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“all for sake of further enrichment of the 0.1%.”
The next step from the rightwing media will be to argue that we need investment in fossil fuel for the benefit of all our pensions.
I notice our distinguished Prime Minister without a mandate has opined:
“The rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services and community spaces that people are crying out for.”
Nice of him to lump a legal, legitimate business with criminality.
What is he going on about anyway? Betting shops are closing down at a rate of knots. I can think of three which have closed in my neighbourhood alone.
On the subject of Burnham and betting, I thought I should attempt to play up some of the fortune I won on Starmer getting the boot.
On balance, I don’t believe it will happen – but might Burnham be tempted to call a General Election this year?
A recent opinion poll shows Labour with a narrow lead over Reform. With troubles hanging over Farage, Reform and Restore squabbling with each other and the Conservatives not making much ground under Badenoch, might Burnham decide to go early if the figures look promising?
Perhaps not – it would be brave to throw away a large majority. But it isn’t his majority and any honeymoon period he is having will not last forever. The situation may look worse for him in two years time.
Some people within Labour are still sore at Gordon Brown delaying until the last minute, keeping them out of power for 14 years. People with longer memories recall Jim Callaghan dithering as well.
A few weeks ago, a General Election this year was 29/1 on Betfair. Despite my reservations, I thought that price was too big and I took it. The current price is around 20/1, so in that respect it isn’t a terrible bet.
It will be a bit of fun until the autumn and the conference season, anyway.
A reasonable bet at the price I’d say. Unlikely as you note but stranger things have happened.
It does seem a bit odd to be going after betting shops, as you say they will take care of themselves to some extent. There never seems to be that many people in them any more.
I do agree about those slot machine centres though, they are awful. No skill, just mindless button pressing with the long term odds stacked against you and they don’t even have to turf you out of the 24 hour ones.
The official gov.uk announcement clarifies matters somewhat with the emphasis being on the proliferation of ‘Adult Gaming Centres’ viz slot machines.
Click ‘What the government is doing to improve your high streets’
Burnham (or the articles author) is guilty of using the lazy generalisation ‘betting shops’ just once, though, not unexpectedly, our beloved media has latched onto it.
Bookmakers shops are indeed declining quite rapidly:
A few weeks ago, a General Election this year was 29/1 on Betfair. Despite my reservations, I thought that price was too big and I took it. The current price is around 20/1, so in that respect it isn’t a terrible bet.
A fair bet Corker, though sooner rather than later if I were Burnham because it’s likely that food inflation will increase quite dramatically as winter approaches, as a result of the poor harvests over much of the northern hemisphere; and, as is the way, the government will be blamed, not the climate change beyond their control.
As for the current Betfair market on most seats at the next general election I’d much rather be with Labour at ~6/4 than Reform at ~5/2. Not investing mind.
Burnham said “betting shops” himself, so he has not been misquoted.
I was tempted to take the 5/1 against Farage polling 80% or more of the vote in tomorrow’s farcical by-election. Despite all the publicity, I am not convinced that Count Binface and the rest of the motley crew will muster over 20% between them.
One candidate I would like to see do well is William Clouston of the SDP, which is still going (just about). Mr Clouston is an intelligent, thoughtful man and deserves a more high profile platform – but I suspect he is too decent a person for the cut and thrust of modern politics.
Incidentally, when I was in Waterstones earlier this week, I noticed that Count Binface has written a book. Binface, in reality a BBC scriptwriter named Jonathan Harvey, looks like he is turning it into a lucrative brand.
the government will be blamed, not the climate change beyond their control.
It’ll be pinned on immigrants somehow, everything else is.
Binface, in reality a BBC scriptwriter named Jonathan Harvey, looks like he is turning it into a lucrative brand.
Someone with an Establishment background turning his politics into a lucrative brand as a joke candidate in Clacton? Sounds familiar.
it’s likely that food inflation will increase quite dramatically as winter approaches, as a result of the poor harvests over much of the northern hemisphere; and, as is the way, the government will be blamed, not the climate change beyond their control.
Further to this see:
Possibly a tad hyperbolic in places but generally spot on IMO
So, while the government(s) can’t be blamed for climate change, it should be for lack of preparedness: get with it Burnham
As you note, there may be little that we as a country can do about climate change on our own but we should still treat those who deride efforts to do so with the contempt they deserve. This of course includes vast swathes of the right but Labour us also largely silent on this.
Global problems require global solutions but whilst there is money to be made, nothing will happen. Obviously it’s all very short sighted by the money men because what’s the point of having loads of money if there’s no planet left on which to spend it? Heads still firmly in sand.
Looking at the betting for Clacton, I reckon that Nick The Incredible Flying Brick must be a bit miffed at being quoted at the same price as Laurence Fox…
Charity shops in the rather run down town near to me are now closing down. If an upsurge of charity shops show a town centre to be in a bad way, what does it mean when they, too close down?
Farage wants to argue that a comfortable victory will send a message to the establishment. But the establishment in this by-election are represented by an assortment of minor parties and satirical candidates, including three from the Monster Raving Loony Party and Count Binface, a comedian in a spacesuit with a bin on his head.
More bollocks from the ‘lefties’ at the BBC. The Establishment is represented by Nigel Farage. On what planet is the Monster Raving Loony Party the ‘Establishment’?
Charity shops in the rather run down town near to me are now closing down. If an upsurge of charity shops show a town centre to be in a bad way, what does it mean when they, too close down?
I wonder if they simply aren’t getting enough donations any more. Vinted is hugely popular now and very easy to use. Times are tight for many and if you can even get £20-£30 selling the items in a bag of clothes rather than giving it away then that goes a long way.
I wonder if they simply aren’t getting enough donations any more
Anecdotally that would seem to be the case, as I have a friend who volunteers in a Charity Shop who’s mentioned that donations have declined. More the quality than the quantity, meaning they have less that’s suitible for re-sale, with a lot more clothing just going to the ‘rag man’
It is definitely quantity over quality although that isn’t a new thing. People use these places as an excuse to offload their junk particularly on a Monday if they are near a site that does boot sales as people just dump what they can’t sell. The Oxfam in Newport Pagnell the front door was often all but inaccessible by black sacks. Sorting donations is often not a pleasant task they often come across dirty underwear.
The more I know the less I understand.
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