Panic Stations

[Big Ed]

The walls could be closing in on David Cameron: Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks are to appear at the Leveson Inquiry this week.
Until now it has been mildly entertaining watching the press executives and high-ranking Metropolitan Police Officers squirming, as the rocks that they have been operating under are exposed to the light: now two people mired in this scandal are to face scrutiny and both are (or have been) touch-tight to the PM. An indication that all is not well at No. 10 occurred late last week when the Government applied, long after the deadline, for Core Participant status, which, having been granted, will allow them advance sight of witness statements.
The fact that it has taken the PM so long to see that he is personally in the line of fire, suggests that his slick presentation skills merely disguise a lack of competence. A double dip recession, a deeply unpopular budget and a doing at the local elections may be historically mid term issues that Governments can bounce back from, but exposure to too personal involvement in this sordid mess may fatally undermine his credibility.

[Jack]

What credibility Ed?

[Big Ed]

What credibility Ed?

OK, maybe I'm being a wee bit generous: to get the gist of what I mean, compare last year's local election results to this year's: last year both coalition parties suffered different fates: the Lib Dem's crashed, whilst the Tory vote held up quite nicely. Twelve months on they have both been thrown down a flight of stairs.
I doubt the Tory slump was all about the electorate suddenly becoming fed up with the performance of their local Conservative Councillors.

[Phil D. Rolls]

The next thing they know it
They'll be chain gang bound

[Geo_1875]

When did Big Ed Milliband start posting on Hibs.net?

[Big Ed]

When did Big Ed Milliband start posting on Hibs.net?

Very good: I see what you did there! :top marks

I'm not a Labour voter, but I can see how the post may appear to be partisan. The main point of my post was to highlight how potentially damaging Coulson and Brooks appearance at Leveson may be personally for the PM, as well as the impression that he has suddenly woken up to this just lately. Hopefully I also managed to convey that I think he is a smug prick.

[Big Ed]

Well, Coulson and Brooks appeared before Leveson this week and it turns out that the walls did not budge after all. :flamed:
Coulson in particular, was praised for the way he dealt with the questions put by QC Robert Jay: deftly avoiding any incriminating answers about the Governments role in the attempt to gain full control of BSkyB by News Corp.
So then, despite Jeremy Hunt having more e-mail trouble and the egregious revelation that Coulson was not adequately vetted by the Security Services whilst serving as Communications Director for Cameron, not a bad week for the PM after all.
Hunky dory...:hmmm:

[HKhibby]

The walls could be closing in on David Cameron: Andy Coulson and Rebekah Brooks are to appear at the Leveson Inquiry this week.
Until now it has been mildly entertaining watching the press executives and high-ranking Metropolitan Police Officers squirming, as the rocks that they have been operating under are exposed to the light: now two people mired in this scandal are to face scrutiny and both are (or have been) touch-tight to the PM. An indication that all is not well at No. 10 occurred late last week when the Government applied, long after the deadline, for Core Participant status, which, having been granted, will allow them advance sight of witness statements.
The fact that it has taken the PM so long to see that he is personally in the line of fire, suggests that his slick presentation skills merely disguise a lack of competence. A double dip recession, a deeply unpopular budget and a doing at the local elections may be historically mid term issues that Governments can bounce back from, but exposure to too personal involvement in this sordid mess may fatally undermine his credibility.


The next election worth bothering about is in 2015! the only one that really means anything in reality!...although the European elections are before that! given that the majority of people in the UK are anti E.U!...thankfully! watch what happens there, if the Conservatives gain alot of votes there without losing alot to UKIP, they will capitalise on that, and hopefully offer, but cant see it a referendum on leaving the EU in their next manifest.
The other things to bear in mind, although the majority of people in Scotland and the North of England hate the fact, have they really been dealt a serious blow by losing alot in London or the South / South East? not really!, Boris re-elected! thankfully rather than Red Ken!, have they lost alot in the home counties? no! , the only places i know of they lost was Southampton, bit of a swing place though! and Birmingham...always traditionally Labour! , and gains in the North..again traditionally Labour! so the big question to ask yourself, with such a low turn out for a start, and the fact the Conservatives did not lose out in such a big way in their core voting areas and kept control of London...where the real power and commerce is!...would the UK people really risk electing Red-Ed in 2015? he will not win it! thankfully!,

Could the UK afford another few years of a Union backed and controlled Labour PM? let alone 13 years of what they had and messers Blair and Brown...two men that hated each other! so at least Cameron and Osbourne get along and run things for the sake of the country!, everytime Labour leave Govt, it takes another few years to clear up the mess and defecits and mis-managed economics and economy!

Thats just one reason you have this so called double dip recession!, although things will pick up big style in the UK in the next couple of years! the other reason for the shambles that has been left, one word, and one thing...Europe! think about the shambles they are in!

[Big Ed]

The next election worth bothering about is in 2015! the only one that really means anything in reality!...although the European elections are before that! given that the majority of people in the UK are anti E.U!...thankfully! watch what happens there, if the Conservatives gain alot of votes there without losing alot to UKIP, they will capitalise on that, and hopefully offer, but cant see it a referendum on leaving the EU in their next manifest.
The other things to bear in mind, although the majority of people in Scotland and the North of England hate the fact, have they really been dealt a serious blow by losing alot in London or the South / South East? not really!, Boris re-elected! thankfully rather than Red Ken!, have they lost alot in the home counties? no! , the only places i know of they lost was Southampton, bit of a swing place though! and Birmingham...always traditionally Labour! , and gains in the North..again traditionally Labour! so the big question to ask yourself, with such a low turn out for a start, and the fact the Conservatives did not lose out in such a big way in their core voting areas and kept control of London...where the real power and commerce is!...would the UK people really risk electing Red-Ed in 2015? he will not win it! thankfully!,

Could the UK afford another few years of a Union backed and controlled Labour PM? let alone 13 years of what they had and messers Blair and Brown...two men that hated each other! so at least Cameron and Osbourne get along and run things for the sake of the country!, everytime Labour leave Govt, it takes another few years to clear up the mess and defecits and mis-managed economics and economy!

Thats just one reason you have this so called double dip recession!, although things will pick up big style in the UK in the next couple of years! the other reason for the shambles that has been left, one word, and one thing...Europe! think about the shambles they are in!

In the past, I have resisted from getting personal with you when replying to one of your posts; but I cannot let this one go without making the following observation: you really have a knack of misinterpreting the post which you are replying to.
Read the opening post again: I assert that the Government can bounce back from their current unpopularity, but that Cameron is in trouble personally if the News Corp/Leveson/BSkyB circus pitches up too close to home.
Anyway, while you're here, maybe you could answer the following based on your post:

Since his election as party leader, have you ever seen Ed Milliband look like anything other than a rabbit in headlights when he is asked for his opinion on imminent strike action?
If the UK economy was such a disaster under Labour: why did they win twice more after 1997?
What evidence is there for you to assert that "things will pick up big style in the UK in the next couple of years"? and
Are you aware that double dip recession is a fact and not "so-called"?

[magpie1892]

What evidence is there for you to assert that "things will pick up big style in the UK in the next couple of years"? and



If I may answer this one. There is none.

[HKhibby]

In the past, I have resisted from getting personal with you when replying to one of your posts; but I cannot let this one go without making the following observation: you really have a knack of misinterpreting the post which you are replying to.
Read the opening post again: I assert that the Government can bounce back from their current unpopularity, but that Cameron is in trouble personally if the News Corp/Leveson/BSkyB circus pitches up too close to home.
Anyway, while you're here, maybe you could answer the following based on your post:

Since his election as party leader, have you ever seen Ed Milliband look like anything other than a rabbit in headlights when he is asked for his opinion on imminent strike action?
If the UK economy was such a disaster under Labour: why did they win twice more after 1997?
What evidence is there for you to assert that "things will pick up big style in the UK in the next couple of years"? and
Are you aware that double dip recession is a fact and not "so-called"?



Not a problem i'll answer them all!

1) you are quiet right he cant answer anything to do with strike action, it is after all where his election came from! and if he looks to agree with them too much that is where the present govt can chew him right away for a start! (both parties)

2) yes they did go on to win 2 other elections, the opposition in 2001 was next to nothing together with remember the Conservatives had been in govt for 18 years until 1997, they still looked Jaded and tired, not to mention all the lies and spin that Blair had given everyone about the economy will be safe under "New Labour", they did not put income tax up as promised, just made the very core of Britain pay for it by hitting the small / medium sized buisness man / woman with stealth taxes...and massive E.U. redtape...ask any business people they will tell you, the 3rd victory well he won it with a dramatically reduced majority, as people were seeing through him with the lies and the cover up over the Iraq war etc.., he knew that he would not win a 4th term and told everyone as well, and was forced out if you remember to be replaced by a man that hated him and who had mis spent and raped the pension pots of both private and public services, almost forgot one thing, Blair even himself to look good even said that they inherited a good stable economy from the Conservatives in 97!.

3) you may or not know i live in Asia, ask anyone here, they will tell you along with expats / europeam expats, north american expats etc...etc..that Europe is the last place anyone wants to do buisness if they can help it, with the shambles it is in ( has been this way for 3 years and more), what they do say that the present UK Govt has done well to distance its self from the Eurozone even further, say no to more ridiculas E.U. legislation, and making it easier for buisness in the UK to flourish, together with less redtape, which will and is attracting buisness, that is where the economy comes in to better its self, look at the markets the pound is gaining and becoming stronger. also because the Uk is not linked to the European Central Bank, it can manage its self, to create wealth you have to reduce debt in the fist place, just like any business would do, you cannot spend your way out of recession.

4) whether it is so-called or not, from what i understand it isnt the only place where there is a "double dip recession", it only comes from the markets and again the uncertainty in the business community over investing, because of alot of reasons, and partly is to do with alot of the above mentiond things.
but while im on here, and i dont, what would be your answer to how to try and improve the economy?,

dont get me wrong i am not trying pick an argument with you or anyone, yes i can always take banter etc.. and have discussions with anyone and can accept other people have different views on things etc..and dont forget like everone one on this site i am on here as it is a Hibs website, and not all hibs supporters live in Edinburgh, or the UK for that matter.
oh and i am not being personal with comments i make,

[yeezus.]

The way the Labour party are trying to pounce on this is hilarious.

Our First Minister rightly commented on the 15+ years of Labour being in the pockets of Murdoch.

[Twa Cairpets]

The next election worth bothering about is in 2015! the only one that really means anything in reality!...although the European elections are before that! given that the majority of people in the UK are anti E.U!...thankfully! watch what happens there, if the Conservatives gain alot of votes there without losing alot to UKIP, they will capitalise on that, and hopefully offer, but cant see it a referendum on leaving the EU in their next manifest.
The other things to bear in mind, although the majority of people in Scotland and the North of England hate the fact, have they really been dealt a serious blow by losing alot in London or the South / South East? not really!, Boris re-elected! thankfully rather than Red Ken!, have they lost alot in the home counties? no! , the only places i know of they lost was Southampton, bit of a swing place though! and Birmingham...always traditionally Labour! , and gains in the North..again traditionally Labour! so the big question to ask yourself, with such a low turn out for a start, and the fact the Conservatives did not lose out in such a big way in their core voting areas and kept control of London...where the real power and commerce is!...would the UK people really risk electing Red-Ed in 2015? he will not win it! thankfully!,

Could the UK afford another few years of a Union backed and controlled Labour PM? let alone 13 years of what they had and messers Blair and Brown...two men that hated each other! so at least Cameron and Osbourne get along and run things for the sake of the country!, everytime Labour leave Govt, it takes another few years to clear up the mess and defecits and mis-managed economics and economy!

Thats just one reason you have this so called double dip recession!, although things will pick up big style in the UK in the next couple of years! the other reason for the shambles that has been left, one word, and one thing...Europe! think about the shambles they are in!

Oh goody! HK Hibby is back! With lots of exclamations! And a breathelss style of posting! That doesnt really make sense!

[da-robster]

The way the Labour party are trying to pounce on this is hilarious.

Our First Minister rightly commented on the 15+ years of Labour being in the pockets of Murdoch.

:kettle:

[Jack]

I loved it last week when the coalition was relaunched.

I excitedly waited for the news to come on and whoopee, it was the first item. :agree:

“At the relaunch of the coalition earlier today …”

How disappointed was I that it was the same thing, word for word, that they relaunched a couple of months ago and a couple of months before that. :rolleyes:

Not so much a relaunch as a regurgitate of all the stuff that’s made it one of the most unpopular governments in modern times.

Arrogant *******s, we heard you the first time.

[Big Ed]

but while im on here, and i dont, what would be your answer to how to try and improve the economy?

Is that all: why don’t you ask me a difficult one? Well here goes:
Again and again, we have watched on, while people in power repeat strategies that have failed. We need only consider economics and finance to witness dogmatic devotion to market fundamentalism, despite the fact that over three decades, economics has produced a lack of stability, equality and wellbeing for the majority - and untold riches for an elite.
To have an economic system that benefits the country; we should start by dismantling the vehicles of poisonous self interest. Unfortunately both Government and Opposition in the UK seem devoid of such ideas and simply pine for the days when our financial institutions offered easy credit on the nod as a solution to our economic ills.
As a society, we need to save this mutation of Capitalism from its excesses and make the market serve society. That requires political courage and that’s as scarce right now as a remorseful banker.

[marinello59]

The way the Labour party are trying to pounce on this is hilarious.

Our First Minister rightly commented on the 15+ years of Labour being in the pockets of Murdoch.

So he thought that was worthy of criticism but still jumped into bed with Murdoch himself. It's a strange defence.

[Beefster]

The way the Labour party are trying to pounce on this is hilarious.

Our First Minister rightly commented on the 15+ years of Labour being in the pockets of Murdoch.

Hypocritical prick. He was sucking furiously on Murdoch's teat within the last year.

[yeezus.]

Hypocritical prick. He was sucking furiously on Murdoch's teat within the last year.

Ken, but I was talking about his response to Labour trying to brand him Murdoch's best buddy - as if their hands are clean.

[Kato]

I notice Rebekah Brooks husband has claimed that his wife is the victim of a "witch hunt". Shame eh! It's not as though she hasn't conducted a few herself so she'll know one when she sees one. Unless in an underhand way the hubby was just trying to sneak in calling her a "witch". Well if the (pointy) cap fits.