Maybe he will be grievously injured taking a bullet whilst fighting off a school shooter - and life President will be the gift bestowed by a grateful nation.
That, or Putin will fix it for him.
I thought all Tories were Trump fans, Mr Mark.
Seriously? Although I couldn't have voted for Hillary either.
Yes, but I see you have now defined yourself as a soft Democrat. So I must not give up all hope of you yet!
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Many moons ago, I ended up sleeping in the graveyard of Croick Church in the Highlands (with permission). The church is somewhat famous for an incident in 1845 when families being cleared from the land ended up living in the churchyard. They engraved their names and text in the window glass, where it can be seen to this day.
It was very sobering, and I wrote how it had made me ashamed to be English. A while later I got a reply from a Scotsman, who said I had no reason to be, as the clearances were mainly done from Scotsmen to Scotsmen.
The resulting discussion was interesting, and the history of even this 'small' and shameful part of our history is complex and multifaceted. Even the date of the inscriptions on the glass is doubted by some.
I thoroughly recommend a visit to Croick church: rarely have a few window panes caused such emotion in me. Though it's not a place you'd 'just be passing' ...
Of course, New Zealand has its own myths, chiefly about Pakeha-Maori relations. However, it certainly does not believe itself to be at the centre of the world. It is in fact keenly aware that it relies on successful trading relations for its prosperity.
The U.K. could learn a lot from NZ, where the Conservative equivalent - the National Party - now has for leader *and* deputy two part-Maoris from working-class West Auckland (think Croydon or Lewisham).
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
Mr. Walker, the UK is no different to other places. Every country in the world has itself as the centre of a map.
I do love it when people say that the UK has a uniquely dreadful sense of exceptionalism.
What I’m saying precisely is not that it is unique, but that it contaminates national discourse and stops us seeing things as they really are. Hence, inter alia Brexit.
But I am a bit fed up of seeing people salivate on this board in expectation of bad things happening to our near neighbours. It’s not just a delusional nostalgia, it’s actually malicious.
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Many moons ago, I ended up sleeping in the graveyard of Croick Church in the Highlands (with permission). The church is somewhat famous for an incident in 1845 when families being cleared from the land ended up living in the churchyard. They engraved their names and text in the window glass, where it can be seen to this day.
It was very sobering, and I wrote how it had made me ashamed to be English. A while later I got a reply from a Scotsman, who said I had no reason to be, as the clearances were mainly done from Scotsmen to Scotsmen.
The resulting discussion was interesting, and the history of even this 'small' and shameful part of our history is complex and multifaceted. Even the date of the inscriptions on the glass is doubted by some.
I thoroughly recommend a visit to Croick church: rarely have a few window panes caused such emotion in me. Though it's not a place you'd 'just be passing' ...
I really don’t see why people now should be ashamed of things done by people several generations ago who lived in the same country. We should understand, certainly. There are many aspects of British history, especially on these islands, that should be better known and better taught.
But shame should be felt by those who acted or not. Not by those who came later and played no part in the events. I refuse to be feel guilty for things done by my ancestors. The sins of the father should not be visited on the sons.....
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Many moons ago, I ended up sleeping in the graveyard of Croick Church in the Highlands (with permission). The church is somewhat famous for an incident in 1845 when families being cleared from the land ended up living in the churchyard. They engraved their names and text in the window glass, where it can be seen to this day.
It was very sobering, and I wrote how it had made me ashamed to be English. A while later I got a reply from a Scotsman, who said I had no reason to be, as the clearances were mainly done from Scotsmen to Scotsmen.
The resulting discussion was interesting, and the history of even this 'small' and shameful part of our history is complex and multifaceted. Even the date of the inscriptions on the glass is doubted by some.
I thoroughly recommend a visit to Croick church: rarely have a few window panes caused such emotion in me. Though it's not a place you'd 'just be passing' ...
Similar to the Enclosure Acts. Although would the Industrial Revolution have been possible without the dispossessed countrypeople forced into the towns?
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
That’s a great example. Yes, the dismissal of the Welsh language on here is dire. Less Political Betting, more BlackCabDriver.com
That is like us challenging for control of the Isle of Wight or Jersey, on a global scale it means next to nothing
Rather a greater distance - the most distant ones they claim are 1700km from the mainland. It's about the same distance as the UK > Greenland, or to Africa.
Then there's the small matter of how much of global trade goes through those waters......
Greenland is part of Denmark of course
Does Denmark claim all the water between Copenhagen and Nuuk as their exclusive economic zone?
Even if it did it would not make it a global foreign policy superpower
I don't thinkXi loses sleep over his place in the HYUFD global foreign policy superpower rankings. I do think this is significant:
Last we knew, China spent $160bn a year on the military, to the US 700bn. Still a lot of money, and probably not far off the US at all when you lay off for the difference in wages and allow for the excess profits of the US weapons industry. And China has 2m active service personnel as against the US 1.4m. I'd be inclined to take that seriously even if you don't.
Well nobody is going to invade China no but in the troubleshots and potential troubleshots of the world from the Middle East to the Baltic states China is nowhere.
You cannot be a foreign policy superpower unless you are prepared to deploy forces and airpower overseas if necessary
China does have a naval base in Djibouti, which is pretty much the Middle East.
Set up last year. No doubt there will be more in time.
Djibouti is rather nteresting for the sheer number of foreign military base there.
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Many moons ago, I ended up sleeping in the graveyard of Croick Church in the Highlands (with permission). The church is somewhat famous for an incident in 1845 when families being cleared from the land ended up living in the churchyard. They engraved their names and text in the window glass, where it can be seen to this day.
It was very sobering, and I wrote how it had made me ashamed to be English. A while later I got a reply from a Scotsman, who said I had no reason to be, as the clearances were mainly done from Scotsmen to Scotsmen.
The resulting discussion was interesting, and the history of even this 'small' and shameful part of our history is complex and multifaceted. Even the date of the inscriptions on the glass is doubted by some.
I thoroughly recommend a visit to Croick church: rarely have a few window panes caused such emotion in me. Though it's not a place you'd 'just be passing' ...
I really don’t see why people now should be ashamed of things done by people several generations ago who lived in the same country. We should understand, certainly. There are many aspects of British history, especially on these islands, that should be better known and better taught.
But shame should be felt by those who acted or not. Not by those who came later and played no part in the events. I refuse to be feel guilty for things done by my ancestors. The sins of the father should not be visited on the sons.....
My ancestors were perpetrators in the Highland Clearances. I feel no shame.
Similarly I seek no credit for all coal dug by my maternal grandfather or the time spent in Poland between 1941 and 1945 of my paternal grandfather.
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
What intolerance? All I have seen is criticising public spending...
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
What intolerance? All I have seen is criticising public spending...
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
What intolerance? All I have seen is criticising public spending...
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
What intolerance? All I have seen is criticising public spending...
I think I said the Welsh language was invented by someone who was crap at playing scrabble.
Mr. Walker, the UK is no different to other places. Every country in the world has itself as the centre of a map.
I do love it when people say that the UK has a uniquely dreadful sense of exceptionalism.
What I’m saying precisely is not that it is unique, but that it contaminates national discourse and stops us seeing things as they really are. Hence, inter alia Brexit.
But I am a bit fed up of seeing people salivate on this board in expectation of bad things happening to our near neighbours. It’s not just a delusional nostalgia, it’s actually malicious.
I know you weren't, that was a general observation. Here's an example:
But it is also irksome to hear some of the shriekier remainers accusing their countrymen of xenophobia, when the evidence is there in any poll I have ever seen that we are among the most tolerant of European nations. Even as I type there's hundreds of thousands of people in Italy feeling sick with fear of what the next few days will bring.
Pretty good these days. An awful lot of imports come under tariff free deals of various kinds, whether Everything But Arms which gives open access to the poorest countries, partnership agreements for other developing countries, or TRQ quotas for things like high quality beef from Argentina or lamb from New Zealand.
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
What intolerance? All I have seen is criticising public spending...
PB is at its most tiresome when posters erect these particularly flimsy strawmen. I believe that those criticising are at least half-Welsh and (in my case at least, until very recently, long term residents in Wales) . I have no issue with people wishing to speak Welsh; it's none of my business. Having bi-lingual road signs etc was part paid with my taxes; I can take a view. This is hardly inciting a pogrom against the Welsh speaking minority.
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
What intolerance? All I have seen is criticising public spending...
Pont demonstated.
Bridges? Are we talking Welsh, or French, now?
LOL. Spelling error, subsequently corrected. You are, though, Sir, on the ball!
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
What intolerance? All I have seen is criticising public spending...
I think I said the Welsh language was invented by someone who was crap at playing scrabble.
Anyone who says they don't find this funny is lying:
Mr. Walker, the UK is no different to other places. Every country in the world has itself as the centre of a map.
I do love it when people say that the UK has a uniquely dreadful sense of exceptionalism.
What I’m saying precisely is not that it is unique, but that it contaminates national discourse and stops us seeing things as they really are. Hence, inter alia Brexit.
But I am a bit fed up of seeing people salivate on this board in expectation of bad things happening to our near neighbours. It’s not just a delusional nostalgia, it’s actually malicious.
I know you weren't, that was a general observation. Here's an example:
But it is also irksome to hear some of the shriekier remainers accusing their countrymen of xenophobia, when the evidence is there in any poll I have ever seen that we are among the most tolerant of European nations. Even as I type there's hundreds of thousands of people in Italy feeling sick with fear of what the next few days will bring.
This is whataboutery. That xenophobia played its gruesome part in the Brexit vote is undeniable. That Italy has its own problems is irrelevant.
Turnout in Italy at 7PM is around 58.5% (a few municipalities haven't reported yet but the average so far is that)
The queue was quite long when I went to polling station this afternoon. Around 10 people each in male and female lines when I arrived. The new anti-fraud system is taking extra time. When they give you the ballot paper, the chair of the polling station has to read a number (that is present on the ballot paper that gave you) to one of the counters who writes it down next to your name on the register. Then when you come back after voting and give him the ballot paper, he has to re-read it to the counter who checks that the number is the same. Then the chair can remove the number and place the ballot paper on the ballot box. As we have 2 ballot papers (House and Senate), they have to do it twice.
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Try reading any pb discussion on the Welsh language, and you will see that comforting fantasies about English tolerance can be filed in the library next to the Narnia books.
What intolerance? All I have seen is criticising public spending...
I think I said the Welsh language was invented by someone who was crap at playing scrabble.
Anyone who says they don't find this funny is lying:
That is like us challenging for control of the Isle of Wight or Jersey, on a global scale it means next to nothing
Rather a greater distance - the most distant ones they claim are 1700km from the mainland. It's about the same distance as the UK > Greenland, or to Africa.
Then there's the small matter of how much of global trade goes through those waters......
Greenland is part of Denmark of course
Does Denmark claim all the water between Copenhagen and Nuuk as their exclusive economic zone?
Even if it did it would not make it a global foreign policy superpower
I don't thinkXi loses sleep over his place in the HYUFD global foreign policy superpower rankings. I do think this is significant:
Last we knew, China spent $160bn a year on the military, to the US 700bn. Still a lot of money, and probably not far off the US at all when you lay off for the difference in wages and allow for the excess profits of the US weapons industry. And China has 2m active service personnel as against the US 1.4m. I'd be inclined to take that seriously even if you don't.
Well nobody is going to invade China no but in the troubleshots and potential troubleshots of the world from the Middle East to the Baltic states China is nowhere.
You cannot be a foreign policy superpower unless you are prepared to deploy forces and airpower overseas if necessary
China does have a naval base in Djibouti, which is pretty much the Middle East.
Set up last year. No doubt there will be more in time.
Djibouti is rather nteresting for the sheer number of foreign military base there.
Maybe Djibouti can take over from Belgium as the war venue of choice.....
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
Turnout in Italy at 7PM is around 58.5% (a few municipalities haven't reported yet but the average so far is that)
The queue was quite long when I went to polling station this afternoon. Around 10 people each in male and female lines when I arrived. The new anti-fraud system is taking extra time. When they give you the ballot paper, the chair of the polling station has to read a number (that is present on the ballot paper that gave you) to one of the counters who writes it down next to your name on the register. Then when you come back after voting and give him the ballot paper, he has to re-read it to the counter who checks that the number is the same. Then the chair can remove the number and place the ballot paper on the ballot box. As we have 2 ballot papers (House and Senate), they have to do it twice.
Do you have any feel for whether turnout is higher/lower than average?
I may be having a stupid day, but I can't immediately see what the anti-fraud system you describe, prevents from happening.
That's hilarious. I suspect I know how it happened. The way translation is supposed to work is that A translates and B checks the translation, generally freelance people who don't know each other. But if B is lazy, he can just return it, saying "looks fine to me", pocketing a good fee for nothing. 95% of the time they'll get away with it. As soon as it's detected they'll never work for that agency again, but there are lots of agencies. Annoying for those of us who do make an effort.
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
It is seriously painful to think where we would be now after a Remain win, with DC almost crucifying JC but holding off just enough to ensure he was still there for GE 2020.
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
Dave enjoys being a private citizen and spending more time with his family.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
The question Wilbur Ross (and Donald Trump) need to answer is this:
Why does Switzerland, with the strongest currency in the world, with some of the highest costs in the world, and with FTAs with both the EU and China, run a large trade surplus (including in manufactured goods), while the US runs a large deficit?
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
It is seriously painful to think where we would be now after a Remain win, with DC almost crucifying JC but holding off just enough to ensure he was still there for GE 2020.
More interesting still, DC implementing the Brexit he'd campaigned for......!
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
Dave enjoys being a private citizen and spending more time with his family.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
Dave enjoys being a private citizen and spending more time with his family.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
Didn't either Gladstone or Disraeli or both make a come back as PM after defeat?
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
Dave enjoys being a private citizen and spending more time with his family.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
Dave enjoys being a private citizen and spending more time with his family.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
Didn't either Gladstone or Disraeli or both make a come back as PM after defeat?
I don't think they were humiliated to the same extent though.
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
Didn't either Gladstone or Disraeli or both make a come back as PM after defeat?
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
Dave enjoys being a private citizen and spending more time with his family.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
Dave enjoys being a private citizen and spending more time with his family.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
Turnout in Italy at 7PM is around 58.5% (a few municipalities haven't reported yet but the average so far is that)
The queue was quite long when I went to polling station this afternoon. Around 10 people each in male and female lines when I arrived. The new anti-fraud system is taking extra time. When they give you the ballot paper, the chair of the polling station has to read a number (that is present on the ballot paper that gave you) to one of the counters who writes it down next to your name on the register. Then when you come back after voting and give him the ballot paper, he has to re-read it to the counter who checks that the number is the same. Then the chair can remove the number and place the ballot paper on the ballot box. As we have 2 ballot papers (House and Senate), they have to do it twice.
Are there different lines for men and women ? (have I read that correctly?)
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
Didn't either Gladstone or Disraeli or both make a come back as PM after defeat?
The fact Cameron, like Ruth Davidson, isn't an MP might be one small drawback.
The fact some Conservatives don't seem to like him even though he won them a Parliamentary majority in 2015 (which is more than May did - cue someone from Epping regaling us with how wonderful the increase in vote share was) might also be an issue.
The fact Cameron, like Ruth Davidson, isn't an MP might be one small drawback.
The fact some Conservatives don't seem to like him even though he won them a Parliamentary majority in 2015 (which is more than May did - cue someone from Epping regaling us with how wonderful the increase in vote share was) might also be an issue.
To make a comeback you have to be good. Cameron isn't.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
The question Wilbur Ross (and Donald Trump) need to answer is this:
Why does Switzerland, with the strongest currency in the world, with some of the highest costs in the world, and with FTAs with both the EU and China, run a large trade surplus (including in manufactured goods), while the US runs a large deficit?
Could Cameron come back as Conservative leader after May?
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
No.
Because ?
Because
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
But....once Brexit has been delivered....? You'd have to think he would love a chance to take on Corbyn. I suspect having seen May in action, ahem, the MPs would be somewhat more forgiving. Would like to see some polling.
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
Dave enjoys being a private citizen and spending more time with his family.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
The question Wilbur Ross (and Donald Trump) need to answer is this:
Why does Switzerland, with the strongest currency in the world, with some of the highest costs in the world, and with FTAs with both the EU and China, run a large trade surplus (including in manufactured goods), while the US runs a large deficit?
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
The fact Cameron, like Ruth Davidson, isn't an MP might be one small drawback.
The fact some Conservatives don't seem to like him even though he won them a Parliamentary majority in 2015 (which is more than May did - cue someone from Epping regaling us with how wonderful the increase in vote share was) might also be an issue.
Cameron won a majority in 2015 but not 2010 and I never said I disliked him, I like both Cameron and May but after the Brexit vote his premiership was dead
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
The question Wilbur Ross (and Donald Trump) need to answer is this:
Why does Switzerland, with the strongest currency in the world, with some of the highest costs in the world, and with FTAs with both the EU and China, run a large trade surplus (including in manufactured goods), while the US runs a large deficit?
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
Turnout in Italy at 7PM is around 58.5% (a few municipalities haven't reported yet but the average so far is that)
The queue was quite long when I went to polling station this afternoon. Around 10 people each in male and female lines when I arrived. The new anti-fraud system is taking extra time. When they give you the ballot paper, the chair of the polling station has to read a number (that is present on the ballot paper that gave you) to one of the counters who writes it down next to your name on the register. Then when you come back after voting and give him the ballot paper, he has to re-read it to the counter who checks that the number is the same. Then the chair can remove the number and place the ballot paper on the ballot box. As we have 2 ballot papers (House and Senate), they have to do it twice.
Why do they have separate male and female queues? Are they using toilet cubicles as polling booths?
When I got up this morning I wondered how long it would take before I heard someone say 'The Big Thaw'. ITV News have come up trumps in the weather cliché department.
If the melting had caused significant chaos through damaged/burst pipes leading to turmoil, I'd have gone for "Thaw:Ragnarok"
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
I have been saying this for years. The UK (all sides of the political spectrum, not just Con) live in a bubble where certain elements of space (eg Ireland) or the past (eg the Irish wars, the Highland Clearances) are wilfully ignored in favour of comforting fantasies.
Many moons ago, I ended up sleeping in the graveyard of Croick Church in the Highlands (with permission). The church is somewhat famous for an incident in 1845 when families being cleared from the land ended up living in the churchyard. They engraved their names and text in the window glass, where it can be seen to this day.
It was very sobering, and I wrote how it had made me ashamed to be English. A while later I got a reply from a Scotsman, who said I had no reason to be, as the clearances were mainly done from Scotsmen to Scotsmen.
The resulting discussion was interesting, and the history of even this 'small' and shameful part of our history is complex and multifaceted. Even the date of the inscriptions on the glass is doubted by some.
I thoroughly recommend a visit to Croick church: rarely have a few window panes caused such emotion in me. Though it's not a place you'd 'just be passing' ...
If memory serves, the book describes an episode that after the clearances when a recruiting agent was sent up to sign up some enlistees in a town that, notwithstanding the notable military contribution of the Sutherlanders, only the village idiot enlisted.
The key point is that we are headed toward an illusory sovereignty. No say in the rules, in exchange for the theoretical - but not practical or realistic - ability to diverge.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
...the Hardy to his Laurel.
The Cable to his Clegg...
The Radio to his Head.
The Dick to his He[that's enough: Ed]
The pig head to his....
The cock to his balls.
Sorry, but it seems to fit.
Surely he's the pineapple to his pizza.
Too slow....
Slow but tasty.
I believe claiming you like such food on PB can result in a naughty step timeout.
Comments
It was very sobering, and I wrote how it had made me ashamed to be English. A while later I got a reply from a Scotsman, who said I had no reason to be, as the clearances were mainly done from Scotsmen to Scotsmen.
The resulting discussion was interesting, and the history of even this 'small' and shameful part of our history is complex and multifaceted. Even the date of the inscriptions on the glass is doubted by some.
I thoroughly recommend a visit to Croick church: rarely have a few window panes caused such emotion in me. Though it's not a place you'd 'just be passing' ...
http://www.croickchurch.com/clearances.htm
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@49.0542765,8.5935898,6169151a,35y,240.14h,2.6t/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en
Of course, New Zealand has its own myths, chiefly about Pakeha-Maori relations.
However, it certainly does not believe itself to be at the centre of the world. It is in fact keenly aware that it relies on successful trading relations for its prosperity.
The U.K. could learn a lot from NZ, where the Conservative equivalent - the National Party - now has for leader *and* deputy two part-Maoris from working-class West Auckland (think Croydon or Lewisham).
What's the EU like when it comes to food tariffs?
But I am a bit fed up of seeing people salivate on this board in expectation of bad things happening to our near neighbours. It’s not just a delusional nostalgia, it’s actually malicious.
But shame should be felt by those who acted or not. Not by those who came later and played no part in the events. I refuse to be feel guilty for things done by my ancestors. The sins of the father should not be visited on the sons.....
Read my final two paragraphs, the last one in particular, and reflect on your comment.
No doubt there will be more in time.
Djibouti is rather nteresting for the sheer number of foreign military base there.
"I wish I could the President of America could be more like me." ??
Similarly I seek no credit for all coal dug by my maternal grandfather or the time spent in Poland between 1941 and 1945 of my paternal grandfather.
https://twitter.com/ABCPolitics/status/970317392743096320
Your prize is to spend an evening with me explaining the merits of the alternative vote system to you IN PERSON.
www.cer.eu/insights/british-and-their-exceptionalism
But it is also irksome to hear some of the shriekier remainers accusing their countrymen of xenophobia, when the evidence is there in any poll I have ever seen that we are among the most tolerant of European nations. Even as I type there's hundreds of thousands of people in Italy feeling sick with fear of what the next few days will bring.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7702913.stm
That xenophobia played its gruesome part in the Brexit vote is undeniable. That Italy has its own problems is irrelevant.
The queue was quite long when I went to polling station this afternoon. Around 10 people each in male and female lines when I arrived.
The new anti-fraud system is taking extra time. When they give you the ballot paper, the chair of the polling station has to read a number (that is present on the ballot paper that gave you) to one of the counters who writes it down next to your name on the register.
Then when you come back after voting and give him the ballot paper, he has to re-read it to the counter who checks that the number is the same. Then the chair can remove the number and place the ballot paper on the ballot box.
As we have 2 ballot papers (House and Senate), they have to do it twice.
Incidentally, I understand that there are LL tiles in Welsh Scrabble its.
Especially in the absence of other suitable candidates.
In the final analysis, a disastrous PM. We should send him to govern Bermuda or something.
1) He doesn't want to come back, he thinks once a PM has lost a general election/nation changing referendum then it's sine die for their political career.
2) A significant chunk of the Parliamentary Party wouldn't let him back, the ones that miss the halcyon days of the leadership of IDS, and twatbadgers like Andrew Bridgen who on June 24th 2016 would have triggered a confidence vote in David Cameron no matter the referendum result, even if Remain had won 90% to 10%.
I may be having a stupid day, but I can't immediately see what the anti-fraud system you describe, prevents from happening.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/08/bermuda-repeal-same-sex-marriage
Can't see Osborne being welcomed back though. He's burnt too many bridges with his Standard sniping.
IFF, IFF, IFF Dave were to come back he would need Osborne back, the Mark Antony to his Caesar, the Robin to his Batman, the Watson to his Sherlock, the Silent Bob to his Jay, the Chewie to his Han.
Why does Switzerland, with the strongest currency in the world, with some of the highest costs in the world, and with FTAs with both the EU and China, run a large trade surplus (including in manufactured goods), while the US runs a large deficit?
But that was then, this is now.
The Cameron Comeback ? Osborne by osmosis ?
The fact Cameron, like Ruth Davidson, isn't an MP might be one small drawback.
The fact some Conservatives don't seem to like him even though he won them a Parliamentary majority in 2015 (which is more than May did - cue someone from Epping regaling us with how wonderful the increase in vote share was) might also be an issue.
Shame the BF over/under is as high as 83.5% really
Sorry, but it seems to fit.
https://twitter.com/Nigel_Farage/status/970338744116109312
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Highland-Clearances-John-Prebble/dp/0140028374/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1520195700&sr=8-1&keywords=john+prebble
If memory serves, the book describes an episode that after the clearances when a recruiting agent was sent up to sign up some enlistees in a town that, notwithstanding the notable military contribution of the Sutherlanders, only the village idiot enlisted.
https://t.co/LJF0ltXBly
The key point is that we are headed toward an illusory sovereignty. No say in the rules, in exchange for the theoretical - but not practical or realistic - ability to diverge.
We are headed for a regulatory vassalage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_general_election,_2018
Looks like pretty much anything could happen!