Awol

Or, as likely, Brown's resignation will trigger an election. They cant put another unelected PM in without getting a mandate from the country.

I've had dealings with the tech guy who is heading up the Thales bid and that's around his rate. He's also the dogs knackers so I'd be surprised - if this abortion of a policy goes ahead - if they don't get the contract.

Like Prince 'failed the Commando Course and Royal Marine selection' Edward? Give over mate. But the only reason he failed the course was because he himself quit, he couldn't have failed selection because he was on the course He couldnt hack it, if it had been anyone else this would have been realised in the selection process not 4 months into the course when he decided to walk out because the mud didn't match his nail varnish The point here is that he was allowed on the course in the first place, if his name wasn't Windsor he wouldn't have got past the selection process would he As none of us know the guy personally I don't think it's anything we could realistically assume either way. However going by some of shite wannabe officers I've come across I find it quite plausible he got into the 'selection process' on his own merit. The fact that a Royal could still fail the selection process - and walking away is failing - is quite reassuring and shows that starting selection doesn't equal automatic success for anyone. His brother however flew a helicopter in the Falklands war with the unenviable task of acting as an exocet missle decoy. I don't think questioning their route into the Forces is correct because as Edward proved if you can't hack the training you aint getting in. Neither can you question the commitment shown on operations by those who have served/are serving. Edit: Just to clarify, with the 'Commando course' and 'RM Selection' one means the same as the other.

^^ That's pretty impressive for this early on a Saturday. I'd argue from my similarly limited knowledge of China specifically that the communist party is in fact as bad as it's worst excesses would indicate, but on the limited political pluralism provided by a supposed multi party state I think you have a very good point.

Royalist here, all the way. Like Prince 'failed the Commando Course and Royal Marine selection' Edward? Give over mate. I'd argue that they do and more, but to stick with the example of the Princes' who are currently serving, Harry was an FAC in Afghan. You know better than most that is not a role for a man who isn't extremely capable in a military sense.

What a great day this has turned out to be. Bye bye strokers, at least well get a decent derby against the Baggies.

Indeed. I read today Joe Hart could be looking for a move from Citeh this summer because they only want to pay him £10,000 a week! Could be the Carson we thought we were getting.

That's democracy! Would be nice if one or more of them fancied explaining why but as they are highly likely to get abuse rather than debate I don't expect them to. Personally I'm disgusted by anyone who could vote for the motley collection of scum known as 'Respect' but totally support their right to do so.

If the election was tomorrow I'd vote Tory as things stand. With a better leader and a healthy dose of reality I could easily change that to the Lib Dems but personally I think Clegg is a joke who would be as bad Brown if he got in. Bicks floated this a while ago and I agree, the trick would be finding the mechanisms to develop policy proposals in an over-arching way so the left hand actually knows what the right is doing and can coordinate their efforts. ( Not that this actually happens under the current arrangements either but they do at least provide the framework for it to happen under a competent government )

3 - Winter of discontent for me, possibly sooner if the unions start to throw their weight around. Either way I think it will be the unions that do for him, directly or indirectly. IMO any Labour supporter should welcome his end because Brown will not win a GE - no way in hell.

Any idea of the contractor? link

*accuracy warning* Isn't the cut essentially going to be used to top up the coffers of banks after recent loses? I didn't think it would be passed on to consumers/mortgage holders at all? May well be wrong..

United, purely becasuse they are the only team there I think are truely better than us.

economic meltdown. We all lose our jobs the B of E closes. all our homes are repossessed. we all take to living in cardboard boxes on the streets. Existing tramps are not happy - grumble about overcrowding on the streets. Green Dave comes in and saves us all. Jon, why are you not in government?

Grings, Just assuming hypothetically for a sec' that prices fall by 20% over two years as you suggest. The knock on effects for the rest of the economy will be...? I'm guessing rising unemployment, currency devaluation etc but can you put any flesh on the bones?

Ouch! Three million families 'will be plunged into negative equity within a year

Connery by a country mile. Anyone who can walk up to a bird and say "ahh, Pussy" without getting slapped is a god.

Good post Richard, sums it well for me.

I voted no because the poll asks whether we can compete for the more expensive players and I'm assuming that bracket will be the likes of David Villa ie 20 million plus. I think we have decent money to spend and will hopefully see a few more additions between 8-12 million which is all good. I don't think we will be competing for the more expensive players for these reasons: -Massive transfer fee -Wages -Not able to attract them anyway at this stage of our development.

read that the other week ... bit of a let down after the first one and not a patch on the Emperor series he did , i felt ... Only just seen your post Tony but yeah, agreed on both counts. I'm having my second crack at the Quran at the moment, bloody heavy going and pure hell-fire and brimstone so far - only about 50 pages in mind.

Yes, he's done wonders already.

^^ Sci-Fi nonsense, it's all perfectly safe don't you know. Now, Pop Idol, good huh?

..I still would though.

Depends, if your job is oiling up Swedish bikini babes I'd say you are neglecting you're duties. Anything else and you're working too hard.

They are equally foul and need gang banging by lepers.