Hi all, Over the next three or four days I will be susbstantially upgrading the Political Betting technical infrastructure. For those who care, the big changes are: A new faster, shinier main server An upgrade to the latest version of WordPress A huge upgrade to the Disqus commenting system (you’ll be able to ‘like’ particularly insightful comments, or those from tim or seanT) While I will try and minimise downtime, it’s quite likely that there will be substantial periods when…
This is PB’s regular overnight open thread. Everybody is welcome.
The 100 songs that changed history? To kick off tonight Time Out’s got an interesting feature which has some political elements – its choice of the 100 songs that changed history. You can find it here. What do you think? Is the listings magazine on the right track – or should I say “tracks”. Have a good night. @MikeSmithsonPB
Or is he being constrained by Nick & the Lib Dems? Several observers are reporting that there’s increasing concern amongst Tory MPs about Dave’s position on Europe. His detractors want a more eurosceptic approach which is very different from what they are hearing from their leader. Daniel Knowles in the Telegraph reports on the feelings of many Tory backbenchers: “… For many, Europe has taken on significance as a test of the power of Parliament. Though they bang the desks…
What about Lembit O’Pik for Irish President? A couple of people who know Lembit Opik well have contacted me to suggest that the former MPs next move should be to run for the Irish Presidency. Lembit was born in Bangor, County Down in Northern Ireland which, I’m told, would qualify him to run. I’m not taking this seriously but it’s an interesting idea and Lembit is certainly looking for a new role. At the weekend he failed to become the…
Today, of course, is when Nadine Dorries is moving her key amendment on abortion. I just wonder whether the PM was right to sit down – wouldn’t it have been better to give an answer to her point? @MikeSmithsonPB
Well MPs are back, we’ve got the first PMQs tomorrow, and everything is building up to conference season. The Cafe is the open thread that we run most nights. The rest it up to you. Marf’s spoof of the Edward Hopper classic Nighthawks Café is available in limited edition print and signed by Marf for £60. If you are interested contact her here. Thanks for all the good wishes from PBers following my accident last week. I am getting better…
But should the question have been shorter than 196 words? YouGov have a new poll out this afternoon on the planned abortion law changes which will be debated in the commons tomorrow. The move from Nadine Dorries seeks to prevent those providing abortions from counselling women who are seeking one. It is being opposed by the government, and pro-choice groups. My concern with the polling is that the question is, at 196 words, simply far too long and it is…