trousers

Mods - how do I report this post? I'm fed up (as no doubt you are too) of people accusing certain posters of trolling when we all know there aren't any trolls on this forum. All these so called "trolls" are doing is expressing an opinion without any thinly veiled agendas or desire to wind people up whatsoever. Thanks.

IIRC, the (main) Tory 'excuse' for not being able to fulfil that particular aspiration was because they didn't anticipate the UK's economic performance outstripping most (all?) EU countries, and much of the rest of the world, quite as much as it ended up doing in the 5 years or so after the financial crash of 2008. And, in order to sustain said growth, we needed to supplement the UK workforce with manpower from further afield. That, coupled with the natural tendency for EU citizens in countries whose economies are performing badly to migrate to other EU countries where the economy is more buoyant. In other words, the Tories' argument was that they were a victim of their own success in recovering the economy as well as they did. Obviously their explanation is open to challenge and/or ridicule (as you'll witness on here after me writing this post ), and is no doubt at least partially flawed logic, but all I'm highlighting is they probably didn't wake up one morning after the 2010 election and think: "Ah...I know... let's just ignore our manifesto aspiration and encourage a load of economic migrants to come to the UK just for a laugh"... that's the sort of thing Tony Blair would do...

I'm going to stick my neck out and predict that, contrary to all the polls, the Tories won't win an overall majority... You heard it here first (and probably last)

Are those two stances mutually exclusive though? On one hand there is the goal of ending free movement and on the other hand there is the acknowledgement that such a massive change in policy will obviously have to be transitionary. Was anyone really bereft of the common sense that would have led them to believe otherwise...?

Behave. Blackbridge Cross Borders is a massive worldwide company.... https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/09055077/filing-history/MzE2MzY1NTIyMGFkaXF6a2N4/document?format=pdf&download=0

[video=youtube;a4bZQ_6-2Is]

That's an example of part of a national service being provisioned by a third party rather than "privatisation". I understand why the two are often conflated though.

Textbook

http://thesetpieces.com/features/long-road-back-portsmouth/ My favourite piece of selective history recounting in that article: "The most historic announcement of all came on September 29, 2014, when Portsmouth were officially able to declare themselves debt-free after paying back all creditors and ex-players." Let's gloss over the fact that "...paying back..." should actually read "...not paying back 96% of what was owed to..." :mcinness:

I think one thing that recent political history tells us is that predicting certain outcomes is fraught with danger. I'm guessing not many predicted that May would call a snap election today (for example)...

You don't have to be daft to post on here, but it helps...

What odds will I get on the Lib Dems winning the election? And will the odds be as long as they were for Leicester City winning the Prem, the UK leaving the EU or Trump becoming President of the US of A...? Gotta be worth a cheeky fiver, surely? #strangerthingshaveghappened #sortof

Procedurally, do Labour have enough time to have a leadership election before the general election? If they do, wouldn't surprise me if a 'unity candidate' (if such a person exists) hastily forces a leadership election...

Anyone else reckon Liberal Democrat popularity will go through the roof due to hoovering up the 'remain' voters....? Wouldn't surprise me if they push Labour into third place. p.s. Mods - feel free to delete the question marks in the thread title now

Confirmed

Announcement from Theresa May imminent. Speculation of general election on 8th June (subject to parliamentary approval of course).

Nice try. I haven't decided either way yet. I'll make a decision on how good he is after two seasons. It's called being open minded and pragmatic. I can highly recommend it as a character trait...

...

At last! Great news. Let's see how a "100% fan owned" club gets on in Division 3... Unless, of course, they sell their high and mighty principles to the first chap to come along waving a few dollars in their face... Either way, a new chapter of hilarity beckons

Can we quote you on this when you revert to your usual script a few games into next season?

Yes, we played 4 Europa Cup last season. Two of which were played before the domestic season started and the other two in August (the least congested month in the domestic calendar). This season we played our six Europa Cup games between September and December, in parallel with a full league programme and a run to the League Cup final. Keep comparing apples with oranges though...

Perhaps Pompey will be looking to upgrade their manager when they go up to Division 3 next season....

Aye, it wasn't one of his best, was it? Bit disappointing given his recent run of excellent form. Hope this is a temporary dip rather than an indication of things to come. P.s. good news that Lander are out of the picture. Had bad vibes about their credentials. We're not Pompey, who are prepared to accept a bid from any Tom, D i c k or Goofy...