Shroppie

Thanks for that. Proved the point conclusively. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

We did that several hundred posts ago, with lots of evidence. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I've answered. And the point is that most lies will come from the media, not directly from the parties. So I do need to keep reminding people how disgusting that rag is. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

The truth will be under severe strain wherever you look. But I'd rate the Mail as the experts at misinformation. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'm sure they can be trusted to come up with the right answers. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Not that it's relevant, of course, but YouGov is Tory owned and run. If the referendum is anything to go by, we can expect plenty of blatent lies in the coming weeks. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

This. Although it's not a coup. It's a Tory campaign based on an arrogant stance of "You have to give me a bigger mandate because there's important work to do and only I can do it". We won't see any Tory policies. May doesn't want debate. She wants a campaign based on a few minimalistic sound bites, the unsustainable assertion that her hand negotiating with the EU will be stronger with a big majority and constantly asserting that voting against her is practically treason. Unfortunately she'll get her way as there is no strong viable opposition. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I question the assertion that's immediately being made by Teresa May that a bigger majority will give her a stronger negotiating hand with the EU. I can't see why the other 27 countries would give a t0ss how big her majority is. They still hold all the cards and can make things as difficult as they like. I do accept that a big majority will help her ride roughshod over any dissent in parliament to push through any agreement, no matter how bad. I also accept that this would let her turn round to the electorate and say they showed their trust in her and gave her a mandate to negotiate as she wishes, so she can claim she has a free hand to do whatever she likes. So it gives her a lot of personal benefit but doesn't benefit the country or in any way give us a way of getting a better Brexit deal. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'd agree with all of that. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Very true. And the next big thing will probably something that was last in vogue 40 years ago. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

It's naive to think that only committed Tories see the Fail. Right-thinking intelligent people can see through their blatent lies, manipulation and gibberish but unfortunately there's a great swathe of undecided population who simply accept what they see printed without questioning it. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yes, if you count the online version. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And becoming an Academy doesn't necessarily make a school better. Most good Academies were good Local Authority schools before (they had to be to be allowed to become self-governing) but they do benefit from additional funding. That helps, as it would help all schools. And of course, the Academy chains and Free Schools exist as a capitalist tool to allow individuals to make a profit. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Yes. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Whatever we do with education, anything that teaches the spelling of Grammar would be good. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

But the Tories have consistently forced more and more testing on schools, not to improve students' learning but to create data on which to judge schools. So schools cannot afford not to teach to the tests. The Tories are actively narrowing the curriculum. Millions are being g wasted on unneeded Free School whilst there is chronic underfunding elsewhere. The Tories are an absolute disaster for education. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'll agree with that, and hopefully wider issues will be considered. But if the Tories want it to be all about BREXIT, the right wing press will ensure that it is. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Not particularly bitter. Just saddened at the depths to which political campaigning has now sunk. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I'm not disagreeing that there were lies on both sides. It was sad that there was never any real debate, just soundbites and meaningless slogans. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Each to their own, indeed. And for the record, I would view something similar being said by a Tory in the same way. And yes, I do not like the divisive policies of the Tory party, loathe the disgusting Mail rag that laughingly calls itself a newspaper, and I was deeply saddened by BREXIT. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

Nothing. Follow the argument. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

For example, that coming out of the EU would benefit the NHS to the tune of £300m a week. A claim quickly withdrawn after the referendum. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I would imagine that anyone, of any political persuasion, following deep religious convictions, would find the question difficult to reconcile. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

And the Daily Fail launching into this story will sadly set the tone for the campaign. A repeat of the lies and misinformation of the referendum campaign . Our right-wing press are now so uncontrolled they can peddle any slurs, lies and rubbish to be lapped up by the unthinking masses, without fear of challenge. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

This, IMO, is highly relevant. Apart from the bad publicity these cases will give the Tories, in theory they could, if the officials are found guilty, be forced into a whole batch of by-elections in marginal seats, even threatening their majority. Now there's going to be a GE, the cases will still be heard but no by-elections would be required as the GE results would already have superceded the last election. Very convenient. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk