buctootim

That was a truly staggering stat. We get used to things changing marginally by 5 or 6 or 7% over those time frames I had to read the article twice to check I hadnt misread. The UK average lifespan is now three years longer than in the US - who spend a crippling three times what we do on healthcare, but let many old people die in poverty - two not entirely unconnected facts imo.

Romeo Y Julieta. They certainly arent the most expensive (think they are Monte Christos or similar) but very nice and used to enjoy a few a year on special occasions till gave up completely six months ago.

Tbh I dont think that even big majority Tory, Liberal or Labour governments would have done anything very much different. Essentially their hands are tied. They need to cut the deficit quick, otherwise the markets lose confidence and the interest payable on the debt will start to rise -but if you take too much money out of the economy through spending cuts you get a deeper recession, lower tax take, more unemployment and a bigger deficit. Each of the parties might have had a slight difference in emphasis - cut this instead of that, hit this group instead of that one - but substantially the outcome would have been the same. Political parties, markets and BofE all essentially have the same script atm.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

I wasnt quite suggesting that I know the principle of a constitutional monarchy is indefensible but in practice, as a largely ceremonial thing it works okay. Yes the principle of an elected head of state seems better, in practice, really?

So to summarise. Argument against the Monarchy - they have German ancestry and in 1940 the Head of State's uncle was a Nazi sympathiser. Whereas if we had an elected head of state they would never be related to anyone who was foreign or did something stupid. After all democracy has given us universally popular illegal invasions of foreign countries and minority coalition government.

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Any question where objectivity is important must should avoid a 'yes' or 'no' answer - especially a "Do you agree that...?". Humans are very suggestable because we like to agree with others and would rather say 'yes' than 'no'. Its a well known human trait that skews badly drafted (or deliberately biased) market research or referendums. All kinds of other adjectives would impact on the results as well - referendum questions containing the phrases 'separate from' and 'leave' the UK would hit the independence vote. Phrases like 'be independent' would help it. Its hard to draft truly unbiased questions.

No I just do it at reception. It depends a little on which receptionist you get and whether the hotel is busy (if they have a conference or lots of flight crew in). Well worth negotiating a package though because Marriotts tend to have fairly cheap headline room rates and high cost extras like wifi and breakfast.

Tsk. The sector can't afford any more freeloaders. Pull your finger out.

I pledge to contribute a new Barbie outfit.

Chinny is a debenture holder (secured debt). Im no expert but he can initiate admin according to this BBC article. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16710949.stm

Chanrai will take them into administration before then and appoint you know who as administrator.

The education system for kids with learning disabilites focusses almost solely on life and independent living skills - recognising that if you arent able to learn everything then some things need to take priority. By contrast the education system for mainstream kids is imo too academic and exam driven, predicated on the misplaced assumption that everyone is going to University. This isnt a criticism of teachers, more a view that the curriculum is too narrowly focussed on abstract academic content.

Think he's changed his mind already..

tbf that gif is worth a wider audience!

Good post. My thought exactly. Its right that Paxman should ask the tough questions, but he didnt really do that. Imo he showed a personal bias, which may have actually backfired and made the pro union case look trivial.

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?14620-Pompey-Takeover-Saga&p=1248908#post1248908

ram

Not really. According to those predictions the UK will grow by 2.6% over the next two years, compared with 3.7% for Canada, 4% for the US and 7.2% average for the rest of the world. True, the eurozone will be slow (but not Scandinavia or Switzerland), but they were much faster than us in 2011 - so overall, as I say lower middle of the pack imo. nb we should all actually look at GDP growth per capita because simple GDP growth can be deceptive. The US and UK have growing populations whereas countries like Germany, France and Italy have static or falling populations.

A lot of hotels now have a guarantee of getting the cheapest price by going direct and will undertake to beat -or sometimes match and give another 10% off - any internet offer. So imo you are doing the best thing Trousers, search the net and then approach the hotel with the best price you have found. Name your own price on priceline is good too. You specify an area and star rating then name the price you are prepared to pay, and then see if the website accepts or rejects it. Priceline only use major chains so the quality is reliable ( or 'boring' if you want quirky local flavour). I regularly stay in Paris at the 4* Marriott Rive Gauche for £65 per night for a king size bed room. You can sometimes haggle a deal for a package of breakfast, free movies, wi-fi and access to club room (free beer, snacks and coffee) for 30 euros pn also.

You bought some shares in Thomas Cook Dune?

No contradiction. You know there is a difference between a pagan and believing in one God right?

Its amazing those things arent taught as part of the national curriculum. For many kids reading writing and functioning as an adult in the big wide world - how to rent a flat, check the lease and secure your deposit, pay the utilities and operate a price comparison website etc etc are going to be far more valuable than flogging a slightly academically challenged 15 year old through another dose of double physics.

Isnt this row all a bit synthetic? Britain's economy will likely overall grow a little in 2012 and 2013 having dipped in the first quarter. We will grow much less than most countries outside of Europe but more than most european nations, after lagging behind them in 2011. Its lower middle of the pack stuff. Not good but not really enough for a massive calls of 'we were right you were wrong' on either side.....