phisheep
NeoGAF's Chief Barrister
Could rename it the NIEWK (pronounced New-K, rather than nuke) for Northern Ireland, England Wales Kingdom.
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UK PoliGAF thread of tell me about the rabbits again, Dave.
- Thread starter Chinner
- Start date
Could rename it the NIEWK (pronounced New-K, rather than nuke) for Northern Ireland, England Wales Kingdom.
QuicheFontaine
Member
If this means I will no longer have to scroll all the way down to the bottom of the list in online forms, then I'm in favour. Hell, even "rUK would bump us up a few places.
Nicktendo86
Member
Let's just rename Wale and N.I as England, sure no one would notice/care.
Seriously though all of the problems independence would throw up are mind blowing. I think they would want to keep the UK name and flag, they are almost a brand.
Seriously though all of the problems independence would throw up are mind blowing. I think they would want to keep the UK name and flag, they are almost a brand.
anonymous_abc
Member
Just replace the blue on the Union Jack with Welsh green. Simples:
http://www.dino.co.uk/labs/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/union-flag_new_large-450x225.gif
http://www.dino.co.uk/labs/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/union-flag_new_large-450x225.gif
CyclopsRock
Member
In the latest Ashcroft poll, the Tories are getting hammered again, down 9 points. BUT they're set to win Newark.
Nicktendo86
Member
Yeah I can't quite get my head around that 9 points, Ashcroft has the Tories up two just a couple of weeks ago, cannot see why there would be a 11 point swing? Polls seem all over the place, yougov had labour up seven, then three, then four.
Good news for them at least in Newark with a 15 point lead over ukip. Still, that is down 12 points from the 2010 GE!
Good news for them at least in Newark with a 15 point lead over ukip. Still, that is down 12 points from the 2010 GE!
QuicheFontaine
Member
<vomit>
Edit: Ashcroft has a sample size of 500 after the removal of "don't know"s. Small, but not really small enough to explain the volatility week-to-week.
phisheep
NeoGAF's Chief Barrister
About right really. Sample of 500 in something like 30m gives potential swing from sampling of about 11.5 points at a confidence level of 99% (which isn't the confidence level that pollsters would use, but it is the way most people read the polls).
War Peaceman
You're a big guy.
Polling is almost completely pointless until right before an election. It only gives a very generalised perspective. Analysing on a poll-to-poll basis is even more pointless.
fizzelopeguss
Banned
They have the nukes, and i'll be marching with the scots to torch westminster.
fizzelopeguss
Banned
Nicktendo86
Member
The party of inn.
shamelessly stolen from twitter
So the European Commission has today given the UK government some helpful advice on how to do it's job. Some choice quotes:
BBC said:
I know they do this every year, but advising the UK on how to get it's economy going at a time when we have some of the highest growth in the western world and the eurozone is still in the toilet is a bit funny. Also I just don't agree on their stance on council tax. I know how unpopular it was but I still think the poll tax was a good idea, council tax is to pay for council services and I just do not get the link between property prices and services. Surely those who use the most (create the most rubbish etc) should make a larger contribution? I get the argument for those better off needed to make a bigger contribution towards the community, but I don't see why council tax should be for that. If you want to debate the lib dem's mansion tax, or argue to increase stamp duty, fine, but why should someone pay more council tax just because their property price has gone up?
anonymous_abc
Member
CyclopsRock
Member
Generally speaking, council tax is tremendously regressive and, yup, a poll tax is a much more appropriate way of doing it. In my old flat, there were 4 of us living there, and directly above us in the same floor plan there were 2 people. Yet we paid the same council tax - but we probably threw away double the rubbish, were twice as likely to use local resources like parks and swimming pools, twice as likely to throw up on the street that needs cleaning (who am I kidding - more like four times as likely, on week days anyway) etc. It's barmy that we paid the same. Similarly, the value of the property a) has nothing to do with the amount you use local services and b) is a very clumsy way of graduating the cost because there link between the value of property and the ability of the tenants to pay is fairly weak. For example, that aforementioned flat was probably worth about a million quid because it was a 4 bedroom flat in a Georgian terrace in the middle of Clerkenwell - but we rented it! We didn't own that property, and likewise, people who keep their house and have seen its value rocket will have property worth a lot which doesn't necessarily match their income - of course, this is why they use the bands from 1992 (or whatever) but THAT'S silly too because obviously different areas change value at different times.
I think, if council tax were a locally levied income tax (or was funded entirely from central taxation) and someone then suggested the system we have now, everyone would laugh at them and tell them to take their special pills. It's an awful system.
Not that this has anything to do with the EU's recommendations. Whatever, they're free to recommend whatever they want. I don't suppose Georgie boy will be losing much sleep over it, especially after the IMF thing.
I think, if council tax were a locally levied income tax (or was funded entirely from central taxation) and someone then suggested the system we have now, everyone would laugh at them and tell them to take their special pills. It's an awful system.
Not that this has anything to do with the EU's recommendations. Whatever, they're free to recommend whatever they want. I don't suppose Georgie boy will be losing much sleep over it, especially after the IMF thing.
That would confuse the fuck out of the fleg protesters in Belfast.
Lol I doubt they will have the launch codes.
I doubt we English do either.
anonymous_abc
Member
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27685195
What new Groups form and who joins what group will be interesting to see in the new EP.
zomgbbqftw
Banned
I think he has already succeeded in stopping JCJ, Merkel is sounding out Christine Lagarde and other candidates.
The Tories don't have a majority within the ECR, they could all vote against AfD joining and they would still be able join the ECR group. I expect that will happen to give Cameron enough cover to show his party did what it could.
His whole, "get a federalist and Britain leaves" ploy worked very well. Not least because I could see it happen. The people of this country voted for less Europe, not more. The same holds true in many major EU nations. Even Germany have got Eurosceptic, anti-federalist representatives for the first time. The EU cannot afford to ignore the will of the people and put JCJ into the presidency or the mainstream parties will suffer at the ballot box next time around and in more engaged countries in other elections as well.
The Tories don't have a majority within the ECR, they could all vote against AfD joining and they would still be able join the ECR group. I expect that will happen to give Cameron enough cover to show his party did what it could.
His whole, "get a federalist and Britain leaves" ploy worked very well. Not least because I could see it happen. The people of this country voted for less Europe, not more. The same holds true in many major EU nations. Even Germany have got Eurosceptic, anti-federalist representatives for the first time. The EU cannot afford to ignore the will of the people and put JCJ into the presidency or the mainstream parties will suffer at the ballot box next time around and in more engaged countries in other elections as well.
CyclopsRock
Member
It's pretty mad that a role like EU Commissioner is subject to the political whims of the body that appoints it.
anonymous_abc
Member
That is the reason JCJ will get the job.
CyclopsRock
Member
Lol. The people are clamouring for the prime minister of Luxembourg. They'll call it the Brussels Spring.
Nicktendo86
Member
Am I the only one bored now of Dennis Skinner's yearly 'joke'?
Yes.
anonymous_abc
Member
I'll be quite willing to eat crow if JCJ or MS don't get the job.
While I am weeping for the EU.
Darling's been at the Brasso again...
(Alex Salmond)
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/06/alistair-darling-interview-salmond-behaving-kim-jong-il
(Alex Salmond)
Alistair Darling said:
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/06/alistair-darling-interview-salmond-behaving-kim-jong-il
Did Alex Salmond really say people voted UKIP because of the English BBC?
Not sure I disagree with Darling if so. Hyperbolic his point may have been.
Nicktendo86
Member
Lib Dems and Labour having informal talks, I don't think anyone should really be surprised but this paragraph caught my attention:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27708375
Wouldn't it be hilarious if morons vote UKIP in droves, split the Tory vote, and we end up with Europhile Labour/Lib Dem government. Terrible, but hilarious.
BBC said:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27708375
Wouldn't it be hilarious if morons vote UKIP in droves, split the Tory vote, and we end up with Europhile Labour/Lib Dem government. Terrible, but hilarious.
anonymous_abc
Member
Stranger things have happened I suppose.
Not sure how europhile Labour currently is though. Difficult to judge.
Sounds pretty good compared to the nightmare of the Cameroid's run.
Nicktendo86
Member
The new statesman have retracted the article lol.
http://order-order.com/2014/06/05/new-statesman-retracts-false-darling-nazi-quote/
Guido Fawkes said:
Edit: I mean they retracted the Nazi quote, not the article. Apologies.
Yeah, it does seem he was baited by Cowley. Still, I think mangling the point about the BBC & UKIP and drawing a comparison to NK's dear leader isn't really the sort of thing he should be saying while calling for fair and measured debate. It is possible the whole thing was transcribed while drunk though and he said none of that and New Statesmen's editor needs to take some time out.
Salmond shouldn't blame UKIP voting on the BBC either really.
Nicktendo86
Member
Weird, its the Newark election today but heard hardly anything...
WayneMorse
Banned
http://www.theguardian.com/politics...suggests-scotland-should-stay-uk-independence
Obama suggesting that Scotland would be #bettertogether.
Obama suggesting that Scotland would be #bettertogether.
I'm sure once the US rejoins the UK they'll be happy to listen to him.
WayneMorse
Banned
I trust Obama more than I do Salmond.
War Peaceman
You're a big guy.
Obviously he does. One nation is easier to deal with than multiples. From a diplomatic and strategic point of view, they'd be stupid not to want the UK to stay together.
CyclopsRock
Member
Tories win Newark. Labour seem unlikely to get a decent swing which should worry them. And early indications suggests lib den massacre, possibly as low as 2%. Aww fuck.
Nicktendo86
Member
Yes very safe. Apparently they were saying privately a victory of +10% would be OK but less than that would be worried so they must be happy with 19%.
Even the Tories are admitting the Labour and Lib Dem vote turned to them to keep UKIP out.
Nicktendo86
Member
First time in 25 years the Tories have won a by election whilst in power. Bad night for labour, their vote share went down whilst being the main opposition party which must be unheard of!