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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Why I’m not tempted by the 3/1 bet that Cameron will be out

SystemSystem Posts: 11,006
edited April 2016 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Why I’m not tempted by the 3/1 bet that Cameron will be out this year

As a reaction to Cameron’s dramatic admission on his family offshore investments last night in the interview with Robert Peston several bookies starting offering odds on him failing to survive the year as prime minister. Both Ladbrokes and William Hill are making this a 3/1 chance.

Read the full story here


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  • Options
    adamandcatadamandcat Posts: 76
    edited April 2016
    First, like remain.
    Good article, I agree.
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    IndigoIndigo Posts: 9,966
    edited April 2016
    FPT:
    slade said:

    Buenos noches from Lima. A city of over 10 million people which is in the midst of election fever - I think. The whole place is plastered with hoardings, posters, and graffiti for the presidential and congressional elections on Sunday. Leading the field is Keiko Fujimori who is the daughter of Alberto Fujimori, a former president currently in prison for corruption. If she wins she is expected to pardon him. But they have a run-off system and with multiple candidates any result is possible. Adios.

    Kamusta! This all sounds rather familiar. Its the presidential, senatorial, congressional, gubernatorial, mayoral and local elections here all on 9th May and you only have to walk out the front door to know it. There is hardly a public surface that doesn't have a block of campaign posters on it, they tend to be put up in sets of a dozen or more, completely papering a wall or billboard. Speaker vans are touring the streets regularly extolling the virtues of their candidates, and it's not hard to discern the sounds of marching bands tuning up and getting in some practise for all the razzmatazz that will follow the results. The selection of candidates is as colourful as ever, with the inevitable debates and lawsuits about the eligibility of a candidate, political dynasties are as visible as ever and many of the family names on the sheet this time around will have been familiar to current voters grandparents.

    The most interesting part of the system for the political geek is that although the presidential candidate nominates a running mate, they are not a ticket, they are elected independently, so often voters will select a president and vice-president from different parties as is the case in the outgoing administration. The system for electing the half of the senator that is up for re-election this year is interesting as well, using the plurality-at-large system where each party has to put up 12 candidates, either on their own, by doing a deal with other parties, each voter makes a list of their (up to 12) of their preferred candidates from all the candidates available, the 12 candidates getting the most votes across the country are elected.
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    IndigoIndigo Posts: 9,966
    On topic. I agree, assuming this latest release is the last revelation we will see on the subject. As was mention the last thread the only nagging doubt is that the investment seems to be so small for a family with substantial means. It might well just mean it was a token investment to keep his Dad happy as they didn't rate his investment skills, but if stories start to emerge about nominee holders or whatever then it will get very unpleasant.
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    MTimTMTimT Posts: 7,034
    Don't understand why Cameron did not simply come clean on the first pass given that he divested in 2010, his involvement was not substantial, and the vehicle was legal.

    So this is damaging for his mishandling of a fairly straightforward issue, and the damage is personal as it was a very personal issue. But that said, on its own, hardly a fatal blow.
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    MTimTMTimT Posts: 7,034
    PS The only part of Mike's article I'd quibble with is the luck part. Yes, Cameron has been lucky. But it is unwise to plan on being lucky.
  • Options
    CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,573
    This:

    “In all of this I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m a very lucky person who had wealthy parents, who gave me a great upbringing, who paid for me to go to an amazing school. I have never tried to pretend to be anything I am not. But I was keen in 2010 to sell everything – shares, all the rest of it – so I can be very transparent. I don’t own any part of any company or any investment trust or anything else like that.”

    Is already priced in to Cameron - despite:

    The Labour MP John Mann, a member of the Treasury select committee, said the prime minister should resign, claiming that Cameron had “covered up and misled”.

    There is no evidence that Cameron's father acted illegally, and it appears Cameron has acted appropriately - despite the Guardian's best efforts I still haven't seen anything 'new' that we didn't know about already. Yes, he (legally) held funds offshore, but he sold them - and paid income tax on the dividends before entering Downing Street......
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    IndigoIndigo Posts: 9,966

    There is no evidence that Cameron's father acted illegally, and it appears Cameron has acted appropriately - despite the Guardian's best efforts I still haven't seen anything 'new' that we didn't know about already. Yes, he (legally) held funds offshore, but he sold them - and paid income tax on the dividends before entering Downing Street......

    Indeed. The only part of the story that has any legs at all is why he felt he needed to divest himself of these interests as a prime ministerial candidate in 2010, but not as leader of the opposition in 2005. At the very least he should have put it in the register of members interests, as holdings in a (perfectly legal) offshore trust could bias ones views on, for instance, closing down those loopholes.

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    dugarbandierdugarbandier Posts: 2,596
    isn't this all priced in anyway? given the general low opinion of politicians, didn't everyone always assume that eton educated ex-bullingdon types keep their vast profits from slavery and ivory poaching in dodgy offshore accounts?
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    CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,573

    isn't this all priced in anyway? given the general low opinion of politicians, didn't everyone always assume that eton educated ex-bullingdon types keep their vast profits from slavery and ivory poaching in dodgy offshore accounts?

    Hillary Benn has been quiet.......

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/tax/11189430/Tony-Benns-inheritance-tax-dodge-how-it-works-and-how-you-can-use-it-too.html
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    PAWPAW Posts: 1,074
    Hmm - seems that the application to build a new power station for the Port Talbot steel works was approved in Dec 2015. It was to run on waste gases from smelting. The application was made in 2013. Couldn't we have a fast track system for these things?
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    JackWJackW Posts: 14,787
    National - PRRI/Atlantic

    Trump 37 .. Cruz 31 .. Kasich 23
    Clinton 46 .. Sanders 47

    http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/04/a-sanders-surge-in-polling-if-not-delegates/477198/

    National - McClatchy/Marist

    Clinton 50 .. Trump 41
    Clinton 47 .. Cruz 47
    Clinton 48 .. Kasich 51

    Sanders 57 .. Trump 37
    Sanders 53 .. Cruz 41
    Sanders 52 .. Kasich 41

    http://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/misc/usapolls/us160329/MCC/General Election/McClatchy_Marist Poll_General Election__Complete Survey

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    dugarbandierdugarbandier Posts: 2,596

    isn't this all priced in anyway? given the general low opinion of politicians, didn't everyone always assume that eton educated ex-bullingdon types keep their vast profits from slavery and ivory poaching in dodgy offshore accounts?

    Hillary Benn has been quiet.......

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/tax/11189430/Tony-Benns-inheritance-tax-dodge-how-it-works-and-how-you-can-use-it-too.html
    one would imagine T.blair must be one the labour politicians with the most tax-efficient arrangements?
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    CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Indigo said:

    There is no evidence that Cameron's father acted illegally, and it appears Cameron has acted appropriately - despite the Guardian's best efforts I still haven't seen anything 'new' that we didn't know about already. Yes, he (legally) held funds offshore, but he sold them - and paid income tax on the dividends before entering Downing Street......

    Indeed. The only part of the story that has any legs at all is why he felt he needed to divest himself of these interests as a prime ministerial candidate in 2010, but not as leader of the opposition in 2005. At the very least he should have put it in the register of members interests, as holdings in a (perfectly legal) offshore trust could bias ones views on, for instance, closing down those loopholes.

    It's not an offshore trust, though. It's an offshore fund. It's like buying Joe Blogg's International Almost Negligible Performance Fund (JIANT PERFORMANCE FUND) that is incorporated in Luxembourg, managed in Guernsey, listed in London and advised by a Mayfair-based fund management LLP.

    I don't know what the disclosure levels are for a single investment in a company / mutual fund are for the commons but it is possible that it was below those thresholds
  • Options
    CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,573

    isn't this all priced in anyway? given the general low opinion of politicians, didn't everyone always assume that eton educated ex-bullingdon types keep their vast profits from slavery and ivory poaching in dodgy offshore accounts?

    Hillary Benn has been quiet.......

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/tax/11189430/Tony-Benns-inheritance-tax-dodge-how-it-works-and-how-you-can-use-it-too.html
    one would imagine T.blair must be one the labour politicians with the most tax-efficient arrangements?
    Well, he's a Tory, isn't he......

    Who else has been curiously quiet these past few days........

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/SNP/12144745/Alex-Salmonds-hypocrisy-of-using-firm-to-save-tax.html
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    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 53,920
    Charles said:

    Indigo said:

    There is no evidence that Cameron's father acted illegally, and it appears Cameron has acted appropriately - despite the Guardian's best efforts I still haven't seen anything 'new' that we didn't know about already. Yes, he (legally) held funds offshore, but he sold them - and paid income tax on the dividends before entering Downing Street......

    Indeed. The only part of the story that has any legs at all is why he felt he needed to divest himself of these interests as a prime ministerial candidate in 2010, but not as leader of the opposition in 2005. At the very least he should have put it in the register of members interests, as holdings in a (perfectly legal) offshore trust could bias ones views on, for instance, closing down those loopholes.

    It's not an offshore trust, though. It's an offshore fund. It's like buying Joe Blogg's International Almost Negligible Performance Fund (JIANT PERFORMANCE FUND) that is incorporated in Luxembourg, managed in Guernsey, listed in London and advised by a Mayfair-based fund management LLP.

    I don't know what the disclosure levels are for a single investment in a company / mutual fund are for the commons but it is possible that it was below those thresholds
    Oooohhhh... I think I'm an investor in that Negligible Performance Fund...
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    DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300

    isn't this all priced in anyway? given the general low opinion of politicians, didn't everyone always assume that eton educated ex-bullingdon types keep their vast profits from slavery and ivory poaching in dodgy offshore accounts?

    Yes it is, which is why it is all froth -- rich people have money all over the shop, almost by definition -- although it is fun to watch the "look, squirrel" responses of some on the right. In fact CCHQ has been so keen to shut down this apparently trivial story that some of us cynics smell a rat: there may be more to come out, although perhaps not about the PM himself.
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,267
    Not at 3/1 but, fortunately, I got on at 7/1.

    I think Osborne is a much better bet. He might be moved even if Remain wins.
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    JackWJackW Posts: 14,787
    edited April 2016
    rcs1000 said:

    Charles said:

    Indigo said:

    There is no evidence that Cameron's father acted illegally, and it appears Cameron has acted appropriately - despite the Guardian's best efforts I still haven't seen anything 'new' that we didn't know about already. Yes, he (legally) held funds offshore, but he sold them - and paid income tax on the dividends before entering Downing Street......

    Indeed. The only part of the story that has any legs at all is why he felt he needed to divest himself of these interests as a prime ministerial candidate in 2010, but not as leader of the opposition in 2005. At the very least he should have put it in the register of members interests, as holdings in a (perfectly legal) offshore trust could bias ones views on, for instance, closing down those loopholes.

    It's not an offshore trust, though. It's an offshore fund. It's like buying Joe Blogg's International Almost Negligible Performance Fund (JIANT PERFORMANCE FUND) that is incorporated in Luxembourg, managed in Guernsey, listed in London and advised by a Mayfair-based fund management LLP.

    I don't know what the disclosure levels are for a single investment in a company / mutual fund are for the commons but it is possible that it was below those thresholds
    Oooohhhh... I think I'm an investor in that Negligible Performance Fund...
    Isn't the "Negligible Performance Fund" aka "Cromwell" ?
  • Options
    JackWJackW Posts: 14,787
    Latest ARSE4EU Referendum Projection Countdown :

    7,777 seconds
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    blackburn63blackburn63 Posts: 4,492
    I read "the farce goes on" and assumed it was about Cameron.

    Let's be honest, his demise is nothing to do with events, its to do with judgement, time and again he exhibits poor judgement, his problems are entirely of his own making. He'll stagger on for a while, desperate to regain ground and credibility but regardless of the referendum outcome he's spectacularly shot himself in the foot.

    Back in May as the pb tories were sneering and jeering 1 or 2 of us warned against hubris, him and Osborne are soiled goods.
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    SquareRootSquareRoot Posts: 7,095

    I read "the farce goes on" and assumed it was about Cameron.

    Let's be honest, his demise is nothing to do with events, its to do with judgement, time and again he exhibits poor judgement, his problems are entirely of his own making. He'll stagger on for a while, desperate to regain ground and credibility but regardless of the referendum outcome he's spectacularly shot himself in the foot.

    Back in May as the pb tories were sneering and jeering 1 or 2 of us warned against hubris, him and Osborne are soiled goods.


    Calls for Cameron's resignation are ludicrous.
  • Options
    blackburn63blackburn63 Posts: 4,492

    I read "the farce goes on" and assumed it was about Cameron.

    Let's be honest, his demise is nothing to do with events, its to do with judgement, time and again he exhibits poor judgement, his problems are entirely of his own making. He'll stagger on for a while, desperate to regain ground and credibility but regardless of the referendum outcome he's spectacularly shot himself in the foot.

    Back in May as the pb tories were sneering and jeering 1 or 2 of us warned against hubris, him and Osborne are soiled goods.


    Calls for Cameron's resignation are ludicrous.
    I wasn't aware anybody had done so. Apart from his wife, she must be desperate for him to step down.
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    ThreeQuidderThreeQuidder Posts: 6,133
    Morning all.

    I don't think this story is going anywhere unless any more comes out. I base this judgement on the 6:30 news on Magic (Mrs Quidder listens at breakfast) which started with "Labour say David Cameron may have to resign". Of course they do, that's what oppositions always do.

    No mention of the petition - I haven't signed; I never do. Well, I once signed a change.org petition to shut down change.org petitions. I was amused that on the day it came out I (like a few other PBers) got a "the EU referendum: the facts" leaflet. Being a cynic, I immediately turned to the back page to read the imprint to see who put it out: Vote Leave.
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    SquareRootSquareRoot Posts: 7,095
    edited April 2016

    I read "the farce goes on" and assumed it was about Cameron.

    Let's be honest, his demise is nothing to do with events, its to do with judgement, time and again he exhibits poor judgement, his problems are entirely of his own making. He'll stagger on for a while, desperate to regain ground and credibility but regardless of the referendum outcome he's spectacularly shot himself in the foot.

    Back in May as the pb tories were sneering and jeering 1 or 2 of us warned against hubris, him and Osborne are soiled goods.


    Calls for Cameron's resignation are ludicrous.
    I wasn't aware anybody had done so. Apart from his wife, she must be desperate for him to step down.

    you must live in a bubble devoid of news
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    SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 38,914
    It's the referendum that'll do for Dave, not this. Should Remain lose he's out. Without the referendum the Tory press would be giving this very little coverage. But there's no doubt this episode has not been his finest hour. Voters know Dave is very wealthy and they know wealthy people have complicated tax arrangements. Politically, it's factored in. He could have been totally upfront from the start and no-one would have thought anything of it.
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,155
    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    I don't think Cameron was guilty of anything but inept handling of the disclosure. I remain baffled by it, five different attempts?

    Most people didn't expect him to be squeaky clean given he's a politician, and now the story's been around long enough to stick.

    Another unforced error.
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,267
    Only 7 comments in the last hour.

    Vanilla issue? Or are we all just not feeling it today?
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,902
    Constituencies with the least petition signatures as at 8:00 8/4/16

    UK: Mid Ulster 21
    England, Scotland, Wales: Na h-Eileanan an Iar 23
    UK Mainland: Glasgow East 30
    England: Hackney North 46
    England outside London: Birmingham Ladywood 59
    Wales: Rhondda 71

    Most:

    UK: Rochester and Strood 387
    Wales: Vale of Glamorgan: 172
    Scotland: Morray 114
    N Ireland: East Antrim 110
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    RogerRoger Posts: 18,891
    edited April 2016

    I read "the farce goes on" and assumed it was about Cameron.

    Let's be honest, his demise is nothing to do with events, its to do with judgement, time and again he exhibits poor judgement, his problems are entirely of his own making. He'll stagger on for a while, desperate to regain ground and credibility but regardless of the referendum outcome he's spectacularly shot himself in the foot.

    Back in May as the pb tories were sneering and jeering 1 or 2 of us warned against hubris, him and Osborne are soiled goods.


    Calls for Cameron's resignation are ludicrous.
    Indeed and the fact that they're being made by that perrenial demander of resignations Tom Watson means they'll get the short shrift they deserve.

    As to the the long term damage to Cameron. Zero. Someone either appears to be on the take or they don't. Cameron clearly doesn't and for such a small amount people will use their judgement.

    He had a sharp father. I bet he wishes he didn't but those are the cards he was dealt.
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    EstobarEstobar Posts: 558
    edited April 2016
    This isn't a particularly astute thread.

    1. Luck runs out for everyone, sooner for politicians, so that's an unsafe betting mantra. If you're playing the tables as opposed to players quitting when you're ahead is a key part of successful play.

    2. Cameron has never really faced a crisis as PM. Brown shot himself in the foot eventually, as was inevitable. Many of the crises have been on a tittle-tattle scale. This one is a bit different and comes at a very awkward time for him when the country is supposed to be following him into Europe on the basis of 'Trust Me Dave.'

    Cameron's safest security is also now his weakest: the lack of a viable Labour opposition. Were Labour rampant I don't think the Tories would gun for Cameron. As it is, he's wounded and possibly fatally.
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    Like other empty Labour demands, I'm just waiting for another story to pop up and we can discuss something more likely to happen.

    It's the horse story, but far less entertaining.

    Only 7 comments in the last hour.

    Vanilla issue? Or are we all just not feeling it today?

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    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053
    "Cameron is a great survivor. He is also lucky." Mike Smithson.

    Yeh, but, yeh but, luck has a habit of running out, no matter how well one has done in the past. The backs to the wall meme is starting to wear thin, as the bricks themselves, crumble.

    Cameron has had two strikes against him this week:
    1. The £9m leaflet in support of Remain, and
    2. The ongoing saga of his families Panamanian tax haven.

    One more strike and even this teflon politico is out.

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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,285
    edited April 2016
    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 60,969
    Good morning, everyone.

    Caesar was lucky. Right up to the point where a small horde stabbed him to death.

    That said, I agree Cameron is likelier to stay than go this year.
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    Anyone this is the big political news of the day

    Almond & Earn (Perth & Kinross) result:
    CON: 48.5% (+18.4)
    SNP: 38.4% (-2.8)
    LAB: 6.3% (-3.7)
    LDEM: 4.5% (-2.1)
    UKIP: 2.2% (+2.2)
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    SquareRootSquareRoot Posts: 7,095
    MikeK said:

    "Cameron is a great survivor. He is also lucky." Mike Smithson.

    Yeh, but, yeh but, luck has a habit of running out, no matter how well one has done in the past. The backs to the wall meme is starting to wear thin, as the bricks themselves, crumble.

    Cameron has had two strikes against him this week:
    1. The £9m leaflet in support of Remain, and
    2. The ongoing saga of his families Panamanian tax haven.

    One more strike and even this teflon politico is out.

    delusional thinking.
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    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
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    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    The FT putting a brave face on this does not alter the facts, that Mr Cameron, from Pasties to Pounds, is an inveterate liar.
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    williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 48,011
    The German interior ministry is reporting that the number of asylum claims has dramatically fallen in the first quarter of the year. Mission accomplished for Merkel and relief for the Remain campaign?
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    EstobarEstobar Posts: 558
    p.s. whilst I generally agree that so far most of the problem is the man's idiotic handling of this, which suggests a bigger whiff of dodgy dealings still to come out, I think some of the well-to-do on here are guilty of missing the main fallout in the public's eye:

    He's a rich tosser

    Cameron was more-than-tolerated for as long as he seemed decent. This airing of his family fortune and tax evasions just makes him look a rich tosser in most people's eyes.

    That'll be why #resigncameron is now no1 Twitter trend
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,155
    The tax regime under which Cameron had to pay tax on these holdings was presumably one that had been put (or at least left) in place by New Labour, seeing as he sold them in 2010.
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,155
    Estobar said:

    p.s. whilst I generally agree that so far most of the problem is the man's idiotic handling of this, which suggests a bigger whiff of dodgy dealings still to come out, I think some of the well-to-do on here are guilty of missing the main fallout in the public's eye:

    He's a rich tosser

    Cameron was more-than-tolerated for as long as he seemed decent. This airing of his family fortune and tax evasions just makes him look a rich tosser in most people's eyes.

    That'll be why #resigncameron is now no1 Twitter trend

    Twitter of course, as Corbynista will find out, is not representative of actual voters.
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    JackWJackW Posts: 14,787
    Latest ARSE4EU Referendum Projection Countdown :

    44 minutes 44 seconds
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    EstobarEstobar Posts: 558

    Good morning, everyone.

    Caesar was lucky. Right up to the point where a small horde stabbed him to death.
    .

    Haha quite!!!
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    FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 9,045
    Thatcher was surely a great survivor too. And Blair. But they both ended up being forced out. As for Cameron having been lucky(!) - that's not an argument for him staying as it's no guide to the future. It's an iron law of history that luck always runs out. Perhaps his personal characteristics will help him but if a sizeable chunk of his MPs want him out, there's nothing he can do.
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    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754
    edited April 2016
    Dave may be our best political firefighter, but maybe it would be better if he lit a few less fires.
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    EstobarEstobar Posts: 558

    Estobar said:

    p.s. whilst I generally agree that so far most of the problem is the man's idiotic handling of this, which suggests a bigger whiff of dodgy dealings still to come out, I think some of the well-to-do on here are guilty of missing the main fallout in the public's eye:

    He's a rich tosser

    Cameron was more-than-tolerated for as long as he seemed decent. This airing of his family fortune and tax evasions just makes him look a rich tosser in most people's eyes.

    That'll be why #resigncameron is now no1 Twitter trend

    Twitter of course, as Corbynista will find out, is not representative of actual voters.
    Nah but neither is pb.com
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    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
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    DecrepitJohnLDecrepitJohnL Posts: 13,300
    Estobar said:

    This isn't a particularly astute thread.

    1. Luck runs out for everyone, sooner for politicians, so that's an unsafe betting mantra. If you're playing the tables as opposed to players quitting when you're ahead is a key part of successful play.

    2. Cameron has never really faced a crisis as PM. Brown shot himself in the foot eventually, as was inevitable. Many of the crises have been on a tittle-tattle scale. This one is a bit different and comes at a very awkward time for him when the country is supposed to be following him into Europe on the basis of 'Trust Me Dave.'

    Cameron's safest security is also now his weakest: the lack of a viable Labour opposition. Were Labour rampant I don't think the Tories would gun for Cameron. As it is, he's wounded and possibly fatally.

    But in operational (and betting) terms what does that mean? David Cameron has already announced his retirement.
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    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
    I reckon there'll be a high correlation with Red Leicester purchases.
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    CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,573

    Anyone this is the big political news of the day

    Almond & Earn (Perth & Kinross) result:
    CON: 48.5% (+18.4)
    SNP: 38.4% (-2.8)
    LAB: 6.3% (-3.7)
    LDEM: 4.5% (-2.1)
    UKIP: 2.2% (+2.2)

    Wasn't the previous Independent a former Con?

    Though there does appear to be a revival in Tory prospects:

    @britainelects March's voting intention averages for the Scottish Parliament put the Tories just three seats behind Labour: pic.twitter.com/Q0KWFDXQkn
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    ThreeQuidderThreeQuidder Posts: 6,133
    Estobar said:

    p.s. whilst I generally agree that so far most of the problem is the man's idiotic handling of this, which suggests a bigger whiff of dodgy dealings still to come out, I think some of the well-to-do on here are guilty of missing the main fallout in the public's eye:

    He's a rich tosser

    Cameron was more-than-tolerated for as long as he seemed decent. This airing of his family fortune and tax evasions just makes him look a rich tosser in most people's eyes.

    That'll be why #resigncameron is now no1 Twitter trend

    Twitter trend? Seriously?
  • Options
    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053
    JackW said:

    Latest ARSE4EU Referendum Projection Countdown :

    44 minutes 44 seconds

    Surely not Squeaky Bum Time?
  • Options
    JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,890

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
  • Options
    EstobarEstobar Posts: 558

    Estobar said:

    This isn't a particularly astute thread.

    1. Luck runs out for everyone, sooner for politicians, so that's an unsafe betting mantra. If you're playing the tables as opposed to players quitting when you're ahead is a key part of successful play.

    2. Cameron has never really faced a crisis as PM. Brown shot himself in the foot eventually, as was inevitable. Many of the crises have been on a tittle-tattle scale. This one is a bit different and comes at a very awkward time for him when the country is supposed to be following him into Europe on the basis of 'Trust Me Dave.'

    Cameron's safest security is also now his weakest: the lack of a viable Labour opposition. Were Labour rampant I don't think the Tories would gun for Cameron. As it is, he's wounded and possibly fatally.

    But in operational (and betting) terms what does that mean? David Cameron has already announced his retirement.
    This year looks reasonably Evens to me and if not I'd say 2017 is now a racing certainty. Previously we were looking at c. 2019
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    What is the source of the notion that Cameron is at his best when his back is against the wall?
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    JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,890
    Alistair said:

    What is the source of the notion that Cameron is at his best when his back is against the wall?

    For some time people have been saying that Cameron normally operates in second or third gear, and this allows silly mistakes to happen. But when needed he gets into first gear and shows his true ability.

    Or something like that.

    I think the Scottish referendum is meant to be an example, although I doubt that's the whole story there.
  • Options
    nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800

    The tax regime under which Cameron had to pay tax on these holdings was presumably one that had been put (or at least left) in place by New Labour, seeing as he sold them in 2010.

    Not really the point though is it?
  • Options
    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    edited April 2016
    Do we agree, well apart from the proportional representation bit?
    Referendums are always about more than just the question on the ballot paper. That was obvious during the 2011 referendum on proportional representation, which turned into a vote against Nick Clegg. The 2014 Scottish referendum, by contrast, was clearly and definitively a vote about the subject in hand: independence.

    But the discourse of the referendum was informed by other things. Hatred of the Tories. Disappointment with Labour. Fear of SNP domination. In other words, voting intentions are shaped by cultural context – and the cultural context of the EU referendum bodes badly for Mr Cameron.
    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2016/04/08/whatever-is-bad-for-david-cameron-is-good-for-brexit/
  • Options
    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
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    CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,573

    Estobar said:

    p.s. whilst I generally agree that so far most of the problem is the man's idiotic handling of this, which suggests a bigger whiff of dodgy dealings still to come out, I think some of the well-to-do on here are guilty of missing the main fallout in the public's eye:

    He's a rich tosser

    Cameron was more-than-tolerated for as long as he seemed decent. This airing of his family fortune and tax evasions just makes him look a rich tosser in most people's eyes.

    That'll be why #resigncameron is now no1 Twitter trend

    Twitter trend? Seriously?
    Yes! Its the land where Prime Minister Miliband is negotiating Scottish Independence with First Minister Salmond.......
  • Options
    Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,306
    I'm not one a PB's betting experts to say the least, but I tend to agree he does seem to have 9 lives.
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    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 53,920

    The German interior ministry is reporting that the number of asylum claims has dramatically fallen in the first quarter of the year. Mission accomplished for Merkel and relief for the Remain campaign?

    The data is here: http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php

    The interesting question is whether April will be the first month where arrivals are down year-over-year? So far, the trend has been down since the peak last summer, but it is unclear exactly why this is the case - is it the deal with Turkey? the weather? or the fact that there simply aren't as many people wanting (or being able to afford) the crossing?

  • Options
    foxinsoxukfoxinsoxuk Posts: 23,548

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
    I reckon there'll be a high correlation with Red Leicester purchases.
    Red Leicester is a very good cheese for construction purposes.

    Though Wensleydale or Cheshire may be good if planning a model of Avebury stone circle.

    I wouldn't toch continental cheeses for construction, except overripe brie for use as cement.
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    JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,890

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
  • Options
    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754
    rcs1000 said:

    The German interior ministry is reporting that the number of asylum claims has dramatically fallen in the first quarter of the year. Mission accomplished for Merkel and relief for the Remain campaign?

    The data is here: http://data.unhcr.org/mediterranean/regional.php

    The interesting question is whether April will be the first month where arrivals are down year-over-year? So far, the trend has been down since the peak last summer, but it is unclear exactly why this is the case - is it the deal with Turkey? the weather? or the fact that there simply aren't as many people wanting (or being able to afford) the crossing?

    German press is claiming arrivals have dropped and its due to the new policy ob border controls.

    http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/fluechtlingskrise/fluechtlingskrise-zahl-der-asylsuchenden-in-deutschland-drastisch-gesunken-14167190.html

    Frau Merkel having the phrase STFU translated into German may also have helped.
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    EstobarEstobar Posts: 558
    edited April 2016

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
    I reckon there'll be a high correlation with Red Leicester purchases.
    Red Leicester is a very good cheese for construction purposes.

    Though Wensleydale or Cheshire may be good if planning a model of Avebury stone circle.

    I wouldn't toch continental cheeses for construction, except overripe brie for use as cement.
    Edam is quite good for construction I'm told
  • Options
    AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    I'd say you're both right. There is a bloc of Conservative MPs now forming a party within a party, obsessed by the EU and in internal opposition to the government. And this state of affairs is partly caused by bad party management.
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    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053
    Yeh, but, Yeh, but, time. Reads like a thriller.
  • Options
    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,155
    Alistair said:
    Shame for Hillary that he's not going to be the candidate.
  • Options
    JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,890

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    I'd say you're both right. There is a bloc of Conservative MPs now forming a party within a party, obsessed by the EU and in internal opposition to the government. And this state of affairs is partly caused by bad party management.
    To a certain extent, yes. But could anyone do better given the looniness on both sides? At times like this the party is utterly unmanageable.
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    RogerRoger Posts: 18,891
    edited April 2016

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
    That is the point that has had me baffled. Not only are they drawing attention to a leaflet that they think undermines their case but also exposing their biggest weakness which needs to show that a future in their hands will be rock solid and safe.
  • Options
    david_herdsondavid_herdson Posts: 17,419

    It's the referendum that'll do for Dave, not this. Should Remain lose he's out. Without the referendum the Tory press would be giving this very little coverage. But there's no doubt this episode has not been his finest hour. Voters know Dave is very wealthy and they know wealthy people have complicated tax arrangements. Politically, it's factored in. He could have been totally upfront from the start and no-one would have thought anything of it.

    Agree with pretty much all of that.

    And hence, by contrast, I disagree with Mike. I think 3/1 is quite good value. Cameron won't go because of the Pamana leaks but he could well go because of the EURef, and Panama has just raised the bar on what he needs to do there: it's likely that some MPs who might have given him the benefit of the doubt on a close result will have tipped the other way simply because he seems to have lost his touch a bit recently. Why die in the ditch for a change that's coming anyway and when there's no guarantee that Cameron would get his touch back after the vote?
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    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    Oh @JosiasJessop, the fact that you care more about the Tory government and the PM, shows the same short term thinking that has been the bane of British politics since WW1. You seem to care more about Cameron than you do about the future of Britain as a whole.
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    Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,306

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    I'd say you're both right. There is a bloc of Conservative MPs now forming a party within a party, obsessed by the EU and in internal opposition to the government. And this state of affairs is partly caused by bad party management.
    No, the Conservative Party is a party with a settled eurosceptic view, in votership, membership, and parliamentary party, and it has been coopted by a euroloon cabal who do things like spend taxpayer's millions on pro-EU junk mail. That is where the issue lies - potentially not for too much longer.
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    volcanopetevolcanopete Posts: 2,078
    Cameron is in deepdoo-doo on a number of fronts.Unless he can prioritize and get his ducks in a row,I fear he is a gonner.The Prime Minister needs to get a serious grip on matters by, firstly,sacking Jeremy Hunt and getting the medics back to work no matter how much of Osborne's gold he has to fill their mouths with,secondly,end this academy by compulsion plan so sack NiMo as well,thirdly,get Labour on board for Remain by scrapping the Trade Union Bill.He might then start to see the wood from the trees.
    3-1 is a fair price until he shows some spark of leadership.
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,267

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
    I signed that petition.
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    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053
    Roger said:

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
    That is the point that has had me baffled. Not only are they drawing attention to a leaflet that they think undermines their case but also exposing their biggest weakness which needs to show that a future in their hands will be rock solid and safe.
    Mr Meeks is starting to sweat. Can it be that Remain will fail at the Referendum?
    Never mind Alistair, you can buy me a drink tonight and forget such gloomy thoughts.
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    JackWJackW Posts: 14,787
    Alistair said:
    On those "amazing new numbers" the only thing Trump will sweep will be the floor of the hotel hall after he concedes to Clinton on election night.
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    EstobarEstobar Posts: 558

    It's the referendum that'll do for Dave, not this. Should Remain lose he's out. Without the referendum the Tory press would be giving this very little coverage. But there's no doubt this episode has not been his finest hour. Voters know Dave is very wealthy and they know wealthy people have complicated tax arrangements. Politically, it's factored in. He could have been totally upfront from the start and no-one would have thought anything of it.

    Cameron won't go because of the Pamana leaks but he could well go because of the EURef, and Panama has just raised the bar on what he needs to do there:
    You may be right providing no more comes out. The way he has obfuscated all week suggests to me that there's even more to come. This could become very bad for him indeed. I can't imagine the Sunday papers sitting back and not digging for dirt.
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    JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 38,890
    MikeK said:

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    Oh @JosiasJessop, the fact that you care more about the Tory government and the PM, shows the same short term thinking that has been the bane of British politics since WW1. You seem to care more about Cameron than you do about the future of Britain as a whole.
    Rubbish.

    I see Corbynite Labour as being a real threat to the economic and social fabric of this country. I'm not a Conservative, but have been fairly anti-Labour for ten or so years now. Corbyn's only made that worse.

    If you had a choice, would you prefer a Corbynite government for twenty years outside the EU, or a Conservative government inside the EU for the same period? Which would do most harm to the country in your eyes?

    Although it's possible Labour would do everything it could to get back into the EU.
  • Options
    FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 9,045
    Roger said:

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
    That is the point that has had me baffled. Not only are they drawing attention to a leaflet that they think undermines their case but also exposing their biggest weakness which needs to show that a future in their hands will be rock solid and safe.
    Well they've got the electoral commission on their side. Also according to Carswell the cost of the leaflet is greater than the entire spending limit for the campaign. We were told by Anna Soubry last night that this was the most important vote for a generation. I wonder if the Tories will impose a similar spending cap on the not so important 2020 general election?
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    Dave was someone I used to support quite a lot. I felt that he was pretty much on my side. I believed he wanted to eliminate the deficit and that we'd all share the pain. I believed he was a Eurosceptic. I didn't think he was ultimately in it to keep the establishment cosy. His support for eg free schools bolstered this impression. But...He's made a massive strategic choice to wave a finger at me and my desire to be governed by those I can vote for. Fuck him! The reason Dave is having a mare these days is that he's landed himself utterly on the wrong side of the biggest political question we face - and he's doing so in a mendacious and bullying manner. I wanted a Conservative government that would balance the books, put ordinary people ahead of the establishment machine and fight for Britain. We don't have such a government. A vote for Dave these days is a vote for cosiness for the 0.001%, the EU monster and uncontrolled debt. There doesn't appear to be any party left for an economically dry but principled and patriotic voter to support any more. I hope the Tory rebel alliance defeat Emperor Dave Palpatine and Darth Osborne.
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    MikeK said:

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    Oh @JosiasJessop, the fact that you care more about the Tory government and the PM, shows the same short term thinking that has been the bane of British politics since WW1. You seem to care more about Cameron than you do about the future of Britain as a whole.
    Rubbish.
    I see Corbynite Labour as being a real threat to the economic and social fabric of this country. I'm not a Conservative, but have been fairly anti-Labour for ten or so years now. Corbyn's only made that worse.
    If you had a choice, would you prefer a Corbynite government for twenty years outside the EU, or a Conservative government inside the EU for the same period? Which would do most harm to the country in your eyes?
    Although it's possible Labour would do everything it could to get back into the EU.
    Not under Corbyn.
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    Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,267

    Roger said:

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
    That is the point that has had me baffled. Not only are they drawing attention to a leaflet that they think undermines their case but also exposing their biggest weakness which needs to show that a future in their hands will be rock solid and safe.
    Well they've got the electoral commission on their side. Also according to Carswell the cost of the leaflet is greater than the entire spending limit for the campaign. We were told by Anna Soubry last night that this was the most important vote for a generation. I wonder if the Tories will impose a similar spending cap on the not so important 2020 general election?
    Exactly. Even the Electoral Commission think the Government is misbehaving.

    Remainiacs are simply enjoying using it as a stick to beat Leavers with.
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    MikeKMikeK Posts: 9,053

    Cameron is in deepdoo-doo on a number of fronts.Unless he can prioritize and get his ducks in a row,I fear he is a gonner.The Prime Minister needs to get a serious grip on matters by, firstly,sacking Jeremy Hunt and getting the medics back to work no matter how much of Osborne's gold he has to fill their mouths with,secondly,end this academy by compulsion plan so sack NiMo as well,thirdly,get Labour on board for Remain by scrapping the Trade Union Bill.He might then start to see the wood from the trees.
    3-1 is a fair price until he shows some spark of leadership.

    That sort of leadership will destroy the Tory Party as it is presently constructed.
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    tlg86tlg86 Posts: 25,187

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    The referendum was a manifesto pledge. That the Tories are split on this issue does not alter the fact that Cameron, Osborne and the rest of the government should be getting on with the business of running the country. I'd argue it is those on the Remain side who are running around like headless chickens at the moment.

    Osborne's performance since the GE has been nothing short of shambolic. You can shift the blame on to the backbenchers all you like but ultimately it is up to the government to get them onside. I'd argue that the conflicts that have arisen between the government and the backbenchers have had little to do with Europe and more to do with the fact that new Tories that have come in since 2010 are too scared of upsetting people.
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    Roger said:

    Helluva dead cat from Dave to take away focus from the government's impartial free leaflet to the voters about what Brexit really means that has so enraged the Euro obsessives, who as the FT observe are unable to criticise the contents of the leaflet.

    David Cameron would much rather Leave campaigners continued wailing and gurning about the leaflet. The more publicity it gets, the more it will be read.

    Those signing the petition were never going to vote Remain anyway. Indeed, when the petition finally runs out of puff we'll have a fair idea of just how many monomaniac Leavers there are in the country: it's a handy informal census.
    That is the point that has had me baffled. Not only are they drawing attention to a leaflet that they think undermines their case but also exposing their biggest weakness which needs to show that a future in their hands will be rock solid and safe.
    Well they've got the electoral commission on their side. Also according to Carswell the cost of the leaflet is greater than the entire spending limit for the campaign. We were told by Anna Soubry last night that this was the most important vote for a generation. I wonder if the Tories will impose a similar spending cap on the not so important 2020 general election?
    The comments of the electoral commission are a damming verdict on the leaflet.
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    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    Well of course that's a view. On the other hand there is a large and probably growing slice of disaffected voters more or less across the political spectrum. These people are

    - probably in areas of the economy that get ignored - construction manufacturing etc
    - have been bearing the brunt of globalisation
    - see immigration as a threat on a variety of levels - housing, schools, community, culture
    - have stagnating wages and prospects

    They see in return a political class which

    - ignores their difficulties and tells just to suck it up
    - which has got us into the current mess and been rewarded for failure
    - which gets richer on the strength of their friends and establishment contacts
    - prioritises external groups concerns over their own voters
    - compounds the above by studiously not listening

    At some point somehwere this group will start toget real and meaningful representation in Parliament - because it has to if nothing else. If the "bastards" peeling off starts this process then we could be in for a couplke of interesting years.
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    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754

    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    Well of course that's a view. On the other hand there is a large and probably growing slice of disaffected voters more or less across the political spectrum. These people are

    - probably in areas of the economy that get ignored - construction manufacturing etc
    - have been bearing the brunt of globalisation
    - see immigration as a threat on a variety of levels - housing, schools, community, culture
    - have stagnating wages and prospects

    They see in return a political class which

    - ignores their difficulties and tells just to suck it up
    - which has got us into the current mess and been rewarded for failure
    - which gets richer on the strength of their friends and establishment contacts
    - prioritises external groups concerns over their own voters
    - compounds the above by studiously not listening

    At some point somehwere this group will start toget real and meaningful representation in Parliament - because it has to if nothing else. If the "bastards" peeling off starts this process then we could be in for a couple of interesting years.
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    Plato_SaysPlato_Says Posts: 11,822
    edited April 2016
    If anyone's interested, now 117271
    https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/116762
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    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754
    e
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    JonathanJonathan Posts: 20,901
    Bet Ed Milliband is having a decent morning. This government is having a nightmare. And its probably going to get worse. Watching Bargain Hunt was the better option.
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    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754

    Morning all,


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    Morning all,

    Another day, another day spent by Leave arguing about process. As someone on QT asked last night, if Leave side has so many millionaires and city supporters why don't they just fund their own household leaflet?

    It seems eurosceptic MPs are now threatening to block all legislation and use the 12 seat majority as a battering ram against Dave. Early GE after the referendum?

    Any 'Conservative' MP doing that should be ashamed of themselves. All it does is help Labour.

    Such Euroloons (and their supporters on here) are doing all they can to hurt the country and usher in a Labour, Corbynite government. They're worse than bastards.
    Or you could just say it's bad party management.
    No, it's them being bastards. There're a heck of a lot of other issues facing the country outside the EU, and legislation needs to be passed. Blocking legislation for reasons other than the legislation's merits does no-one any good.

    They're loons who think the EU is more important than good governance. Well, if that's their vision of good governance then perhaps we'd be better off being fully run from Brussels ...
    I'd say you're both right. There is a bloc of Conservative MPs now forming a party within a party, obsessed by the EU and in internal opposition to the government. And this state of affairs is partly caused by bad party management.
    No, the Conservative Party is a party with a settled eurosceptic view, in votership, membership, and parliamentary party, and it has been coopted by a euroloon cabal who do things like spend taxpayer's millions on pro-EU junk mail. That is where the issue lies - potentially not for too much longer.
    True.
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    Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 60,969
    At the risk of conforming to a stereotype, I like both Red Leicester and Edam.
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    JackWJackW Posts: 14,787

    e

    e by gum lad ....
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    TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 39,961

    I'm not one a PB's betting experts to say the least, but I tend to agree he does seem to have 9 lives.

    Then the question is, is Dave on his 8th or 9th life?
This discussion has been closed.