UK General Discussion

[You kip if you want to...]

Lovely ICM poll this month for EdM.

Lab 38 (nc)
Con 30 (-4)
LD 13 (+1)
UKIP 10 (+2)

Preferred Prime Minister:
Cameron 32
Miliband 27
Farage 13
Clegg 8

[Goodwin]

Preferred Prime Minister:
Cameron 32
Miliband 27
Farage 13
Clegg 8

Jesus.

Meanwhile back on Monday night, our glorious leader, dressed in a tuxedo surrounded by shiny gold things, spoke about having permanent austerity. Remember We're all in this together.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/11/12/david-cameron-austerity_n_4258733.html

[Silent Hunter]

But not permanent records of speeches...

I can imagine the Labour members' email now.

[Leftbehind]

I see the BBC is treating us to more blatantly biased (and equally sh**t) documentaries from Dominic Sandbrook.

[Cassius]

I see the BBC is treating us to more blatantly biased (and equally sh**t) documentaries from Dominic Sandbrook.

What didn't you like about it. The astonishing revelation that the Soviet Union was no paradise. That spies are traitors?

Even if it is 'biased', all its doing is evening out the rather weighty bias towards the left that exists on the BBC.

[Supersonic]

I see the BBC is treating us to more blatantly biased (and equally sh**t) documentaries from Dominic Sandbrook.

I thought the one on the 1970s was pretty good.

Though, the general rule is if I like something, then you shouldn't.

[Leftbehind]

I see the BBC is treating us to more blatantly biased (and equally sh**t) documentaries from Dominic Sandbrook.

I thought the one on the 1970s was pretty good.

Though, the general rule is if I like something, then you shouldn't.

It was exactly what you'd expect from someone who'd (subsequently) write this, with absolutely nothing done to disguise its tone. Having never heard of him, I went in with an open mind and found it wasn't long before I was sure he was a Telegraph columnist: turns out it's worse.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I didn't bother to watch it as I have an exceedingly low opinion of Dominic Sandbrook (not because of his politics, but because he's a lousy historian. And acted as a consultant to the godawful White Heat last year. For that he will surely burn in Hell). What sort of stuff did he argue?

[Tetro Kornbluth]

I consider Sandbrook more an entertainer who deals in historical facts than an historian.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I consider Sandbrook more an entertainer who deals in historical facts than an historian.

Though he's often a little fuzzy on those 'facts'.

[Tetro Kornbluth]

I consider Sandbrook more an entertainer who deals in historical facts than an historian.

Though he's often a little fuzzy on those 'facts'.

'Deals in' is a term with many wide applications.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Bizarre interview: http://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/nov/15/iceland-boss-malcolm-walker-interview

[Leftbehind]

I love how his paying his workers more than the rock-bottom service-sector average has convinced the media he must be a profit-shunning, philanthropist.

[YL]

The media (especially certain parts of it) have been fussing a bit about Roma immigration to Sheffield from Slovakia, partly prompted by some not very well-advised comments by David Blunkett (whose constituency contains the Page Hall area, where a lot of Roma people have settled) and Nick Clegg.

Anyway, there's a reasonably level-headed article in today's Observer on the subject.

[afleitch]

Religion in Scotland 2011 by Holyrood constituency

[DC Al Fine]

Is there any reason for the large difference between Orkney and Shetland?

[afleitch]

Is there any reason for the large difference between Orkney and Shetland?

Just very different economies; Shetlands is more skilled; increasingly oil based.

[afleitch]

Gay marriage at the 1st reading in the Scottish Parliament. Labour's Elaine Smith leading the 'No' charge with one of the most nonsensical arguments I have ever heard. Ruth Davidson and Marco Biaggi making great speeches. Green MSP Patrick Harvie talking now.

[afleitch]

Gay marriage at the 1st reading in the Scottish Parliament. Labour's Elaine Smith leading the 'No' charge with one of the most nonsensical arguments I have ever heard. Ruth Davidson and Marco Biaggi making great speeches. Green MSP Patrick Harvie talking now.

He knocks it out of the park. As does Labour's Elaine Murray.

[afleitch]

Vote coming up

[afleitch]

Aye 98
Naw 15
Abstentions 5
Not Present 10
Vacant 1

[bore]

Good.

[Hifly]

Kudos to Elaine Smith for voting in the appropriate manner considering the make-up of her constituency and probably also her CLP.

[afleitch]

Kudos to Elaine Smith for voting in the appropriate manner considering the make-up of her constituency and probably also her CLP.

Given that the Social Attitudes Survey suggest support at 55% amongst Scottish Catholics (and in some polls higher; i'm intentionally being modest here) I was brought up in one of the most Catholic towns in Scotland and can assure you she's not really got her finger on the pulse.

[afleitch]

Anyway; here are the No's

Allan, Dr Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) (SNP)
Brown, Gavin (Lothian) (Con)
Cunningham, Roseanna (Perthshire South and Kinross-shire) (SNP)
Don, Nigel (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP)
Ewing, Fergus (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP)
Fergusson, Alex (Galloway and West Dumfries) (Con)
Fraser, Murdo (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Johnstone, Alex (North East Scotland) (Con)
Lyle, Richard (Central Scotland) (SNP)
Mason, John (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
McGrigor, Jamie (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Milne, Nanette (North East Scotland) (Con)
Mitchell, Margaret (Central Scotland) (Con)
Smith, Elaine (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab)
Smith, Liz (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)

And the abstainers

Brodie, Chic (South Scotland) (SNP)
MacDonald, Angus (Falkirk East) (SNP)
Malik, Hanzala (Glasgow) (Lab)
McMahon, Michael (Uddingston and Bellshill) (Lab)
McMahon, Siobhan (Central Scotland) (Lab)