As opposed to Labour suddenly ruling out raising NI rates? Not at work today and saw Andrew Neil butcher MPs from all three main parties over tax policy on the politics show at lunchtime.
Kind of wish he was doing the programme tonight over Paxman
Politics at Westminster | BREAKING: UKIP
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Kind of wish he was doing the programme tonight over Paxman
It's not new, well noted. The equivalent is that Trade Unions too have always declared their donations in their accounts, as well as often voting on them, but nonetheless this was rightly seen as unfair because a great many oftheir members did not want any of their fees to be so used. Exactly the same could be said of shareholders.
As for individual donors, it is of course good that they are not secret anymore, but when a handful of people can influence elections because of their money rather than their vote, then that isn't democracy for me. A cap simply be fairer.
He has seemed genuinely irritated this week, I thought. I think he makes a very good job overall of trying to be even-handed, despite his own strong views
That was one reason I never joined the NUJ. Well that, plus the fact that the one meeting I attended was dominated by a passionate discussion about whether Gary the sub-editor should really have been told not to rest his bike against the fire exit by the chief executive, followed by an earnest debate over where they should put up their 'media workers against the Iraq war' posters around the office.
What level would you set the individual cap at? I'm not sure that many companies still make donations tbh. Certainly a lot of financial firms have pulled back from it, rather than deal with the negative headlines. It's more commonly done individually by their loaded executives in my experience.
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I knew he was previously Sunday Times editor, didn't realise he had an early job as a Tory researcher. The way he tore the Tory minister a new one, he was completely impartial. He was angry at all three MPs ducking questions and was borderline rude, repeatedly moaning about 'weasel tactics'. Entertaining to watch. Can't imagine any MP relishes one of his interviews.
It wasn't the ruling out that was the problem, it was Osborne's repeated refusal to rule it out in an official government session seemingly for the sole purpose of setting Miliband up the next day. Thick of Labour to fall right into it though.
He's a bit of a lefty (for a Tory), has a Labour supporting wife and isn't under their thumb.
I can well imagine that meeting Jippy, how people can actually enjoy such things I never understood.As for caps, the reason I think that way is that I remember one election, possibly 79, when the conservatives were provided with a new press centre, worth tens of millions in today's terms, from the donations of one man. That one man was Greek, and reportedly had never set foot in the UK.
People might think I'm being party-political, but I'm genuinely not, it's just unfair and undemocratic. As for the cap, I don't know, £20k?, significant but not enough to buy guaranteed influence.
I think it ended up a no score draw tbh. Tories politicking and Labour a bit inept scrambling out Balls later to rule out an NI cut.
Andrew Neil made another good point. If all three parties are pledging zero to minimal rises in the three main personal taxes- NI, income tax and VAT- they account for 60pc of the total tax take, so they'll need to be creative/stealthy elsewhere.
Yup, the NUJ has done some great work- with so many people wanting to get into the industry, bosses feel they can get away with murder at times. But am sure ours wasn't the only branch with a super parochial view, led by a guy driven purely by his own personal agenda.
As for caps, the reason I think that way is that I remember one election, possibly 79, when the conservatives were provided with a new press centre, worth tens of millions in today's terms, from the donations of one man. That one man was Greek, and reportedly had never set foot in the UK.
People might think I'm being party-political, but I'm genuinely not, it's just unfair and undemocratic. As for the cap, I don't know, £20k?, significant but not enough to buy guaranteed influence.
With the individual donation cap, just wonder if it will be enforceable. Loads of businessman own or part own multiple companies and may be able to sidestep it that way, for example. Agree transparency id crucial whatever.
Anybody else going to watch the paxman interviews tonight?
Maybe. Where would one find them?
On the bbc news chanel (tv), also on five live (radio)
Oh, God... Kay fecking Burley...
Paxman is being a lot more frank and aggressive than I expected tbh. Going first was supposed to be a benefit but he's failing to defend his record
Loved it when Paxman asked Milliband if he was alright at the end. Sorry but Ed looks so weak and unconvincing when he tries to be tough.
This is scary . Still need to find 12bn. No wonder Tories are refusing to say what else they are going to cut.
No decisions yet on benefit cuts, says Duncan Smith
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32105829
No decisions yet on benefit cuts, says Duncan Smith
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32105829
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No more cuts, Tory councils tell George Osborne
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/16/tory-councils-osborne-no-further-austerity
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/16/tory-councils-osborne-no-further-austerity
I bet there is a lot of decisions by the 8th July budget
I reckon we'll see cuts to council funding, accompanied by a removal of the ring-fenced school budgets. That way, LA funded schools are pushed to the brink, forced into becoming academies/free schools. Just like the libraries, this then gets blamed on the 'priorities' of LAs.
I tend to subscribe to the theory that the Tory manifesto was designed for coalition government, assuming that the Lib Dems would water down the cuts and spending commitments diluted in kind. My local council was barely fit fur purpose prior to the financial crisis and its certainly not improved since, i'm half tempted to stand as an Independent myself.
The SNP herd was makings its presence felt today.
You can't take Dennis' seat from him and expect to come off best.
David Cameron trying his best to seem tough on immigration. These type of policy announcements and the rhetoric behind them is why the left need to be stronger on immigration, otherwise the right do it in a much more vindictive and hate inducing manner.
Criminalising the activity of an exploited group rather than being tougher on employers is awful. As is the line from Cameron of making it less attractive to work here, firstly their prior situations were a lot worse and secondly its akin to saying lets make them miserable til they leave or rest don't want to come.
Luckily its the usual empty rhetoric that cant be substantiated and hardly anyone will be caught and had their wages seized.
Criminalising the activity of an exploited group rather than being tougher on employers is awful. As is the line from Cameron of making it less attractive to work here, firstly their prior situations were a lot worse and secondly its akin to saying lets make them miserable til they leave or rest don't want to come.
Luckily its the usual empty rhetoric that cant be substantiated and hardly anyone will be caught and had their wages seized.
But the Lib Dems were holding them back (can't wait to see how many times I hear this over the next few years).
I agree with you but immigration, like his nationalist election ticket, are only superficial banner headlines. The attacks on immigrants will gather the tribes in readiness for the Tories attack on Scotland. They are fundamentally a party with hates and their real target is Scotland; as so many of their 'men in grey suits' inferred immediately after it was announced they were in power. The problem for Labour is the electoral agents told them their stance on immigration was weak but the leadership ignored the soundings.
Whilst i entirely agree that the message that the denial of benefits is a red herring, using a rhetorical flame thrower to kill a snail, it speaks more of what Cameron will fail to achieve in his negotiations with the EU. It's difficult for Labour have any moral authority mind, what with the unscrupulous nature of its spell in government. We need a more nuanced approach, so as to prevent immigration from becoming unsustainable in specific districts or regions (easer said than done i grant you).
Gather the tribes?
Labour's stance on immigration was a disgrace, the party was perfectly happy to exploit the poor of Europe for so long as it fuelled the economic boom. While gang masters were pr0ospering the govern,ent looked the other way, and so it continues.
Gather the tribes?
Labour's stance on immigration was a disgrace, the party was perfectly happy to exploit the poor of Europe for so long as it fuelled the economic boom. While gang masters were pr0ospering the govern,ent looked the other way, and so it continues.
Entirely agree with you, that was really well put!!
Labour under Blair tried to take the EU by storm and was stopped in his tracks by German bureaucrats. The old guard of Kinnock et al took up lucrative commission posts in transport and sponged the system while rail fares sky rocketed for the ordinary people. Everyone in Europe has a problem with immigration and it has to be resolved otherwise the EU will implode into civil strife.
In my undergraduate degree I did a statistical project which looked at attitudes towards immigrants amongst White British people in different areas. Unsurprisingly (for me anyway) the areas in which Brits were most against immigration were poor areas with consistent, long-term unemployment problems and low immigrant populations. Ultimately the majority of anti-immigrant feeling in the UK is a product of circumstances that well pre-dates the likes of Poland and Romania entering the EU. It's far more a product of displeasure with the larger economic situation amongst people in poorer areas than racism or xenophobia - immigration is just a scapegoat.
All this is to say - it doesn't matter what Cameron says or does about immigration. For someone who is desperately in need of a job and who thinks that immigrants are responsible for them not getting one, nothing the government can feasibly do will placate them. For someone in that mindset 'fewer immigrants in the future' doesn't solve anything. The answer to settling peoples' minds is to work towards making them better off so they have no need to find a scapegoat for their situation, not playing into that same scapegoating. On the other side of it like others have said, the government has to get tough on employment law to protect immigrant labourers - which means clashing with business.
All this is to say - it doesn't matter what Cameron says or does about immigration. For someone who is desperately in need of a job and who thinks that immigrants are responsible for them not getting one, nothing the government can feasibly do will placate them. For someone in that mindset 'fewer immigrants in the future' doesn't solve anything. The answer to settling peoples' minds is to work towards making them better off so they have no need to find a scapegoat for their situation, not playing into that same scapegoating. On the other side of it like others have said, the government has to get tough on employment law to protect immigrant labourers - which means clashing with business.
Labour Party In U-Turn Over EU Referendum
Labour has dropped its opposition to a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.
Before his General Election defeat, Ed Miliband, as party leader, had refused to hold an in/out vote amid concerns it would damage the UK economy because of the uncertainty it would create.
But the party's acting leader, ******* Harman, and shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, now say Labour believes people want to have a say on Britain's relationship with Brussels.
It means the opposition will give the green light to the Conservatives' planned referendum bill for a nationwide vote before the end of 2017.
In an article for The Sunday Times, the pair wrote: "We have now had a general election and reflected on the conversations we had on doorsteps throughout the country.
"The British people want to have a say on the UK's membership of the European Union. Labour will therefore now support the EU referendum bill when it comes before the House of Commons."
Labour will campaign for Britain to remain in the EU and will press Prime Minister David Cameron to achieve reforms on migration and welfare as part of his renegotiation, according to Ms Harman and Mr Benn.
"The Labour party doesn't want to see the UK stumble inadvertently towards EU exit. We will make the case for our continued membership," they wrote.
"The notion that Britain's future prosperity and security lies in shutting itself off from this market... makes no sense."
Sky's deputy political editor Joey Jones said: "It is a big change of tone from the party from where they were in run-up to the election.
"In essence, it does means many Labour MPs who had been going out saying a referendum would be a bad thing are now going to swallow their previous words and actually say it's obvious British people want this to happen and it's going to happen because the Conservatives have a majority.
"But the Labour party will stick with its previous line that the UK is much better off in a reformed EU, as David Cameron intends to present them with."
The move comes as Mr Cameron today unveils plans for legislation in the Queen's speech to hold a referendum to "give people the chance to finally decide whether they want to remain in the EU or not".
Meanwhile, former deputy prime minister John Prescott has thrown his weight behind Andy Burnham in the race for the Labour leadership.
Lord Prescott compared Mr Burnham to Tony Blair, claiming the former health secretary showed many of the "skills and qualities" demonstrated by the ex-prime minister.
The high-profile endorsement of Mr Burnham will come as a further boost to the bookmakers' favourite for the leadership.
Glad they have come around . Now i hope they fight their corner on why it is important to stay in the EU and not just about immigrants.
Labour has dropped its opposition to a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union.
Before his General Election defeat, Ed Miliband, as party leader, had refused to hold an in/out vote amid concerns it would damage the UK economy because of the uncertainty it would create.
But the party's acting leader, ******* Harman, and shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, now say Labour believes people want to have a say on Britain's relationship with Brussels.
It means the opposition will give the green light to the Conservatives' planned referendum bill for a nationwide vote before the end of 2017.
In an article for The Sunday Times, the pair wrote: "We have now had a general election and reflected on the conversations we had on doorsteps throughout the country.
"The British people want to have a say on the UK's membership of the European Union. Labour will therefore now support the EU referendum bill when it comes before the House of Commons."
Labour will campaign for Britain to remain in the EU and will press Prime Minister David Cameron to achieve reforms on migration and welfare as part of his renegotiation, according to Ms Harman and Mr Benn.
"The Labour party doesn't want to see the UK stumble inadvertently towards EU exit. We will make the case for our continued membership," they wrote.
"The notion that Britain's future prosperity and security lies in shutting itself off from this market... makes no sense."
Sky's deputy political editor Joey Jones said: "It is a big change of tone from the party from where they were in run-up to the election.
"In essence, it does means many Labour MPs who had been going out saying a referendum would be a bad thing are now going to swallow their previous words and actually say it's obvious British people want this to happen and it's going to happen because the Conservatives have a majority.
"But the Labour party will stick with its previous line that the UK is much better off in a reformed EU, as David Cameron intends to present them with."
The move comes as Mr Cameron today unveils plans for legislation in the Queen's speech to hold a referendum to "give people the chance to finally decide whether they want to remain in the EU or not".
Meanwhile, former deputy prime minister John Prescott has thrown his weight behind Andy Burnham in the race for the Labour leadership.
Lord Prescott compared Mr Burnham to Tony Blair, claiming the former health secretary showed many of the "skills and qualities" demonstrated by the ex-prime minister.
The high-profile endorsement of Mr Burnham will come as a further boost to the bookmakers' favourite for the leadership.
Glad they have come around . Now i hope they fight their corner on why it is important to stay in the EU and not just about immigrants.
They may have done better in the election if they'd had this position from the start, they'd probably not have lost so many voters to Farage. I want to stay in Europe personally, but I don't mind there being a referendum. When politicians oppose direct democracy on an issue like this it comes off as arrogant - a kind of 'father knows best' paternalism that's very patronising to the voter. What Labour should have done was say 'Yes you can have a referendum' and then concentrated their efforts on campaigning on a vote for stay in.
In my eyes its pretty clear why a lot of British people don't see the positives in the EU - it's the fact that the average Briton doesn't directly benefit from freedom of movement except for when they go to Europe on holiday. Governments haven't done enough to highlight the opportunities that are available to British workers in Europe, and they also haven't done enough in terms of providing language education that would allow more people (i.e - those who didn't have private schooling or language tutors) to take these opportunities. Both major parties also failed to really address the debate on the EU, which led to a lot of Labour voters switching to UKIP simply as a 'we want to talk about Europe' protest vote.
On another point, if I was being cynical I'd say that the sooner there's a referendum the sooner the Tories start ripping each other apart over Europe again, which can only be good news for Labour.
In my eyes its pretty clear why a lot of British people don't see the positives in the EU - it's the fact that the average Briton doesn't directly benefit from freedom of movement except for when they go to Europe on holiday. Governments haven't done enough to highlight the opportunities that are available to British workers in Europe, and they also haven't done enough in terms of providing language education that would allow more people (i.e - those who didn't have private schooling or language tutors) to take these opportunities. Both major parties also failed to really address the debate on the EU, which led to a lot of Labour voters switching to UKIP simply as a 'we want to talk about Europe' protest vote.
On another point, if I was being cynical I'd say that the sooner there's a referendum the sooner the Tories start ripping each other apart over Europe again, which can only be good news for Labour.
Wikipedia edits from inside Parliament removing scandals from MPs' pages, investigation finds
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...m-mps-pages-investigation-finds-10275234.html
Anonymous changes were traced to Westminster by IP addresses
Details of MPs’ expenses scandals and controversies are being removed from Wikipedia from inside the Houses of Parliament, a newspaper investigation has claimed.
The Telegraph found that before the general election earlier this month, allegations of an arrest, fraud, and an extramarital affair disappeared from pages of the online encyclopaedia.
Wikipedia can be edited by anyone but every change is recorded, meaning that readers can still find deleted information and restore it to the page . . . (cont)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...m-mps-pages-investigation-finds-10275234.html
Anonymous changes were traced to Westminster by IP addresses
Details of MPs’ expenses scandals and controversies are being removed from Wikipedia from inside the Houses of Parliament, a newspaper investigation has claimed.
The Telegraph found that before the general election earlier this month, allegations of an arrest, fraud, and an extramarital affair disappeared from pages of the online encyclopaedia.
Wikipedia can be edited by anyone but every change is recorded, meaning that readers can still find deleted information and restore it to the page . . . (cont)
The Politics of...Tolerance?
Douglas Carswell shoved and taunted by anti-austerity protesters
By Steven Swinford, Deputy Political Editor
27 May 2015
Douglas Carswell, the Ukip MP, said he feared for his life after being surrounded by anti-austerity demonstrators who accused him of being a racist and a fascist.
Dozens of protesters, some of whom were wearing balaclavas, surrounded the MP at St James' Park underground station and chanted "Ukip racist" at him.
Sajid Javid, the Business Secretary, said the attack was "outrageous" and showed "no respect for democracy and freedom of speech".
As Mr Carswell tried to leave he was confronted by one of the protesters, who repeatedly told him "don't come this way fascist".
Police had to push their way through the crowd and escort Mr Carswell to safety. He was driven away in a police van. He later described the protesters as a "lynch mob".
Around 200 people joined the protest which began in Trafalgar Square, central London, after the Queen's speech outlined the new Conservative Government's plans.
There were skirmishes with police as protesters - some wearing masks and scarves to cover their faces - ran down Whitehall.
Uniformed police linked arms to form a human barricade to try to contain the protesters while some pulled out their batons to warn off demonstrators.
One man was pinned to the ground by police officers who arrested him after trouble flared up near Parliament Square.
Mr Carswell said: "It got extremely, extremely nasty. Their intentions were pretty murderous and I needed a lot of police officers to prevent them from attacking me," he said, after being taken by officers to another stop to get his bus.
"I was stunned. I think MPs should be able to go about their business. It was incredibly intimidating. It was like a lynch mob on the streets of London. I thought this was a country where we had democracy and discussed the issues.
"It just got incredibly ugly. It was an attempted lynching. I am in a state of shock. I do not want to have to worry about going about my business."
The MP - who broadcast scenes from the back of the van to social media - added: "If the police had not been there I do not think I would be here now my safety was very, very seriously at risk. I have never seen such hatred.
"If this is the way the extreme left behave now, I do not think it bodes well for the future."
One protester, who did not want to be named, described how Douglas Carswell, Ukip's only MP, was surrounded by demonstrators and doused in water before being bundled to safety by police.
He said: "Douglas Carswell was in St James' Tube, someone spotted him and everyone rushed over.
"Everyone was chanting and he was stuck. The police had to push through the crowd and he got a bottle of water thrown over him.
"Then police put him in a van and he was driven away."
Police arrested three people at the protest, one was wanted in connection with an earlier demonstration outside Downing Street the day after the General Election.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A 45-year-old man, wanted on suspicion of violent disorder in Whitehall on May 9th, was arrested.
"A 17-year-old youth was arrested on suspicion of assault on police during today's demonstration.
"A man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon during today's demonstration.
"All were taken to a central London police station where they remain in custody."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pol...l-accosted-by-protestors-chanting-racist.html
Well, i'm sure they'd like to think so.
Douglas Carswell shoved and taunted by anti-austerity protesters
By Steven Swinford, Deputy Political Editor
27 May 2015
Douglas Carswell, the Ukip MP, said he feared for his life after being surrounded by anti-austerity demonstrators who accused him of being a racist and a fascist.
Dozens of protesters, some of whom were wearing balaclavas, surrounded the MP at St James' Park underground station and chanted "Ukip racist" at him.
Sajid Javid, the Business Secretary, said the attack was "outrageous" and showed "no respect for democracy and freedom of speech".
As Mr Carswell tried to leave he was confronted by one of the protesters, who repeatedly told him "don't come this way fascist".
Police had to push their way through the crowd and escort Mr Carswell to safety. He was driven away in a police van. He later described the protesters as a "lynch mob".
Around 200 people joined the protest which began in Trafalgar Square, central London, after the Queen's speech outlined the new Conservative Government's plans.
There were skirmishes with police as protesters - some wearing masks and scarves to cover their faces - ran down Whitehall.
Uniformed police linked arms to form a human barricade to try to contain the protesters while some pulled out their batons to warn off demonstrators.
One man was pinned to the ground by police officers who arrested him after trouble flared up near Parliament Square.
Mr Carswell said: "It got extremely, extremely nasty. Their intentions were pretty murderous and I needed a lot of police officers to prevent them from attacking me," he said, after being taken by officers to another stop to get his bus.
"I was stunned. I think MPs should be able to go about their business. It was incredibly intimidating. It was like a lynch mob on the streets of London. I thought this was a country where we had democracy and discussed the issues.
"It just got incredibly ugly. It was an attempted lynching. I am in a state of shock. I do not want to have to worry about going about my business."
The MP - who broadcast scenes from the back of the van to social media - added: "If the police had not been there I do not think I would be here now my safety was very, very seriously at risk. I have never seen such hatred.
"If this is the way the extreme left behave now, I do not think it bodes well for the future."
One protester, who did not want to be named, described how Douglas Carswell, Ukip's only MP, was surrounded by demonstrators and doused in water before being bundled to safety by police.
He said: "Douglas Carswell was in St James' Tube, someone spotted him and everyone rushed over.
"Everyone was chanting and he was stuck. The police had to push through the crowd and he got a bottle of water thrown over him.
"Then police put him in a van and he was driven away."
Police arrested three people at the protest, one was wanted in connection with an earlier demonstration outside Downing Street the day after the General Election.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "A 45-year-old man, wanted on suspicion of violent disorder in Whitehall on May 9th, was arrested.
"A 17-year-old youth was arrested on suspicion of assault on police during today's demonstration.
"A man was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon during today's demonstration.
"All were taken to a central London police station where they remain in custody."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/pol...l-accosted-by-protestors-chanting-racist.html
Well, i'm sure they'd like to think so.
Farage snarling again?
Just as the 'politics of tolerance' goes both ways, as does free speech. You can't hide behind it when you're accusing foreigners of spreading AIDs on the telly and then complain when people shout at you in the street. Mountain out of a molehill really, the police do worse than this every time there's a protest but you don't see the Telegraph talking about that (a cursory search on their website didn't show anything about that police going down for smashing that protester in the teeth for example).
I’m not a fan of UKIP at all, but I do think that constantly heckling an MP who’s not really done all that much that’s overly awful himself isn’t very productive.
Things i wouldn't do, if were a Conservative government about to present a fudge as a grand victory over Europe:
Defence cuts.
In the same year as the referendum.
The broader party will not be an agreeable frame of mind.
ETA: The Governor of Gibraltar has announced his resignation after less than two years in the role, following increasing frustration at the Foreign Office's failure to stand up to Spain.
Defence cuts.
In the same year as the referendum.
The broader party will not be an agreeable frame of mind.
ETA: The Governor of Gibraltar has announced his resignation after less than two years in the role, following increasing frustration at the Foreign Office's failure to stand up to Spain.
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Bit shocked to hear that Charles Kennedy has died, aged 55.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32970337
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32970337
Murderous intent... They wanted to lynch him
Rather strong and unproven allegations... Somebody should sue him
The biggest pet peeve at the moment about parliament is seeing debates on big topics where about 12 people show up, and 5 of them are on their phones throughout and raise their heads to pipe up with a 'YUHHHH' when their guy has stopped talking. Either they're lazy and they should face some sort of punishment for being a shit representative or the task of being an MP is too difficult and they should find a way to reduce workload so they can actually attend debates on the bills they vote on (not that it would make a difference because of the whips, I suppose being told how to vote makes you less likely to attend a debate)