bridge too far

Too right. The Conservatives achieved 36.1% of the vote in 2010. Labour had 29% and the LibDems 23%. I think a party needs 50.1% of the vote to secure a majority, Jamie.

posit

With a massive 11,328 in attendance!

This and, whilst it won't mean anything to anyone else, if Redknapp were to be appointed because Nigel was sacked, that would be the end of my support. I couldn't support a club that employed a snake in the wood pile in preference to someone who comes across as a thoroughly decent bloke.

I think this is quite up to date - it's a list of out of work managers. Loads there that have a better record and more experience than Appy, surely? http://www.thesackrace.com/job-centre

How very bizarre! "But Allan’s dad Russell, of Crookston, Glasgow, said last night: “It’s not true that it was a crash — the guy was drunk and just walked straight out. He was out for dinner with a friend and driving home. Scott has got four or five witnesses backing him up. He’s really cut up about it" So Allan backed out his drive whilst driving home from dinner with a friend? And the pedestrian was drunk and 'just walked straight out' - out of where? He was, apparently, walking along a pavement. Someone, somewhere is telling porkies

At least Rosie will be OK then

Casino Underwater?

Shame he couldn't spell 'countries' properly! (in the article, not in the link)

"He's even sent his eyebrows out on loan." I'm howling with laughter at this bit but brilliant as usual RB

A tad unfair. It was Labour's Tom Watson who asked the question in the House about the 'senior aide close to a former Prime Minister' and Labour has been calling for an independent enquiry following the Savile abuse allegations.

Hey Appy! Blackpool is looking for a new manager! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20176036

Wasn't it John Deadwood?

So are you suggesting that they should continue to keep their mouths shut then?

I'm quite sad today at the realisation that some in this country abuse helpless people so much. Today there's a further report on the abuse carried out in the care home for young people with learning difficulties and of course there's the Savile revelations and the ongoing disclosures of abuse of the elderly. I don't think our society has too much to be proud of at the moment.

http://www.express.co.uk/ourcomments/view/354945/Sex-abuse-is-guilty-secret (with thanks to ESB for the heads up)

Why pick on Alpine - there are plenty of others saying the same thing.

Oh that's tough! I thought the yardstick was 30 + 10% + 2mph?

No the Woolworth's label was Embassy (I'd forgotten and had to look it up http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embassy_Records I don't think I ever bought any but I do remember that there were 'copies' of hits in Woolworths in the mid 60s. I think the Pickwick label was later.

Seconded - just spent a happy half hour trawling through the pics and getting very nostalgic! Thanks Jamie

And the familial aspect must never be forgotten in the 'tsunami of filth' as Lord Patten put it. Most child sexual abuse is carried out by family members. I do hope the current awareness of Savile's crimes helps victims of family sexual abuse to feel confident about talking to people about it.

Disappointed there are no pics of players (in the buff)

The story was broken via a series of tweets by ITV reporter Rachel Townsend, who works for Granada Reports in the North-West of England. She said: "Very interesting train journey to Euston Chancellor George Osborne just got on at Wilmslow with a STANDARD ticket and he has sat in FIRST CLASS... "His aide tells ticket collector he cannot possibly move and sit with the likes of us in standard class and requests he is allowed to remain in First Class. "Ticket collector refuses... I am a carriage away from the action but have asked ticket inspector if he was going to let him stay "no chance" "£160 for First Class upgrade... aide says no!.. "Breaking news: George Osborne pays £160 to stay in first class!"

Trousers, I absolutely concur about Osborn and others needing to travel 1st class as they often work on sensitive material whilst in transit. However, I think the thing that stuck in my craw most was the fact that he tried to get away with not paying for an upgrade and allegedly not for the first time. What would happen to you, on your daily sojourn to Waterloo, if you snuck into a first class carriage on your second class ticket? Or do you already travel first class?

In the Daily Politics yesterday, Andrew Neill was asked why Osborn never ever appears on the programme whereas Ed Balls is a regular contributor. He's prepared to be ripped to shreds and to give as good as he gets, but Georgie Tory boy? Never.