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.

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.

Mail Online....


PM's new fixer in racist rant at Muslims: Foul-mouthed abuse by campaign chief revealed as he lands top Tory postLynton Crosby used the phrase 'f****** Muslims' in diatribe while working for London Mayor Boris Johnson

Crosby has been chosen to head the Election campaign of David Cameron
Accused of telling Johnson party should forget wooing ethnic minority vote in London Mayoral Election

The Australian said he had 'absolutely no recollection' of using the term
Johnson urges PM not to reverse his decision calling Crosby 'soul of kindness and sweetness'
Allegations come days after Tory chiefs secret £200,000 deal to give Crosby charge of Election campaign
By Simon Walters
PUBLISHED: 22:31, 17 November 2012 | UPDATED: 16:49, 18 November 2012


The man David Cameron has picked to head his Election campaign once launched a foul-mouthed rant against Muslims.
Outspoken Australian ‘fixer’ Lynton Crosby used the phrase ‘f****** Muslims’ in a diatribe while working for London Mayor Boris Johnson.
But No 10 officials said the Prime Minister has no intention of changing his mind about appointing the strategist, despite the new revelations.



Mr Crosby’s outburst came earlier this year as Mr Johnson’s aides discussed whether to devote more attention to wooing the ethnic minority vote in his battle with Labour’s Ken Livingstone.
According to a source, Mr Crosby said Mr Johnson should concentrate on traditional Tory voters instead of ‘f****** Muslims’. The source added: ‘He definitely used that phrase’ and said: ‘Lynton’s view was that chasing the Muslim vote and other ethnic groups was a waste of time – and he frequently expressed himself in very strong terms. Some people found it very offensive.’
In a statement last night a spokesman for Mr Crosby said he had ‘absolutely no recollection’ of using the term.
His allies claimed Mr Crosby was the victim of a dirty tricks plot by Tory enemies to stop him taking charge of campaigns at Conservative HQ.


The spokesman said: ‘It is entirely mischievous to suggest Lynton is racist in any way. He campaigned vigorously for the Muslim vote during the Mayoral race. He has absolutely no recollection whatsoever of making these comments.’
Asked repeatedly if Mr Crosby had uttered the words ‘f****** Muslims’, the spokesman said: ‘As I have said, he has no recollection of doing so.’
It is not the first time Mr Crosby, 55, has been involved in a sensitive row over campaign strategy.
The Australian objected to the way Mr Johnson ordered adverts to be removed from London buses which stated that gays could be converted to heterosexuality. Sources close to Mr Crosby denied he was opposed to the adverts being taken down – but said he objected to the way the Mayor briefed newspapers without discussing it with him first. The sources said it was totally untrue and an ‘outrageous lie’ to suggest Mr Crosby is either anti-gay or racist.
Mr Johnson last night said he had ‘no recollection’ of being present when Mr Crosby made his ‘f****** Muslims’ comment. He said his election chief was ‘the soul of sweetness and kindness’.


And the Mayor urged Mr Cameron not to reverse his decision to put Mr Crosby in charge of his election campaign.
Mr Johnson said: ‘Lynton Crosby is the soul of kindness and sweetness and is not the reactionary caricature some have painted him to be. He is the best campaign manager anyone can hope for and I congratulate Conservative HQ for securing his services.’
A spokesman for the Mayor added: ‘Boris wants it known that Lynton is not the ogre some make him out to be.’
Asked to confirm the Mayor was present when Mr Crosby referred to ‘f****** Muslims’, the spokesman said: ‘The Mayor has no recollection of the alleged conversation. The Mayor would recognise that there were debates over the direction of strategy. What he would not recognise is any suggestion of abusive or offensive language directed at any particular group of voters from any member of his campaign staff.’
The damaging disclosure comes days after Tory chiefs secretly put the finishing touches to a deal whereby Mr Crosby and his Crosby-Textor political polling company will take charge of the next Tory Election campaign from January. The deal, said to be worth £200,000 a year was due to be announced in the next few days.

Success: Crosby helped John Howard, pictured, win the Australian election in 1996 when he served as Liberal party campaign director
Blunt-talking Mr Crosby, has been called ‘the Wizard of Oz’ because of his legendary success in political campaigns, including winning four terms for former Australian PM John Howard. His supporters have called him one of the most brilliant political strategists of his generation.
Tim Montgomerie, editor of Conservative Home, wrote that the Tory Party ‘needs him and needs him desperately. He will bring discipline, clarity and the toughness to the Tory operation that, at present, is so sorely lacking’.
But Mr Crosby has powerful enemies in the Party. Some Tory MPs and No 10 advisers believe his advocacy of populist policies, and in particular his views on immigration, could lose votes.
Tory Deputy Chairman, Lord Ashcroft took the unusual step of publicly warning Mr Cameron not to sign up Mr Crosby.
The peer said last month: ‘I believe it would be a mistake to hire Lynton Crosby. Not because it would lead to a re-run of the immigration-dominated 2005 campaign but because I do not think he is needed and would become a distracting influence.
‘Far from ensuring a single strong manager, this is a recipe for the kind of conflict and confusion that dogged the 2010 campaign and helped cost us the majority we could have won.’ Some insiders have suggested Mr Crosby’s arrival marks a demotion for Mr Cameron’s campaigns chief, Stephen Gilbert, a close confidant of Lord Ashcroft.
Nor is Mr Crosby’s appointment approved by all of Mr Cameron’s advisers. Head of strategy Andrew Cooper, who played a key role in Mr Cameron’s ‘modernising’ of the Tory Party away from its Thatcherite image, is said to have voiced doubts – but he has denied threatening to quit over the hiring of Mr Crosby.
A source who has worked with Mr Crosby said: ‘Lynton’s problem is that he only has one club in his golf bag. He goes on and on about immigration but there is much more to getting Conservatives re-elected in 2015 than that.
‘Mitt Romney’s defeat shows that a Right-of-centre party cannot win in the modern world by appealing to core voters only. You have to reach out to all groups.’
An ally of Mr Johnson said: ‘Boris was not always comfortable when Lynton talked about ethnic issues.’
Mr Cameron is believed to have sought assurances from Mr Crosby that he will not push the Tories back to the Right if he takes charge of campaigns.
Mr Crosby’s most vocal Cabinet supporter is George Osborne.
The Chancellor previously persuaded Mr Cameron to appoint former News of the World editor Andy Coulson as his spin doctor – but Mr Coulson was later forced to resign over the phone-hacking scandal.


If Lynton Crosby is known for one thing, it is winning elections for Right-wing political leaders by ruthlessly playing the immigration card.

Mr Crosby, known as the ‘attack dingo’, has become synonymous with ‘dog whistle politics’ – the repeated use of coded language which plays to the worst fears of certain voters.

The term entered the political lexicon when Mr Crosby, running the Tories’ 2005 General Election campaign for leader Michael Howard, is responsible for the slogan: ‘Are you thinking what we’re thinking?’

He deployed messages such as ‘It’s not racist to impose limits on immigration’ and ‘How would you feel if a bloke on early release attacked your daughter?’ on posters and mailshots.

Although the tactic failed to prevent a third term for Tony Blair, many Tories believe it helped limit Labour’s majority and provided the platform for revival under David Cameron.
As a result, he retains a loyal fan base in the party.

Born in 1957 in Kadina, South Australia, the economics graduate soon discovered he had a flair for advising parties on election-winning strategies.

Infamously, he was associated with claims in the 2001 Australian general election that asylum seekers had thrown children into the sea.

Witty, foul-mouthed and a workaholic, ‘the Wizard of Oz’ is blunt to his political masters.

In the 2008 London Mayoral campaign he told Boris Johnson: ‘If you let us down we will cut your f****** knees off.’

The Mayor of London has little doubt about Mr Crosby’s abilities. This month he told Tory backbenchers they should ‘break the piggybank’ to hire him and give him a ‘free hand’ to take control of campaigning.

Those close to Mr Crosby are not offended by his plain speaking – and say it is all part of his charismatic personal style.
.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2234565/Lynton-Crosby-Foul-mouthed-abuse-campaign-chief-revealed-lands-Tory-post.html#ixzz2ZNoE6qNP
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http://www.moneyam.com/InvestorsRoom/posts.php?tid=17453#lastread

Ipsos MORI/Standard – CON 29, LAB 40, LD 10, UKIP 12
17 Jul 2013

Ipsos MORI’s monthly poll for the Evening Standard is now out, and has topline figures of CON 29% (-2), LAB 40% (+5), LDEM 10% (nc), UKIP 12% (n/c). Whereas ICM showed a big swing back to the Conservatives on Monday, MORI show a big swing back to Labour today… I think it only serves to underline how polls are always at the mercy of normal random error, and how we really shouldn’t get too het up about individual polls. Watch the trends, watch the averages.

Latest UNS Projection LABOUR MAJORITY 84