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.

The polls are indicating UKIP in third place in the EU elections in May.

Last nights results suggest otherwise.

Whats with the postal vote problem?




Wythenshawe byelection: Cameron denies Ukip success

PM says second place result for Ukip is not the breakthrough the party had hoped for as Labour cruises to victory


Rowena Mason


theguardian.com, Friday 14 February 2014 09.39 GMT


http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/feb/14/wythenshawe-byelection-cameron-denies-ukip-breakthrough

UKIP got just 11% of the vote. That is worse than their normal polling figures.

it's ok to try and make a positive out of a disaster Haystack, but even you cant polish the turd that was this result.

British retailers have reported a rise in the sale of Wellington Boots, waterproof mascara and wet weather wear as the country faces another week of storms and floods.


John Lewis's rain accessories category was up 65pc last week, with hats, cagoules and ponchos proving particularly popular amongst shoppers. Glove purchases at the department store increased 59pc, and buyers snapped up 192pc more knitted women's accessories than in the same week last year.


Sales of wellies were up 252pc at Debenhams, and John Lewis reported a 146pc increase for Hunter Boots; the brand recently worn by Philip Hammond, Defence Secretary, on a visit to Wraysbury.


A long list of politicians have been photographed wearing wellies this month while viewing affected areas, in what has been labelled "flood tourism" by Conservative MP Alok Sharma.


Umbrella sales have doubled at Argos since December, while Debenhams reported a 67pc lift. At John Lewis, purchases of the wet weather essential jumped up by 138pc.



Amanda Scott, head of buying for women's accessories at the department store, said that the bad weather has had a strong impact on their online sales.

"The product sales are partly based on survival, and partly on functional requirements for products to cope in the wet weather which people didn't think they would necessarily need to buy," she said.

"It's been so damn depressing that I think people have been uplifting themselves with a bit of shopping, mainly through online because they have not been getting out and about."

Waterproof mascara has shown a "noticeable" sales increase during the last month, according to a John Lewis spokesman.

However, footwear retailer Schuh said that the recent bad weather has had no effect on sales of Wellington Boots in their shops.

Curry's and PC World announced yesterday that they plan to give kettles, toasters and fridges to flood victims staying in emergency centres.

Sebastian James, chief executive at Dixons Retail, said that the companies will also provide free delivery and installation for large electrical replacements "as and when the big clean-up begins".

A Sainsbury's spokesman said that staff members are delivering essentials, such as bottled water and warm clothes in affected communities. The supermarket has also released emergency funds for stores to provide local support.

There was an interesting comment from a UKIP spokesman on the daily politics show just now. He was asked about success in the EU election. He said he expected around 20 seats. There are 78 UK MEPs. That mean's UKIP getting around 25% of the vote. That puts them probably in 3rd place.

Stop telling porkies Hays and more so manipulating figures.

We can all do that but we respect fellow posters.

There was only a 28% turnout in the by election, so it is pretty meaningless.

it's the 28% t/o that's scary, albeit that the weather is vile and the result (winner) a foregone conclusion

I agree cynic, it's the 28% that sends out the biggest message.

Yep but as Hays often says its the trend that counts, and the trend is for labour.

Look you cant have it both ways.

In fact Cyners think about 10 years from now and the traditional Tory pensioner voter will be wiped out. Obviously natural causes.

What are the Tories going to do???????????

Most young middle class vote labour. And thats a fact. (if I can find the memo)

Doodles is right, I dont often support him but its normally the government of the day that leads to frustration with MPs.

Lets face it a Camels bum as got more appeal than the present Tory party.

And what do you have a against camels bums gf?

Well Id rather have a Cows bum.

And that way I know im staying hetro. (nothing against gays by the way)

Hays I saw this and immediatly thought of you.........

Register for a Complimentary Investing Workshop

http://www.tradingacademy.com/marketing/ptw.aspx?CampaignID=70140000000p3ZR&CampaignCode=ZLAP362J018&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ota-london&utm_campaign=2014-01&utm_content=d20

Right off down the pub, well the only pub here these day,...........tories cuts again.

Just wondering if the 2 cats will follow me, they dont like rain, mind I havent been out for a while so they will be thirsty.

Hoping her indoors as some munch ready when I return.

Next week guys, see yer.

The real trend at the by election was Liberals down 17% and UKIP up 14%