Thought Id start this one going because its rather dead on this board at the moment and I suppose all my usual muckers are either at the Stella tennis event watching Dim Tim (lose again) or at Henly Regatta eating cucumber sandwiches (they wish,...NOT).

Anyway please feel free to just talk to yourself blast away and let it go on any company or subject you wish. Just wish Id thought of this one before.

cheers GF.

Sorry gf don't wish to be rude, just read your above comment - your wife now knows that you cannot help her out when the heat is turned up and your need is "just one cornetto" !!!!!!!! Oh! deary me does anyone really know how funny some of the comments are on here?

gf
As usual when you are clearly wrong and wrong at the top of your voice, you resort to abuse. Is this behaviour typical of the misguided left activists we have to put up with. Apart from Tanker, who has rather specific problems, you seem to be the most consistently wrong poster on this BB. It is rarely worth the effort to bring out all your errors. However, when caught bang to rights concerning the rubbish that you post, you never have the good grace to admit your errors or even close to it. I could go on, but the comments would be wasted on you.

Haystack your a very ignorant old man. An old man that will stop at nothing to cover up your own mistakes and lies. Not only are you a person with no morals but you also thrive on trying to upset other people ie, witness the BLNX thread where you make claims you dont have any postion but day in day out you abuse younger less experienced posters. I have come across some of the most vile posters on B/Boards but you stand out head and shoulders as the worst of them all. Not only are you a liar but you also seem to get some kind of sexual gratification out of your bullying of other people. I just hope your wife and sons never ever see how you conduct yourself on this board or other boards you frequent. Your a little man who seeks security in numbers and a coward who hides behind his keyboard, theirs far more I could throw at you but your so ignorant it would be wasted on you. For gods sake I hope your children dont grow up like you.

yet another rant from sticky BUT STILL HE CANNOT OR REFUSES TO ANSWER THE RELATIVELY SIMPLE QUESTION I PUT TO HIM .... you may ask why that would be, or perhaps just go to the simple explanation that he cannot back his allegations with FACT!

Listening to the radio today about hospitals at near breaking point due to this hot spell. Three points came up, two you would think the norm -

1, Heat stroke

2, Sun burn

3. Yes - Toes being cut off by gardeners.

Looks like the sun is going to folks heads.

cynic
Gf's post is one of the funniest I have ever seen. However, I have always taken the view that to get upset about being insulted, you have to have some respect for the person making the insult.

Please don't mention toes being cut off. It gave me a shiver at the thought of it.

In other words think what you are doing and be careful. Shocking. No more mention of toes.

David Cameron accused of 'weasel words' in Lynton Crosby row

Telegraph.....

David Cameron has refused to say whether he discussed plain cigarette packaging with Lynton Crosby, the Conservative election strategist at the centre of controversy over his links to the tobacco industry.
By Tim Ross, Political Correspondent
7:51PM BST 17 Jul 2013

The Prime Minister faced repeated questioning over the issue as Labour called for an inquiry into whether Mr Crosby's activities breached ministerial standards.

The Tory chairman, Grant Shapps, flatly denied that Mr Crosby had ever even spoken to Mr Cameron about cigarette packaging, but Mr Cameron declined to be so clear when asked about the issue himself.

Mr Crosby, the Australian political consultant, has been hired to advise the Tories on their campaign to win a majority in the 2015 general election.

He masterminded Boris Johnson’s two successful bids for the London Mayoralty and has been credited with sharpening the Conservatives’ focus since he started working for the party nationally in January.

Reports have suggested that Mr Crosby told Mr Cameron to “get the barnacles off the boat” by concentrating on core electoral battlegrounds and abandoning legislation on peripheral and unpopular issues.

However, he is now under scrutiny after it emerged that his company, Crosby Textor, has had clients including the tobacco company, Philip Morris International, which has opposed plans for cigarettes to be sold in plain packages.

The government has now decided to not to introduce a policy on plain cigarette packaging, arguing that there is not enough evidence that such a plan would work.

The Prime Minister insisted he had “never been lobbied” by Mr Crosby on any subject.

But Labour said the careful answer amounted to "weasel words" and claimed Mr Crosby had told Mr Cameron to ditch plain packaging in “a devastating conflict of interest”.

Ed Miliband declared that the Prime Minister could not deny that he “had a conversation with” Mr Crosby about the policy.

The Labour leader wrote to the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, calling on him to investigate whether there had been “a back door breach” of the ministerial code which seeks to prevent conflicts of interest between the government and businesses.

After the clash with Mr Miliband in the Commons, the controversy followed Mr Cameron to Downing Street where he had been holding talks with the Italian Prime Minister, Enrico Letta.

Standing alongside Mr Letta at a press conference in Number 10, Mr Cameron appeared increasingly frustrated at being asked again to give a straight answer on whether he had ever discussed plain packaging with Mr Crosby.

“On the issue of Lynton Crosby, this is a complete red herring which is raised by the Labour Party because they are in political trouble,” Mr Cameron said.

“This is complete nonsense from start to finish.

“As I said, I have never been lobbied by Lynton Crosby about anything. It is not his job to advise on any policies or policy areas. He is paid by the Conservative Party as a campaign adviser.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10186593/David-Cameron-accused-of-weasel-words-in-Lynton-Crosby-row.html

Ed Miliband demands Lynton Crosby 'conflict of interest' inquiry

Ed Miliband accuses Mr Cameron of being in the pocket of "big tobacco"

Ed Miliband is calling for an inquiry into whether lobbyist Lynton Crosby was behind David Cameron's decision to shelve plans for plain cigarette packs.

Labour says Mr Crosby's job advising the Tories on election strategy and his company's work for tobacco giant Philip Morris is a clear conflict of interest.

Mr Miliband has written to cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood to demand an inquiry.

Mr Cameron and senior ministers insist Mr Crosby has no influence on policy.

Labour has seized on Mr Crosby's background as a lobbyist for tobacco companies to portray the prime minister as being in the pocket of big business, with Mr Miliband saying Mr Cameron was the prime minister for "Benson and Hedge funds".

'Smear campaign'

They say this is the most likely explanation for Mr Cameron's apparent change of heart on whether cigarette packs in England and Wales should be stripped of their colourful branding to prevent children from taking up smoking.

Sarah Wollaston enjoys Mr Miliband's 'Benson and Hedge funds' joke
But the Conservatives have accused Labour of a "smear" campaign designed to distract attention from their own difficulties over the influence of the trade unions.

They have also discovered that a former aide to Mr Miliband, James Barge, now works for Philip Morris as corporate affairs manager - and are demanding to know whether he has lobbied shadow ministers.

Mr Cameron says the decision on packaging has been delayed to gather more evidence - exactly as Labour did when it was in power.

Earlier, at Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Miliband asked the prime minister to confirm he had held no discussions with Mr Crosby about plain packaging before making his decision.

Mr Cameron said the Australian spindoctor had "never lobbied me on anything".

Mr Miliband said: "The whole of the country will have heard those same weasel words that you are sticking to. He can't deny that he had a conversation with Lynton Crosby about this issue.

"Even by the standards of this prime minister, this is a disgraceful episode. [Tory MP Sarah Wollaston] described it as a 'day of shame for this government'.

"You are the prime minister for Benson and Hedge funds and you know it. Can't you see that there is a devastating conflict of interest between having your key adviser raking it in from big tobacco and then advising you not to go ahead with plain packaging?"

'Conflict of interest'

Mr Miliband has now written to the UK's top civil servant Sir Jeremy Heywood claiming that if Mr Crosby had been a government employee he would be guilty of breaching the ministerial code, which forbids conflicts of interest.

In his letter, Mr Miliband says Mr Crosby reportedly met David Cameron at his official country residence, Chequers, ahead of the Queen's Speech at which the apparent U-turn on cigarette packaging was announced.

He adds that Mr Crosby has also represented the oil and gas industry and the drinks industry - both areas in which he claims the government has recently shifted position.

The letter says: "In light of these conflicts of interest, I believe it: A) makes sense for you to launch an inquiry to establish public confidence about the activities of Mr Crosby;

"B) provide details of the checks that the Health Secretary said exist to prevent Mr Crosby being involved in areas where he has clients;

"C) set out what steps you are taking to ensure those checks also apply to Mr Crosby's advice to the Prime Minister, given that they clearly have not to date."

At Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Cameron said: "Let me be absolutely clear about this - the decision not to go ahead for the time being is a decision made by me and the health secretary.

"If you don't agree with that decision then you can attack me for making it."

Senior ministers - including Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg - have also been lining up to deny Mr Crosby had any influence on policy discussions.

Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I have never met the guy. I don't know what he looks like. I wouldn't recognise him if I passed him in the street."

It comes as MPs begin a fresh attempt to clean-up the lobbying industry in the wake of a string of cash-for-influence scandals.

The government's lobbying bill will create a register of lobbying agencies, who seek to influence government decision-making on clients' behalf.

The firms would have to publish a full list of their clients, although some campaigners say this will have a limited effect as it only includes "third party" lobbyists, rather than companies, charities and trade unions which lobby directly rather than through lobbying agencies


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23338997

Such bizzare posts.

David Cameron accused of 'weasel words' in Lynton Crosby row

Telegraph.....

David Cameron has refused to say whether he discussed plain cigarette packaging with Lynton Crosby, the Conservative election strategist at the centre of controversy over his links to the tobacco industry.
By Tim Ross, Political Correspondent
7:51PM BST 17 Jul 2013

The Prime Minister faced repeated questioning over the issue as Labour called for an inquiry into whether Mr Crosby's activities breached ministerial standards.

The Tory chairman, Grant Shapps, flatly denied that Mr Crosby had ever even spoken to Mr Cameron about cigarette packaging, but Mr Cameron declined to be so clear when asked about the issue himself.

Mr Crosby, the Australian political consultant, has been hired to advise the Tories on their campaign to win a majority in the 2015 general election.

He masterminded Boris Johnson’s two successful bids for the London Mayoralty and has been credited with sharpening the Conservatives’ focus since he started working for the party nationally in January.

Reports have suggested that Mr Crosby told Mr Cameron to “get the barnacles off the boat” by concentrating on core electoral battlegrounds and abandoning legislation on peripheral and unpopular issues.

However, he is now under scrutiny after it emerged that his company, Crosby Textor, has had clients including the tobacco company, Philip Morris International, which has opposed plans for cigarettes to be sold in plain packages.

The government has now decided to not to introduce a policy on plain cigarette packaging, arguing that there is not enough evidence that such a plan would work.

The Prime Minister insisted he had “never been lobbied” by Mr Crosby on any subject.

But Labour said the careful answer amounted to "weasel words" and claimed Mr Crosby had told Mr Cameron to ditch plain packaging in “a devastating conflict of interest”.

Ed Miliband declared that the Prime Minister could not deny that he “had a conversation with” Mr Crosby about the policy.

The Labour leader wrote to the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Jeremy Heywood, calling on him to investigate whether there had been “a back door breach” of the ministerial code which seeks to prevent conflicts of interest between the government and businesses.

After the clash with Mr Miliband in the Commons, the controversy followed Mr Cameron to Downing Street where he had been holding talks with the Italian Prime Minister, Enrico Letta.

Standing alongside Mr Letta at a press conference in Number 10, Mr Cameron appeared increasingly frustrated at being asked again to give a straight answer on whether he had ever discussed plain packaging with Mr Crosby.

“On the issue of Lynton Crosby, this is a complete red herring which is raised by the Labour Party because they are in political trouble,” Mr Cameron said.

“This is complete nonsense from start to finish.

“As I said, I have never been lobbied by Lynton Crosby about anything. It is not his job to advise on any policies or policy areas. He is paid by the Conservative Party as a campaign adviser.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10186593/David-Cameron-accused-of-weasel-words-in-Lynton-Crosby-row.html

What advantage is there to Cameron to scrap plain packaging on cigarettes? None.

Fuss about nothing.

GF,

Cameron and crew are prepared to sacrifice children and adolescents for his own political gain,

It is B. obvious that advertising increases the uptake or purchasing of a product.

That is why so much money is spent on advertising. That is why the tory party pawn themselves for big business donations.

Cigarettes advertisement aids in the killing and ill-health of another generation.
hj
Selling cigarettes in plain packs but with added health warnings (perhaps with toes being cut off by trimers) would be a useful step to improving the health of the Nation.

Increasing the cost of alcohol being purchased would have the same effect.

Look around at the smaller supermarkets and see how many have reduced the sale area for wines and spirits, since the £pound has been devalued 25%.

The same would happen with beer, cider and alcopops.

Cameron and his henchmen are despicable.

Explaining it for Manuel.

Smoking gun? David Cameron dodges Lynton Crosby cigarette packaging controversy question

Tory strategist’s links to cigarette giant pile pressure on PM after tobacco policy U-turn

Andrew Grice Political Editor
Wednesday 17 July 2013

David Cameron was mired in a deepening controversy last night over allegations that Lynton Crosby, the Conservatives’ election strategist, may have influenced the Government’s policy to help clients of his lobbying company.

The Prime Minister was accused of using “weasel words” after he and his official spokesmen repeatedly refused to answer the question of whether he discussed plans to bring in plain packaging for cigarettes with Mr Crosby, whose company Crosby Textor represents the tobacco giant Philip Morris. The proposal was dropped from the Queen’s Speech in May after Mr Crosby urged ministers to focus on mainstream issues rather than unpopular causes.

The row intensified when the Government formally abandoned a plan previously backed by Mr Cameron to set a minimum unit price for alcohol to combat binge drinking. Crosby Textor also represents a drinks industry body that has campaigned against minimum pricing in his native Australia.

Mr Cameron told the Commons: “He [Mr Crosby] has never lobbied me on anything.” Later he told a press conference: "This is a complete red herring which is raised by the Labour Party because it is in political trouble….with its relationship with the trade unions.”

The Prime Minister said the decision not to go ahead with plain packaging for cigarettes was taken by him and Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, “for the very simple reason that there is not yet sufficient evidence for it and there's considerable legal uncertainty about it.”

But Labour seized on Mr Cameron’s refusal to go as far as Cabinet colleagues. Grant Shapps, the Tory chairman, said: "He [Mr Crosby] is employed by the Conservative Party, he advises us on campaigning, he has absolutely nothing to do with the policy side of things. He doesn't advise us on policy. We don't have conversations with him about it." Mr Hunt suggested that Mr Crosby never advised Mr Cameron on public health “because his company has clients in that area.”

Ed Miliband wrote to Sir Jeremy Heywood, the Cabinet Secretary, asking him to investigate a possible breach of the ministerial code of conduct. This says ministers must “not become associated with non-public organisations whose objectives may in any degree conflict with government policy and thus give rise to a conflict of interest.”

The Labour leader said: “Had Mr Crosby been a government employee there would have been very strict rules to prevent that conflict taking place. Because he is formally an employee of the Conservative Party, while clearly advising on government business and regularly visiting Downing Street, we have been left with what is in effect a back door breach of the ministerial code.”

Mr Miliband said the conflict of interests was not limited to tobacco. He referred to The Independent’s disclosure on Monday that Crosby Textor, represents the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, an oil and gas lobby group campaigning aggressively for fracking.

The controversy overshadowed the publication of the Government’s long-delayed Bill to set up a register of lobbyists paid to lobby on behalf of a third party. Although intended to clean up politics after a series of scandals, Labour was quick to table amendments, claiming that a loophole would allow Crosby Textor not to join the list or name its clients. The Bill appears to cover direct communications in meetings, emails or phone calls between lobbyists and ministers and their permanent secretaries but not lobbying firms who set up meetings with their clients through other avenues such as ministers’ special advisers.

Labour’s amendments would force all professional lobbyists working in the UK to declare their full list of clients on a statutory register and the approximate value of such work; ensure the list includes people working for a governing party as well as the Government and avoid conflicts of interest.

Tory MP Sarah Wollaston, who is also a GP, was "very disappointed" by the decision to drop a minimum alcohol price and plain packaging for tobacco. “I think actually what the public are really worried about is the parasitical influence that we get from hidden lobbying." She added: “I would like, for example, to know who else is paying for Mr Crosby’s services. The public have a right to know, I want to know, who else is paying for people's services when they have such an influential position with senior politicians."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/smoking-gun-david-cameron-dodges-lynton-crosby-cigarette-packaging-controversy-question-8713969.html

Is he referring to the gents at Lord's today.

Shouldn't they be drinking less and working harder.

Perhaps, he has be effected, like hays seems to be, by the Crosby influence.

Mind I think he and Manuel think his first name is Bing.