david_carnell

So let me get this right - you chaps all want commitment politicians who have ideological convictions, stick to them and offer bold, radical but pragmatic policies, that are popular (have to get elected) but not populist (spit), that help abate working class grievances and still go down well in East Dulwich? Yeah. Good luck with that.

But all that is easy to say but it doesn't actually get you elected. Too many voters DO vote with those who pander to their views and fears. Have you just seen what happened in Clacton? That's not twelve thousand people thinking rationally. My point was that Miliband could be bold, left-wing and populist all at the same time. I'm not necessarily saying any or all of those policies would be "successful".

None of these policies encourage xenophobia I s'pose! So....what's your solution?

Loz I'm not giving any of those things a value or merit. I'm just saying it's what the majority want according to polling. It's also stuff that would sit well among the Labour party activists and the heartland voters who are deserting in their droves to UKIP if last night is anything to go by. Miliband's current strategy isn't working. I'm presenting options that I believe would increase his support and be popular in the country at large. Sadly they weren't aimed at you ;-)

???? Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Income Tax...you sure? Yes, positive. According to polling by YouGov a decent majority (56%) of the public support introducing a 75% tax rate on anyone earning more than a million. Only 31% who oppose it. And when YouGov asked people at what income level they would like high taxes on the rich to start, the median answer was ?100,000. > plus Labour haven't been quiet on Zero_hour > Contarcts or Minimum wage (were you watching their > conference??) Yeah, I watched it. And what I gathered is that the minimum wage would go up a bit. By 2020 when inflation will have wiped out it's use. Thanks. And zero-hours contracts? It's worth noting that Labour's policy doesn't just stop short of the outright ban that some in the party, such as Andy Burnham, would like to see, but actually represents a watered down version of previous proposals. Back in September, when Miliband addressed the TUC conference, Labour briefed that anyone working for a single employer for more than 12 weeks on a zero-hours contract would be given the automatic right to a full-time contract based on the average time worked over that period. Yet that period has now been extended to 12 months. In other words, workers will now need to wait four times as long for fair treatment. (An additional problem is that employers will simply dismiss workers ahead of the deadline before later rehiring them.) > But those are 'micro' issues the biggest ones are > defeceit (ooops, forgot that one David M...and C:) > ); overall management of the economy and > Immigration and a bit further down the list the > NHS. Labour only doing well on one of them. I'll ignore the economy for now ;-) You think immigration is higher on the agenda that cost of living. No way. People want food in their bellies and warm houses. They couldn't care less if the guy picking cabbages is from Lithuania. Looking at wages and bills would hit those targets. The Tories tried to fight on immigration under Howard and it got them nowhere.

Perhaps - but at least it was popular! I'd take that at the moment. Interestingly, the public are to the left of Miliband on a number of issues. Rail, energy and mail renationalisation, income tax, minimum wage, zero-hour contracts and rent-capping yet on all of these issues Labour remain silent. Meanwhile they take a beating on issues where the public is to the right of them: immigration, Europe, crime, etc. A bizarre mix.

I can't stand the man but he's unfortunately accurate here: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danhodges/100289196/after-the-catastrophe-of-heywood-labour-is-staring-down-the-barrels-of-ukips-tanks/ For a while it looked like Miliband was going to nail that "anti-establishment" vote with his attacks on big energy, Murdoch etc. That momentum has been lost and if he wins in May it'll be by his finger nails.

Sadly, no. That sort of pointlessly optimisitic delusion is what all modern political leaders have to dole out in these circumstances. They're actually trying to say that the Labour share of the vte went up 0.8% from 2010. Never mind that you surrendered a 6000 majority into a 600 one. And that 2010 was an electoral disaster. If you've only managed 0.8% in the intervening 4 years something is very very wrong.

The LRB has a storming article on UKIP. Really is well worth a read all the way through for a fascintating insight into the minds of UKIP members and voters. And life in Thanet. http://www.lrb.co.uk/v36/n19/james-meek/in-farageland

As songwriters, absolutely. But no way can I listen to album. Otis Redding?

More worryingly (or me at least) was the fact that a much bigger coup was narrowly averted in the other byelection. To avoid a loss by just a few hundred votes in a heartland stronghold should send shivers down the spine of the Labour leadership and campaign teams. Something tells me it'll result in some brow-furrowing, hand-wringing and not a lot else.

Suicide crows. What's not to like?

At the risk of sounding pedantic, Ron, I would suggest equating Tiananmen Square to a Cafe Nero might be an exercise in hyperbole. Anyway, my memory seems to be going in early-middle-age as Otta has corrected me. So I respectfully retract.

Ron I'm not being aggressive - just pointing out that it seems an odd thing to say you weren't around when something happened but then proceed to voice an opinion on it. Local feeling was very much against it. Whether people now use it is by the by. Many may be recent arrivals. Others may have not been aware of the furore. Few will be hypocrites.

Ron As you weren't here you won't know what you're talking about. One of the biggest issues that people protested against was the lack of planning permission. Nero just did the work and then applied retrospectively. Using the financial and legal clout of a multinational they bulldozed through local opinion. People were also concerned that it took money away from the high street. A local independent run by locals channels its profits back into the local community. In Nero's case it simply goes to anonymous shareholders. So, no, not the same as any other outlet.

Looking at his other posts and the very odd turns of phrase, Henry is either a forriner or a bot.

Then again, if I was a bowler and you dropped a catch or duffed up some fielding by waving to the pretty blonde in the second row, I'm going to give you a bollocking. Doesn't mean I'm a bully though. Just that you're a dopey bugger who is playing for England and needs to up his game. This is international cricket, not under-11s. They shouldn't need to be treated with kid gloves.

Twirly Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > People who don't say "excuse me" or make any > polite request when they need you to move, usually > on the bus or train. They just shift around, give > you a hard stare or trample you. What is wrong > with asking? You're not going to burst into flames > if you speak to another person in public you > know! > > Myself, for responding to their fidgeting in lieu > of a polite verbal request to get out of their > way. I wish I could just sit and stare ahead of me > and remain resolutely in their way until they are > forced to actually ask. But I am far too polite > (and English) for that. I shall have to get some > blinkers for wearing on public transport. And then > I get annoyed that they don't say thank you when I > do move... grrr! Were you, perchance, sitting on the outside aisle seat with a vacant window seat next to you requiring people to clamber over you to get to it? That's a paddlin'!

Seemed very eloquent on the Today programme yesterday. Ran rings around Sarah Montague. Considering his custodial history that alone is a miracle. Never been convicted of anything. Curious for sure.

I can believe some of it.... Strauss - like a vicar. Prior - preening arrogant twat. Broad - ditto. And everything about Flower. But the idea that he's some poor, shy retiring flower who felt picked on is utter cobblers. Interesting the Vaughan, not normally someone looking to pick fights, has backed him.

The problem with that Goodrich Rd property is that it is a new build in a street of period properties and incredibly unsympathetic. Look at the tiny windows compared to the house next door! Seriously, the architect needs shooting. That plot didn't allow a 3 bed but they crammed it in anyway. Lunacy.

Get some bitters - like angostura (but there are many others available) and add to soda water. Feels like a grown up drink rather than fizzy pop which always feels designed for 12 year olds.

Why not just make it a lottery? No catchment areas at all. No one can "buy" a place with a house. You just put your names in a hat and get given a school. It'd even out pretty quick in terms of performance. I think Brighton did this a while back - anyone know how it went? EDIT: it seems this government banned that on a council-wide basis but individual schools can do it. Interesting read here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/10656101/Surge-in-admissions-lotteries-threatens-childrens-right-to-place-at-local-school.html

The pining for Miliband Major is bizarre. He was Blair MkII and I'm yet to hear anyone on here sing his praises. He's the sort of person who when he meets you is looking over your shoulder to see if anyone else more important is in the room. In my case there undoubtably was but you get my point.... He was a divisive politician and would have been disastrous for the party which would have torn itself apart. For all of Ed's faults, few outside the Labour movement realise what an amazing job he has done to hold the party together with little outward sign of betrayal or disloyalty. That's quite outstanding. I voted for him and I'll admit I've been disappointed on a number of occassions. But when he's bold he can be surprisingly good and popular. And on a number of issues, especially renationalisation, the public are to the left of his position. There is room for him to make a prinicipled stand at least.

*punches EP for using my butter*