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.

For Manuel and Haze.

So it's 'Goodbye' to, who was it again? Oh yes, it was 'Paxman' on the BBC.

After a short holiday break of perhaps a month, I expect it will then be 'Hello, Paxman'.

Will it be on Sky? (my £5)
On Channel 4?
On ITV? (Nah)

Watched News Night last night.

Paxman's interview of Mandelson was an interesting insight.

Personally, I am very happy to have Ed Miliband as leader of Labour

Ed Miliband's leadership is under increasing pressure after a slew of negative polls and comments from former New Labour stalwarts.

The Labour leader's popularity is now at its lowest, behind even Nick Clegg, who was previously seen as the barometer of unpopularity.

A YouGov poll on Thursday found that 60% of voters think Mr Miliband is not up to the job of prime minister - of those 43% were Labour voters.

The survey for Prospect magazine also found more people thought Mr Miliband's brother, David, would make a better premier.

An IPSOS Mori poll for the Evening Standard yesterday found 49% of voters thought Mr Miliband should be replaced.

Former cabinet minister Lord Mandelson failed to back Mr Miliband firmly saying he was the "leader we have".

Alan Johnson, former home secretary, further highlighted Mr Miliband's unpopularity by saying the Labour leader was not a hit on the doorstep.

On Newsnight last night, Lord Mandleson was at pains to say 'There is one year left for Miliband/New Labour to put things right.'

Exec,

Would you expect Hazy to be non-partisan, or give reliable information.


He needs to put more salt with it.

But, at the moment Miliband has work to do and so do his colleagues.

But the mess, which is being left by the tory coalition, it is difficult to put an appealing gloss on future necessary policies!

Isn't it nice to be a critic rather than have the job!

Hays Hays Hays........you just cant etch out that final 4% can you even tho Milliband is way back behind Fibbing Dave...............that in itself speaks volumes. Get ready for an attck on your assets........... just remember 10 months to go now.

electionista @electionista · Jun 18
UK - Ipsos MORI poll:

CON 31%
LAB 34%
LD 8%
UKIP 14%

just back from the Fatherland, so perhaps someone can tell me if i have misread something .....

seemingly EM effectively says that there will be no youth unemployment benefit if, inter alia, the claimant does not "already have the skills to get a job" though there is an escape if the potential claimant agrees to undergo training up to A/S level

that's all very well except there are HUGE numbers of youngsters who, having left school, are barely literate (or less) and have no chance of getting even decent GCE results, let alone A/S

what happens to them?

I'm beginning to see what you guys mean about 'Hazy one'.

Not one to lose ANY argument is he? When it gets to the nub, he just ducks or side steps the question/topic.

LAB 34%
CON 31%

Means 'LAB' are currently in front by 3%.

As a voter, this could directly translate into:

'LAB', as in Gordon Brown(retired)'s party (wot saved my Icelandic funds for me).

'CON', as in David Cameron's/George Osborne's party (wot are presently giving me a bit of a financial stuffing, what with this, that and the other).

Who will win? :-)

It's just another wizard wheeze and a way of getting the young-uns off the books c, make the figs look better.

No doubt they will collect £££ via another route.

ah, so you reckon i read it correctly too ..... what an imbecilic statement to make then!

if labour do somehow get to power, and that is very far from certain, it will be very much despite that idiot EM ..... mind you, not much complimentary one can say about DC either

Doc,

You're discounting the shift of UKIPpers to Tory that will happen once (a) UKIP get smeared and exposed as a bunch of racists and bigots, and (b) Joe Public smells the coffee and realises that a UKIP vote is a wasted vote when it comes to an EU referendum because, even with 14% of the public vote nationally, they ain't got a hope of getting any seats in the next parliament.

So, when your Hazy friend says 'there's still a year to go', he's right on the money because there's a lot that can and almost certainly will happen in that time. Also, in Westminster circles, it's pretty much a given already that the Tories will get the most seats - it's just a matter of debate as to whether they'll get an overall majority.

Wot we need is Boris. That would make it really massive fun.

I think we would all go along with whatever he wanted, provided he told us about it whilst riding on his bike.

LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL


Hilary obviously doesnt track Lord Ashcrofts marginal seats.

Amateur.

AND

UKIP will hold their support.

pity because labour would have a more convincing win come GE day.

Have to agee with Cynic over this A level/benefits thingy.

God knows whose thought that one up,.......................... totaly assholic idea.

I will be having a strong word with Racheal Reeves this weekend.

You're right, Fishfinger, I don't track Lord Ashcroft's marginal seats - I've got a life! Have you ever thought of getting out a bit more?

Btw, I noticed your reference to a DNA test of your pubes the other day. Gotta say that I was a bit surprised you don't go in for a bit of manscaping downstairs. Or has metrosexuality not reached 'olmfirth yet?

hilary - it's not nearly as straight-forward or clear-cut as you, sticky and hays like to make out

labour voters
many will have voted for ukip because labour has no interest at all in renegotiating anything with brussels

it is therefore questionable how many of them will return to the fold, given the clear unelectibility of EM in his own right, added to which, you get inane statements from EM about youth unemployemt benefit today, and pretty much a zero stance or pronouncement (i think) on immigration



tory voters
many are rightly cheesed off with the namby-pamby efforts or non-delivery of assorted measures and the general shambles in various quarters - e.g. passports

however, the tories are the only party to offer a referendum on europe, however much the usual suspects here like to rubbish that

whether or not the tories can deliver at all on the promised immigration control and/or their rights to benefits or similar is also very questionable

at the end of the day, there is a fair likelihood that many who voted ukip will return to the tories in GE, as the fear of allowing labour back into power will have registered firmly


ukip voters
it has to be a racing certainty that NF will be elected as an MP as he portrays himself excellently - rather as Boris does!

however, it is unclear how many votes others will garner and in what proportion to each party - that is to say, in the marginals, which is where it will matter most

does ukip have properly formulated and costed policies?
not obviously so

nevertheless, as a populist maverick alternative, the votes gathered by ukip pose a danger to both the other serious parties - sorry, but i think lib/dems will be almost obliterated

Very difficult gardening down there when you have a 12 inch tool Hilary.

I will mention it though to her indoors.

Very good idea.

Cynic you dont half come out with some carp.

Cyners,

It is actually very straightforward and there's no point in complicating things any further than needs be.

The problem the Tories have, however, is that Cameron comes across as a two-faced slimeball, and the public rightly feel disillusioned with mainstream politics as a result. He should have walked the last election and, when he didn't, he should have gone straight back to the public who, I'm sure, would have put him into office with an overall majority at the second attempt. There would then be none of this fannying around that we're seeing now.