Thursday 25th September 2014

Post by **refitman** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 7:28 am

Morning all. Labour lead at 4 points on Yougov:

Latest YouGov / The Sun results 24th Sept -

Con 33%, (+2)
Lab 37%, (no change)
LD 7%, (no change)
UKIP 13%; (-2)

APP -22 (+1)

Spacedone · Post by **Spacedone** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 7:51 am

Martin Kettle has another "bash Ed" article in the Guardian today.

Miliband can fudge foreign policy now, but not as PM
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... eader-iraq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apparently having learnt the lessons from Iraq means he's not fit to be PM or something. He should be much more like this.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:08 am

Spacedone wrote:Martin Kettle has another "bash Ed" article in the Guardian today.

Miliband can fudge foreign policy now, but not as PM
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... eader-iraq" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apparently having learnt the lessons from Iraq means he's not fit to be PM or something. He should be much more like this.

rebeccariots2 wrotes
Morning. When did the capacity to be thoughtful and considered become such a discredited quality? And one that people / MSM would have us believe is unable to be exercised alongside being a decisive, strong leader - let alone being an essential part of it?
Can't get this separate from your post without putting it in a separate quote for some strange reason, spacedone.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:15 am

PoliticsHome ‏@politicshome 2m
Cameron to apologise to Queen over gaffe http://polho.me/YaM8pV" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And yet he is prime ministerial?

Which concerns me more (especially when it looks as though we are on the brink of entering another war) - stomach churning empty boasts and attention seeking of a pretty continuous nature put before proper handling of constitutional and diplomatic matters - messy event with a bacon butty? Hmmmmm ...

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:25 am

This could be interesting.

Greens push for leader Natalie Bennett to feature in TV election debates
Party believes it has earned place at top media table after surge in membership and polls placing it level with Lib Dems
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... -tv-debate

“We think we should be there. We think that it would be absolutely transformative,” Bennett said on Wednesday. “There’s a significant chance the debates won’t happen at all. But if they do, the Tories are going to push hard for us to be on at least one of them. Cameron wants us to be there as well as Ukip. Cameron is basically not going to let [Nigel] Farage on without me.”

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:29 am

Morning!

Bennett could also have pointed out that the Greens have an MP. Though tbd UKIP probably will have too son

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:31 am

On a less serious note, did anyone have the pleasure of reading the now abolished thread that, following the deletion of a spam post, started with a post from letsskip that said

Hey Tommy what's the Serbo Croat for "fuck off"?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:35 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Morning!

Bennett could also have pointed out that the Greens have an MP. Though tbd UKIP probably will have too son

The article does mention that they already have an MP - somewhere. It would be good - and fair - for the Greens to not be lumped in and bracketed with 'others'. I thought they really suffered from that association in the Euros. The publicity slots of 1 minute each for the Others, one after the other, didn't give them the platform they deserve and made them seem a bit fruitcakey by association with some of the very very weird pitches that came from the other parties in that slot.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:47 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:On a less serious note, did anyone have the pleasure of reading the now abolished thread that, following the deletion of a spam post, started with a post from letsskip that said
Hey Tommy what's the Serbo Croat for "fuck off"?

I'd like to have letsskip on my side in any footie - or indeed slanging - match, wouldn't you?

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:51 am

Have just completed a political poll for Opinium and some questions were asked about Labour & the economy.

One of the statements I was asked to respond to was:
'The Labour Party has learnt the lessons on the economy from its time in government'

Sounds like a push/poll question, as you could either respond that you 'strongly agree' through to 'strongly disagree' that they had, but there was no way of disagreeing with the notion behind the question.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:52 am

Ukip claims two more Tories ready to defect: Party secretary says MPs will be unveiled within days
Announcement could be made at Ukip's conference, which opens today
One potential defector said to be MP due to stand down at general election
The other is said to be a Tory currently planning to run again in 2014
Likely Ukip targets include right-wingers Chris Kelly and Brian Binley
Clacton MP Douglas Carswell defected from Tories to Ukip over the summer
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -days.html

Party secretary says MPs will be unveiled within days

That just sounds all wrong, doesn't it - unveiled??? Prior to a public kiss?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:56 am

yahyah wrote:Have just completed a political poll for Opinium and some questions were asked about Labour & the economy.

One of the statements I was asked to respond to was:
'The Labour Party has learnt the lessons on the economy from its time in government'

Sounds like a push/poll question, as you could either respond that you strongly agreed to strongly disagreed that they had, there was no way of disagreeing with the notion behind the question.

Yes - poor question. I'd struggle with answering that. And I presume there isn't any cop out option. Let's watch out for the Opinium poll that has a large percentage of people slating Labour on the economy .... should be along soon by the sound of it.

Post by **PaulfromYorkshire** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 8:58 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:Morning!

Bennett could also have pointed out that the Greens have an MP. Though tbd UKIP probably will have too son
The article does mention that they already have an MP - somewhere. It would be good - and fair - for the Greens to not be lumped in and bracketed with 'others'. I thought they really suffered from that association in the Euros. The publicity slots of 1 minute each for the Others, one after the other, didn't give them the platform they deserve and made them seem a bit fruitcakey by association with some of the very very weird pitches that came from the other parties in that slot.

I agree. They are a substantial outfit now and deserve more of a platform.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 9:09 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Ukip claims two more Tories ready to defect: Party secretary says MPs will be unveiled within days
Announcement could be made at Ukip's conference, which opens today
One potential defector said to be MP due to stand down at general election
The other is said to be a Tory currently planning to run again in 2014
Likely Ukip targets include right-wingers Chris Kelly and Brian Binley
Clacton MP Douglas Carswell defected from Tories to Ukip over the summer
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -days.html

Party secretary says MPs will be unveiled within days
That just sounds all wrong, doesn't it - unveiled??? Prior to a public kiss?

One of them due to stand down at the next election....Aidan Burley?

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 9:10 am

Same story, two different reports:

Vince Cable admits Funding for Lending failure
Business secretary Vince Cable has conceded defeat over the government’s Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS), as net lending to SMEs fell in the first two quarters of 2014
http://economia.icaew.com/news/septembe ... ng-failure

Prefer the Mail headline:

We've let down small firms on bank loans, admits Vince Cable: Business Secretary launches astonishing attack on one of George Osborne's flagship policies
Liberal Democrat said efforts to force banks to increase lending have failed
Comments challenge Chancellor who launched Funding for Lending scheme
It sees Bank of England give lenders billions in cheap funds to raise lending
Cable warned 'using big institutions didn't work' and small businesses are given 'bad deal'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z3EJRQOCbM" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 9:13 am

RogerOThornhill wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:
Ukip claims two more Tories ready to defect: Party secretary says MPs will be unveiled within days
Announcement could be made at Ukip's conference, which opens today
One potential defector said to be MP due to stand down at general election
The other is said to be a Tory currently planning to run again in 2014
Likely Ukip targets include right-wingers Chris Kelly and Brian Binley
Clacton MP Douglas Carswell defected from Tories to Ukip over the summer
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... -days.html

Party secretary says MPs will be unveiled within days
That just sounds all wrong, doesn't it - unveiled??? Prior to a public kiss?
One of them due to stand down at the next election....Aidan Burley?

Even UKIP might think twice or possibly three times before crowing about that - surely?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 9:14 am

Do you think it might be more interesting if politics had a 'transfer window' in August and September? That might liven up the silly season.

(Editing to add: This is my first economic policy idea as I see I've just become Lord Chancellor. I'm expecting big bucks for the Treasury out of this wheeze. Who wants to value a few of the top and lesser players for me?)

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 9:15 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
yahyah wrote:Have just completed a political poll for Opinium and some questions were asked about Labour & the economy.

One of the statements I was asked to respond to was:
'The Labour Party has learnt the lessons on the economy from its time in government'

Sounds like a push/poll question, as you could either respond that you strongly agreed to strongly disagreed that they had, there was no way of disagreeing with the notion behind the question.
Yes - poor question. I'd struggle with answering that. And I presume there isn't any cop out option. Let's watch out for the Opinium poll that has a large percentage of people slating Labour on the economy .... should be along soon by the sound of it.

Also had voting intention questions.

Opinium do polls for the Observer, so will watch out for a weekend Guardian/Observer 'Bad news for Labour as voters say....' report based on this survey.

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 9:17 am

Morning all...

I feel a bit embarrassed that all I manage to do is come in here waffle briefly and incoherently when others can express things so much more eloquently

so a massive thank you to everyone for being here

I saw a link last night for a TUC rally in Birmingham on the 29th so thought I'd re-link this..

http://dpac.uk.net/2014/09/tory-partry- ... -festival/

...which is a TUC rally for the Sunday...so there will probably be quite a few people there for the duration

(Not that it'll get any MSM coverage - unless there's violence when the 'loony left tuurrrists' will be blamed.)

On the broader point that has been discussed here about reverting/returning to the 'socialist utopia' of the '70's and how that's 'never coming back'. I don't remember it as a socialist utopia - I remember it as a time when the big fight was to stop the right wing from taking the representation that we actually had - and we all know what happened in 1979. I state again my belief(TM) that the laws, regulations and public service in general have been under constant attack ever since (and probably before, given McKinsey in 1973), aimed at getting us to where we are now. No evidence or research has ever been produced (at the time or since) to prove that public services are more efficient in private hands (in fact, all evidence shows directly the opposite). Atlees' error (and hopefully one that the 'heir to Atlee' won't also make) was to leave the old boys' network in place at the top of the newly nationalised industries (spoonfed dashed good chaps every one) enabling them to use their incompetence to allow the industries to fade through adversarial employee relations and neglect in investment. When someone says 'the '70s' were terrible - strikes everywhere, lazy socialists'...they neglect to mention that there are 3 sides to every story (yours, mine and the truth) and the industrial strife was an effect caused primarily by the incompetent management class. When the MSM now report on a strike by public sector workers, they invariably mention that the reason is pay and conditions, paving the way for 'bloated lazy money-for-nothing non-jobs' whilst neglecting to mention that the law states that they are prohibited from taking action for any other reason...so again, the 'management' class can effectively do as they please to shore up their own short term view (and ensure personal gain) and if anyone complains....well - you know the story.

Again - I am not saying the '70s were perfect - I am saying that the path we have been forced to follow (in my opinion) has never had the good of the people, or the nation as a whole, at its' heart. Until that is addressed, I'm afraid to say I think we're going nowhere (except to hell in a UKip-Con Murkydochian handcart)...but, as ever, I live in Hope (just north of Peterborough

) and all things being equal, with Miliband in Downing St, at least we (the people) stand a chance.

Another slight embarrassment as I don't want to upset the applecart (or anyone in it) - TEs' phrase - Eton votes 4 English laws...could I suggest that it is reversible? English votes 4 Eton laws?

...and whilst we're on slogans...one I've revived from 2010...

'Forget the Con-Dem Nation - Miliband's got Balls!'

Post by **refitman** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 9:18 am

RobertSnozers wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:On a less serious note, did anyone have the pleasure of reading the now abolished thread that, following the deletion of a spam post, started with a post from letsskip that said
Hey Tommy what's the Serbo Croat for "fuck off"?

Oh, I didn't see the rest of it. Was my Serbo Croat useful?

(I went out with a Serbian woman when I was at Uni so I picked up a couple of very useless phrases)

I moved it to the Pub, for posterity.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:08 am

Good morning.

Speaking at the United Nations in New York overnight, Cameron described the cruelty of the Isis fighters as “medieval”. (Guardian)

He's only jealous because they got there first. So far, David Cameron's only managed to wind back to the 19th century.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/s ... rikes-isis

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:20 am

I will probably phrase this badly, jump in with a two footed tackle, but I have often felt uncomfortable with the some of the publicity that surrounds Help the Heroes, not the work they do, or the poor buggers who they work with, it's the whole premise that we must salute the charity, show our gratitude, our thanks that rankles with me.

So yeah, the Sun can eff off, I doubt I am the only too?

Post by **letsskiptotheleft** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:23 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
PaulfromYorkshire wrote:On a less serious note, did anyone have the pleasure of reading the now abolished thread that, following the deletion of a spam post, started with a post from letsskip that said
Hey Tommy what's the Serbo Croat for "fuck off"?

I'd like to have letsskip on my side in any footie - or indeed slanging - match, wouldn't you?

I must admit I do have my moments.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:29 am

Can Empty Dave Tweet

I am frozen by fear of Nigel Farage and my backbenchers. ISIS will have to wait in line.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:31 am

rebeccariots2 wrote:
PoliticsHome ‏@politicshome 2m
Cameron to apologise to Queen over gaffe http://polho.me/YaM8pV" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And yet he is prime ministerial?

Which concerns me more (especially when it looks as though we are on the brink of entering another war) - stomach churning empty boasts and attention seeking of a pretty continuous nature put before proper handling of constitutional and diplomatic matters - messy event with a bacon butty? Hmmmmm ...

I wouldn't fancy being in the armed forces at present, with Cameron as head of State because we know it'll be his 'Falklands' or at least he'll try to make it like that. He gets handed opportunity after opportunity to redeem himself, but makes a complete balls up every time.

No. Definitely wouldn't want to be serving my country right now.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:36 am

Dan. it's just a thought but would one of those Capcha? apps. [copying letters and numbers into a box before you can register] help? It cuts out the robotic spam at least.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:43 am

@LoneWolfie

The one phrase that sticks in my mind [or should that be craw] from the eighties was 'Golden boys of the city' and reading about their lavish lifestyles and how young they were.

On my reckoning, they're in their fifties now, probably in top positions in the city. No wonder we've been royally shafted.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:44 am

letsskiptotheleft wrote:I will probably phrase this badly, jump in with a two footed tackle, but I have often felt uncomfortable with the some of the publicity that surrounds Help the Heroes, not the work they do, or the poor buggers who they work with, it's the whole premise that we must salute the charity, show our gratitude, our thanks that rankles with me.

So yeah, the Sun can eff off, I doubt I am the only too?

I'm not a fan, either.

I can't remember now, but was it "Help for Heroes" that was involved in the rash of service personnel packing shopping for supermarket customers in the attempt to get charitable donations from same? I always thought that was a bit "off". Anyway - I might be wrong as to who was behind the idea. But it doesn't make it any less "off".

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:44 am

PaulfromYorkshire wrote:On a less serious note, did anyone have the pleasure of reading the now abolished thread that, following the deletion of a spam post, started with a post from letsskip that said
Hey Tommy what's the Serbo Croat for "fuck off"?

I missed it!

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:48 am

letsskiptotheleft wrote:I will probably phrase this badly, jump in with a two footed tackle, but I have often felt uncomfortable with the some of the publicity that surrounds Help the Heroes, not the work they do, or the poor buggers who they work with, it's the whole premise that we must salute the charity, show our gratitude, our thanks that rankles with me.

So yeah, the Sun can eff off, I doubt I am the only too?

Anything connected with The Sun always feels more than a bit tacky.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:49 am

We are talking about some air strikes, not a real "war" - Dave is almost frantic to assure us there is no chance of boots on the ground.

Libya redux, then - lets just hope the aftermath turns out better

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 10:53 am

yahyah wrote:Have just completed a political poll for Opinium and some questions were asked about Labour & the economy.

One of the statements I was asked to respond to was:
'The Labour Party has learnt the lessons on the economy from its time in government'

Sounds like a push/poll question, as you could either respond that you 'strongly agree' through to 'strongly disagree' that they had, but there was no way of disagreeing with the notion behind the question.

YouGov have a box at the end where you can ask questions or comment on the poll...They acknowledge your query speedily and then answer fully a few days later. I was quite impressed.

Temulkar · Post by **Temulkar** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:03 am

Interesting article on the oxford PPE after mine and Tubby's comments yesterday.

http://www.spectator.co.uk/features/932 ... cs-of-ppe/

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:10 am

ohsocynical wrote:@LoneWolfie

The one phrase that sticks in my mind [or should that be craw] from the eighties was 'Golden boys of the city' and reading about their lavish lifestyles and how young they were.

On my reckoning, they're in their fifties now, probably in top positions in the city. No wonder we've been royally shafted.

Thanks ohso - that's the kind of thing I mean - there is/was no justification for what has been done, it was all flagged up when it was being done (i.e. the miners strike - the story now officially revised to show full extend of lies and obfuscation promulgated to destroy the social fabric - http://blogs.channel4.com/paul-mason-bl ... icions/265 )

On Help For Heroes...I agree - I have always marvelled at the way politicians, who make decisions on military action (from the safety of somewhere warm and comfortable) that affect the future lives of servicemen, placing them directly in the face of danger....and when that danger becomes a reality and shattered bodies and minds return...the politicians tell us how brave they are, how we simply MUST help all we can (through charity) thereby sidestepping what I believe(TM) to be the responsibility of the nation in providing full care and rehabilitation. (I was once told that this was also the position of the Duke of Wellington, but even he couldn't get it through parliament!...and I speak as someone who served in the British Army from 78-83 - whilst we were engaged in a civil war on the streets of our own country - and yes, I know - a bit odd for a declared Marxist....but life is full of inconsistency).

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:20 am

Morning all.

Having been roundly attacked by some for saying that today's reaction is exactly what would have happened if he had refused that time, I am hoping the people who were condemning Miliband for the Sun World Cup photograph are praising him for his stand this time. Not that I will be going to check.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:23 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Morning all.

Having been roundly attacked by some for saying that today's reaction is exactly what would have happened if he had refused that time, I am hoping the people who were condemning Miliband for the Sun World Cup photograph are praising him for his stand this time. Not that I will be going to check.

Edit - sorry. Not making the point twice to emphasise it, somehow it duplicated. Is it possible to delete this one please?

The Sun is getting a hammering BTL on the snide Guardian article slagging off Miliband.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:30 am

TechnicalEphemera wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Morning all.

Having been roundly attacked by some for saying that today's reaction is exactly what would have happened if he had refused that time, I am hoping the people who were condemning Miliband for the Sun World Cup photograph are praising him for his stand this time. Not that I will be going to check.

Edit - sorry. Not making the point twice to emphasise it, somehow it duplicated. Is it possible to delete this one please?
The Sun is getting a hammering BTL on the snide Guardian article slagging off Miliband.

Good.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:39 am

Nice Zelostreet piece on "the Tel’s blues artiste Whingeing Dan Hodges". The update at the end just adds the cherry to an alreasy beautifully iced cake. *

http://zelo-street.blogspot.co.uk/2014/ ... geing.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

* Still in Bake Off mode. Sorry to see Martha go, and still can't see a front runner.

TechnicalEphemera · Post by **TechnicalEphemera** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:39 am

This is HF's take on it.

(From the G)

HeronsFlight
25 September 2014 10:24am

Recommend
62

In the past two years Miliband has done more to prevent an even greater number of our servicemen and women having to become "heroes" than the Sun has done in it's entire existence.
Even more ironic that Cameron and Clegg should sport this wristband when an ex-serviceman "hero" such as David Clapson dies of starvation and diabetic ketoacidosis with just £3.44 to his name, no food and no electricity as a direct result of Cameron's grinning henchman Iain Duncan Smith's draconian benefit sanction policies.

Where was your "help for heroes" then, Cameron? Clegg?
Yeah, a rubber band makes all the difference.
Hypoctical B.......ds.
The "lame" and "weak" Miliband has more spine than the two of you put together.

JackPranker · Post by **JackPranker** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:41 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:* Still in Bake Off mode. Sorry to see Martha go, and still can't see a front runner.

Are you mad? Richard has 4 * Bakers! His to lose methinks. Chetna had a good (and lucky) week, Nancy'll be next imo.

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:43 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Morning all.

Having been roundly attacked by some for saying that today's reaction is exactly what would have happened if he had refused that time, I am hoping the people who were condemning Miliband for the Sun World Cup photograph are praising him for his stand this time. Not that I will be going to check.

He's getting lots of praise for not doing it.

Don't stay away because of rusty, just ignore him. In any case, he's not showed up today (yet). He did tell Roger that he followed Andrew Sparrow on twitter & that's how he knew of your complaints.

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:45 am

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
* Still in Bake Off mode. Sorry to see Martha go, and still can't see a front runner.

FFS grim ! I haven't watched last nights show yet - football always takes priority, even if it's not my team !

Now I'll just have to pretend to be all knowing throughout the show & say to my hubby that I think Martha might be the one to go

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:47 am

If snide is what you're looking for, have a butchers at this in LDV:

http://www.libdemvoice.org/wednesday-in ... l#comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How bitchy is she ? Glad to see the comments don't support her attempt at 'humour'

JackPranker · Post by **JackPranker** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:50 am

pk1 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
* Still in Bake Off mode. Sorry to see Martha go, and still can't see a front runner.
FFS grim ! I haven't watched last nights show yet - football always takes priority, even if it's not my team !

Now I'll just have to pretend to be all knowing throughout the show & say to my hubby that I think Martha might be the one to go

Oh GOD! Two days in a row!!

I'm running out of feet to stick in my mouth!

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:56 am

JackPranker wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:* Still in Bake Off mode. Sorry to see Martha go, and still can't see a front runner.
Are you mad? Richard has 4 * Bakers! His to lose methinks. Chetna had a good (and lucky) week, Nancy'll be next imo.

That is why I can't see a front runner; Richard can go from being star baker one week to nearly going the next, he is lucky that they had the Diana-related "Get Out Of Jail Free" card. Both Nancy & Chetna can produce exceptional bakes, then meltdown soon after ....... Luis has been the most consistent, but just doesn't seem able to quite reach the next level.

But I'm in awe of all of them; I'm a pretty decent baker myself, but could never hope to achieve anywhere near the level this lot (and previous years winners) have.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:56 am

Simon Wren-Lewis kicks Jon Snow's arse.

http://mainlymacro.blogspot.co.uk/2014/ ... macro.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Channel 4 news likes to think of itself as being a little more highbrow than other news programmes, and I’ve no doubt that conservatives would describe it as left wing. So here is a link to John Snow’s interview with Miliband yesterday (skip intro and question on middle east to about 3 minutes in). He asks Miliband what the greatest issue facing the next British government is. Miliband responds that it is getting the country to work for most working people rather than be stuck with a more unequal country. Interesting answer, but inequality is not an issue mediamacro recognises. It was a trick question. Now that is twice that you have forgotten to mention the deficit, responds Snow. How could you not mention paying off this appalling deficit? Snow continues. Surely it is the most important issue of all. It is the essence of our economic crisis. And so on.

Now my point here is not about bias, and how this interview could have been scripted by George Osborne. It is about the banality of it all. If you are going to talk about the deficit, ask some real questions about the differences between Labour and Conservative plans. Ask why Labour thinks that debt should not come down more rapidly. There are lots of meaningful questions you could ask. But trying to make a great issue out of a forgotten part of a speech is just silly. It is gotcha journalism for those who get their economics from listening to political commentators. The implication that the deficit is all important, and linking it in a causal way to the recession, is mediamacro at its worst.

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 11:58 am

pk1 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
* Still in Bake Off mode. Sorry to see Martha go, and still can't see a front runner.
FFS grim ! I haven't watched last nights show yet - football always takes priority, even if it's not my team !

Now I'll just have to pretend to be all knowing throughout the show & say to my hubby that I think Martha might be the one to go

Ah, my week for not getting anything right. Sorry.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 12:01 pm

For some reason, Patrick Wintour seems to think that Clegg's comments on Miliband's speech are of vast importance

TheGrimSqueaker · Post by **TheGrimSqueaker** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 12:06 pm

pk1 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:Morning all.

Having been roundly attacked by some for saying that today's reaction is exactly what would have happened if he had refused that time, I am hoping the people who were condemning Miliband for the Sun World Cup photograph are praising him for his stand this time. Not that I will be going to check.
He's getting lots of praise for not doing it.

Don't stay away because of rusty, just ignore him. In any case, he's not showed up today (yet). He did tell Roger that he followed Andrew Sparrow on twitter & that's how he knew of your complaints.

Rusty (and his many clones) is just the straw that broke the camel's back. He is making that blog unusable - despite his protestations we know he isn't interested in debate, but only in shutting it down - and appears to have protection in some way; he has been posting since 2006 yet, in all the time I've come across him, appears never to have even been in pre-mod despite the most appalling personal abuse he dishes out, the blatant use of multi IDs and constant off-topic trolling. I know of other posters who have been banned for less than he does, yet he sails on untroubled.

He can tell Roger what he wants, I doubt I'd believe Rusty if he said the sky was blue.

JackPranker · Post by **JackPranker** » Thu 25 Sep, 2014 12:11 pm

TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
pk1 wrote:
TheGrimSqueaker wrote:
* Still in Bake Off mode. Sorry to see Martha go, and still can't see a front runner.
FFS grim ! I haven't watched last nights show yet - football always takes priority, even if it's not my team !

Now I'll just have to pretend to be all knowing throughout the show & say to my hubby that I think Martha might be the one to go
Ah, my week for not getting anything right. Sorry.

To be fair, Martha's was lucky that Kate had a meltdown the previous week as she could've gone easily.