Holmes_and_Watson

One of last night's outcomes was the hammering of the SNP. While there's no shortage of reasons for that, part of it is how their own Shortbread Parliament runs a PR system. It runs a combination of constituency and regional seats. You get fptp for the constituency, and or with the regional, with them offset against each other. What happened in practice was that, partly to keep other parties out, the greens (not to be confused with the greens in the rest of the UK) got a lot of regional votes. They found themselves as kingmakers, and drove their policies through. They were as unsuccessful as the SNPs, but the agreement had the cart in front of the horse for years. Elsewhere, there are rounds of voting, allowing coalitions to form and block others, or endless hung parliaments formed of squabbling minority parties. PR was sold to my year at school as being the fairest system. A bit older, I don't see much fair about having my vote up for trade at every decision to get it through, often beholden to far less popular groups. I'm not disappointed to see Labour having a clear mandate to make its mark, free for dilution or interference. They can be judged entirely on their own actions.

Clearly the Deep State at work.

Clip from Mordaunt didn't mention 'fight" once.

Tice talks about how far they've got in 3 years, since it started. Farage talks about how far they've come in 4 weeks, since he came back. Lowe about to launch a reverse takeover of reform.

Pompey Penny is gone.

Radio studio discussing implications of religious/ cultural blocks securing seats/ shaping party politics. Elsewhere, Braverman stays.

4th safest SNP seat gone in a massive swing of 22%. Exit poll had them at a very low 10 seats. Wales hinted at having a Conservative wipeout. Edit: Salmond on the radio. SNP needed to do 2 things. Show competence in government and progress independence. They've a terrible record of governance and didn't even campaign on independence. West instead leader in trouble. He was part of Yousef going, and no shortage of his Shortbread Based party putting the boot in. Schapps (who was mentioned as going for leader had he won) and Chalk gone.

Didn't show up for the count. Already off looking at a map to see where he'll pop up next.

Mash

Career

Up

Capsule

Paper

You youngsters and your Darwinism, changing things for no good reason. 🙂

Apartment

The hopes raised of half the posters here, of finally living their dream and getting signed by Saints. 🙂

October 2024... Adams joins up with DeGea for a clubless kickabout in the park. 🙂

If your elephant has worms, take it to the vet, Trousers! No wonder the NHS struggles, with you always taking your pachyderms to A&E. 🙂

Why wait 12 games? Pre season friendlies are now places to get a good clamour in. 🙂

Yeah, as we're having to plan for KWP's departure, we could well be doing the same for Bednarek too. Armstrong and Stephens also going into their final year. It will be interesting if we extend their deals/ they move now or see out their contracts. Youngsters Meghoma, Bragg, Davis Payne and Edwards also going into their final year. Lots of natural gaps from departures, end of loans, final contract years and general strengthening. Then they all have to learn RussBall for the PL. Really glad to see the club being on the front foot in getting players in, considering the amount of likely activity. Customary thanks to Over Land and Sea for the contract details.

Call

Motif

After watching the England and Scotland performances, any side able to string 3 passes together looks impressive. 🙂

Walker got in some decent challenges in the back 3 (put off someone's header as part of that - Maguire's aerial presence a miss). It might push Trippier up a bit. Could have 5-3-2 with the 3 being Mainoo, Rice and Bellingham, with Foden in an area, slightly left of Kane. Harsh on Saka who starts well, but then gets marked and England don't work to get him space. Saka at left wing back seems a bit of a stretch. But yeah, hard to see Southgate making such a change. It's other things that are mostly the problem. Tempo, transition, fluidity of movement, players not in their best roles.

Waiting for the flurry of incoming players this evening, with us taking advantage of PRS issues... 🙂