@fascinatorfun's Threads
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@CommonsCMS heard from the Electoral Commission, The Institute for Strategic Dialogue and two technology companies on issues relating to Electoral integrity and also donations including via PayPal
BXP has high risk systems
Here is a link to the session.
parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/2b…
BXP has high risk systems
Here is a link to the session.
parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/2b…
2/ EC said that PayPal is used & can be used safely and properly providing political parties ensure their obligations are met.
Some parties use PayPal safely with systems & training so traceable Know Your Donor (KYD) processes are established and applied.
Brexit Party not so.
Some parties use PayPal safely with systems & training so traceable Know Your Donor (KYD) processes are established and applied.
Brexit Party not so.
3/. The EC did not believe naivety was the reason in BXP case given they had politicians & personnel that had worked within other political parties.
The EC also ran oversight on PV, OFOC & CHUK but did not find the same high risk systems.
PayPal configured by them appropriately
The EC also ran oversight on PV, OFOC & CHUK but did not find the same high risk systems.
PayPal configured by them appropriately
“Most dictatorships have a better way of choosing their leader than this one.”
On Boris Johnson, Clarke is withering in a way that borders on contempt.
On Boris Johnson, Clarke is withering in a way that borders on contempt.
Seeing his legacy of 5 decades left in ruins
“He is also dismayed by the way the Tory party is going about choosing its new leader and the country’s next prime minister. “There’s an air of fantasy about just about every candidate’s campaign,” he says.
“He is also dismayed by the way the Tory party is going about choosing its new leader and the country’s next prime minister. “There’s an air of fantasy about just about every candidate’s campaign,” he says.
3/
He reflects “with promises being made on Brexit that cannot be met. And the way the eventual decision will be handed over to the Tory membership, he finds simply “extraordinary”.
He reflects “with promises being made on Brexit that cannot be met. And the way the eventual decision will be handed over to the Tory membership, he finds simply “extraordinary”.
1/Listening to the C4 Con leadership debate.
All “delivering Brexit”
#Gove. Opened his mouth and lost the first Q
#Stewart. Cleverer response “listened to Corbyn yadda”
#Raab. Kept his voice lower but Blah.
#Javid Same but at least talking about addressing issues.
#Hunt. Same
All “delivering Brexit”
#Gove. Opened his mouth and lost the first Q
#Stewart. Cleverer response “listened to Corbyn yadda”
#Raab. Kept his voice lower but Blah.
#Javid Same but at least talking about addressing issues.
#Hunt. Same
2/. Politics of fear re Corbyn.
Really pretty wet.
Hope it improves.
Really pretty wet.
Hope it improves.
Three things tonight.
Big things for me.
I watched 3 programmes that hit home
1/ Britain’s toxic air Scandal (C4 8 pm) the shedding of plastics and other substances hurts children’s ability to breathe clean air.
2/ Adrian Chiles talking about drinking alcohol BBC1 8.30 p.m
Big things for me.
I watched 3 programmes that hit home
1/ Britain’s toxic air Scandal (C4 8 pm) the shedding of plastics and other substances hurts children’s ability to breathe clean air.
2/ Adrian Chiles talking about drinking alcohol BBC1 8.30 p.m
3/ related to 1/ above is Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall BBC1 on plastic disposal. I am very very shocked.
I really do not know if what I do is OK
I bought bottled water 18m ago.
I now use the bottles refilled with water for convenient reuse.
Now looking at the shameful mountain
I really do not know if what I do is OK
I bought bottled water 18m ago.
I now use the bottles refilled with water for convenient reuse.
Now looking at the shameful mountain
4/. I have to rethink what I have to do.
So what will I do tomorrow?
A/ think very hard before I buy or use new plastic. Do I REALLY need it. Can I reuse what I have?
B/ Maybe I should sell my car? Not have one at all.
If not share it with someone who currently own a car
So what will I do tomorrow?
A/ think very hard before I buy or use new plastic. Do I REALLY need it. Can I reuse what I have?
B/ Maybe I should sell my car? Not have one at all.
If not share it with someone who currently own a car
Just trying out a new way of doing threads. Now going back and altering it before tweeting it.
And here is another tweet without tweeting the first one. I just pressed the + on the bottom right as @redalphababe suggested. 
“Our findings add to the evidence that this nonprofit organisation has been used by its corporate backers for years to counter public health policies
()should be regarded as an industry group & regulated as such, not as a body acting for the greater good.” theguardian.com/us-news/2019/j…
()should be regarded as an industry group & regulated as such, not as a body acting for the greater good.” theguardian.com/us-news/2019/j…
Although referring to the ILSI we, here in the U.K. and USA would have no trouble substituting several other organation names in those brackets.
Name a few.
Name a few.
@steveparks “To understand the upside down we are in, we need to understand the sources of information pollution. A key pillar of that is fake think tanks, institutes and ‘grassroots’ campaigns - that are actually corporate lobby groups. “
With hung Parliaments
“we will face years of paralysis under feeble governments unable to do a great deal unless the British political class becomes much more skilled at building alliances across party lines & much more willing to work towards consensus.” theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
“we will face years of paralysis under feeble governments unable to do a great deal unless the British political class becomes much more skilled at building alliances across party lines & much more willing to work towards consensus.” theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
2/
“The four-way split of the vote in Peterborough means that all of that city is now represented by an MP who won with less than a third of the vote”(a historic low)
“This could be replayed on a national scale. At a general election, there could be scores of Peterboroughs”
“The four-way split of the vote in Peterborough means that all of that city is now represented by an MP who won with less than a third of the vote”(a historic low)
“This could be replayed on a national scale. At a general election, there could be scores of Peterboroughs”
3/. Peterborough represents a agree collapse of the duopoly with the combined Tory / Labour vote share of 95% dropping to 52%.
Two historically unpopular Party leaders. One no longer, waiting for a replacement that will result in Brexit fantasy hitting reality in August.
Two historically unpopular Party leaders. One no longer, waiting for a replacement that will result in Brexit fantasy hitting reality in August.
This is cuttingly accurate from the FT.
Who’s heard of Widmerpoolism before?!
New one to me.
Who’s heard of Widmerpoolism before?!
New one to me.
See here.
And
“They just want to sound hard because they live in fear of deselection by their hard Brexiter local parties. Tory MPs know the job market for ex- Tory MPs is pretty weak.”
And
“They just want to sound hard because they live in fear of deselection by their hard Brexiter local parties. Tory MPs know the job market for ex- Tory MPs is pretty weak.”
Not to mention Laziness.
In the gentleman-dilettante tradition Cameron betted that “a referendum would put the European issue to bed, reunite the Tory Party and See off the threat of Farage”.
Going well so far!
😡😡😡😡😡
In the gentleman-dilettante tradition Cameron betted that “a referendum would put the European issue to bed, reunite the Tory Party and See off the threat of Farage”.
Going well so far!
😡😡😡😡😡
“My best expectation, with my 30 years of financial experience, is that there will not be an economic impact," says Leadsom on Brexit.
But then she also says that sterling has not changed since Cameron fired the Brexit starring gun.
Really? See chart
buzzfeed.com/emilyashton/an…
But then she also says that sterling has not changed since Cameron fired the Brexit starring gun.
Really? See chart
buzzfeed.com/emilyashton/an…
See that massively sharp fall on the left of the chart?
That is the point from just before the referendum.
I hope Osborne will take it upon himself to refute her belief that he really wants Brexit. (Another example of her delusional thinking).
That is the point from just before the referendum.
I hope Osborne will take it upon himself to refute her belief that he really wants Brexit. (Another example of her delusional thinking).
This sort of gross misjudgment & misrepresentation especially as 1 manufacturer after another announce closures and cut backs is the sort of thing that MUST be identified and punished come the Public Inquiry.
1 Trillion Assets gone or being moved. (EY)
1 Trillion Assets gone or being moved. (EY)
A report back and thank you to all my followers for you help inngetting memout of the shadow ban I had.
It seems to have worked over 3 days by a combination of actions.
I stopped tweeting repeat messages to New Lib Dem members (sorry!) & varying them now. Retweeting fewer Gifs
It seems to have worked over 3 days by a combination of actions.
I stopped tweeting repeat messages to New Lib Dem members (sorry!) & varying them now. Retweeting fewer Gifs
It is disconcerting as I hadn’t realised I WAS shadow-banned until another Twitter user pointed it out having done a check using this tool.
Anyone can check their own account
But because you retweeted (I cut back on repeat tweets &odd hour tweeting) =OK
shadowban.eu
Anyone can check their own account
But because you retweeted (I cut back on repeat tweets &odd hour tweeting) =OK
shadowban.eu
I’ll be a bit more alert now to my twitter feed going quiet, lots of tweets saying I can’t see tweets as my account settings are too sensitive (they aren’t), a change in fllwrs numbers or a sudden drop in the numbers of people I follow (where I’ve no recollection of unfollowing)
No Deal more popular than May’s Deal, But UK Now Wants To Remain!
End April 2019. YouGov
53% Remain v 34% No Deal or 12% May’s deal.
When the 2 highest set against one another (Remain v No Deal) then 61% seek to remain.
Reasons of interest (Tweet 2) kisbridgingloans.co.uk/finance-news/n…
End April 2019. YouGov
53% Remain v 34% No Deal or 12% May’s deal.
When the 2 highest set against one another (Remain v No Deal) then 61% seek to remain.
Reasons of interest (Tweet 2) kisbridgingloans.co.uk/finance-news/n…
Scare tactics turn people off
That is a problem for Remainers who are scared by what seems a looming unpleasant reality.
Yet the £350 mill pw message has left people feeling cheated.
A message dichotomy.
But most think staying in the EU preferable to leaving with an bad deal
That is a problem for Remainers who are scared by what seems a looming unpleasant reality.
Yet the £350 mill pw message has left people feeling cheated.
A message dichotomy.
But most think staying in the EU preferable to leaving with an bad deal
Cautionary note.
I could find no link to the underlying data tables on YouGov so do not know that cohort size or order of questions, but as New European had published it already and this gave more info I thought it was worth a follow up.
I could find no link to the underlying data tables on YouGov so do not know that cohort size or order of questions, but as New European had published it already and this gave more info I thought it was worth a follow up.
In the Tories' darkest hour, they need a Churchill.
“never in the field of political conflict were so many candidates found so wanting, so many, with so much to say, to so little effect.”
@lewis_goodall news.sky.com/story/in-the-t…
“never in the field of political conflict were so many candidates found so wanting, so many, with so much to say, to so little effect.”
@lewis_goodall news.sky.com/story/in-the-t…
Of the multiplication of candidates:
“far from this being a sign of health, of a plethora of talent on display, it is in fact the opposite, a nod to a party mired in ill-discipline & deep decay. It confirms the weakness of the front runners, those in the great offices of state”
“far from this being a sign of health, of a plethora of talent on display, it is in fact the opposite, a nod to a party mired in ill-discipline & deep decay. It confirms the weakness of the front runners, those in the great offices of state”
3/ “Through political weight they should be able to command allegiance but they cannot.
So tainted or problematic are they that their power within the party to cajole, to force the smallest of minnows to get in line, is far more limited than it ought to be.”
So tainted or problematic are they that their power within the party to cajole, to force the smallest of minnows to get in line, is far more limited than it ought to be.”
I don’t want to be seeking re-election in the shadow of a hollowed-out Nissan plant, where supply chain industries have collapsed, explaining that I was simply doing what local voters asked of me many yrs earlier as thousands of people are put out of work theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
2/ “We have to stop that happening. We have to tell our people the truth.
People vote. Not places”
People vote. Not places”
3/. They might not always ask for a fresh referendum, though plenty do. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t welcome one, or that they would regard one as a betrayal. People like these are to be found in every marginal seat.
This is very touching for me as I had 2 parents who had to leave school by (or before in my mother’s case) 14 years old.
Yet look at what a witty, sharp-as-a-rapier, shining star @gabyhinsliff ‘s parents produced
I need to go back to school theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Yet look at what a witty, sharp-as-a-rapier, shining star @gabyhinsliff ‘s parents produced
I need to go back to school theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
2/ Both my parents were very bright. Keen to educate themselves in different ways
My mother was always listening to the radio. Radio 3.
My Dad would sit and read out poetry (Something I dreaded when it was in recitation voice) but also wrote truly funny clever life based poems
My mother was always listening to the radio. Radio 3.
My Dad would sit and read out poetry (Something I dreaded when it was in recitation voice) but also wrote truly funny clever life based poems
3/. I remember him sitting teaching himself chemistry, physics, biology (no HE...all self taught with books from the library) so he could stop being a cooper (making barrels) to being a brewer.
He succeeded.
He succeeded.
“after last weekend’s European election results, his grounds for optimism are pretty shaky – I think he just likes general elections. “Let’s get back into the fray & stick it to the Tories!” is the feeling. I reckon it relaxes him.”
He knows the direction! theguardian.com/politics/comme…
He knows the direction! theguardian.com/politics/comme…
2/.
“At heart he’s such a conservative. Small “C”, I hasten to emphasise. I’m not saying he isn’t leftwing. But he’s old school leftwing. He’s determined to find a way of winning the 1983 general election for Labour – it’s his Kobayashi Maru and he’s going to crack it.”
“At heart he’s such a conservative. Small “C”, I hasten to emphasise. I’m not saying he isn’t leftwing. But he’s old school leftwing. He’s determined to find a way of winning the 1983 general election for Labour – it’s his Kobayashi Maru and he’s going to crack it.”
3/“He’s a sincere reformer, a progressive, a socialist – it’s just his starting point doesn’t happen to be the current date. It’s like he wants to live in an Amish community & expend all his energy trying to persuade them to get a steam plough.”
DavidMitchell is so funny & right
DavidMitchell is so funny & right
“Talk about a dead-cat bounce. Far from being phased out by the Tiggers in the new Change UK Party, the Liberal Democrats are back in the game.”
Both prospective leaders have 1st Class honours degrees
Both clearly get on with one another. What a relief!
Not like Tory & Labour
Both prospective leaders have 1st Class honours degrees
Both clearly get on with one another. What a relief!
Not like Tory & Labour
The two prospective leaders have conducted themselves with more decorum that the Tory leadership.
3/ Jo Swinson went to a Comprehensive School, Ed a grammar school, just a year ahead of Ed Balls.
Will we see a Gangham Style Dance off between Ed and Ed?
I would pay to see it!
Ed’s father died when Ed was 4 years old. His mother 11 years later
Will we see a Gangham Style Dance off between Ed and Ed?
I would pay to see it!
Ed’s father died when Ed was 4 years old. His mother 11 years later
Plan to hire thousands of foreign nurses for NHS is axed. Why?
Because the Target was politically difficult for a government committed to reducing net migration, now something of a non issue for most (11%-13% in the last 2 polls).
Magical thinking.. theguardian.com/society/2019/j…
Because the Target was politically difficult for a government committed to reducing net migration, now something of a non issue for most (11%-13% in the last 2 polls).
Magical thinking.. theguardian.com/society/2019/j…
2/ “There are 100,000 vacant posts in English trusts alone, although many will be filled by agency workers. The problem is concentrated in nursing and general practice.”
3/. “
“We calculated that international recruitment of 5,000 nurses a year would be what it would take to halve the nursing gap, not even eliminate it, by 2023-24. If that doesn’t happen, the sort of shortages we have now will continue.”
“We calculated that international recruitment of 5,000 nurses a year would be what it would take to halve the nursing gap, not even eliminate it, by 2023-24. If that doesn’t happen, the sort of shortages we have now will continue.”
@AdamRemain @LibDemNewbies, @LibFozzy MESSAGE FOR LIB DEM NEWBIES!
1/. Since the LE earlier this month over 11k new members have joined. YIPPEE!
2/ there maybe a week or two delay between you joining and the site updating as it is done manually and there is A LOT to be done.
1/. Since the LE earlier this month over 11k new members have joined. YIPPEE!
2/ there maybe a week or two delay between you joining and the site updating as it is done manually and there is A LOT to be done.
3/. With so many lovely new members there are an awful lot of new member packs to send out. So try and be patient.
Your online login to the membership area will come sooner (See 2 above)
4/. There’s a lot of questions coming in. All good. I shall tweet out answers ASAP
Your online login to the membership area will come sooner (See 2 above)
4/. There’s a lot of questions coming in. All good. I shall tweet out answers ASAP
4/. If you are not already following @LibDemNewbiesUK and the head of membership @LibFozzy then it might be a good idea for you to do so.
You can ask them questions and they are more knowledgable than me when it comes to membership issues!
You can ask them questions and they are more knowledgable than me when it comes to membership issues!
Why isn’t this getting equal coverage to the AS in Labour.
For those that have not been following the complaints I attach some example below.
For those that have not been following the complaints I attach some example below.
One set of examples.
Another
Of the Tory leadership contenders Rory Stewart comes over as having by far the greatest intellectual heft and gravitas.
Statesmanlike qualities. I do not agree with him about rejecting a referendum (or getting on with Brexit), but his communication skills made me check Wiki
Statesmanlike qualities. I do not agree with him about rejecting a referendum (or getting on with Brexit), but his communication skills made me check Wiki
Here is his Wiki Page that makes very interesting reading.
His comms skills are far greater than I have seen from other candidates. Heavier weight intellectually. More likeable and trustworthy. Warmer. More human.
I would be watching this space.
His comms skills are far greater than I have seen from other candidates. Heavier weight intellectually. More likeable and trustworthy. Warmer. More human.
I would be watching this space.
3/. Worth remembering that, according to Lord Ashcroft’s Exit poll, of those who voted Tory 28% wanted to remain and only 17% would settle for No Deal. The rest wanted May’s Deal or some other deal.
I think he can speak to them.
I think he can speak to them.
Campbell suspended yet this 2016
Anger as controversial Jeremy Corbyn aide Andrew Fisher wins top Labour policy role.
He publicly supported Class War candidate over Labour Party candidate Emily Benn yet kept his job.
No suspension for Jezza mates. politicshome.com/news/uk/politi…
Anger as controversial Jeremy Corbyn aide Andrew Fisher wins top Labour policy role.
He publicly supported Class War candidate over Labour Party candidate Emily Benn yet kept his job.
No suspension for Jezza mates. politicshome.com/news/uk/politi…
This is who Fisher supported.
“I’m not expecting a massive vote for Class War candidates but this gives us a chance to talk about freedom & equality. That’s anarchism for me. By bringing down the powerful and the rich, we can have some of that, share it out and thrive together”
“I’m not expecting a massive vote for Class War candidates but this gives us a chance to talk about freedom & equality. That’s anarchism for me. By bringing down the powerful and the rich, we can have some of that, share it out and thrive together”
Yet no suspension for Fisher. Nope. He remained in his powerful IN PARTY HQ place as Head of Policy. Far worse than @campbellclaret saying he would vote for a Remain party.
classwarparty.org.uk/general-electi…
classwarparty.org.uk/general-electi…
@redhistorian I seem to fall between the two camps.
“This is political and the remedies are political” in one camp and
“Prosecute them” in the other.
“This is political and the remedies are political” in one camp and
“Prosecute them” in the other.
@redhistorian 2/. I do agree that the political consequences and standards in public life remedies should be sufficiently robust to despatch and punish lying offenders..and without resort to the ballot box or the courts.
They are not.
They are not.
@redhistorian 3/. The breaches of constitutional conventions have been flagrant, repeated and been rebuffed when drawn to not just the Speaker’s attention but also the Standards Committee
This is a shameful and very dangerous episode in our public life
Those failures have led to where we are
This is a shameful and very dangerous episode in our public life
Those failures have led to where we are
Instead of kicking out Alastair Campbell, Labour should listen to him.
“It can punish the lifelong supporters who voted for other parties out of a desperate desire for someone, anyone, to oppose the calamity of Brexit – but, if it chooses that path... theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
“It can punish the lifelong supporters who voted for other parties out of a desperate desire for someone, anyone, to oppose the calamity of Brexit – but, if it chooses that path... theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
2/. , it should brace itself for the consequences. As Kevin Maguire of the Mirror puts it, “Expel every Labour member who voted Lib Dem or Green last week and Labour will shrink from Europe’s largest political party to one of the smallest”.
3/. It was done to try and divert attention from the grievous fact that the Labour Party, under its current leadership and HA management has failed so badly to deal with its deeply ingrained anti semitism in some quarters.
Really excellent exposition by Sam Lowe about the problems arising from trying to abandon the Backstop in the WA.
But will @NickyMorgan01 and @GregHands read, digest and give it the weight it deserves or keep ploughing the unicorn farm?
But will @NickyMorgan01 and @GregHands read, digest and give it the weight it deserves or keep ploughing the unicorn farm?
My periodic reminder of just one road on the border.
Here’s a clip of a car travelling in the same direction crossing the border 4 times in 6 miles.
bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-nor…
Here’s a clip of a car travelling in the same direction crossing the border 4 times in 6 miles.
bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-nor…
