Political Banter and Debate Thread

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16560

What a complete shitstain that man is.

MaliA · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 16:29

Kern wrote:

Fun political quiz time folks!

Which MP voted with his conscience against the Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Ratification of Convention) Bill today?

Answer (via Hansard)

Christ.

myp · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 16:52

Kern wrote:

Fun political quiz time folks!

Which MP voted with his conscience against the Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Ratification of Convention) Bill today?

Answer (via Hansard)

He is such a prick. The Tories should be ashamed of having someone like him in their party. Swivel-eyed post-truth politician

Cavey · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 17:05

From what little I know about him, I'd be inclined to strongly agree. But then, there are loony MPs in every party. Corbyn himself was one - harmlessly enough, and pretty much ignored for decades - until he became Leader...

That, I humbly suggest, is rather the elephant in the room (and, indeed, the germane, window-licking, swivel-eyed aspect of the situation IMO

)

Trousers · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 3073

FEEX

Attachment:

scum.jpg

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

Lonewolves wrote:

Kern wrote:

Fun political quiz time folks!

Which MP voted with his conscience against the Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Ratification of Convention) Bill today?

Answer (via Hansard)

He is such a prick. The Tories should be ashamed of having someone like him in their party. Swivel-eyed post-truth politician

What pisses me off is that this bill. This is the one that should have a three line whip from every party. Not the Brexit vote. Someone votes against? Get them the fuck out of the party. No excuses.

Despicable little man.

MaliA · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 17:10

He says he often does it to push back poorly thought out and drafted legislation. As i said above, there's a lot if stuff in tbe Istanbul Concention that puts large responsibilities on the government, and the body of text doesn't add significantly to existing legislation. The way he approaches it, though, is stupid.

Cavey · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 17:11

These days, three-line whips ain't all they're cracked up to be, apparently...

Grim... · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 17:23

Cavey wrote:

whips

Cavey wrote:

cracked

ISWYDT

Cavey · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 17:31

That's how I fecking roll.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32619

Cookie197 wrote:

Cavey wrote:

shares at an all-time sky high (incl FTSE250 as well as FTSE100),

I might be misunderstanding how stuff like this works, but isn't this a result of the pound falling causing the amount of dollars a company is worth to increase?

Did you miss this question, Cavey?

Cavey · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 17:45

No, I just don't know the answer to it.
What I can say, though, is that there have been many times in the recent past when the pound AND share values have fallen, so if it is somehow all linked to the value of Sterling as against the Euro or whatever, I haven't seen much evidence of this in the past.

The Pound is worth about 1.18 Euro at the moment, which is pretty much what it was worth for the whole of 2013, 2014 and much of 2015, as far as I can tell. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't recall the FTSE hitting massive all-time highs back then.

My suspicion is that it's just another doom-monger excuse to talk us all down (again,) whereas actually, the British economy is pretty resilient and doing well under the circumstances. But like I say, I genuinely don't know.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 17:54

Cavey wrote:

From what little I know about him, I'd be inclined to strongly agree. But then, there are loony MPs in every party. Corbyn himself was one - harmlessly enough, and pretty much ignored for decades - until he became Leader...

That, I humbly suggest, is rather the elephant in the room (and, indeed, the germane, window-licking, swivel-eyed aspect of the situation IMO

)

Can you imagine if Davies became Tory leader?

Christ, we'd all be in trouble.

Cavey · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 17:58

Bloody hell yes. Corbyn is ludicrously misguided and off his head, but seems a nice bloke underneath all the batshit, yet benign craziness.
This guy.... wow.

MaliA · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 18:22

Curiosity wrote:

Cavey wrote:

From what little I know about him, I'd be inclined to strongly agree. But then, there are loony MPs in every party. Corbyn himself was one - harmlessly enough, and pretty much ignored for decades - until he became Leader...

That, I humbly suggest, is rather the elephant in the room (and, indeed, the germane, window-licking, swivel-eyed aspect of the situation IMO

)

Can you imagine if Davies became Tory leader?

Christ, we'd all be in trouble.

He has said his ambition lies no further than backbenches as to better serve Shipley.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32619

MaliA wrote:

He has said his ambition lies no further than backbenches as to better serve the men of Shipley.

FTFY

Cavey · **Posted:** Fri Feb 24, 2017 19:38

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

markg wrote:

I wonder how many politicians across the board have positive ratings?

Few, to be fair, because of how it's calculated; but not none. For example in August last year May was on +12 according to YouGov. I very much doubt it's that high now, but it's clearly possible.

Aug 2016 figures: https://d25d2506sfb94s.cloudfront.net/c ... 0v2-01.png
More here: https://yougov.co.uk/news/2016/08/15/th ... ong-tradi/

According to this site, May was on +5% last November, and this has now increased to +6% this month.

http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index. ... l-ratings/

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

BBC among those barred from White House briefing. Mmm, 'special relationship'.

MaliA · **Posted:** Sun Feb 26, 2017 20:39

MaliA wrote:

He says he often does it to push back poorly thought out and drafted legislation. As i said above, there's a lot if stuff in tbe Istanbul Concention that puts large responsibilities on the government, and the body of text doesn't add significantly to existing legislation. The way he approaches it, though, is stupid.

He was in Shippers, yestetday, meeting with the Feminist Zealots.

https://www.periscope.tv/w/1lPKqZllwomGb

I haven't watched all of ot, but it kicked off with the hospital parking for carer's bill that was talked out. He explains that there was no proper definition of carer, no arbitration process, nothing to do with who would cover costs and it was poorly written legislation that was the problem.

Dr Zoidberg · **Joined:** 15th Oct, 2010 **Posts:** 5157

Cavey wrote:

The Pound is worth about 1.18 Euro at the moment, which is pretty much what it was worth for the whole of 2013, 2014 and much of 2015, as far as I can tell.

Not according to this.
http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from= ... D&view=10Y

Grim... · **Posted:** Sun Feb 26, 2017 22:14

Dr Zoidberg wrote:

Cavey wrote:

The Pound is worth about 1.18 Euro at the moment, which is pretty much what it was worth for the whole of 2013, 2014 and much of 2015, as far as I can tell.

Not according to this.
http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from= ... D&view=10Y

That only seems to show this year.

Bamba · **Joined:** 25th Jul, 2010 **Posts:** 11128

Cras wrote:

BBC among those barred from White House briefing. Mmm, 'special relationship'.

Trump isn't going to conflate 'British' with 'BBC'; it's not like Theresa May will defend the organisation in any conversation and, in person, she was prepared to hold his (tiny) hand. Special relationship intact!

MaliA · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2017 11:55

"More time needed to develop policies, says JezzA C

myp · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:14

MaliA wrote:

"More time needed to develop policies, says JezzA C

He's had 17 months, how much longer does he need?

Grim... · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:15

Has it been 15 months? Cor.

myp · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:17

Grim... wrote:

Has it been 15 months? Cor.

No, I done maths wrong. It's 17.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32619

Lonewolves wrote:

MaliA wrote:

"More time needed to develop policies, says JezzA C

He's had 17 months, how much longer does he need?

Eternity. Like too many on the hard left, he seems to be much better [1] at opposing things than proposing them [2].

[1] fairly poor
[2] beyond useless.

Kern · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:49

It's also not just policies you need to be a convincing alternative government, Jeremy.

Kern · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2017 12:53

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

Lonewolves wrote:

MaliA wrote:

"More time needed to develop policies, says JezzA C

He's had 17 months, how much longer does he need?

Eternity. Like too many on the hard left, he seems to be much better [1] at opposing things than proposing them [2].

[1] fairly poor
[2] beyond useless.

You missed out: [3] the public suffer from false consciousness so are blind to their situation and salvation.

Kern · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2017 13:06

Speaking of Labour, on the 'Skeptic's Guide to the Universe' podcast this week there's an interview with one of Labour's health advisors. He's been pressuring the government to change official guidance and definitions on homeopathy and had a recent success in changing the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency descriptions to remove references to 'activating the body's natural healing mechanisms'. So that's a small step from the party in the right direction.

Trousers · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 3073

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

Lonewolves wrote:

MaliA wrote:

"More time needed to develop policies, says JezzA C

He's had 17 months, how much longer does he need?

Eternity. Like too many on the hard left, he seems to be much better [1] at opposing things than proposing them [2].

[1] fairly poor
[2] beyond useless.

Jezza, earlier

Attachment:

remembering_rimmer_4.jpg

It's not that the polymorph is a slobbery alien death monster who won't listen to reason, more that it's just not received the message properly, so a leaflet campaign is really going to change things and if not, then lets look at some more options next Thursday?

Cavey · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 12:16

Oh man... :cying with laughter emoji: ... McDonnell goes into full, unbridled SEL-meltdown/tinfoil hat mode:

Quote:

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell says "a soft coup" has been launched against Jeremy Corbyn by "elements in the Labour Party".

Mr McDonnell accuses unnamed "plotters" and the "Murdoch media empire" of a "coordinated and fully resourced" coup.
In an article for Labour Briefing, he said "the plotters" were using "an exceptionally well resourced dark arts operation" to "destroy Jeremy Corbyn".

One former Labour minister described Mr McDonnell's comments as "unhinged".

In his article, Mr McDonnell accuses "the coup perpetrators" of "a covert strategy" to destabilise Mr Corbyn because they had failed to dislodge him directly through a leadership election.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39102703

It's an over-used phrase, but really, Labour honestly, honestly is "the gift that keeps on giving"; an ever-present ray of tragi-comic sunshine to perpetually cheer us all up in otherwise worrisome times. Bless 'em!

Kern · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 12:19

It's all Snowball's fault!

MaliA · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 13:13

holds mirror up

Cavey · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 13:35

But it's like I've been saying for a while now, Mali. Who needs the hassle of even the flimsiest basis of evidence in this post-truth, Twitter-fueled, new-media fest? It's a whole new ballgame out there; just make up some baseless, medacious shite and/or ad hominem and chuck it out there. Thank goodness that we, here in the UK, have reasonably intelligent grownups in charge.

I'm still seriously trying to get my head around the President of the USA "tweeting". Seriously?

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

The Daily Mail has been doing the same thing for 20+ years, and a lot more Brits pay attention to that than to what's said on Twitter.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49232

(Don't get me wrong, I pretty much agree, but I don't think it's a 'new media' thing)

Cavey · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:04

Disagree.

We've had the tabloid gutter press since forever, but its reach could only go so far. This is (IMO) on a whole new level, and as hinted in previous posts, I truly believe there's a recent, complete change of mindset across swathes of the political class. For me, the rot started under Labour and the Blair era in the UK.

MaliA · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:06

https://twitter.com/Rachael_Swindon/sta ... 2327656448

BREAKING: The #SoftCoup has started. The strategy is to cause division through social media. Take a look at this video and share it widely. pic.twitter.com/PUpmYCdPFg
— Rachael (@Rachael_Swindon) February 27, 2017

Oh. My.

Quote:

BREAKING: The #SoftCoup has started. The strategy is to cause division through social media. Take a look at this video and share it widely. https://t.co/PUpmYCdPFg

MrChris · **Joined:** 1st Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 30498

Crumbs
The Frozen-esque avatar is even worse though.

KovacsC · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:15

MrChris wrote:

Crumbs
The Frozen-esque avatar is even worse though.

I like frozen..

Cavey · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:21

MaliA wrote:

https://twitter.com/Rachael_Swindon/status/836327062327656448

Oh. My.

Quote:

BREAKING: The #SoftCoup has started. The strategy is to cause division through social media. Take a look at this video and share it widely. https://t.co/PUpmYCdPFg

Well I have to confess, I've always been all about trying to "EXHUAST" the 'Corbyn Camp' (man, what an image that conjures up).

She's got 24,000 "followers" apparently. The mind truly boggles.

Curiosity · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:27

Aaron Banks and Farage are trying to expel UKIP MP Douglas Carswell from UKIP. They reason that he is soft on immigration and that he stood in the way of Farage being knighted (odd that someone against unelected elites is so desperate for this and/or joining the Lords).

They have made it so he is being summoned to the chair of he party.

Only one hitch. He can only be expelled at the agreement of the UKIP Parliamentary Party.

Said party is currently comprised of one person; Carswell himself.

:DD

KovacsC · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:29

Curiosity wrote:

Aaron Banks and Farage are trying to expel UKIP MP Douglas Carswell from UKIP. They reason that he is soft on immigration and that he stood in the way of Farage being knighted (odd that someone against unelected elites is so desperate for this and/or joining the Lords).

They have made it so he is being summoned to the chair of he party.

Only one hitch. He can only be expelled at the agreement of the UKIP Parliamentary Party.

Said party is currently comprised of one person; Carswell himself.

:DD

That is fantastic.

Cavey · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:29

Yes, politics at the far extremes of the spectrum (whether Left or Right) sure makes for quasi-independent, contra-rotating, involuntary radial eyeball movements on the part of the practitioners, that's for sure.

Good grief... thank fook UKIP have only one MP, right Curio?

Kern · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:33

Fantastic.

Of course, Nigel Farage shouldn't be knighted. As the saviour of the country (TM) he's in line for at least an OM and an earldom, if not the Garter itself.

myp · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:45

Cavey wrote:

:DD

Yes, politics at the far extremes of the spectrum (whether Left or Right) sure makes for quasi-independent, contra-rotating, involuntary radial eyeball movements on the part of the practitioners, that's for sure.

Good grief... thank fook UKIP have only one MP, right Curio?

Well, UKIP have pretty much done what they set out to do. Got the UK out of the EU and made the Tories veer rightward on immigration. Job done!

Cavey · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2017 14:47

Well, personally, I thank my lucky stars every single day that we have FPTP in this country. Long may this continue forever IMO, for self-evident reasons.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32619

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-3 ... ow_twitter

Quote:

The state pension age may have to rise to levels above the average lifespan of men in the UK's poorer areas, MPs say.

The Work and Pensions Committee said the age would need to rise above 70 to make the current policy of increasing the pension amount sustainable.

State pensions rise each year by the inflation rate or whichever is highest of average earnings or 2.5% - as part of the so-called pensions triple-lock.

The government said it was committed to the policy until 2020 at least.

As a result of triple-lock policy, the state pension has risen by £1,100 since 2010.

In November the committee said the policy should be scrapped.

The committee commissioned the Institute for Fiscal Studies to estimate the extra state pension age increases that would be needed to maintain expenditure at about 6% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product).

It found that the state pension age would need to be 70.5 years by 2060.

But the committee's research found that in deprived areas of England and Scotland, male life expectancy was below that level.

Currently, the state pension age is set to be 67 for both men and women by 2028.

The committee said:

* Male life expectancy was below 70.5 in 162 areas in Scotland
* The lowest male life expectancy was 62.5 years in the Parkhead West and Barrowfield area of Glasgow. In that area, female life expectancy was 70.1 years
* Male life expectancy was below 70.5 in 26 areas in England, including Blackpool, Manchester, Teesside, Leicester, east London and the Wirral
* The lowest male expectancy in England was 67.5 years in the centre of Blackpool
* By contrast, male life expectancy in the area of Westminster, which includes Mayfair and Covent Garden, was 92.9 years, 25 years higher

Frank Field, committee chairman, said: "With the triple-lock in place, the only way state pension expenditure can be made sustainable is to keep raising the state pension age.

Sucks for you, poor people!

DavPaz · **Joined:** 27th Jun, 2008 **Posts:** 38464

MaliA wrote:

https://twitter.com/Rachael_Swindon/status/836327062327656448

Oh. My.

Quote:

BREAKING: The #SoftCoup has started. The strategy is to cause division through social media. Take a look at this video and share it widely. https://t.co/PUpmYCdPFg

Good god.

Does she really believe that anyone who disagrees with her is a fabricated troll account? That people care enough about Corbyn to launch a planned, sinister "coup"?

My stars and stones.

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