To be taken with a pinch of salt. A week ago it seemed whoever wanted to govern, they would have to form a coalition with the Lib Dems. Now it seems the Tories think they're pulling ahead and might be able to go it alone. It's admirable on principle, but perhaps foolhardly in practice. It might also lose the support he needs from swing voters, many of whom actively want a coalition government and some of whom no doubt would only vote Tory in the expectation that they would be tempered by the Lib Dems (which, IMO, is stupid).
David Cameron is prepared to rule out any coalition deal with the Liberal Democrats and will try to lead a minority government if the Tories narrowly fail to win an outright majority in the General Election on Thursday. The Conservative leader is increasingly confident of winning an overall majority. Mr Cameron believes the momentum is with his party after his confident performance in last week's final leaders' debate, Gordon Brown's "bigoted woman" gaffe and a series of polls showing a fall in Lib Dem support.
The Tories are confident an informal understanding with unionist MPs from Ulster could secure Mr Cameron a safe passage with his key early Commons battles, including getting a first Queen's Speech and Budget passed.
Mr Cameron is also relying on the reluctance of the Lib Dems or Labour to risk unpopularity with the electorate by bringing down a minority Tory government at a time of economic uncertainty. Relying on the goodwill and patriotism of leftwingers is... novel.
Nick Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, indicated yesterday that his party would be unlikely to force another election.
Senior Whitehall sources have indicated they expect Mr Cameron to push ahead without a formal coalition if he falls short of a majority. A shadow Cabinet minister said: "We don't need a formal coalition deal if the unionists are on board for the key pieces of legislation."
[Cameron] rejected an analysis by the Institute of Fiscal Studies that a Conservative government would have to find a further £52 billion in spending cuts, but acknowledged they would have to go further than they had said so far. "There are undoubtedly going to be some very difficult and tough decisions," he said. "It is incredibly challenging, it hasn't been done in recent times, I completely accept that."
Yesterday, polls showed Liberal Democrat support had fallen significantly over the past week -- with the party falling back into third place -- while the Conservatives have a clear lead over Labour.
The ICM survey for the Sunday Telegraph showed Nick Clegg's party dropping four points since a similar survey last week to slump into third place behind Labour, with the Tories on 36 per cent, Labour on 29 per cent and the Lib Dems on 27 per cent. If repeated at the election on an even swing across the country, the figures would leave David Cameron at the head of the largest party in the House of Commons with 279 MPs -- 47 short of an outright majority. 47? That's a lot of MPs short of a majority.
Meanwhile, a ComRes poll for the Sunday Mirror and Independent on Sunday gave the Conservatives a 10-point lead -- their largest advantage in a poll by the company since February. It put the Tories on 38 per cent, Labour on 28 per cent and the Liberal Democrats 25 per cent. According to the bookmakers, the Conservatives are now favourites to win Thursday's general election with an outright majority. Bookmaker Coral changed its odds on a Tory victory, which stood at 5-4 on Saturday, to become 8-11 favourite after "immense and unprecedented" levels of gambling on the outcome of the poll.
Meanwhile, a minority Conservative government could face a "constitutional crisis" over England's relationship with the other UK nations, a think-tank warns today. The Institute for Public Policy Research suggests that a minority Conservative government would have a majority of votes cast in England but not in Scotland or Wales. Such a government would be liable to a Commons defeat on English issues partly on the basis of votes cast by Scots and Welsh MPs, the IPPR predicted. Tell us something we don't know. The Tories won on the popular vote in England at the last election, too.
#1
I think the Tories have to forswear any alliance, because the Lib Dems are drawing down the Labour vote. But if voters see an alliance, they may return to voting Labour.
What I am wondering is how UKIP is doing in the polls. They are running some 500 candidates, and a very good showing by them could give the Tories the edge--in exchange for greater Tory Euroscepticism.
#2
I count about nine percent to be divvied up between the UKIP, BNP, and any other minor party which might be floating around there - any Maoist or Stalinist holdouts hiding in the wainscotting?
Posted by: Mitch H. ||
05/03/2010 14:27 Comments ||
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#3
No outright majority is the current betting favourite, about 10% ahead of a Conservative majority. It will be tight.
#1
Looks like the left doesn't have any substantial and related arguments against the preacher. So they resort to changing other people's behavior through force.
I guess they never heard of The Inquisition.
Not talking it through will only make the problem explode in the long run.
#2
This is only going to get worse. Bigotry against all but the most exsanguinated and emasculated forms of Christianity has reached a critical mass in education, media, and government in most Western countries and is rapidly approaching that level in the U.S. Things like this arrest are only the beginning. Expect to see this behavior spread to other countries and become more prevalent.
I've been saying that this would happen for years here at Rantburg and on other sites, and been called paranoid and worse. At last, an object example of the principle exists which cannot be denied.
Posted by: no mo uro ||
05/03/2010 5:55 Comments ||
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#3
A society where greed, gluttonous, and lasciviousness have become the norm. All pointing to a time as author Peter Brown writes in 'A recent Guide Late Antiquity' that "Words like 'decline' and 'crisis', which suggest problems at the end of the empire and which were quite usual into the 1970s, have largely disappeard from historians' vocabularies, to be replaced by neutral terms, like 'transition', 'change', and 'transformation'." Believing our own lie. We say it is not, therefore it is not.
#12
While UK Judges might rule now that Christians are not a protected group, just take heart. When Britain is finally overwhelmed by the Moose-Limbs, Christians will finally have a compelling argument that they are, indeed, a protected group due to their rather small numbers.
Wait... but when that occurs, I doubt that the Moose-Limbs will be stupid enough to grant said protected status to Christians infidels. Instead, they will be "converted" or turned into a Pez dispenser.
#4
Italy and Spain go Tango Uniform and France goes teetering.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
05/03/2010 2:41 Comments ||
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#5
I can see that Germany, France, and Britain are the ones getting to fund this European Union "economic adventure" in a BIG way. These basket-case countries owe France and Germany a helluva lot more than they owe each other!
#7
Seems like these economies are trying to pay off one credit card with another credit card. Eventually, this catches up with you. These shaky countries probably have links with the U.S., Japan, China, etc.
#9
The real winner in all this is Putin. Zero exposure to the PIGS, and ready to divide and conquer, with pipelines, a weakened and increasingly strained European energy market.
#11
Greece will make massive cuts in the country's bloated public sector, which makes up roughly a third of the workforce. A public sector pay freeze was extended until 2014 and treasured holiday bonuses will be scrapped for many employees. Pensions will also be cut. Drudge post.
Will be showing at a theater in your neighborhood soon.
#12
Ha, stupid Euro's. they knew what losers these Med countries were and , being PC to the ultimae degree were unable to realize that dirtbag debtors remaim dirtbag debtors no matter what the PC world "feels" that they should be called. Good luck you freaks, welcome to Putins world
#14
Russia's government and social services, education, health care etc are a shambles. The point is that Putin and his fellow thieves are piling up surpluses and will do so as long as oil's north of $40/bbl.
They're adept at two things: looting the state and playing the pipeline card against their neighbors. Europe, esp Germany, is desperate to appease them.
Note: the above is the article title in the print version of the WaPo. They toned it down online.
Barack Obama, the Insult Comic President, was up to his old shtick Saturday night.
Breaking with presidential punch line tradition for the second consecutive year, Obama dropped zinger after zinger on his opponents and allies alike at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner.
RTWT. At least one WaPo writer is noticing the nasty tone of this president even if he treads lightly in criticizing it in print.
A large group of protesters demonstrating at a May Day rally for worker's and immigrant rights downtown broke off into a riot vandalizing about a dozen businesses around 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
Many in the group were carrying makeshift torches as they marched, breaking storefront windows and writing "anarchist graffiti" on buildings. Many businesses sustained multiple broken windows including very large storefront windows at Urban Outfitters and The Rittenhouse building. Police believe at least 15 businesses suffered damage.
The violence was initiated from a group holding a rally at the town clock for May Day.
That sounds like Santa Cruz. No doubt many of those observing, and even some who were victimized, approved heartily of such an honest expression of opinion. My sister finished her PhD there last summer -- I love her dearly, but in many ways she has never grown up, despite having achieved her 45th year.
No doubt the MSM will describe the protest as 'mostly peaceful' ...
LISA AMIN GULEZIAN, REPORTER: Allan, for the most part the event was peaceful, but just about an hour ago, three people were attacked and two others were arrested. The people who were assaulted were part of the Minutemen demonstration in favor of Arizona's new immigration law.
#2
May Day rally for worker's and immigrant rights
The radical left has been motivated to come out from under the rocks.
Contrast this demo with that of the Tea Party. Despite the Tea Party rallies being orderly, the press demonized them as being Nazis, violent, racist, and homophobic. Did I miss any other descriptors out of the left's smear playbook?
#3
The left and the MSM are going to vilify the middle aged middle class white guy until we are concidered outlaws. The last thing this nation needs is their dreams of making us villans to be realized.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
05/03/2010 11:32 Comments ||
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#4
The comments appended to the linked article are ... amazingly sensible, reasoned and relatively civil.
Color me amazingly surprised. Maybe people are waking up a little.
ISLAMABAD: A fire broke out in the US chancery building in Islamabad on Sunday but there were no immediate reports of any casualties, a US embassy spokesman said, ruling out any terrorism in the incident.
"There was a small fire in the main chancery building," embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. "It has now been extinguished. We don't have any reason to believe it was terrorist related," he said. "We have no report of any injuries or any casualties," he told AFP.
There was a small fire on the first floor of the chancery, which is the main embassy building, he said. The extent of damage was not immediately clear and the spokesman said an assessment was underway.
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/03/2010 00:00 ||
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Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says his Government is preparing to end the seven week long anti-government demonstrations in Bangkok by applying increasing pressure on the protesters. The government earlier, at a special cabinet meeting, had ruled out applying martial law, while providing $8 million in additional funds to police to step up operations.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says his government has signaled to protesters to end the demonstration as it says a majority of Thai society now wants to see an end to the seven weeks of anti-government protests.
But Mr Abhisit gave no indication on when security forces would attempt to reclaim the area in central Bangkok's commercial and hostel district.
In interviews with foreign journalists Sunday at an army base on the outskirts of Bangkok, Mr Abhisit said he believed a majority of Thai society wanted to see enforcement of the law. "We are sending a clear signal that we've given a lot of time for people to leave Rajaprasong. Some of them resort to terrorist tactics and also that we are now in the process of cutting off support and seal the area off before we actively move in," he said.
The Rajaprasong area, largely shut down for the past month, is occupied by commercial and retail properties including up-scale markets and hotels. It also has a labyrinth of small shops offering low cost clothes and goods.
Barricades of sharpened bamboo poles and rubber tires border the protest area to defend the camp against security forces. United Democratic Front against Dictatorship (UDD) leaders have said they are ready to fight any moves to disperse them.
Up to 100,000 people either have lost their jobs or face bankruptcy because of the continuing protests. The government is preparing to provide special assistance to the people and shops.
Mr. Abhisit still hopes mediators may assist to avoid further bloodshed. A clash on April 10 between military and protestors at another protest site left 25 people dead and hundreds injured. "We continue to exercise restraint and patience and the first best solution is one that does not involve violence. But the public patience is running out and the government has to make sure that we can uphold the law and be accountable to what I would say is the majority of Thai society," he said.
But tensions in Bangkok remain high. Increasing public pressure on the government followed a raid by red shirt guards on a hospital located near the protest area saying they believed it was occupied by soldiers. On Friday hospital staff relocated patients to other facilities. UUD leaders later apologised for the invasion.
Analysts, such as the International Crisis Group, are warning Thailand's political system has broken down amid fears a stand-off could lead into "an undeclared civil war".
The ICG is getting a lot of free press lately ...
Posted by: Steve White ||
05/03/2010 00:00 ||
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In addition to budget issues, Virginia lawmakers are looking at changes to various bills during Wednesday's one-day session, including a bill that brings gun safety programs to elementary schools.
One of the bills calls for the Virginia Board of Education to "establish a standardized program of firearm safety education for students in the elementary school grades to promote the protection and safety of children."
Once the program is created and made available, it will be up to individual school divisions to determine if they want to incorporate it into their classrooms.
The legislature voted overwhelmingly in favor of this move.
According to the text of the bill, lawmakers require "that the program objectives incorporate, among other principles of firearm safety, accident prevention and the rules of the National Rifle Association's Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program."
"Nothing about this program should make children curious about firearms, and we don't encourage children to own a gun. So, as to any of those kind of fears, I would say they're totally unwarranted," says Alexa Fritts, a spokeswoman for the NRA.
The NRA program teaches kids if they see a gun, not to touch it, leave the area and to tell an adult about it.
A spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Education says employees haven't started putting the program together yet since lawmakers were still debating language of the bill Wednesday. The spokesperson says it's unlikely the board will have a program approved in time for next school year.
#2
I, yes I teach MY children aout guns, I, yes I teach the things Schools don't, such as basic plumbing, Basic Auto maintenance, How to shoot straight and safely, Where Water we drink comes from (Well), not The faucet, and such other things they need to know, example, how the old "Shell Game works (And don't play)
The list is endless, such is life.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/03/2010 10:43 Comments ||
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#3
"establish a standardized program of firearm safety education for students in the elementary school grades to promote the protection and safety of children."About time someone professed responsible gun handling and its subsequent respect. Every person in the USA needs to go through gun safety training. Why does this seem so Obvious to me. The time has come to quit being afraid of guns and simply accept them for what they are, tools. dangerous ones that require training and respect.......
#4
If you push 'safe sex' education [to include gay indoctrination] in schools, it's somewhat interesting to see the argument that 'safe gun' education isn't also applicable. Accounting for the number of people killed in the last couple decades from AIDS and those killed with guns, the interests of safety should be consistent if that is the consideration.
#7
First aid, CPR.
However, since none of these very useful skills are tested for under programs like "No Child Left Behind", there is little reason to implement their teaching.
I can remember when middle schools (junior highs) had rifle clubs. Gun safety and marksmanship were taught. This would have been late 1940s-early 1950s. In fact, a friend of mine said he used to routinely carry a firearm in his attache case on an airplane. There were no prohibitions against such. This would have been early 1960s. It seems that many of the gun regulations came about after the Kennedy, and MLK assassinations.
#11
There are a few heads exploding, as always. And like most liberal head explosions, they are caused by erroneous perception and not reality. So their counterattacks are rather silly, including that the program doesn't work.
However, they have a problem in that quite a few schools across the country do use the Eddie Eagle program because it does help and the NRA helps cover most of the costs, if not all.
Personally I think there needs to be a "Take your kid/friend/SO/Wife to the range day". It's always so fun to watch someone that 'hates' guns learn a little and realize how much fun they are. Trap shooting is an easy way to make them enjoy it too.
#12
If you push 'safe sex' education [to include gay indoctrination] in schools, it's somewhat interesting to see the argument that 'safe gun' education isn't also applicable. Accounting for the number of people killed in the last couple decades from AIDS and those killed with guns, the interests of safety should be consistent if that is the consideration.
Given that sex ed is NOT working, it's downright stupid to let the same folks teach gun ed, the homicide rate would triple, minimum.
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
05/03/2010 17:05 Comments ||
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#13
I can hear the class now, "This is my rifle, this is my gun. One is for fighting, one is for fun." Combining the classes should solve both concerns.
Posted by: Flapper Scourge of the Algonquins4926 ||
05/03/2010 18:46 Comments ||
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#14
Yes, gun sex. Often seen in videos from the ME with various participants spraying rounds indiscriminately into the air [usually during a funeral procession] or any particular direction for that matter. Generally, not considered 'safe' for anyone else in the immediate area [or for the trigger puller if the intended object of his/her affection happens to be a member of the American armed forces who usually put a quick end to such and any future behaviors].
#15
Pragmatically, IMO it also a good idea becuz they will be MIDDLE SCHOOLERS-N-OLDER AFTER 2012, WHEN RADICAL ISLAM + OTHER MILTERRS ANNOUNCE THEY HAVE NUKULAAR WEAPONS [Terror goes Nuke-WMDS].
* Lest we fergit, "DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK" > PARSON dur SUNDAY CHURCH > [paraph]"The MILITIA announces they will be holding a mandatory Company Drill in the Yard, to learn Protection agz Indians, Tories, Raiders, Crooks, and His Majesty's British Army. ALL MEN + BOYS WID MUSKETS, FLINTLOCKS, ETC. ARE ORDERED/REQUIRED TO ATTEND - ANYONE WHOM FAILS TO ATTEND WIDOUT GOOD CAUSE WILL BE PROMPTLY AND RIGHTEOUSLY HANGED.....AMEN".
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
