pap

In a sense, you can't read too much into this particular by-election. Galloway has been fairly consistent with his anti-war message, which would resonate with a lot of Muslim voters in the area. Lets not forget that it was Labour who decided to join in with the big ol' US adventure, something that will not quickly be forgotten. However, I do genuinely feel that people are going to fall out of love with mainstream parties as things get worse, particularly since we've seen all of them in action in recent times. The spectacle has been far from impressive, and the choice on offer? Well, you can have any colour you like as long as its business-driven neo-liberalism.

Honestly, I don't think I would. Now getting to the point where I actively detest the lot in charge, whereas I just really disliked the last government ( especially Mandelson ).

Actually quite encouraged by that vote in the Bradford by-election. You could view it as a massive "none of the above" to every mainstream offering. About fecking time.

Retail store Halfords reported "high" sales of fuel cans. Sales of all cans have soared by 225% compared with this time last year, with motorists buying in "the thousands", while sales of jerry cans are up by more than 500%. I wonder how many people would jump off the proverbial bridge if advised by the Government

And people wonder why fringe parties don't stand a chance.

None of the above. Mirrors my political views really.

Probably not, but I'm sure that the more respected news organs will notice that without the fuel panic, we would have been in recession.

I still wonder how we got so far into bed with the closest thing the US has ever had to an authoritarian government. I didn't agree with Afghanistan, but I could understand how that would be one possible reaction to 9/11. The Iraq stuff was just pure imperialism, and I can't believe that elements of our Government lied to legitimise pre-emptive action at the behest of a foreign power. I don't think its too far a stretch to call him a war criminal.

Ah Tony - was doing ever so well before he got his commands from Washington.

Careful now, you might get called the right-wing equivalent of me.

Which would be a fair enough comment, if that was the only thing I'd ever posted on the subject. I've gone to considerable lengths to qualify my points in other posts, me ol' mucker. More than you can say for some.

I'm tweeting this into Dimbleby for Thursday night's Question Time. Such pearls of political wisdom should not go undiscovered.

I've debated on here with plenty of people and conceded points when I've been out-argued or proved wrong. So your point is that we have the weakest opposition in living memory. I've given you a few examples of why that might not be the case, and instead of debating back, you've decided to label me. FWIW, I think I'm given you considerably more respect than you've just shown me.

We are living through a coalition Government, not a Labour one. You are proceeding from the assumption that it is all Labour's fault because of the parlous state of our finances. We weren't the only country to bail banks out, and some, notably the US who have taken pretty much the opposite approach to austerity, have almost 3% growth in the economy. When assuming power, the coalition, just like Obama, had choices. Obama has made choices that have led to growth. The coalition didn't.

Care to explain (any of your) point(s)?.

Oh, so you are eighteen months old. Fair enough then.

Hmm, last time:- Minimum wage Assistance for students in further education Sorted out Northern Ireland Introduced winter fuel payment for pensioners Free TV licences for over 75s Increases in child benefit Introduction of tax credits for families Devolved power to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Boy, they were really in it for themselves, eh?

I actually do. This is a bandit government. It is not interested in the people, just getting as much as it can for its mates before it is turfed out.

Have you watched Prime Minister's Questions in say, the past three months? Each week, Cameron is reduced to either finding one Labour nut-job and presenting it as the view of the entire party or a substance-free soundbite dreamed up by a failed comedy writer. Also, do you remember the oppositions of William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith or Michael Howard? I am led to one of two conclusions. You either made your point without really thinking about it, or you are eighteen months old.

I know we've moved to 5 year elections, but nothing is set in stone, TDD. With the make-up of Parliament being what it is, the whole thing could be undone if the Lib Dems left the coalition. Don't think it'll happen myself - they need the time just as much as the Conservatives. Anyway, the three years thing only really works if they manage to make significant improvements to the country's prospects in that time. Judging by their performance to date, I just don't think that's likely.

You know what? Just after the EU veto I'd have said Cameron was a dead cert to get a majority, even after the complete lack of leadership during the riots. I'm not so sure now. They seem to mess up everything they touch, the country is back in recession ( according to the OECD ) and unemployment is at an 18 year high. Furthermore, dropping the top rate of tax was an electoral disaster, undoing all their efforts to present themselves as more compassionate and reinstating the "party of the rich" tagline. They're pulling negative press from pretty much all the tabloids. Would you say those were ideal conditions for re-election?

Hmm. Waiting on something to finish, so have the rare opportunity to deconstruct one of TDDs posts. Red Ed Oooh. Communist! We used to hate them, remember! Dinners Miliband eats food, perhaps with important people. The absolute b*stard. How dare he? Unions chums (sic) Wah! Unions. Winter of discontent! Rubbish flowing in the streets! We couldn't bury our dead! Keep 'em coming, TDD. I think the program I'm waiting on has a little while to run yet.

If it's all bolox, it can't damage the club at all. Cortese can just address the staff internally and that'll be it.

So you're happy enough with the idea of truckers rolling around with thousands of gallons of flammable material on Britain's public highways with less than satisfactory safety or working conditions?

Rozzers down south now asking petrol stations to close, to avoid panic buying, according to the Echo.