Daily Referendum

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The Ninety Third Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus Leaves in 5 Minutes!
2008-06-01 20:11:00
Got some time to kill but don't know where to go?Why don't you climb aboard the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus? There are still a few places left.Click on STOP 1 and the Bus will take you to your first Mystery Blog location. To get back on the Bus just click the Back Button and click STOP 2 to continue the Tour. I think you can work the rest out.The Bus rolls out on Sundays and Wednesdays - enjoy the ride. If you have any suggestions for the next tour drop me an email by hitting the Contact button at the top of the page.
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Parenting orders - are they practical?
2008-06-01 15:48:00
I was all for blaming parents for their unruly children. I used to believe that no matter what, a parent should be able to control a child. Surely by grounding the kid and stopping their pocket money a parent had the upper hand? I found out the hard way that I was sorely mistaken. A year ago my 14 year old daughter was in one of the top classes at her school. She had been forecast to get good results in her GCSEs and she was generally well behaved. Then she starting mixing with the wrong crowd. Over the space of a month she turned abusive, came home late and started drinking and smoking cannabis. Obviously I did what any good parent would do. I talked to her. When that failed I grounded her and stopped her pocket money. That seemed to work for a while but eventually I would let her out and she would do it all over again. Even without money she would still get booze and drugs from her so called friends. This turned into a battle, but I knew eventually I would win and she would come t...
More About: Parenting , Drugs , Police , Orders

Andrew Marr Show - Jack Straw, Ffion Hague, Edward Timpson.
2008-06-01 09:51:00
The Andrew Marr Sow has a great line-up this morning:Jack StrawMichael GoveFfion HagueSir Ian McKellenNewspapers reviewed Baroness Helena Kennedy, Daniel Johnson and Edward Timpson.This could be one of the best shows Andrew has presented for a good while. I wonder if Andrew brings up Alex Hilton's call on GMTV this morning for Gordon Brown to sort his act out in the next two weeks or go. Tipped has one of Brown's possible replacements, what will Jack Straw say? Either way the show should be enjoyable with such a great group of guests.
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Gordon Brown put on two weeks notice by Hilton.
2008-06-01 08:31:00
GMTV this morning saw Alex Hilton and Iain Dale discussing Gordon Brown 's future. Alex was very bold giving Brown two weeks to turn the party's fortunes around - otherwise he should be visited by the men in Grey suits. Personally I can't see Gordon changing and hope for the nation's sake that he does get that visit.Obviously as a Conservative, it would be better if he stayed, but can the country take another two years of his mismanagement? Whatever happens it's going to be an interesting few weeks in UK politics. We have the Irish referendum on the Lisbon treaty on the 12th of June,(come on Ireland) the by-election for Boris 's seat and the vote on 42 days detention.I've been saying for about 6 or 7 months that Brown would be on his way out in May. It looks like I could be only a few weeks out.Watch this space.Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
More About: Gordon Brown , Notice

John Howell selected to replace Boris.
2008-05-31 10:20:00
Oxfordshire County councillor John Howell has been selected as the Conservative candidate hoping to replace Boris Johnson as Henley MP. John, a member of the Oxfordshire county cabinet and the representative for Dorchester and Berinsfield, was selected ahead of Ann Ducker and John Cotton. Also a parish councillor in Warborough, John was made an OBE in 2000.The election should take place in the next two or three weeks. John said: "For now I just want to say that it is a huge privilege to have been selected as the Conservative candidate for my home constituency. ?I plan to spend the next few weeks talking to as many local people as possible about the issues that affect us all in South Oxfordshire."Good luck John Howell.I wonder what form of idiocy we can expect from the Labour campaign this time around.

Reader Poll, how often should the Mystery Bus roll out?
2008-05-30 20:47:00
The Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus is approaching its one hundredth trip. With that in mind I thought I'd get your opinion on the tour frequency: How often should the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus roll out?once per week.Twice per week.Daily.  pollcode.com free polls
More About: Reader , Poll , Roll , Polls

Would you volunteer to pay more tax?
2008-05-30 09:09:00
There is not much doubt that our next government will be a Conservative one. There is also little doubt that David Cameron will inherit massive public spending and an outrageous amount of debt. Especially if, as some pundits believe, Labour initiate a scorched earth policy.So to the point: something rather drastic is going to have be done to get the economy back on track. Cutting spending is one option, but as we know Cameron will be pretty much stuck with Labour spending plans. Raising taxes cannot contemplated in the current economical climate. Of course there is a ridiculous amount of waste that can be cut out, which will be George Osborne's first task as Chancellor - along with the rest of our new ministers.This morning I came up with a radical idea whilst driving to work listening to Radio 5. What if David Cameron asked us to volunteer to pay more tax? I'm not talking about a lot individually, maybe 1, 2 or 3%. To tell the truth I am in no way a wealthy man, however the recen...
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Telegraph YouGov Poll - 24 point Tory lead.
2008-05-29 23:02:00
I wonder if Eric Pickles will bring this up on Question Time tonight? If not David Dimbleby probably will, he likes to stir it a bit. 75% of those polled are dissatisfied with Brown's performance. How long can he hang on?
More About: Conservative , Poll , Polls , Point , Lead

Question Time 29th May - Hoon in a Pickle?
2008-05-29 18:42:00
Question Time tonight has all the makings of a great show. Tory hero of the moment Eric Pickle s will be locking horns with Labour Chief Whip Geoff Hoon. Eric has a fantastically smooth and persuasive approach to most arguments (I've heard rumour that he has sold fur hats to some Greenpeace officials heading off to Africa) and any attacks on the Tories from Hoon will seem like Jack Russel yapping at a Lion. Eric seems to live in the eye of a storm.The rest of the panel includes the Green Party member of the European parliament for the South East of England Caroline Lucas (no doubt she will wind me up) the historian and broadcaster Dan Snow (son of Peter) and the director of Global Vision Ruth Lea.Tonight's show is from Lincoln and will be shown on BBC One at 22:35.Be there or be Albert.
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Energy Crisis in the UK - Go Nuclear go Green.
2008-05-29 11:57:00
The following is taken from the NEI (Nuclear Energy Institute) Website:An International Energy Agency (IEA) analysis found that nuclear power?s life-cycle emissions range from 2 to 59 gram-equivalents of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour. Only hydropower?s range ranked lower, at 2 to 48 grams of carbon dioxide-equivalents per kilowatt-hour. Nuclear energy?s life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions are lower than wind (7 to 124 grams of carbon dioxide-equivalents) and solar photovoltaic (13 to 731 grams of carbon dioxide-equivalents), according to the agency. The life-cycle emissions from natural gas-fired plants ranged from 389 to 511 grams of carbon dioxide-equivalents per kilowatt-hour.Many nuclear critics have claimed that new nuclear plants would need to use lower ore uranium, which requires more energy to extract, and therefore would have higher emissions. In response, British Energy conducted a follow-up study that showed even with a very low uranium ore grade, CO2 emissions would r...
More About: Climate , Green , Crisis

The Ninety Second Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus Leaves in 5 Minutes!
2008-05-29 11:29:00
Got some time to kill but don't know where to go?Why don't you climb aboard the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus? There are still a few places left.Click on STOP 1 and the Bus will take you to your first Mystery Blog location. To get back on the Bus just click the Back Button and click STOP 2 to continue the Tour. I think you can work the rest out.The Bus rolls out on Sundays and Wednesdays - enjoy the ride. If you have any suggestions for the next tour drop me an email by hitting the Contact button at the top of the page.
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Hugh Thompson - The world has too many people.
2008-05-28 18:23:00
One of my readers, Cassius (Hugh Thompson ) sent me a very interesting email yesterday about world population and its effect on the environment. Hugh has put a great deal of thought into the subject and has produced an article on "Optimum Population" (along with an easy view slide show). I'm using part of Hugh's email as a preamble to the full article: The jury is surely still out on the degree to which Man is having a harmful effect on the environment, but I would suggest it is an outrageous gamble to try to do nothing about it in the belief it is just a natural cycle?because that belief may be wrong.The trouble, imho, is that the topic has been got hold of by the politicians and the PC brigade, with the result that the subject is no longer looked at as dispassionately as should be the case?it should not be a matter of party politics.That is a preamble to a message I should like to promulgate: that for all the well-meaning (but possibly ridiculous) attempts to curb carbon emission...
More About: People , World , The World

Lisbon Treaty - Irish Referendum - End of Nations.
2008-05-28 08:15:00
I posted this video last month and seeing as the 12th of June Irish Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty is just around the corner, I thought it would be a good time to post it again:This is a must watch, eye opening video from the Wise Up Journal.From their website:We set out to make a video about the pros and cons of the Lisbon Treaty and found out to our horror the lies, manipulations and deceit behind the EU. From MEPs, legal experts and EU researches the true nature of the EU unfolded, how it really operates from behind closed doors and away from prying eyes. We discovered the massive power grab away from citizens and nations to the elites that is being proposed in this treaty. Most shocking of all was how our elected representatives are willingly handing us over to this emerging Totalitarian Superstate by deception , propaganda and outright lies.This video details how the structures of the EU really operate, what the full significance of the Lisbon Treaty is and how it is the end o...
More About: Ireland , Nations

Poll: Who will replace Gordon Brown?
2008-05-27 20:42:00
Here are the latest odds from William Hill. If you think a different Labour MP will replace Brown , please add them to the comments.If Gordon Brown is forced to step down, who do you think will replace him?David Miliband 5 - 2Alan Johnson 7 - 1 Jack Straw 7 - 1 Ed Balls 8 - 1 J Denham 9 - 1J Purnell 9 - 1 A Burnham 14 - 1 J Cruddas 14 - 1   pollcode.com free polls
More About: Poll , Polls

Gordon Brown - James Purnell a challenger?
2008-05-27 17:20:00
James Purnell has thrown his hat into the ring as a challenger to replace Gordon Brown . His special adviser Phil Collins has stuck the boot into Brown: "In the drama of British politics a Labour tragedy is unfolding. A combination of strategic errors, political mishaps and bad luck has left the party in a vulnerable position. That's Miliband and Purnell - Who's next? Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device
More About: Gordon Brown , James , Challenger

Personal Carbon Credits - Are they mad?
2008-05-27 09:21:00
Just when you thought that Labour could not get any more unpopular, up pops the idea of introducing Personal Carbon Credits . I hate this idea on so many levels it's hard to know where to begin. For a start it winds me up when MPs talk about rationing our carbon. Who the hell do they think they are telling us how much fuel we can use? I could understand it if there was a war on and we had a shortage, but this is ridiculous.MPs involved in recommending this madness say it will help fight climate change. I would like to point out that the temperature has actually dropped over the last decade and scientists are now saying it will drop again over the next decade. So do the MPs think that Carbon Rationing will warm the planet up? I'm confused.Then of course there's the cost. Estimated at £2bn to set up (that will be at least £6bn then) and a further £2bn to run each year (again let's call that £6bn). Where is this money going to come from? You guessed it - out of our pockets as bloody...

100% of bets are for Miliband to replace Brown.
2008-05-26 16:38:00
From William Hill:William Hill are seeing an old fashioned gamble on David Miliband to become the leader of the Labour party and are now 5/2 that he succeeds Gordon Brown . "What started as a trickle has turned into a flood, 100% of wagers accepted on the next leader market have been for David Miliband. The last time we saw a gamble like this on a political leadership market it was for David Cameron and we all know what happened then."Hills are now 6/5 that Gordon Brown will NOT lead the labour party into the next General Election , for which the Conservatives are the 2/7 favourites. Hills have also seen a nibble for the 12/1 on offer that the General Election will be before the end of 2008!Runners and riders odds HERE.
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Gordon Brown - It's NOT the economy stupid.
2008-05-26 10:49:00
In the aftermath of the local elections and the Crewe and Nantwich by-election, Labour Ministers are putting a spin their devastatingly poor results. They say it is all down to the economy stupid - the credit crunch - it's not their fault. What a complete and utter load of rubbish. It has very little to do with the economy - it's all down to Labour policy.Where should we start? How many voters did Labour lose over the Lisbon Treaty? How many for the closing of our post offices? How many for the shutting down our local A&E wards? How many for closing our local Schools? How many for shutting down our local Maternity Wards? How many for Shutting our local Police Stations at night? How many for stealth taxes? How many for the 10p tax fiasco? How many for uncontrolled immigration? How many for social decay? How many for the loss of 25 million bank account details? How many for the threat of bin tax? How many for the threat of road charging? How many for letting out prisoners early ...
More About: Economy , Brown , Stupid , Gordon Brown

The Ninety First Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus Leaves in 5 Minutes!
2008-05-25 22:15:00
Got some time to kill but don't know where to go?Why don't you climb aboard the Magical Mystery Blog Tour Bus? There are still a few places left.Click on STOP 1 and the Bus will take you to your first Mystery Blog location. To get back on the Bus just click the Back Button and click STOP 2 to continue the Tour. I think you can work the rest out.The Bus rolls out on Sundays and Wednesdays - enjoy the ride. If you have any suggestions for the next tour drop me an email by hitting the Contact button at the top of the page.
More About: Blogging , Minutes

This is your pilot Gordon Brown speaking.
2008-05-25 14:38:00
John Prescott came up with a strange analogy to defend Gordon Brown 's sullen demeanour on the Andrew Marr show this morning: "When you get on an aeroplane, do you go and look in the cockpit to see if the pilot is smiling".Imagine the situation:Hullo, this is the pilot speaking. We have been informed that our arrival in New York has been delayed. This nothing to do with us, this kind of delay is happening around the world and I'm afraid it's out of my hands. Now, normally this is the point where I would say that there's no need for concern.... but, you see, ah - now how shall I put this? You know that we normally carry enough fuel in reserve for occasions like this? Well erm, we haven't today. Not my fault, you see - we've run out of money. Those fancy new seats you're sitting on cost an absolute fortune and I'm still paying for them. Yes I know they are uncomfortable and the recline function doesn't work, but hey, you've got to admit they look good - at least you'll die i...
More About: Labour , Gordon Brown , Speaking

Eric Pickles on the Andrew Marr show. We are not worthy.
2008-05-25 12:13:00
Eric Pickles reviewed the papers this morning on the Andrew Marr show. Eric should be the face of Conservatism more often. He is definitely the star Tory of the moment, always seeming to have his finger on the pulse and with a good feel for public mood. You can't help liking our Eric.You can watch him reviewing the papers with Ann Leslie and Bill Bryson by clicking HERE (6min 30secs in).
More About: Show , Worthy

Gordon Brown - Leadership challenge to be announced tonight?
2008-05-24 23:27:00
There are several opportunities for a leadership challenge to be mounted against Gordon Brown over the next 18 months. Tonight is the first. Striking while the iron is hot would see a challenge announced in time for the Sunday papers. Some will think this wild speculation, but I remember that months ago Labour MPs were telling the press (off the record) that Brown had until May to turn things around. He most definitely has not. There are Labour MPs and Ministers who have been preparing for months for just the kind of collapse we have witnessed this month.So watch this space. It could be tonight.UPDATE @22:55 - As if by magic I know this is not a direct challenge, but I think it is what they call in the trade "feeling the water"William Hill have installed David Miliband as 5/2 favourite to succeed Brown. From the Observer: Gordon Brown would be forced to appoint a deputy who could be swiftly groomed as his successor under humiliating last-ditch plans being discussed by ministers to p...
More About: Leadership , Challenge

Poll: When should Gordon Brown step down?
2008-05-24 14:56:00
It is obvious that Gordon Brown is out of favour with the public and a growing number of his own party. Many pundits are saying that he must go. The question is when?When should Gordon Brown step down?-As soon as possible.-When the House returns from Whitsun recess 2nd June 08-Before the summer recess 22nd July 08-Before the Annual Labour Conference 20th Sept 08-By the end of 2008-By the end of 2009-2010-Before the next General Election.Never? pollcode.com free polls
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Gordon Brown - It's time to step down.
2008-05-24 13:01:00
Click on a picture to read the full story.Surely Gordon Brown 's premiership is over?
More About: Time , Labour , Gordon Brown

Labour's Crewe and Nantwich campaign video.
2008-05-24 00:42:00
I remember seeing this sketch when I was a kid back in Barnsley. It is still my favourite comedy sketch. Enjoy:
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David Cameron - Pro England - Pro The Union.
2008-05-23 16:20:00
In his speech to the Scottish Conservative Party Conference, David Cameron tried to convey his feelings that whilst there is a political imbalance across the United Kingdom which needs desperately to be addressed, the Union should be protected. You may have noticed that the banner at the top of my blog says "pro England " That is still true today as when it was designed for me by Liam Murray a good while ago (Liam also designed Iain Dale's new blog). In my mind being pro England does not necessitate the need to be anti any of the other members of the Union. I have lived and worked in Scotland and have a daughter born there. I served in the RN for 16 years and worked alongside many great friends from all four of the countries that make up our Kingdom. The Union just requires a measure of balance.David said:"Let me make it one hundred percent clear: I am passionate about the Union. I don't want to be the Prime Minister of England. I want to be Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - a...

William Hill - Brown 7/4 To Be Out This Year
2008-05-23 13:39:00
From William Hill :WILLIAM HILL have slashed their odds about Gordon Brown ceasing to be Prime Minister THIS year from 25/1 when he took office to current odds of just 7/4, following Labour 's disastrous result in the Crewe by-election. And Hills are now offering 6/5 that Brown will NOT lead Labour into the next General Election.THE CONSERVATIVES ARE NOW 1/3 FAVOURITES TO WIN THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION WITH WILLIAM HILL - THE SHORTEST ODDS THEY HAVE EVER BEEN SINCE LOSING POWER. LABOUR ARE 9/4, THE LONGEST THEY HAVE BEEN FOR OVER TEN YEARS, WITH THE LIB DEMS THE 66/1 OUTSIDERS. Hills offer 7/4 that there will be ba Hung Parliament. With Gordon Brown 's Leadership of the Party under pressure William Hill have installed David Miliband as 5/2 favourite to succeed him, and also offer 7/1 Alan Johnson and Jack Straw; 8/1 Ed Balls; 9/1 J Denham; J Purnell; 14 A Burnham and J Cruddas.WILLIAM HILL - WHEN WILL BROWN CEASE TO BE PM:7/4 200811/4 200911/10 2010WHEN WILL GENERAL ELECTION TAKE PLAC...
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Crewe and Nantwich result - Conservative win!
2008-05-23 03:27:00
Well it's 2:24 in the morning and the returning officer is about to announce the result of the Crewe and Nantwich by-election. It's obvious that the Conservative s have won. The rumour is that it's a big win.Here goes:Con: 20539lab 12679Lib: 6044Get in!That fantastic result equates to a swing of 17.6% and a majority of almost 8,000. What now for Gordon Brown? What is that scraping sound I can hear? - it sounds a little like several knives being sharpened.Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless deviceUPDATE @02:45: John McDonnell is the first Labour MP to stick the knife into Gordon Brown this morning. I doubt very much that he will be the last:"Things are just going from bad to worse for the Government. "It would be an immense misreading of the situation for New Labour ministers to dismiss this result as simply mid-term blues. The prime minister's re-launch after the disaster of the local election results has proved to be totally ineffective."
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Crewe and Nantwich - £90,000 bet on Conservative win.
2008-05-22 16:55:00
From William Hill:NINETY THOUSAND POUND BET ON TORIES TO WIN CREWE BY ELECTIONA WILLIAM HILL client has staked £90,000 on the Conservative s to win the Crewe & Nantwich by-election. After betting £40,000 at odds of 1/16 on Tuesday in a Hill's central London branch, the same man returned on Thursday to stake a further £50,000 at 1/25. With the Conservatives red-hot favourites, the man stands to get back £94,500 in total.'This is the biggest ever bet staked on a by-election and it contrasts starkly with the fact that we have taken a total of just £385 for Labour to win' said Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.WILLIAM HILL CREWE BY-ELECTION ODDS: 1/33 Conservatives; 10/1 Labour; 50/1 Lib Dems.Hills offer 8/1 that the Lib Dems will finish ahead of Labour, and 1/20 vice-versa.

Crewe and Nantwich - And the Polls are open.
2008-05-22 08:18:00
It's a bit sad I know, but I've been looking forward to today's by-election in Crewe and Nantwich as much, if not more than last night's footie (well done ManU). I've got a feeling in my water that unlike last night, we are going to see a massive (10,000 ish) win for the blues. I received a press release last night from the lovely people at PoliticsHome. Unfortunately I couldn't post it as, one - it arrived just before the football started, and two - I was at work (12 hr night shift). The said press release indicated their PHI100 panel's opinion on what would be a good or bad result for the two main parties involved: I have to agree with the panel that anything over 4000 for the Conservatives would be a really good win, but as I said, I'm expecting more. The reason I'm predicting such a large win? The way I see it is that Labour (Gordon Brown in particular) are becoming more unpopular by the day and I think they are in for one mighty shock when the counting is over. I've b...
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