General Election, June 8th

[Strokes]

Just now, Sharpe's Fox said:

He's got Thatcher tattooed onto his scrotum

We have that done at birth on the right but usually it's a branding, he must predate laser removal.

[Sharpe's Fox]

9 minutes ago, MattP said:

Does anyone know the answer to this?

Page 39 and 40 of the manifesto

 

Quote

 

Labour would introduce free, lifelong education in Further Education (FE) colleges, enabling everyone to upskill or retrain at any point in life. 

...

Labour will:

 

• Replace Advanced Learner Loans and upfront course fees with direct funding, making FE courses free at the point of use, including English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses. 

 

don't see why you couldn't look that up yourself

[Guest MattP]

5 minutes ago, Sharpe's Fox said:

Page 39 and 40 of the manifesto

 

don't see why you couldn't look that up yourself

Thank you, I'm not at home so only got my mobile on me.

 

That's a positive anyway (and I'm trying to look for them in case) - still my intention to do a degree in history at some point so next 4-5 years would certainly be the time to do it if the taxpayer will fund it. 

 

I could probably afford to it at push but free tuition would be a huge bonus, there's my "oh well, at least".... if he does get in!

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, MattP said:

Thank you, I'm not at home so only got my mobile on me.

 

That's a positive anyway (and I'm trying to look for them in case) - still my intention to do a degree in history at some point so next 4-5 years would certainly be the time to do it if the taxpayer will fund it. 

 

I could probably afford to it at push but free tuition would be a huge bonus, there's my "oh well, at least".... if he does get in!

There are plenty of other positives with that result too matt if you'd like me to share them? In fact, there are so many it might make you question why you even thought of voting tory in the first place ;-)

[Bellend Sebastian]

25 minutes ago, Strokes said:

And piercing should be plural, unless they have a restriction.

Perhaps they are not offering the conventional service as we would understand it. You just take something along that needs to be pierced, and they pierce it for you, while you wait, possibly

[Guest MattP]

2 minutes ago, toddybad said:

There are plenty of other positives with that result too matt if you'd like me to share them? In fact, there are so many it might make you question why you even thought of voting tory in the first place ;-)

Whilst it's a positive for me, I think it's outrageous and unfair that the taxpayer (and as the IFS states, it wouldn't just be the top 5%) would be paying for me to effectively go and do my hobby for a few years. 

[Jon the Hat]

30 minutes ago, Sharpe's Fox said:

Page 39 and 40 of the manifesto

 

don't see why you couldn't look that up yourself

This is further education; university is higher education.

[Lionator]

32 minutes ago, MattP said:

Does anyone know the answer to this?

You would think anybody but that's not been made clear.

 

On the subject of tuition fees, despite being a Labour supporter, I'm fiercely against this policy. Having just graduated, I lived with a lad for a year who failed three consecutive first years through sheer laziness and too much drinking/partying. He comes from a well off background so £45k debt with no reward is no issue for him. This would genuinely make me angry if the taxpayer was funding this with no financial consequence so in this context I believe that there does need to be some sort of fee system, however the ridiculous interest rate on tuition fee payback is an absolute scandal. 

[Nugent]

11 minutes ago, Lionator said:

You would think anybody but that's not been made clear.

 

On the subject of tuition fees, despite being a Labour supporter, I'm fiercely against this policy. Having just graduated, I lived with a lad for a year who failed three consecutive first years through sheer laziness and too much drinking/partying. He comes from a well off background so £45k debt with no reward is no issue for him. This would genuinely make me angry if the taxpayer was funding this with no financial consequence so in this context I believe that there does need to be some sort of fee system, however the ridiculous interest rate on tuition fee payback is an absolute scandal. 

 

I'm with you on this one, I'll be voting Labour, and graduated last year, but disagree with free tuition massively, why should everyone pay for my tuition fees if I decide that's the path I want to take? The money funding every man and his dog suddenly wanting to go to Uni because its free could be spent better elsewhere.

 

If they want to do something to fees then how about bring them back down to £3,000 a year as they were in 2012.

[Innovindil]

9 minutes ago, Nugent said:

 

I'm with you on this one, I'll be voting Labour, and graduated last year, but disagree with free tuition massively, why should everyone pay for my tuition fees if I decide that's the path I want to take? The money funding every man and his dog suddenly wanting to go to Uni because its free could be spent better elsewhere.

 

If they want to do something to fees then how about bring them back down to £3,000 a year as they were in 2012.

Because why charge when everything can be "free". 

[Thracian]

18 hours ago, MattP said:

Exactly my thought as well.

 

Closer Corbyn gets his fans seem to get more vocal, huge booing and shouting now in Basildon at a Times journalist who just asked him what sort of coalitions he would consider in the event of a hung parliament.

They're like baying hyenas and that's  what you get with all gangs of bullies. 

[Sharpe's Fox]

Gummer lined up for Brexit secretary in victory reshuffle

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/gummer-lined-up-for-brexit-secretary-in-victory-reshuffle-hq8c70qqf

 

 

Ben Gummer is being lined up as the new Brexit secretary in a post-election reshuffle, with David Davis promoted to foreign secretary.

Theresa May’s key calculation as she mulls over possible changes is whether Boris Johnson can be moved, according to senior Tories.

The option of placing Mr Gummer in charge of the Brexit department is being canvassed by No 10, Whitehall sources have confirmed. Although he is not yet a cabinet minister, the Tory candidate for Ipswich and son of Lord Deben, who as John Selwyn Gummer was environment secretary, is highly rated by the prime minister.

Ben Gummer already sits on the Brexit committee as part of his work ensuring that No 10’s priorities are being implemented across government departments. “The thinking is that Ben is the brightest she’s got and Brexit is the biggest issue, so why wouldn’t you put him in there?” a senior Tory said.

Mr Davis, who has been the target of persistent speculation that he will be moved, would be content to move to the Foreign Office, friends say. That leaves Mrs May with the difficulty of what to do with Mr Johnson. He is understood to have made clear last July that he would not accept the job of party chairman — the role for which some in No 10 think he is most suited.

Mr Johnson has weathered initial storms with Mrs May’s team — notably over his claim that Saudi Arabia was engaged in “proxy wars” in the Middle East. Critics say that his stance as a Brexit cheerleader makes him too easy a target for people such as President Macron of France, who has said that Mr Johnson “sailed the ship into battle and then jumped overboard at the moment of crisis”.

A convincing win next week would give Mrs May more freedom to reshape her team and force through the changes she wants.

Her refusal to guarantee any senior ministers in their present position has triggered speculation that Philip Hammond could be moved from the Treasury.

Amber Rudd’s confident performance in Wednesday’s TV debate, for which she stood in for Mrs May against six party leaders, has led to her odds of replacing Mr Hammond in No 11 tumbling.

Mrs May laughed off suggestions that Ms Rudd could become the first female chancellor yesterday, saying only that she had done “an absolutely excellent job” in defending the government’s record against Jeremy Corbyn and the other opposition leaders during the debate.

“I am focusing on actually making sure that when people come to vote next week they are very clear on what the choice is at this election,” she said.

Mr Hammond’s grip on control of the Treasury was weakened after The Times revealed the existence of tensions with Mrs May’s team and in particular Nick Timothy, one of her two chiefs of staff. Mr Timothy had been infuriated when the chancellor’s camp described him as “economically illiterate” after the budget fiasco over a planned rise in national insurance contributions that broke a manifesto commitment.

The two clashed again when the chancellor was suspected of pre-empting a decision to drop a pledge not to raise any of the main tax rates before the formal decision.

It was the choice to include a new social care policy at the core of the present manifesto — being blamed on Mr Timothy — that brought a dramatic slump in Mrs May’s poll lead.

The latest U-turn has changed the power dynamics, senior aides say. “One line of thinking is that the prime minister will punish Nick by keeping Hammond exactly where he is,” one said. “He’s the only one with a real problem with the chancellor — he will have to deal with it.”

Mrs May’s room for manoeuvre depends on the size of a Tory majority, which will determine the extent of her authority over her cabinet and the wider party.

She is already facing calls to widen her circle of advisers and pursue a more collegiate approach as a markedly presidential campaign stutters.

 

Looks like the @MattP wet dream of a David Davis Brexit won't even come to fruition  

[Guest MattP]

2 minutes ago, Sharpe's Fox said:

Gummer lined up for Brexit secretary in victory reshuffle

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/gummer-lined-up-for-brexit-secretary-in-victory-reshuffle-hq8c70qqf

 

 

 

 

Looks like the @MattP wet dream of a David Davis Brexit won't even come to fruition  

I can understand the desire to promote Davis (he should be being promoted to leader) but even if she does the idea she could move a remainer to the position of Brexit Secretary is laughable - the backbenchers won't tolerate it.

 

She's either trying to lose, trying to get sacked or has become completely delirious. 

[RobHawk]

46 minutes ago, Lionator said:

You would think anybody but that's not been made clear.

 

On the subject of tuition fees, despite being a Labour supporter, I'm fiercely against this policy. Having just graduated, I lived with a lad for a year who failed three consecutive first years through sheer laziness and too much drinking/partying. He comes from a well off background so £45k debt with no reward is no issue for him. This would genuinely make me angry if the taxpayer was funding this with no financial consequence so in this context I believe that there does need to be some sort of fee system, however the ridiculous interest rate on tuition fee payback is an absolute scandal. 

He wouldn't of received tuition fee funding for all 3 years thoigh! Everyone gets an extra year just in case but he woud have had to self fund fees for the 3rd attempt himself! 

[Guest MattP]

Britain Elects map if the election was held today based on average polling.

 

Expecting many Tory gains in Scotland and the North.

[RobHawk]

4 minutes ago, MattP said:

Britain Elects map if the election was held today based on average polling.

 

Expecting many Tory gains in Scotland and the North.

Thats the most depressing thing i've ever seen! 

[Rincewind]

8 minutes ago, RobHawk said:

He wouldn't of received tuition fee funding for all 3 years thoigh! Everyone gets an extra year just in case but he woud have had to self fund fees for the 3rd attempt himself! 

He may have been assured of a job anyway if his family owned their own business and the one that works and studies would be behind him in the interview queue.

[Rincewind]

7 minutes ago, RobHawk said:

Thats the most depressing thing i've ever seen! 

Does not look good. Means they can do what they like for the next five years and the poor sod at the bottom of the tree will be shat on by even bigger birds. Those in the middle will also be in the line of fire.

[The Floyd]

http://specc.ie/2qHiaZp 

 

Not ideal.

[EnderbyFox]

 

[RobHawk]

9 minutes ago, EnderbyFox said:

 

Now that is more interesting along with the YouGov poll! As has been said already - it could just be more labout supports in safe labour holds, they have to win seats back to really make a difference in the elction outcome. 

[Alf Bentley]

21 minutes ago, The Floyd said:

http://specc.ie/2qHiaZp 

 

Not ideal.

 

All over the media now: http://news.sky.com/story/tory-candidate-craig-mackinlay-charged-over-election-expenses-10901914

 

"Tory candidate Craig Mackinlay has been charged as part of an investigation into spending at the 2015 general election.

Mr Mackinlay, who is standing to be re-elected South Thanet MP, is one of three people to have been charged with offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said".

 

 

All the other Tory MPs/candidates under investigation were given the all-clear last month. They had benefited from extra support from the national Tory battlebus team spending time campaigning in their constituencies - but presumably it was unclear any fault was attached to the MPs (Tory HQ had already been fined). I believe the difference with Mackinlay is that he had 1-2 Tory Central Office people stationed permanently in Thanet throughout the 2015 election to fight off Farage - and didn't declare that.

 

The courts will decide whether Mackinlay is guilty, but how much electoral damage will it do? It will surely put South Thanet back into play (it was a 3-way Tory/UKIP/Lab marginal last time). I bet Farage wishes he'd stood again this time. That seat must be a toss-up now......but will it harm the Tories' reputation nationally? My guess is not much - most people probably assume that there is dodgy conduct in every party. It might prevent them controlling the media agenda with attacks on Labour, though.... 

 

 

[Guest MattP]

Why didn't Nigel Farage stand? He would surely be odds on favourite for South Thanet now had he done so.

 

Edit: Alf already said it.

 

 

[purpleronnie]

There's few more smug self conceited politicians than david davies every time he tries to pull the wool over peoples eyes over trade deals with the EU he just sits there with a smug expression chewing on his glasses.

 

Question Time does get funnier every week though, audience member stating because she saw a marks and spencer's shop on holiday that we'll be ok if we walk away from trade talks with the EU.

 

Here's a woman so deluded yet she choose to go on a political TV show so you'd think she be a little clued up.  If she's that deluded what does that say for the rest of the public?

 

At least the Tory manifesto and Theresa may not doing the debate has finally knocked the Tories off their pedestal (a little), 2 months ago Mrs May could do no wrong.

 

It will still a comfortable Tory win though unfortunately.

 

Oh I'm voting Labour.

[The Floyd]

18 minutes ago, Alf Bentley said:

 

All over the media now: http://news.sky.com/story/tory-candidate-craig-mackinlay-charged-over-election-expenses-10901914

 

"Tory candidate Craig Mackinlay has been charged as part of an investigation into spending at the 2015 general election.

Mr Mackinlay, who is standing to be re-elected South Thanet MP, is one of three people to have been charged with offences under the Representation of the People Act 1983, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said".

 

 

All the other Tory MPs/candidates under investigation were given the all-clear last month. They had benefited from extra support from the national Tory battlebus team spending time campaigning in their constituencies - but presumably it was unclear any fault was attached to the MPs (Tory HQ had already been fined). I believe the difference with Mackinlay is that he had 1-2 Tory Central Office people stationed permanently in Thanet throughout the 2015 election to fight off Farage - and didn't declare that.

 

The courts will decide whether Mackinlay is guilty, but how much electoral damage will it do? It will surely put South Thanet back into play (it was a 3-way Tory/UKIP/Lab marginal last time). I bet Farage wishes he'd stood again this time. That seat must be a toss-up now......but will it harm the Tories' reputation nationally? My guess is not much - most people probably assume that there is dodgy conduct in every party. It might prevent them controlling the media agenda with attacks on Labour, though.... 

 

 

I'm leaning towards this. Short term I'd predict that not many ordinary voters will pay attention, or at least enough attention to change the way they vote, long term I'm not so sure - realistically, will he be the only one charged?

 

The timing is slightly odd but I guess it would look even worse if CPS had waited until after the election.