The Labour Party is being remarkably coy about releasing the actual result of its Scottish accounting unit leadership election, giving only a percentage. The entirely complacent unionist media is complicit in what amounts to a deception. The stunning truth is that in a one person, one vote election among the entire membership of the Labour Party in Scotland plus trades union supporters, Dugdale won with 5,217 votes (out of a claimed electorate of 21,000, many of whom do not exist or could not be arsed to choose between two right wing numpties).
UPDATE: A second Labour figure just rang me to assure me my information – which was from a good source – is wrong. She would not give the actual figure and only said it was “higher”. I offered to take down the post and publish an accurate figure if she would give it, but this was declined.
By the way, in the interests of fairness I should put this up. I know it’s written by John Rentoul, but still.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/jeremy-corbyn-would-reduce-labours-chances-of-winning-the-next-election-poll-reveals-10457458.html
Kind regards,
John
O/T
Bravo Ecuador! Taking no lessons from Hammond’s sidekick Hugo Swire*.
Ecuador hits back at UK criticism over Julian Assange
Minister rejects claim that Ecuador is to blame for deadlock over WikiLeaks founder, who has been living at London embassy to avoid extradition
16 August 2015
http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/aug/16/ecuador-hits-back-uk-criticism-julian-assange
*An odious Tory
Fund raising events
Given his former role at Sotheby’s, Swire is often invited to be the auctioneer at Tory fund raising events.[5] He came in for criticism in 2015 when a Channel 4 Dispatches program showed him making a joke about benefit claimants. As auctioneer at the ‘black and white’ fundraising ball in February 2015 Swire had tried to raise the bidding to £60,000 before telling a potential bidder that if he was on benefits, he could at least afford £55,000. Other Tory donors included Lycamobile, a telecommunications firm much criticised for avoiding UK Corporation tax who bid £200,000 for a statue of Margaret Thatcher.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Swire
He employs his wife Sasha (daughter of John Nott of Falklands War infamy!) as his parliamentary assistant. That means we pay the salary for this trougher’s wife.
And I’ll be damned, he is a CFoI and has visited the entity in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Loads of donations declared too.
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/regmem/?p=11265
“I wonder if Nevermind realises how stupid he looks accusing anyone in the Labour Party who does not support Corbyn of being a Tory? Are only two political philosophies possible in this world – his own and the rest?”
The far-left view everything else as “right-wing”. I’m rather looking forward to a Corbyn leadership, if only to see dinosaur socialism wiped out (again). Blair and Campbell probably have their own backs to watch in opposing Corbyn, but I believe many in Labour genuinely do believe that he will make Labour unelectable and oppose him for that reason. I’ve always said that is the reason Labour moved to the centre – for expediency – rather than there being any “right-wing” conspiracy to keep the left out of the power as seems to be the opinion here. A Labour Party led by Corbyn has zero chance of winning an election.
Still, Cameron must be enjoying his holidays while the dinosaur lefty slogs it out with three non-entities. They might as well elect Corbyn because it’s going to be another Tory government in 2020 anyway, and Labour should concentrate on getting a decent leader to contest the following election.
“And I’ll be damned, he is a CFoI and has visited the entity in 2003, 2007, 2008 and 2009.”
Can’t say I blame him. Looks set to be another beautiful evening on Eilat beach as the sun sets over the Judean Mountains and the sizzling hot Israeli chicks are looking finer than ever. 🙂
Ps, you can see Saudi Arabia from here but I doubt they’re having such a fun time over there. 🙁
So you weren’t put off http://www.panarabiaenquirer.com/wordpress/netanyahu-hopes-apocalyptic-vision-total-nuclear-devastation-hasnt-put-anyone-holidaying-eilat-summer/
Habbabkuk
You are correct that it was me who questioned “Aidworker1” (as he broadcasts himself) on his credentials. Given that virtually every posts of his on this site involves obsessively slagging off Israel (we haven’t seen anything from him on humanitarian crises in, say, Africa, for example), I believe that his mind may have become so warped that it his internet-based activities against Israel here and elsewhere that he considers to be “aid work”.
a few points about labour politics.
I guess it is not far wrong to call Kezia Dugdale a right wing numptie. However the position that such people inevitably adopt is a subordinate one-in relation to the rest of the Labour party. One huge problem for the Labour party is that it no longer attracts the kind of people who could stand up, or had the independent frame of mind to argue against powerful or embedded figures within an organisation. I guess that the subordination is the thing-I am sure Kezia would discover a solid core of radical socialism in her soul if the dominant figure was a firebrand instead of a machine /organisational type such as chukka. By the way does anyone remember the take down of Chukka by a social entrepreneur type(name forgotten) in the Guardian. Essentially he said Chukka was a flippertigibbet opportunist of little or no substance, always on the look out for an advancement opportunity, which i found rather a compelling more especially as i often see a similar type of behaviour in young ambitious types in other spheres,even quite ordinary one. He is a product of the times.
Also of the times-Jeremy corbyn- he does indeed remind one of old style,substantial ‘old’ labour types, who put countless time and energy into the causes they believed in, served on near thankless, unremunerated, committees, and turned out for events such as local health groups. I remember many of these serious people, genuinely connected to their community and I am sure Brown and others can still remember because we lived in the same place with the same connections. I wonder what Brown will say today. There were also shameless oppportunists in parliament then, who had years of a cossetted life and did nothing substantial except receive handsome emoluments and benefits for dubious efforts. So although JC is a welcome relief from the nulab type there were plenty of disgraceful shysters and scammers in old labour.
@ len larker ‘saying his Golders Green supporters can still beat (up) Gorgeous George !! It can only be on a habbas advice or was it Anal1 ?
It was most likely the latter Len, he’s had too much sun.
What JC could do on getting elected, is to re write and introduce Tony Blairs ‘financial regulations act’ from 2006, make it clear that banks will not get bailed out in any slump, that they rise and fall with the market they created.
Add to this a concerted effort to outlaw futures and derivative trading in the City on the grounds that gambling is not allowed under the new financial regulation.
The problems of being an aid worker http://stuffexpataidworkerslike.com/2014/02/25/216-being-heard-and-a-public-service-announcement/
What I find particularly interesting about Dugdale becoming leader of the branch office in Scotland of London Labour, is this, Dugdale openly backed as her deputy Richard Baker, and if that failed she wanted Gordon Matheson.
What she didn’t want was Alex Rowley to be her deputy, why? Well according to the press Rowely is a left leaning Labour man who backs a independent Labour party making its own decisions. Rowely is also a supporter of Jeremy Corbyn.
Dugdale hasn’t held the position as branch manager in Scotland for two days yet, but already she’ll need to watch her back as her deputy and her don’t really see eye to eye.
They’ll be infighting from the off.
Thanks for that, Tim. Just up the road from here a bunch of Islamist nuts from Egypt crossed the border and opened fire on a bus-load of Israeli tourists. It was only thanks to the quick-thinking of the driver that there weren’t more casualties. I’m pleased to say that the Egyptian government made efforts to hunt down these fanatics, but Israel was compelled to build a huge security fence right across the Sinai to prevent further attacks, and so far it has worked. Therefore Eilat is quite a safe place to be at present and the Arab families seem to be enjoying it as much as everyone else.
On the other side, in Jordan, relations are steadily improving and the border is open for those wishing to visit Petra and other sites.
Where do you think the Religion of Peace will strike next, Tim? Tunisia’s been done, but Turkey?
Thanks again, Tim. I’ve encountered a few aidworkers in my travels, mostly out for their own glory but I don’t doubt they do some good as a by-product. In Pakistan, after the Kashmir earthquake, the Western agencies were supplying clean water, shelter and food. The Saudi contingent was building makeshift mosques.
http://new.jpost.com/Business-and-Innovation/Israel-drops-19-spots-in-WEF-tourism-ranking-402655
@Anon 1 12.42 pm
It’s important to try and sustain failing tourism I think , your efforts and shekels will much appreciated by the local hoteliers .
PS / Those ” sizzling Israeli chicks ” are most probably Russian ,and of course there’s that debate raging as you know as to whether they fulfilled the essential ‘ religious test ‘ to join you in the ‘ land of milk and honey ‘ .
So Gordon Brown will speak today at a meeting called “Power for Purpose” the man who helped bankrupt Britain now jets around the world living off dronious and mediocre speech seminars, which people pay him for (why?) and his well paid charity work.
Brown who concoted the “Vow” along with the unionist rag the Daily Record, will set out a warning why Labour musn’t elect Jeremy Corbyn.
It would appear Brown has been wheeled out as a last resort with the likes of Tony Blair, Alan Johnson, Alistair Campbell and Jack Straw, all having their tuppence worth on Corbyn previously.
I’ve no doubt if Corbyn is elected the Labour party will implode with factional disputes, funnily enough the public seems to prefer Corbyn to the other candidates, but like the Tories, Labour aren’t interested in serving the will of the people anymore.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/aug/16/gordon-brown-warning-against-jeremy-corbyn-labour-leadership
Daniel
Daniel
“However, it’s undeniable that the vast majority of, for example, British Jews, are right wing Tory voters and pro-Israel.”
I’m sorry but I don’t believe this. Most British Jews I’ve met who are interested in politics are left-wing Zionists. Certainly in America the vast majority of Jews are Democrat voters. Do you have a source or poll to back up your claim? Or, as we were discussing earlier, does anyone not on the extreme left count as a Tory right-winger?
@Anon 1 12.42 pm
Monteverdi
“It’s important to try and sustain failing tourism I think , your efforts and shekels will much appreciated by the local hoteliers .”
I’m doing my best to reverse the situation. Falling numbers of tourists are due to the perception that Israel is unsafe. In reality it is one of the safest countries in the world.
“PS / Those ” sizzling Israeli chicks ” are most probably Russian ,and of course there’s that debate raging as you know as to whether they fulfilled the essential ‘ religious test ‘ to join you in the ‘ land of milk and honey ‘ .”
Nope, definitely hot Jewish chicks. Can I send you a postcard or will you boycott the postman?
Yes, Anon1, at 2:04pm, that’s been my impression, too.
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/131485/pre-election-jc-poll-reveals-huge-support-netanyahu-among-uk-jews
@Anon 1 2.04pm
” Most British Jews I’ve met who are interested in politics are leftwing Zionists ”.
This then wouldn’t seem to square with their views on Israeli politics .
Perhaps you’re mixing with the ‘ wrong kind ‘ of British Jews ?
“I’m doing my best to reverse the situation. Falling numbers of tourists are due to the perception that Israel is unsafe. In reality it is one of the safest countries in the world”
If it is so safe why has BDS now got the kybosh up the tourist industry? Could it have something to do with feeling claustrophobic, incarcerated behind fences and walls?, not to mention the exorbitant prices.
O/T, slightly. It might get even warmer in Eilat, and very very cold in the UK next winter, if any of the weather prediction on the ‘Bruce Lee of el Nino’s#’ comes true.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11804369/Godzilla-El-Nino-will-bring-chaos-including-floods-and-wildfires-to-the-world.html
http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/133505/huge-majority-british-jews-will-vote-tory-jc-poll-reveals
@Anon 1 2.04pm
” Do you have a source or poll to back up your claim ? ” .
Daniel may have or may not , but who would question the UK’s Jewish Chronicle ??
Ha! Busted – Jim Messina has a plan to announce tough new strike laws as soon as the Labour leader is elected on September 12, ensuring perhaps Jeremy Corbyn will embrace trade union paymasters and guarantee the British public will turn the clock back flinch remembering the old school Labour ’84 ’85 industrial actions.
http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/Politics/article1594314.ece
@ Anon 1 2.14pm
” Nope , definitely Jewish chicks . Can I send you a post card………”
Please advise me of the ‘ ethnic identifier ‘ you pack in your beach bag
Are they Russian visitors or Russian-Jewish [ non-speaking Hebrew ] Israelis . ” Jewish chicks ” is a confusing phrase for any person to use .
Were you in a stumbling way trying to tell me they’re Israelis of non Russian heritage . How exactly would I tell this from a postcard , I’m fascinated , do explain………
DesRes
Allah says: “Those who devour interest will not stand except as stands one whom Satan has driven mad by his touch.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 275]
It doesn’t matter if you call it interest or you call it rent, you’re not allowed to take ( or give ) profit from a loan.
@Anon1
16 Aug, 2015 – 12:30 pm
During the general election campaign earlier this year, it was the first time I have ever heard a British prime minister stand on a pledge to cut social security payments for the young, the poor and the disadvantaged. That’s the pile of shite that Britain has become. On top of this the tories are privatising/stealing everything that’s not nailed down, including the NHS, they’re siphoning huge sums of tax payer’s money into the pockets of big corporations, they’ve actively covered-up the sexual abuse of children, a large number of people are having to use food banks in what is one of the richest countries in the world, the vast majority of younger people can no longer afford a roof over their head, etc, etc. It goes on and on.
My point being, despite the fact that the tories have just about the entire mainstream media championing them, and putting out a barrage of propaganda, does anyone seriously believe that these vermin will be voted back into power in five years time? The mantra from the Labour grandees – we’ve got to be like the tories in order to get re-elected – is fundamentally wrong. The massive support that Corbyn is receiving is an indication of this.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that in the totally schitzo economic system we are forced to suffer, there is a recession about every 7 years and there is a major crash about every 80 years (this pattern goes back hundreds of years). The faulty mechanisms behind the major crash in 2008 have never been properly addressed, and the corrupt practices that caused the crash have been allowed to continue. Historically we are now due for another recession, and we will go into it still holding the baggage of the 2008 crash. It might be rather unpleasant, folks, and will probably be the main reason why the tories won’t stand a hope in hell of being re-elected in 2020.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man.
Brown was speaking mainly to his hand.
Gordon Brown has said he is “not here to attack any individual candidate” but says that the only way for Labour to achieve “high ideals” is to be credible, radical and electable.
http://www.itv.com/news/story/2015-08-16/gordon-brown-labour-can-only-deliver-principles-in-power/
Speaking at the Southbank Centre in London apparently. The makeup of his audience and the number attending was not revealed.
O/T – Chilcot
Daily Telegraph says that we are never going to know which people have been holding up the publication of the Chilcot report by dragging their feet on the Maxwellisation process.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iraq/11803206/Ministers-and-officials-accused-of-wrongdoing-in-Chilcot-inquiry-report-will-never-be-named.html
I got to thinking about Maxwellisation. Do we know, if an answer is written to anyone who puts in comments under Maxwellisation, and does that answer go back to the commenter for more Maxwellisation? If so, the process could go on forever.
I think Chilcot should set a stiff time-limit on responses to criticisms – like, yesterday – and say the report will come out on date X, whether you have come back to us or not. That should concentrate a few minds.
I also think the public should be permitted to know who has been afforded the Maxwellisation opportunity and how long it’s taken them to respond.
Kind regards,
John
Revealed: Westminster sex abuse probe police head north to question four witnesses in Scotland
16 August 2015
SOURCES suggest the Scots were asked about possible connections to late Tory MP Leon Brittan, who is at the centre of the abuse claims that focus on addresses in London’s Dolphin Square.
~~~
I see the Daily Record is part of the Trinity Mirror group.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/about-us/
‘Cameron enjoying his holidays’ Anon1 above. Perhaps not.
He’s had treatment for otitis having picked up bacteria in the Portugese surf and yesterday he was at the VJ commemorations, attempting to appear statesmanlike. So as usual he’s using up fossil fuel like his mentor BLiar.
What a bunch of greedy troughing useless b#stards, these low lifes are the real benefits scroungers, they should be prosecuted immediately.
Peers claimed £360,000 in attendance fees and expenses over the past five years despite failing to take part in any House of Lords votes, new research has found.
A group of 62 peers racked up the huge bill in years they failed to vote even once, a report by the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) released claims.
In the last parliamentary session alone, more than £100,000 was claimed by peers who did not vote at all, the report said.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/house-of-lords-peers-claim-360k-expenses-without-voting-10457749.html
Monteverdi and Len Larker. Ref https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/105446
From 60,000 at 1am today, the figure is now 62,587.