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.

From the 'Boris Johnson column' in today's Telegraph:

at Boris Johnson: Budget 2014 -The Lamborghini ride that says power to the people

People are being extra cruel about Ed Miliband, and saying the reason he was so hopeless in his Budget response was that he didn’t really grasp what was being announced. That is allegedly why he flapped and frothed like a hyperventilating goldfish.

He didn’t understand what this “annuity” business was – and so he went into his stock rant about which schools everyone used to attend, and which university clubs they belonged to (a bit much, when you consider that both he (Ed Miliband) and I were at the same prestigious forcing-ground of talent that was Primrose Hill Primary School, Camden; or when you consider that Ed Balls himself was a member of an Oxford drinking club so egregious that he once appeared in Nazi uniform). He was flannelling, they say, out of ignorance and desperation.

How is your Auntie gf?

‘Etonians,’ said Fraser, ‘are the ultimate pragmatists, totally free of any ideology. Other than the means of getting and gaining power, no conspicuous motives inspire them. It’s not clear that Etonian politicians really believe in much except themselves.’


I think when one examines the ramifications of the "budget" changes in "pensions and Annuities" and the possible machinations encompassed within the propose changes, then the first paragraph applies.

Some changes were necessary, but not done in a rushed attempt to buy votes and cringing tory voters and UKIP camp followers.

The long term changes of this policy will be interesting to observe, but they will please the greed of the short sighted, but not necessarily satisfy it.

One object in the water is orange. Would it be suspicious if it was a life raft and the only occupant was the pilot, especially if he had no memory of what happened?

Mmmm!!!!!!!!!!

Lets move the discussion away from Old Etonians and Noo Labour Princes unto the inexplicable eh Haystack?

3m recovering thanks for asking. It wasnt as bad as first thought but she will have to stay in hospital for another few days.

electionista ‏@electionista
Two UK polls out tonight:

YouGov: CON 36%, LAB 38%, LDEM 10%, UKIP 10%

ComRes: CON 31%, LAB 36%, LDEM 9%, UKIP 11%

UKippers giving tories back some % points, mind nigel could get them all back with his dual with cleggy.

some or even much of ukip's appeal is dissipated if a referendum really is seen as a certainty with the tories

there will also be a good slab of tory "deserters" who will return to that party once they recognise that a vote for ukip could let labour into power through the back door

labour "deserters" may not be so easy to entice back, as labour has categorically refused even a thought of a referendum

as would be expected, the polls are starting to tighten up

That's if any of the punters choose to believe "Honest Dave's" promises.

As for the other eejit millibum, who can take him at face value?


Funny enough, the only one of the big three who can hold his head up is Cleggy, he makes no bones about where he stands on €uropa.

LOL dont be silly.

Cynic i thought youd have seen through Ozzies political budget.

The new pensions regulation was set up for obviously appeal to older voters, the type UKIP have nabbed from the Tories.

When the newness wears off they will be back with Nigel, you mark my words.

And Tories wont be offering referendum in 2017 as they wont be in power.

You also say........" labour has categorically refused even a thought of a referendum"....ends

well thats wrong they will have a referendum if conditions inside dont markedly get better after negotiations.

Both the Eds have mentioned this plus Danny Alexander and Tessa Jowel on SKY News.

sticky - if the tories are not in power, then of course there'll be no referendum, but that is why i think a slab of ukip's current tory (but not labour) supporters will revert to type

as to the budget, it would seem to have been very well received, and even labour think the complete shake-up of the pension system is a "good thing", albeit that the devil will be in the detail

however, i do concur with you that the most important aspect of voting intentions will be whether or not people see at least some improvement in their take-home pay, which eventually means in their standard of living
that is somewhat in the lap of the gods - plus of course a bit of political smoke and mirrors

em surely came out loud and clear and said uthat nless there is a marked shift of further powers to brussels, there will be NO referendum - i.e. labour will NOT give a referendum

for myself, i want to be able to make a considered choice (aka referendum), and confess to currently being a distinct waverer on the issue

i'ld now be rather pleased if this thread reverted to being far more widespread in its discussions instead of the monopoly of tiresome and incessant soapbox politics

Tories biggest threat is not UKIP but an interest rate rise later this year. And one in the spring.

Its nearer than you think.

In fact its the biggest turn off for anyone wanting to take power from the next election imo.

Oh come on, this don't want power cos it's all going to blow up thing is tripe.

Any of the politicians would sell their souls for a chance to be maximum leader.

interest rate rise this year? ...... i would have thought the odds are against it, and even if there is one, another will not follow before the election

Well have you thought what this recovery is built upon.........cheap money and a consumer recovery. A recovery built on sand. (just what got us in the mess in the first place)


Just look at exports, infarastructure spending and construction spending, way down on 2010.

Just a few quid per month will hurt these youngsters who have taken on thease cheap mortgage deals.

I wouldnt underestimate the consequences of rate rises on them and the economy.

Dont forget if we go from a .5% increase to 1% in a year thats a 100% increase in interest they will have to pay back. Think they can afford it or anywhere near like that??.