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Month: December 2018

The reason the Corbyn “stupid row” continues to make news is because many don’t believe his denial

The reason the Corbyn “stupid row” continues to make news is because many don’t believe his denial

This doesn't look like the right strategy for the LAB leader. Corbyn hits out at media over 'stupid woman' row. https://t.co/CGqjw0avA2 — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) December 20, 2018 If he’d just apologised yesterday the story would now be dead Mike Smithson Follow @MSmithsonPB Tweet

Which will happen first? TMay to step down as PM or the UK to leave the EU?

Which will happen first? TMay to step down as PM or the UK to leave the EU?

I rather like this betting market which asks which of the two events will happen first – Theresa May ceasing to be Prime Minister or the UK actually leaving the EU. With uncertainties over both events this is quite a good match. My guess as we get closer to the March 29th article 50 deadline that this will see a fair bit of activity and no doubt the leave EU price will move to the favourite slot if the Theresa…

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It looks as though there could be by-election in an ultra marginal gained by LAB from CON at GE17

It looks as though there could be by-election in an ultra marginal gained by LAB from CON at GE17

Fiona Onasanya: Peterborough MP guilty in speeding case – Could be by-election in seat gained by LAB from CON at GE17https://t.co/TetDWtgYmR — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) December 19, 2018 The last two general elections in Peterborough where the LAB MP has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice pic.twitter.com/6ebLldWPdx — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) December 19, 2018 What appears to be a very interesting by-election is in prospect following the conviction this afternoon of the Peterborough MP. She has been…

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CNN reveals document on Russian tower deal signed by Trump contradicting what his lawyer’s been saying

CNN reveals document on Russian tower deal signed by Trump contradicting what his lawyer’s been saying

A newly obtained document shows President Donald Trump signed a letter of intent to move forward with negotiations to build a Trump Tower in Russia, despite his attorney Rudy Giuliani claiming on Sunday the document was never signed. https://t.co/FqppeMkkVa pic.twitter.com/yZyTiRMYs5 — Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) December 19, 2018 With the Russian collusion investigation continuing to dominate US politics CNN has revealed overnight a letter of intent signed by Mr Trump in 2015 on the plan to build a Trump Tower…

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Why the Northern Ireland border has been such a difficult issue

Why the Northern Ireland border has been such a difficult issue

I’ve just come across an article by John McTernan, Tony Blair’s former director of political operations, which explains very clearly why the Northern Ireland border is such an issue in the Brexit negotiations. “.. there is no concession that can be given on the backstop or, as it should properly be considered, Northern Ireland. The fundamental problem here is not the intransigence of the Irish government not the trickery of the European Union. It is, put bluntly, because the UK…

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The detail of the YouGov “LAB would slip to 3rd place behind the LDs ” poll

The detail of the YouGov “LAB would slip to 3rd place behind the LDs ” poll

YouGov/People’s Vote At the weekend when this came out I was a bit nervous about circulating details without having seen the full form of the question that was asked and the breakdown of the data. Well this is now available and above we see a snapshot of the main question and responses. I think the wording of the two options is fine but I am quite surprised by the change it brought to voting intentions. What must be worrying to…

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Boris’s CON leadership betting spurt appears to have run out of steam and others are moving up

Boris’s CON leadership betting spurt appears to have run out of steam and others are moving up

It is inevitable with all the political moves relating to the prime minister that there is a lot of betting focus at the moment on who will succeed her both as CON leader and also Prime Minister. Last week as the Betdata.io chart shows the money moved to the former mayor and former foreign secretary who has hired Lynton Crosby to run his leadership campaign, Mr Johnson. That’s evaporated but he’s still favourite though there are four or five others…

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