour Member of the European Parliament for the North East has shown that other European Governments are taking up the option of providing state aid to their steel industry. Steelworks have been supported in Italy, France and Germany to help deal with the drop in the steel price and to increase the sustainability of the sector.

Jude Kirton-Darling said “This response from the Commission shows what we’ve known all along, that the UK Government has used European state aid rules as an excuse for doing nothing to support the steel industry. The steel industry is important in its own right but is key to our wider manufacturing sector. It provides high skilled and well paid jobs and as we’ve seen in Redcar the loss of a plant has a massive impact on the regional economy...

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 4:50 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
@ChiOnwurah
We knew it, we knew they knew, now they know we know - EU says UK Govt cld have saved Redcar https://shar.es/1Ga1qq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; by @jude_kd @Labour4NE

... The European Commission has stated that support could have been given to the plant for research and development, to develop innovation, to support training and employment or protect and enhance the environment. Research by Jude Kirton-Darling, Labour Member of the European Parliament for the North East has shown that other European Governments are taking up the option of providing state aid to their steel industry. Steelworks have been supported in Italy, France and Germany to help deal with the drop in the steel price and to increase the sustainability of the sector.

Jude Kirton-Darling said “This response from the Commission shows what we’ve known all along, that the UK Government has used European state aid rules as an excuse for doing nothing to support the steel industry. The steel industry is important in its own right but is key to our wider manufacturing sector. It provides high skilled and well paid jobs and as we’ve seen in Redcar the loss of a plant has a massive impact on the regional economy...

This is the sort of thing that Labour should be unearthing and shouting from the rooftops.

Edited

To add the bold - which is needed to convey what I meant!

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:05 pm

PorFavor wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
@ChiOnwurah
We knew it, we knew they knew, now they know we know - EU says UK Govt cld have saved Redcar https://shar.es/1Ga1qq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; by @jude_kd @Labour4NE

... The European Commission has stated that support could have been given to the plant for research and development, to develop innovation, to support training and employment or protect and enhance the environment. Research by Jude Kirton-Darling, Labour Member of the European Parliament for the North East has shown that other European Governments are taking up the option of providing state aid to their steel industry. Steelworks have been supported in Italy, France and Germany to help deal with the drop in the steel price and to increase the sustainability of the sector.

Jude Kirton-Darling said “This response from the Commission shows what we’ve known all along, that the UK Government has used European state aid rules as an excuse for doing nothing to support the steel industry. The steel industry is important in its own right but is key to our wider manufacturing sector. It provides high skilled and well paid jobs and as we’ve seen in Redcar the loss of a plant has a massive impact on the regional economy...

This is the sort of thing that Labour should be unearthing and shouting from the rooftops.

Edited

To add the bold - which is needed to convey what I meant!

That's what they have done here tbf. Jude Kirton-Darling has obviously dug deep ... and the Labour press release that quote is from is really good on the substance and detail. As for shouting it from the rooftops ... depends how many of those media rooftops are prepared to take any notice. This - to them - is yesterday's news. Today it's all floods and Trump. Pah! (as you might exclaim so magnificently PF).

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:11 pm

Sheesh. I'm just reading about the employment practices and culture at Sports Direct courtesy of the Guardian front page.

When is this appalling exposure / PR going to have an impact on the people in charge there?

The allegations re children going into school sick and going home to empty houses because their parents are too scared to take time off work sound like something out of Dickens.

Editing to reassure you that children aren't going home to empty horses.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:14 pm

: rhymes.jpg (38.59 KiB) Viewed 8100 times

Politically incorrect but they made me laugh...

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:20 pm

Mark Clarke forced to dump education firm formed with director of ‘Tory madrasa’
http://politicalscrapbook.net/2015/12/t ... rk-clarke/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bit concerning to think these people might have been allowed anywhere near education or young people.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:23 pm

Just noticed this on Political Scrapbook too.

'SNP deny £4,000 ‘unaccounted for’ in Natalie McGarry Election Expenses.'
http://politicalscrapbook.net/2015/12/s ... -expenses/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:30 pm

yahyah wrote:Mark Clarke forced to dump education firm formed with director of ‘Tory madrasa’
http://politicalscrapbook.net/2015/12/t ... rk-clarke/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bit concerning to think these people might have been allowed anywhere near education or young people.

That company sounds rather like a useful vehicle for importing lots of young Republicans from the USA to help out with campaigning ... no?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:33 pm

: Trumps Honorary Degree Withdrawn.jpg (76.44 KiB) Viewed 8085 times

RobertGordonUni ‏@RobertGordonUni 12m12 minutes ago
New statement about Donald Trump's honorary degree:

If Scotland had control of its own borders you get the impression they might bar any Trumps from entering ...

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:34 pm

Pter Jukes has been tweeting pics of Clarke and his cronies in the US in August, meeting with Tea Party representatives. Has said more will be coming about YBF funding.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:36 pm

deleted as duplicate post

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:38 pm

Radio 4 reporting on the Shrewsbury 24 case. At least it's getting some airing.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:43 pm

Ricky Tomlinson just called Tory MP Howarth a buffoon.
Did the buffoon really tell the House that the country faced communism back then ?

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 5:45 pm

Interestingly, the government petition site for Keep Trump Out, is down....

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 6:25 pm

The Guardian didn't waste much time did it ?

''Angela Eagle showed Labour how to look united at PMQs''
''She may not have elicited any particularly revealing answers, but Angela Eagle made Labour look united and the Tories look divided – a bittersweet little reminder that too often in past weeks, the opposite has been true. One wonders quite how Jeremy Corbyn will have felt, watching
that''
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... ted-pmqsat.''" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 6:27 pm

This must win an FTN award for something ... most twisted use of gender politics to make a venomous point?

Nick Cohen ‏@NickCohen4 8m8 minutes ago
Angela Eagle proves the theory that all Labour's best politicians are women. Yet they are pushed aside by the dregs of the far left.

Editing to add: Anyone would think Angela Eagle had been overlooked by the 'dregs of the far left' and didn't have a prominent role in the Shadow Cabinet.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 6:30 pm

Former bank lobbyist to head Treasury's Office of Tax Simplification

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

WTF? That's a wholly unsuitable appointment. Yes, another one.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 6:31 pm

Whose theory is that ? The one he just invented to prove his bitter point ?

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 6:32 pm

NHS trust 'failed to investigate hundreds of deaths.

Norman Lamb, who was the care minister in the coalition government, said the findings were shocking: "You end up with a sense that these lives are regarded somehow as slightly less important than others and there can be no second class citizens in our NHS.

Southern Health, has been led by Katrina Percy since it was created in 2011

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35051845" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Distressing.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 6:42 pm

Evening all.

School meeting all afternoon and then a walk into the town centre with our HT where our pupils were singing carols and the usual Christmas songs.

I thought I was only going to watch but no...there's a book...now get in there and sing.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 6:46 pm

StephenDolan wrote:Former bank lobbyist to head Treasury's Office of Tax Simplification

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

WTF? That's a wholly unsuitable appointment. Yes, another one.

How on earth is Angela Knight in any job after being at the head of the BBA at the time of LIBOR rigging?

Did they even investigate the role of the BBA in all of that?

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 6:51 pm

ohsocynical wrote:NHS trust 'failed to investigate hundreds of deaths.

Norman Lamb, who was the care minister in the coalition government, said the findings were shocking: "You end up with a sense that these lives are regarded somehow as slightly less important than others and there can be no second class citizens in our NHS.

Southern Health, has been led by Katrina Percy since it was created in 2011

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-35051845" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Distressing.

St Andrews Healthcare, and most Adult Treatment Units, are now run for private profit, but, paid out of the NHS public purse, and, as charities, pay no tax. So no tax, no accountability, no service, and huge profit.
The perfect business model.

https://finolamoss.wordpress.com/2015/1 ... ntability/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 6:57 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:Morning all.

Quote from Tony Blair piece reported on by Andrew Sparrow ...

He says “modernisers” are “the true progressives”.
Many – especially in today’s Labour Party – felt we lost our way in Government. I feel we found it. But I accept in the process we failed to convince enough people that the true progressives are always the modernisers, not because they discard principle but because they have the courage to adhere to it when confronted with reality.
I really don't know where to start - but - perhaps with what the hell does that last bit mean 'because they have the courage to adhere to it when confronted with reality.' What principle is it they are adhering to .... be in government at all costs? Sorry - in my head I'm trying to relate that remark to the 'reality' of Iraq - and I can't.

Tone, don't talk any more, as a personal favour, I ask you not to do anything more than devote yourself to good works. Please. You've every right to say whatever the hell you want. I remind you you don't have to say anything either. Stay quiet, reflect upon your life, the lives of those needing help and quietly make peace with yourself and others.

I saw the article this morning and found other things to do rather than read it.

Good evening, everyone.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 7:01 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
PorFavor wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:

This is the sort of thing that Labour should be unearthing and shouting from the rooftops.

Edited

To add the bold - which is needed to convey what I meant!
That's what they have done here tbf. Jude Kirton-Darling has obviously dug deep ... and the Labour press release that quote is from is really good on the substance and detail. As for shouting it from the rooftops ... depends how many of those media rooftops are prepared to take any notice. This - to them - is yesterday's news. Today it's all floods and Trump. Pah! (as you might exclaim so magnificently PF).

Hello. Obviously the bolding didn't have the desired effect! But as you point out, they've rather been trumped by Trump.

I read the Sports Direct story, too. Appalling state of affairs - but no doubt the government won't see any problem with the situation. I wonder if Margaret Thatcher will do a Jacob Marley?

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 7:26 pm

Just in case I missed the memo - what day do we get to bring in a game? And I've got my plate all ready with my name written on the bottom to bring in for the party - just tip me the wink . . . .

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 7:38 pm

Don't know what happened there.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 7:38 pm

PorFavor wrote:Don't know what happened there.

But worth saying twice.

Post by **refitman** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 7:39 pm

PorFavor wrote:Don't know what happened there.

What happened where?

Temulkar · Post by **Temulkar** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 7:43 pm

Guru Murphy putting words into Caroline Lucas' mouth that she specifically and pointedly refused to say in the interview for C4 news yesterday. What an arse.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 7:50 pm

Goodnight, everyone
love,
cJA

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 8:30 pm

Adam Boulton Retweeted
Donald J. Trump ‏@realDonaldTrump 1 hr1 hour ago

The police in London say I’m right. Major article in Daily Mail. “We can’t wear uniform in our own cars.”

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

I thought that was and has been applicable with a lot of forces for ages?

frog222 · Post by **frog222** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 10:20 pm

I've been following the other strands here, painfully interesting as usual (!), and also the 'count" on the Trump Petition to Parliament .

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/114003" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Now knocking 330,000.

Naturally , of course, I don't give a flying f*** whether the 'unhinged' Trump ( Jeb Bush comment) person has entry to the UK or not, but it is a very symbolic way of showing support for all those Americans who oppose him ?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 10:30 pm

Total Politics ‏@TotalPolitics 28m28 minutes ago
New from @Kevin_Maguire: The increasing irrelevancy of the Lib Dems is bad for politics http://www.totalpolitics.com/opinion/45 ... tics.thtml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

Contains this rather spot on line ...

Taken to the cleaners by a scheming David Cameron, the Lib Dems paid an extortionately high price at the polls for Nick Clegg’s five years with a title in a chauffeur-driven Jag.

frog222 · Post by **frog222** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 10:33 pm

ohsocynical wrote:Adam Boulton Retweeted
Donald J. Trump ‏@realDonaldTrump 1 hr1 hour ago

The police in London say I’m right. Major article in Daily Mail. “We can’t wear uniform in our own cars.”

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

I thought that was and has been applicable with a lot of forces for ages?

Ohso --- It's the same in France . There is some figure of around 270 or so such localities .

Looks like we're in the same boat .

Hollande and Cameron got everything wrong .

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Wed 09 Dec, 2015 11:13 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
@ChiOnwurah
We knew it, we knew they knew, now they know we know - EU says UK Govt cld have saved Redcar https://shar.es/1Ga1qq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; by @jude_kd @Labour4NE

... The European Commission has stated that support could have been given to the plant for research and development, to develop innovation, to support training and employment or protect and enhance the environment. Research by Jude Kirton-Darling, Labour Member of the European Parliament for the North East has shown that other European Governments are taking up the option of providing state aid to their steel industry. Steelworks have been supported in Italy, France and Germany to help deal with the drop in the steel price and to increase the sustainability of the sector.

Jude Kirton-Darling said “This response from the Commission shows what we’ve known all along, that the UK Government has used European state aid rules as an excuse for doing nothing to support the steel industry. The steel industry is important in its own right but is key to our wider manufacturing sector. It provides high skilled and well paid jobs and as we’ve seen in Redcar the loss of a plant has a massive impact on the regional economy...

Does it exactly say that? There's the last bit, from the Commission:

However, the Member States and the Commission have already in 1990s taken a position that, in view of the overcapacity in the sector, no rescue and restructuring aid for failing steel manufacturers should be allowed. The applicable rules have excluded the steel sector , opting for market driven restructuring. The EU also provides financial contributions from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to finance active labour market measures intended to support workers made redundant as a result of globalisation.

This is the sort of thing that gets written up as "neo-liberal dogma" but I can see the Commission's point if the problem is over-capacity. But in poorer EU regions, then I think there's a strong argument for state aid. Italy has a big steel industry. If it's in the rich parts of the North, then I'd be sceptical about them being able to subsidize that. Redcar though should be a very good case for subsidy.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 10 Dec, 2015 12:26 am

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015 ... me-poverty" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

British left vulnerable to hunger after welfare reforms, warns Justin Welby

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 10 Dec, 2015 12:36 am

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015 ... are_btn_tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Council tenants lose lifetime right to live in property
Government brings in five-year limit on new secure tenancies with local authorities forced to review contract at end of term

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 10 Dec, 2015 12:51 am

Hypocrisy of the highest these barstewards deem necessary rooms as spare.SegraTORY fascistic intent,I hate them with a passion.