UK General Discussion

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The fact that he never sued even when things were more than hinted in print - and he was not a poor man - always did speak volumes...

[You kip if you want to...]

Pretty scary to think that stuff like this probably was (is?) used by the whips as leverage (blackmail?).

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Smith was actually (if briefly) the Liberals Chief Whip.

[You kip if you want to...]

If I had £1 for every failed coalition reform...

[Silent Hunter]

The big thing about that is that they'd have been better off not in it.

[MaxQue]

The long-lasting rumours about Cyril Smith have been confirmed.

Does Cyril Smith was the rather "large" Liberal MP?

[Leftbehind]

Yep.

In other news, Hague's made it obvious UK's gonna abstain from another Palestinian bid.

[Meeker]

Welp: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20529287

[You kip if you want to...]

The big thing about that is that they'd have been better off not in it.

I know.

Contrasts with Blair's New Deal quite a bit...

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The long-lasting rumours about Cyril Smith have been confirmed.

Does Cyril Smith was the rather "large" Liberal MP?

This is so, yeah.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

A rather bizarre and disturbing story from Norfolk: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-20577126

[Barnes]

Only in Britain!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20573227

[politicus]

Only in Britain!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20573227

Complete overreaction by the Tories.

[Barnes]

Only in Britain!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20573227

Complete overreaction by the Tories.

Oh, of course, and for such a seemingly insignificant backbencher.

[Leftbehind]

More likely the arrogant posh boys were taking the opportunity to knife Dorries, who had become a nuisance to them. In that regard, I'd be surprised to see them let her back in.   

[Insula Dei]

So, Autumn Statement. Any reactions?

Will we see the Tories fall below 30 in polls over the next 2 weeks or so?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

They already have in a couple. Generally of the less than entirely reputable kind, of course.

[You kip if you want to...]

A picture says 1000 words...

[afleitch]

Pleased with the capping of benefits rises to 1%. Public Sector workers, particularly those in HMRC and DWP who deal with benefit claimants haven't even had a pay rise.

[k-onmmunist]

making the poor pay for the recession the rich caused - i do love this country!

[Leftbehind]

Pleased with the capping of benefits rises to 1%. Public Sector workers, particularly those in HMRC and DWP who deal with benefit claimants haven't even had a pay rise.

Right, because making the poorest people even poorer must be an enormous sense of comfort for them. In the same way it was an enormous help to private sector workers to see public sector workers get their pensions reduced. Congrats on peddling the usual Tory disingenuous bollocks.

[You kip if you want to...]

http://www.ftadviser.com/2012/12/06/investments/economic-indicators/fitch-warns-uk-on-aaa-rating-over-debt-credibility-yd47SpU71vgyyfU5xVy8OI/article.html

Fitch playing the role of Captain Obvious.

[Silent Hunter]

Is this "Nick a Celeb" week or something?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I think Max Clifford needs to hire someone to look after his image.

[Andrea]

Former Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth has announced today that he will retire in 2015.

I believe he's the 10th MP to announce retirement. The others are James Arbuthnot (Con, NE Hampshire), Glenda Jackson (Lab, Hampstead & Kilburn), John Denham (Lab, Southampton Itchen), Dawn Primarolo (Lab, Bristol South), Eric Joyce (Lab turned Ind after he head buttrf some Tories; Falkirk), Martin Caton (Lab, Gower), John Stanley (Con, Tonbridge and Malling)
Peter Luff (Con, Mid Worcestershire), Richard Ottaway (Con, Croydon South).

Don't feel bad if you have never heard of a couple of them or if you thought Stanley retired 15 years ago.