UK General Discussion

[minionofmidas]

You know, other than the circumstances of his initial election, there's nothing interesting to say about Beith. I bet his favourite colour is beige.

He won three elections by narrow margins within a year in 73-4. That's got to count.

No, seriously. Beige can be pretty.

[minionofmidas]

I of course want him to stay as leader. You can probably guess why.

Because David Cameron can't win on his own merit?

Because it means Tory policies will remain in place no matter who wins the election.

[minionofmidas]

So what's Labour's position here? No one much bothers reporting anything beyond the rumor mill out of Washington, really.

[minionofmidas]

A distinction being drawn between "Assad" and "somebody on what's usually (and broadly accurately) seen as his side"? Or is this really about "UN" (read, Chinese and Russian) aquiescence?

[minionofmidas]

Blair poisoned the well. It took is a generation to get over Suez and it will take the same to get over Iraq. The public don't trust politicians, don't trust intervention and worst of all don't trust intelligence services.

Wtf? The worst thing that can be truthfully said about the British people, or indeed any people, is that they broadly trust their intelligence services.

[minionofmidas]

Evans has been charged with rape (and some other offences). 

Don't be so coy; list them.

[minionofmidas]

They've a good chance at knocking the accidental LibDem incumbent into third in Norwich South, but Labour will gain the seat.

Third would be vaguely impressive. Fifth is not exactly out of the question.

[minionofmidas]

You get a gazillion points if you can spot someone who isn't white.

You're a racist.

[minionofmidas]

Sir Menzies Campbell, who looks considerably older than his seventy two years, is to retire at the next election. He's held N.E. Fife since 1987 and was once the leader of the LibDems for about five seconds.

The only stalwarts that might help the Lib Dems retain seats seem to be retiring (Malcolm Bruce etc)

A quick check suggests the only Lib Dem MPs elected before 1992 who have not announced their retirements are Charles Kennedy and Simon Hughes. 

Both of whom seem more likely to defect than to retire... or be defeated.

[minionofmidas]

Tory selection procedures are weird, but it's probably fair to say that Tim Yeo (MP for South Suffolk since 1983) has been half-deselected.

Details?

[minionofmidas]

Paul Goggins, the Labour MP for Wythenshawe in Manchester since 1997, has died at the age of 60. He collapsed while out running a week ago.

Again?

Why, has he been dead before?

[minionofmidas]

I would assume the average age of MPs, and especially the percentage of MPs to be really elderly, has decreased since the 70s, while life expectancy has continued to creep up slowly.

[minionofmidas]

I would assume the average age of MPs, and especially the percentage of MPs to be really elderly, has decreased since the 70s, while life expectancy has continued to creep up slowly.

And there have also been, how shall we say, certain... alcohol related lifestyle changes.

Even in parliament? You mean to say Eric Joyce is nowadays an exception when back in the day, conduct like his would never have gotten in the media as it happened every day?