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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Local By-Election Review March 2017

Higher Croft on Blackburn with Darwen (Lab defence, death of sitting member) Result: Labour 446 (58% +12%), United Kingdom Independence Party 190 (25% -8%), Conservative 133 (17% -4%) Labour HOLD with a majority of 256 (33%) on a swing of 10% from UKIP to Lab However, late yesterday afternoon it was discovered that the Labour candidate should not have been nominated as he was employed by an organisation that Blackburn with Darwen council have a material interest in, therefore the election was declared null and void

Read the full story here

Morris_Dancer

Thanks for this, Mr. Hayfield.

Hope Mr. Mortimer can have his ban lifted shortly.

HYUFD

At Lord Bell's 'glass half full' party last night to honour Brexit 'he mentioned talking to Liam Fox, a university peer of Nicola Sturgeon’s, who revealed that they used to call her seaweed as “not even the tide would take her out”. “We’re going to need to work on that diversity training,” surprise guest Cherie Blair rightly interjected.'
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/londoners-diary/londoners-diary-finally-michael-gove-flees-the-notting-hill-set-a3498331.html

HYUFD

Tory candidate Amy Gray compares Theresa May to Clement Attlee "Gray thinks — though poles apart politically — that May is in character like Clement Attlee. “His leadership style was ‘let’s get on with the job’. And he rose through the ranks, as May did: she started as a councillor, then was a backbench MP, then Home Secretary.”
http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/how-theresa-may-handled-her-toughest-week-yet-as-prime-minister-a3498306.html

justin124

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

Omnium

Ch4 seems to have an endless supply of slightly unnerving, very blond women who wish to defend Trump.

I'm not sure quite what worries me about this - C4, Trump, the women, or my reaction to one or other of these things. Glass of wine needed!

partypoliticalorphan

Just received the Leave.EU weekly missive. Arron Banks' divorce from UKIP seems complete.

He says: "I count my blessings that we are leaving the European Union every day, but the country still faces serious problems that successive governments have not only failed to address, but aggravated: mass immigration, housing, income inequality and security to name but a few.

These challenges will continue to be unsolved until a united force in British politics emerges equipped with a vision of how our country should be run. UKIP may yet become that force, and I wish them well. But I am in no mood to wait, which is why we have decided to launch a new movement, The Patriotic Alliance."

Pity that the name Patriotic Alliance is shared with a South African party whose founder is a convicted bank robber.

Morris_Dancer

Mr. Omnium, what's wrong with blondes? You blondist follico-prejudicist!

matt

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

Morris_Dancer

Mr. Orphan, it's not a great name for a party, but depending how things progress, it could grow rapidly. Will Farage join?

Omnium

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, what's wrong with blondes? You blondist follico-prejudicist!

I'd have thought my 'very blond' rather suggested the opposite prejudice! Nonblondist follico-prejudice?

HYUFD

Speaker Ryan calls Trumpcare vote off https://twitter.com/BBCJonSopel/status/845358417472573443

Morris_Dancer

Mr. Omnium, don't try and mansplain your patriarchal heteronormative cisgender bias!

Morris_Dancer

To veer in the approximate direction of being on-topic, it's spring time for Conservatives and the Lib Dems, winter for UKIP and Labour.

rural_voter

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

The US President regularly addresses the American people. It's weekly I think.

http://www.conservativedailynews.com/2017/01/watch-president-trump-makes-first-weekly-address-to-the-american-people/

Worth trying in UK on important occasions?

Beverley_C

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

It will be normal post Brexit. The continuity announcer will be a lady in evening dress who will say "This is the BBC Home Service (aka R4). And now, an announcement by the Prime Minister" and we shall all gather round and listen...

Omnium

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, don't try and mansplain your patriarchal heteronormative cisgender bias!

If you try hard you may be able to construct a sentence without using any real words. Or did you do that already under the guise of "Theodolite"?..

Beverley_C

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, what's wrong with blondes? You blondist follico-prejudicist!

A bit neo-Aryan perhaps?

Beverley_C

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, don't try and mansplain your patriarchal heteronormative cisgender bias!

Now we're talkin' ..... Oh yeah...

malcolmg

rural_voter said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

The US President regularly addresses the American people. It's weekly I think.

http://www.conservativedailynews.com/2017/01/watch-president-trump-makes-first-weekly-address-to-the-american-people/

Worth trying in UK on important occasions?

We can do without listening to whining Tories every week, less is more in this case.

rcs1000

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Orphan, it's not a great name for a party, but depending how things progress, it could grow rapidly. Will Farage join?

He should call it Veritas.

not_on_fire

HYUFD said:

Speaker Ryan calls Trumpcare vote off https://twitter.com/BBCJonSopel/status/845358417472573443

Worthy of House of Cards. There are exactly the right number of sensible and crazy Republicans to mean that nothing can pass

Beverley_C

rcs1000 said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Orphan, it's not a great name for a party, but depending how things progress, it could grow rapidly. Will Farage join?

He should call it Veritas.

I thought there was one? Or has it gone the way of the dodo?

TwistedFireStopper

Beverley_C said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

It will be normal post Brexit. The continuity announcer will be a lady in evening dress who will say "This is the BBC Home Service (aka R4). And now, an announcement by the Prime Minister" and we shall all gather round and listen...

You mean we'll still have electricity after Brexit?

nunu

not_on_fire said:

HYUFD said:

Speaker Ryan calls Trumpcare vote off https://twitter.com/BBCJonSopel/status/845358417472573443

Worthy of House of Cards. There are exactly the right number of sensible and crazy Republicans to mean that nothing can pass

Choo Choo! #trumptrain right on time!

https://twitter.com/ClintonM56/status/845359888360505345

SimonStClare

Beverley_C said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, don't try and mansplain your patriarchal heteronormative cisgender bias!

Now we're talkin' ..... Oh yeah...

Evening Ms.C. – You’ve started early on the cooking sherry - what’s for supper?

partypoliticalorphan

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Orphan, it's not a great name for a party, but depending how things progress, it could grow rapidly. Will Farage join?

Reading between the lines - yes I think it's likely.

They will look to target what they term corrupt MPs and support Independent candidates but seem to be developing a socially conservative platform that could morph into a party.

Omnium

Omnium said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, don't try and mansplain your patriarchal heteronormative cisgender bias!

If you try hard you may be able to construct a sentence without using any real words. Or did you do that already under the guise of "Theodolite"?..

I know it's 'Thaddeus' really. I now feel sufficiently guilty I'll have to buy another of your books too!

matt

TwistedFireStopper said:

Beverley_C said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

It will be normal post Brexit. The continuity announcer will be a lady in evening dress who will say "This is the BBC Home Service (aka R4). And now, an announcement by the Prime Minister" and we shall all gather round and listen...

You mean we'll still have electricity after Brexit?

Occasionally but only so that a light is shone on our barbarism and depravity.

HYUFD

not_on_fire said:

HYUFD said:

Speaker Ryan calls Trumpcare vote off https://twitter.com/BBCJonSopel/status/845358417472573443

Worthy of House of Cards. There are exactly the right number of sensible and crazy Republicans to mean that nothing can pass

Nancy Pelosi meanwhile has effectively destroyed Ryan's Speakership in less than 2 years

Omnium

£9.79 MD - if I find 'mansplain' in there I'll want a refund!

Morris_Dancer

Mr. Omnium, huzzah!

Mr. Orphan, I think Farage might wait and see if South Thanet gets re-run, then jump ship after he's either stood there or it's confirmed there's no re-run.

Mr. 1000, to be fair, Farage is an odd sort of political heavyweight, which Kilroy-Silk never was.

Mrs C, clearly a neo-Aryan alt-right populist propagandist.

Morris_Dancer

Mr. Dancer, the first scene has the heir to the throne massaging a princess' feet. Not quite mansplaining.

And thanks, I hope you like it.

I made this helpful list of reasons why Kingdom Asunder's the perfect book for everyone:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy2CnNPWgAEwF55.jpg

Philip_Thompson

Interesting that despite the much publicised Lib Dem by election Renaissance they're still by a long shot a distant third in local election votes.

Omnium

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Dancer, the first scene has the heir to the throne massaging a princess' feet. Not quite mansplaining.

And thanks, I hope you like it.

I made this helpful list of reasons why Kingdom Asunder's the perfect book for everyone:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cy2CnNPWgAEwF55.jpg

You better add 'As a salve to guilty feelings!' - and don't get too carried away, you're losing it -you're Mr Dancer, not me!

surbiton

Trump - what a disaster. The GOP campaigned against Obamacare since 2010. Trump campaigned on it. Now with the White House, Senate and the HoR in GOP hands, they cannot pass a bill.

In UK we will call it - what a bunch of pillocks !!

justin124

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

Morris_Dancer

I was distracted by working incredibly hard, and not at all listening to a Deadpool parody of Gaston's song on Twitter.

Mind you, it's still better than the time I signed off an e-mail to an artist with the wrong name. *sighs*

Theuniondivvie

Omnium said:

Ch4 seems to have an endless supply of slightly unnerving, very blond women who wish to defend Trump.

I'm not sure quite what worries me about this - C4, Trump, the women, or my reaction to one or other of these things. Glass of wine needed!

Slightly unnerving? She was freakin' scary!
Also about as authentically blonde as Bet Lynch's shower trap.

Omnium

Theuniondivvie said:

Omnium said:

Ch4 seems to have an endless supply of slightly unnerving, very blond women who wish to defend Trump.

I'm not sure quite what worries me about this - C4, Trump, the women, or my reaction to one or other of these things. Glass of wine needed!

Slightly unnerving? She was freakin' scary!
Also about as authentically blonde as Bet Lynch's shower trap.

Don't go there... it'll cost you £9.79

rcs1000

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, huzzah!

Mr. Orphan, I think Farage might wait and see if South Thanet gets re-run, then jump ship after he's either stood there or it's confirmed there's no re-run.

Mr. 1000, to be fair, Farage is an odd sort of political heavyweight, which Kilroy-Silk never was.

Mrs C, clearly a neo-Aryan alt-right populist propagandist.

Didn't Robert Kilroy-Silk actually manage to get elected as an MP, unlike Nigel Farage?

Beverley_C

SimonStClare said:

Beverley_C said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, don't try and mansplain your patriarchal heteronormative cisgender bias!

Now we're talkin' ..... Oh yeah...

Evening Ms.C. – You’ve started early on the cooking sherry - what’s for supper?

Supper will be fresh baked chocolate muffins with a nice cup of green tea.

If you were referring to the evening meal it was my version of Chicken Satay with red and yellow peppers on fried rice.

No cooking sherry was harmed in the preparation of these foods... *hic!*

Morris_Dancer

Mr. Omnium, for a hundred thousand words of wondrous writing. It's a veritable bargain!

Edited extra bit: Mrs C, huzzah for chocolate muffins! Boo hiss to green tea.

Mr. 1000, yes, but wasn't that as a Labour, rather than Veritas, MP?

Beverley_C

matt said:

TwistedFireStopper said:

Beverley_C said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

It will be normal post Brexit. The continuity announcer will be a lady in evening dress who will say "This is the BBC Home Service (aka R4). And now, an announcement by the Prime Minister" and we shall all gather round and listen...

You mean we'll still have electricity after Brexit?

Occasionally but only so that a light is shone on our barbarism and depravity.

Ishmael_Z

justin124 said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

PPBs simultaneously on all 3 channels was communist Cuba level thought control, and thank goodness we have seen the last of it. I think we probably now get open air statements from Downing Street for the boring reason that audio technology has developed to the point that you don't have to be in a studio to be fully audible.

Beverley_C

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, huzzah!

Mr. Orphan, I think Farage might wait and see if South Thanet gets re-run, then jump ship after he's either stood there or it's confirmed there's no re-run.

Mr. 1000, to be fair, Farage is an odd sort of political heavyweight, which Kilroy-Silk never was.

Mrs C, clearly a neo-Aryan alt-right populist propagandist.

You are just getting better and better Mr Dancer

Time to go and do some muffins

MarkSenior

Thanks Harry , however Redcar Hutton was a Conservative hold noy a Gain from Labour . The Conservatives won all 3 seats in the ward in 2015

OUT

Oh to be a fly on the wall in Trump's house right now.

HYUFD

justin124 said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

That was when we had 2, 3, 4 or 5 channels, not over 200 as now (and that is just Freeview!)

felix

justin124 said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

The declining number of total TV viewers have typically around 70+ channels to choose from - not forgetting catch-ups pf various kinds, etc, etc, etc It is a different world.

not_on_fire

Apparently the Republican house voted over 60 times during Obama's presidency to repeal the ACA. But when given the chance to actually do it...

Theuniondivvie

not_on_fire said:

Apparently the Republican house voted over 60 times during Obama's presidency to repeal the ACA. But when given the chance to actually do it...

Virtue signallers..

HYUFD

not_on_fire said:

Apparently the Republican house voted over 60 times during Obama's presidency to repeal the ACA. But when given the chance to actually do it...

Pelosi must now be licking her lips at the prospect of next year's midterms!

justin124

HYUFD said:

justin124 said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

That was when we had 3, 4 or 5 channels, not over 200 as now (and that is just Freeview!)

I understand that - but just as many viewers would have been likely to see a Ministerial Broadcast as saw the PM standing at a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.
When Neville Chamberlain broadcast on Sunday 3rd September 1939 to inform the country that it was at war, a good third of the population did not have access to a wireless - but that did not prevent the broadcast from taking place.

MonikerDiCanio

HYUFD said:

Speaker Ryan calls Trumpcare vote off https://twitter.com/BBCJonSopel/status/845358417472573443

Jonathan Sopel has the gravitas of an overexcited thirteen-year-old girl. Alistair Cooke, not.

Morris_Dancer

Anyway, time for me to be off. Just a reminder qualifying starts at 6am (I don't think it's on Channel 4, but fortunately I have a small wireless).

My pre-qualifying ramble is here: http://enormo-haddock.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/australia-pre-qualifying-2017.html

peter_from_putney

Morris_Dancer said:

Thanks for this, Mr. Hayfield.

Hope Mr. Mortimer can have his ban lifted shortly.

He may of course take his bat home, as Yorkshire folk would say, having concluded that he wants nothing more to do with PB.com.

SirNorfolkPassmore

Philip_Thompson said:

Interesting that despite the much publicised Lib Dem by election Renaissance they're still by a long shot a distant third in local election votes.

This month, yes, from an unusually low base. Last month, they were first from a higher base. Month to month vote totals are dubious as they are skewed by the location of the largest two or three contests. But the trend since June is clear - Lib Dems somewhere in the region of doubling vote from a low base. Nobody sensible says they're back to 2010 levels. But they're in the equation again.

HYUFD

justin124 said:

HYUFD said:

justin124 said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

That was when we had 3, 4 or 5 channels, not over 200 as now (and that is just Freeview!)

I understand that - but just as many viewers would have been likely to see a Ministerial Broadcast as saw the PM standing at a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.
When Neville Chamberlain broadcast on Sunday 3rd September 1939 to inform the country that it was at war, a good third of the population did not have access to a wireless - but that did not prevent the broadcast from taking place.

When Chamberlain made his broadcast you could guarantee 2/3 of the country would listen to the broadcast as their was no choice, now viewers could simply switch over to Film4, SkySports etc or surf the internet. If the PM makes a broadcast when the news is on they will cover it but even then the main network news broadcasts get a far lower audience than they used to

Ishmael_Z

HYUFD said:

justin124 said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

That was when we had 2, 3, 4 or 5 channels, not over 200 as now (and that is just Freeview!)

3 - I don't think Channel 4 ever carried the simulcasts, though they may have continued for a bit on the original 3 after 4 came into existence.

augustus_carp

Does anyone know why the hashtag #IstandwithTomWatson is trending on Twitter? Have I missed something? (And please, only give me an answer if it is short, reasonably accurate and generally comprehensible. I know that's a big ask, but I've had a tough day and I haven't got time to try to remember all the fuss that's been going on in the Labour Party for the last few months - life's too short.)

MTimT

rural_voter said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

The US President regularly addresses the American people. It's weekly I think.

http://www.conservativedailynews.com/2017/01/watch-president-trump-makes-first-weekly-address-to-the-american-people/

Worth trying in UK on important occasions?

If it's weekly, no-one knows or notices. More likely annually (State of the Union), during election seasons, and when there is a truly national issue, such as a terror attack on US soil or major military casualties. Not routinely weekly, at least not on any level that impinges the public's consciousness.

justin124

HYUFD said:

justin124 said:

HYUFD said:

justin124 said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

That was when we had 3, 4 or 5 channels, not over 200 as now (and that is just Freeview!)

I understand that - but just as many viewers would have been likely to see a Ministerial Broadcast as saw the PM standing at a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.
When Neville Chamberlain broadcast on Sunday 3rd September 1939 to inform the country that it was at war, a good third of the population did not have access to a wireless - but that did not prevent the broadcast from taking place.

When Chamberlain made his broadcast you could guarantee 2/3 of the country would listen to the broadcast as their was no choice, now viewers could simply switch over to Film4, SkySports etc or surf the internet. If the PM makes a broadcast when the news is on they will cover it but even then the main network news broadcasts get a far lower audience than they used to

The last Prime Ministerial Broadcast I recall was Blair at the time of the Iraq invasion in March 2003 - which was well into the multi-channel era - which suggests that it remains an option to be considered.

HYUFD

Ishmael_Z said:

HYUFD said:

justin124 said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

That was when we had 2, 3, 4 or 5 channels, not over 200 as now (and that is just Freeview!)

3 - I don't think Channel 4 ever carried the simulcasts, though they may have continued for a bit on the original 3 after 4 came into existence.

They don't carry the Queen's Speech either but an alternative broadcast

HYUFD

justin124 said:

HYUFD said:

justin124 said:

HYUFD said:

justin124 said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

I am not sure what you mean by saying the audience has fractured. In the past, such broadcasts would have been carried by all BBC and ITV channels - very much like Party Political Broadcasts.

That was when we had 3, 4 or 5 channels, not over 200 as now (and that is just Freeview!)

I understand that - but just as many viewers would have been likely to see a Ministerial Broadcast as saw the PM standing at a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.
When Neville Chamberlain broadcast on Sunday 3rd September 1939 to inform the country that it was at war, a good third of the population did not have access to a wireless - but that did not prevent the broadcast from taking place.

When Chamberlain made his broadcast you could guarantee 2/3 of the country would listen to the broadcast as their was no choice, now viewers could simply switch over to Film4, SkySports etc or surf the internet. If the PM makes a broadcast when the news is on they will cover it but even then the main network news broadcasts get a far lower audience than they used to

The last Prime Ministerial Broadcast I recall was Blair at the time of the Iraq invasion in March 2003 - which was well into the multi-channel era - which suggests that it remains an option to be considered.

Freeview was only introduced in 2002 and the internet was not as widespread then as now and there were no smartphones either, plus it was the launch of a pretty major war, probably the only time we will see such multiple channel PM broadcasts again (other than major national events like Royal Weddings or State Funerals)

peter_from_putney

augustus_carp said:

Does anyone know why the hashtag #IstandwithTomWatson is trending on Twitter? Have I missed something? (And please, only give me an answer if it is short, reasonably accurate and generally comprehensible. I know that's a big ask, but I've had a tough day and I haven't got time to try to remember all the fuss that's been going on in the Labour Party for the last few months - life's too short.)

Dunno to be honest, although a few days ago I suggested he might prove to be very fair value to back as the next Labour Leader at odds of 33/1 with Laddies, compared with next best bookies' odds of 25/1. I rate him as being the 4th or maybe 5th most likely candidate whereas he barely scrapes into the top ten with the bookies.
As ever, DYOR.

HYUFD

rural_voter said:

matt said:

justin124 said:

Reflecting on this week's terrible events in London, it occurs to me that in bygone days the nation would have received a Prime Ministerial broadcast in response to such an event. Harold Wilson was a regular user of Ministerial broadcasts during his 1964 -70 Government. To a lesser extent Ted Heath and Jim Callaghan made use of them in the 1970s. For whatever reason , they do appear to have gone out of fashion in recent years - yet ,personally, I would find such an approach more dignified than simply speaking from a lectern in the middle of Downing Street.

The audience, and broadcasting media, has fractured. Who would watch such a thing now?

The US President regularly addresses the American people. It's weekly I think.

http://www.conservativedailynews.com/2017/01/watch-president-trump-makes-first-weekly-address-to-the-american-people/

Worth trying in UK on important occasions?

On the internet and C-SPAN

surbiton

rcs1000 said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, huzzah!

Mr. Orphan, I think Farage might wait and see if South Thanet gets re-run, then jump ship after he's either stood there or it's confirmed there's no re-run.

Mr. 1000, to be fair, Farage is an odd sort of political heavyweight, which Kilroy-Silk never was.

Mrs C, clearly a neo-Aryan alt-right populist propagandist.

Didn't Robert Kilroy-Silk actually manage to get elected as an MP, unlike Nigel Farage?

For which party ?

Luckyguy1983

surbiton said:

rcs1000 said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, huzzah!

Mr. Orphan, I think Farage might wait and see if South Thanet gets re-run, then jump ship after he's either stood there or it's confirmed there's no re-run.

Mr. 1000, to be fair, Farage is an odd sort of political heavyweight, which Kilroy-Silk never was.

Mrs C, clearly a neo-Aryan alt-right populist propagandist.

Didn't Robert Kilroy-Silk actually manage to get elected as an MP, unlike Nigel Farage?

For which party ?

Labour I think.

Paristonda

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

Scrapheap_as_was

comic relief is struggling for the comedy elements... powerful stuff is done well though

HYUFD

Scrapheap_as_was said:

comic relief is struggling for the comedy elements... powerful stuff is done well though

I sometimes think they would raise more money if they promised not to show the programme

HYUFD

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

Don't be so sure, Le Pen voters won't care and in the runoff plenty of Melenchon voters have some sympathy for Putin and he is now 4th

GeoffM

Theuniondivvie said:

not_on_fire said:

Apparently the Republican house voted over 60 times during Obama's presidency to repeal the ACA. But when given the chance to actually do it...

Virtue signallers..

At least you concede that wanting to repeal Obamacare is a virtue.

rcs1000

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

The story I heard is that the FN is cash poor, and will struggle to finance both the Presidential and the Parliamentary elections this year. Visiting Russia was mostly about raising money.

peter_from_putney

Luckyguy1983 said:

surbiton said:

rcs1000 said:

Morris_Dancer said:

Mr. Omnium, huzzah!

Mr. Orphan, I think Farage might wait and see if South Thanet gets re-run, then jump ship after he's either stood there or it's confirmed there's no re-run.

Mr. 1000, to be fair, Farage is an odd sort of political heavyweight, which Kilroy-Silk never was.

Mrs C, clearly a neo-Aryan alt-right populist propagandist.

Didn't Robert Kilroy-Silk actually manage to get elected as an MP, unlike Nigel Farage?

For which party ?

Labour I think.

Indeed for 12 years in fact as MP for Knowsley followed later for 5 years as an MEP for the East Midlands.

Scrapheap_as_was

HYUFD said:

Scrapheap_as_was said:

comic relief is struggling for the comedy elements... powerful stuff is done well though

I sometimes think they would raise more money if they promised not to show the programme

We're switching off to avoid the comedy bits and watching the important but tough stuff.... That's not always the case

rcs1000

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

If the Pew opinion polls are correct (http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/08/05/russia-putin-held-in-low-regard-around-the-world/) Russia has 30:70 favourable:unfavourables in France.

MonikerDiCanio

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

Makes her look presidential and an international player.

Toms

Wahoo!

"Trumpcare" loses in the House.

Sorry, you just can't bully a constitution.

HYUFD

rcs1000 said:

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

If the Pew opinion polls are correct (http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/08/05/russia-putin-held-in-low-regard-around-the-world/) Russia has 30:70 favourable:unfavourables in France.

Putin has almost double the popularity in France he has in the UK on that poll

peter_from_putney

HYUFD said:

Scrapheap_as_was said:

comic relief is struggling for the comedy elements... powerful stuff is done well though

I sometimes think they would raise more money if they promised not to show the programme

At least the Pubs do a rip-roaring business once a year as people seek to escape the boring TV marathon.

augustus_carp

peter_from_putney said:

augustus_carp said:

Does anyone know why the hashtag #IstandwithTomWatson is trending on Twitter? Have I missed something? (And please, only give me an answer if it is short, reasonably accurate and generally comprehensible. I know that's a big ask, but I've had a tough day and I haven't got time to try to remember all the fuss that's been going on in the Labour Party for the last few months - life's too short.)

Dunno to be honest, although a few days ago I suggested he might prove to be very fair value to back as the next Labour Leader at odds of 33/1 with Laddies, compared with next best bookies' odds of 25/1. I rate him as being the 4th or maybe 5th most likely candidate whereas he barely scrapes into the top ten with the bookies.
As ever, DYOR.

Thanks Peter. Someone seems to have stuck a stick into the hornet's nest that is the modern Labour Party, judging by the comments it is generating.

Theuniondivvie

GeoffM said:

Theuniondivvie said:

not_on_fire said:

Apparently the Republican house voted over 60 times during Obama's presidency to repeal the ACA. But when given the chance to actually do it...

Virtue signallers..

At least you concede that wanting to repeal Obamacare is a virtue.

Yeah, & every time some alt righty whines out 'virtue signaller', they're acknowledging virtue.

Well played in conceding that.

Pong

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

2022?

HYUFD

Scrapheap_as_was said:

HYUFD said:

Scrapheap_as_was said:

comic relief is struggling for the comedy elements... powerful stuff is done well though

I sometimes think they would raise more money if they promised not to show the programme

We're switching off to avoid the comedy bits and watching the important but tough stuff.... That's not always the case

They could do the important but tough stuff in an hour's documentary, am switching over to watch 'Fury' on ch5

tlg86

HYUFD said:

rcs1000 said:

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

If the Pew opinion polls are correct (http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/08/05/russia-putin-held-in-low-regard-around-the-world/) Russia has 30:70 favourable:unfavourables in France.

Putin has almost double the popularity in France he has in the UK on that poll

LOL, Vietnam 75:10 favourable to Russia.

HYUFD

peter_from_putney said:

HYUFD said:

Scrapheap_as_was said:

comic relief is struggling for the comedy elements... powerful stuff is done well though

I sometimes think they would raise more money if they promised not to show the programme

At least the Pubs do a rip-roaring business once a year as people seek to escape the boring TV marathon.

Yes 'Comic Relief free' night is a gift for landlords and they could always do their own fundraisers on the same night

FrancisUrquhart

rcs1000 said:

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

The story I heard is that the FN is cash poor, and will struggle to finance both the Presidential and the Parliamentary elections this year. Visiting Russia was mostly about raising money.

Does she not have an empty mansion that somebody could buy for a $100 million?

TheScreamingEagles

Scrapheap_as_was said:

HYUFD said:

Scrapheap_as_was said:

comic relief is struggling for the comedy elements... powerful stuff is done well though

I sometimes think they would raise more money if they promised not to show the programme

We're switching off to avoid the comedy bits and watching the important but tough stuff.... That's not always the case

Dude, help I agree with TPD Reckless.

https://twitter.com/michaelsavage/status/845242956600750081

rcs1000

HYUFD said:

rcs1000 said:

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

If the Pew opinion polls are correct (http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/08/05/russia-putin-held-in-low-regard-around-the-world/) Russia has 30:70 favourable:unfavourables in France.

Putin has almost double the popularity in France he has in the UK on that poll

https://xkcd.com/1252/

surbiton

It's all the Democrats fault - Trump.

tlg86

Wales have completely lost the plot. They should be down to 9 men.

Charles

augustus_carp said:

Does anyone know why the hashtag #IstandwithTomWatson is trending on Twitter? Have I missed something? (And please, only give me an answer if it is short, reasonably accurate and generally comprehensible. I know that's a big ask, but I've had a tough day and I haven't got time to try to remember all the fuss that's been going on in the Labour Party for the last few months - life's too short.)

Because #I lie with Tom Watson is open to misinterpretation?

HYUFD

rcs1000 said:

HYUFD said:

rcs1000 said:

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

If the Pew opinion polls are correct (http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/08/05/russia-putin-held-in-low-regard-around-the-world/) Russia has 30:70 favourable:unfavourables in France.

Putin has almost double the popularity in France he has in the UK on that poll

https://xkcd.com/1252/

Still, more French voters like Putin than have yet committed to vote for Le Pen in the first round

HYUFD

TheScreamingEagles said:

Scrapheap_as_was said:

HYUFD said:

Scrapheap_as_was said:

comic relief is struggling for the comedy elements... powerful stuff is done well though

I sometimes think they would raise more money if they promised not to show the programme

We're switching off to avoid the comedy bits and watching the important but tough stuff.... That's not always the case

Dude, help I agree with TPD Reckless.

https://twitter.com/michaelsavage/status/845242956600750081

If we have to pay higher prices for French beef, Welsh farmers can fill in the gap

Luckyguy1983

Charles said:

augustus_carp said:

Does anyone know why the hashtag #IstandwithTomWatson is trending on Twitter? Have I missed something? (And please, only give me an answer if it is short, reasonably accurate and generally comprehensible. I know that's a big ask, but I've had a tough day and I haven't got time to try to remember all the fuss that's been going on in the Labour Party for the last few months - life's too short.)

Because #I lie with Tom Watson is open to misinterpretation?

I can't think of any positive interpretation of that.

HYUFD

tlg86 said:

HYUFD said:

rcs1000 said:

Paristonda said:

The Le Pen / Putin photo op is interesting. It seems like a stupid move - there's only votes to be lost for Le Pen in it, none to be gained. If Putin is meddling, why would he want to do anything to dampen her popularity? Neither politician is an idiot, they must be aware of this. So why do it?

If the Pew opinion polls are correct (http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/08/05/russia-putin-held-in-low-regard-around-the-world/) Russia has 30:70 favourable:unfavourables in France.

Putin has almost double the popularity in France he has in the UK on that poll

LOL, Vietnam 75:10 favourable to Russia.

No surprise there, he also has a net positive favourability rating in China and India, South Korea, Nigeria, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Tanzania and Ethiopia

GeoffM

Theuniondivvie said:

GeoffM said:

Theuniondivvie said:

not_on_fire said:

Apparently the Republican house voted over 60 times during Obama's presidency to repeal the ACA. But when given the chance to actually do it...

Virtue signallers..

At least you concede that wanting to repeal Obamacare is a virtue.

Yeah, & every time some alt righty whines out 'virtue signaller', they're acknowledging virtue.

Well played in conceding that.

You don't understand the phrase. The signalling part is the unpleasant bit.

valleyboy

tlg86 said:

Wales have completely lost the plot. They should be down to 9 men.

and Ireland should have had a player sent off in the first half.

tlg86

valleyboy said:

tlg86 said:

Wales have completely lost the plot. They should be down to 9 men.

and Ireland should have had a player sent off in the first half.

Missed that, Wales could be going out of the World Cup tonight.