Congratulations France!

[Flosshilde]

Let's hope that Sarkozy doesn't now have to rely on his wife's musical career for income!

No, he'll join up with Tone & do a double act. Nic will be the one with short fat hairy legs.

[scottycelt]

no, they would be just as bad.
That is the whole point.
The world is , as I said, run by the banks, for the banks.
And it is ALL about opinions, isn't it?
Am I wrong about the QE?

Where you are wrong, team, is to automatically and predictably blame the EU (a favourite pastime in the UK) for matters outside its control and responsibility.

The ECB is the central bank for the Eurozone countries, and is quite separate from the EU.

[cloughie]

No, he'll join up with Tone & do a double act. Nic will be the one with short fat hairy legs.

What and be a Semi-tone Out!

[teamsaint]

What and be a Semi-tone Out!

you have adopted a sarkoztic tone now, Cloughie !!

[John Skelton]

The ECB is the central bank for the Eurozone countries, and is quite separate from the EU.

http://www.ecb.int/ecb/orga/independence/html/index.en.html

[teamsaint]

Where you are wrong, team, is to automatically and predictably blame the EU (a favourite pastime in the UK) for matters outside its control and responsibility.

The ECB is the central bank for the Eurozone countries, and is quite separate from the EU.

I may be wrong legally, technically.
But the ECB have towed the party( German led) line all the way.

The requirements of those running the euro,(the banks) have determined, and are determining political and economic policy over most of Europe.

If I see the ECB introducing lending policies to help the hard pressed economies of southern Europe, instead of just helping the banks, I might change my views.

[secret squirrel]

For one talking about politics, I would have thought that you would know that it is "toed [the party line]" as in the red stripe on each side of the House of Commons' floor each being just over a sword's length apart, I understand!

Anyway, does this mean France is still our natural enemy?!

SS

[Lateralthinking1]

Genuine congratulations to France. How we can all recognise the excitement associated with hope in 30-something crowds. In reality, everything remains to be seen.

If Britain were France, an elite leader of the Left with a grey personality would win here. He would do so with the help of conservative voters drifting in large numbers to parties of the right. The turnout would be more than 80% even with the sheer effort required to go out and vote twice in two weeks. And we'd all be looking forward to retiring at 60.

Don't underestimate that policy. It is the ultimate symbol of policy difference. The one that really separates out the humane from the hateful. It's not about people's willingness to work or otherwise, particularly when there aren't any jobs. It is about individual efficiency and commitment based on personal security. A sounder, healthier, way to run a country.

Here are the other distinctions between Hollande and his opponent - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17811579. It isn't a revolution but it is enough to make the Germans wobbly. Currently a feather could achieve the same. By contrast, Cameron and Osborne will not be anxious. They will be licking their lips at the opportunities this gives them to flirt even more with big business.

The aim will be to attract the big guns with the use of ever increasing sledgehammer austerity. The only crowds turning out will be those distracted by the Olympics and Her Majesty. Nadine Dorries will only ever be half right. She is that kind of person. But there is no news yet about the woman from York who suffered petrol burns and Francis Maude has still not given an apology.

[teamsaint]

For one talking about politics, I would have thought that you would know that it is "toed [the party line]" as in the red stripe on each side of the House of Commons' floor each being just over a sword's length apart, I understand!

Anyway, does this mean France is still our natural enemy?!

SS

I stand corrected , spelling wise.
We seem to have enough enemies for now, dotted round the world !!History certainly suggests that we would be better off being nice and friendly to the French and the Germans!!

the ordinary people of Europe need to stand together against the forces that are attacking us........not fight each other.But I happen to think that the EU and the Eurozone is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

[Beef Oven]

For one talking about politics, I would have thought that you would know that it is "toed [the party line]" as in the red stripe on each side of the House of Commons' floor each being just over a sword's length apart, I understand!

Anyway, does this mean France is still our natural enemy?!

SS

He meant toad.

[teamsaint]

He meant toad.

you mean like frogs?

[Beef Oven]

you mean like frogs?

Yes, that was the context, I thought.

[secret squirrel]

F Maude should not have to apologise for one woman's very stupid actions.

I mean, really: who on earth decants petrol inside a kitchen near a naked flame?!

I would not go so far as to say that she 'deserved it' but I would say she was the wholly responsible for her actions and will have to live with their tragic outcomes...

Perhaps and as a result of her experience we will hear fewer stories of petrol and barbeques this summer - if we do, then perhaps her actions will have resulted in some good, but no, Mr Maude - while he clearly had a part to play in the whole '[don't] panic!' episode - was NOT responsible for this lady's actions.

SS

[Mr Pee]

F Maude should not have to apologise for one woman's very stupid actions.

I mean, really: who on earth decants petrol inside a kitchen near a naked flame?!

I would not go so far as to say that she 'deserved it' but I would say she was the wholly responsible for her actions and will have to live with their tragic outcomes...

Perhaps and as a result of her experience we will hear fewer stories of petrol and barbeques this summer - if we do, then perhaps her actions will have resulted in some good, but no, Mr Maude - while he clearly had a part to play in the whole '[don't] panic!' episode - was NOT responsible for this lady's actions.

SS

Has this message appeared on the wrong thread?

[Ian Thumwood]

F Maude should not have to apologise for one woman's very stupid actions.

I mean, really: who on earth decants petrol inside a kitchen near a naked flame?!

I would not go so far as to say that she 'deserved it' but I would say she was the wholly responsible for her actions and will have to live with their tragic outcomes...

Perhaps and as a result of her experience we will hear fewer stories of petrol and barbeques this summer - if we do, then perhaps her actions will have resulted in some good, but no, Mr Maude - while he clearly had a part to play in the whole '[don't] panic!' episode - was NOT responsible for this lady's actions.

SS

Rubbish. If he had any human decency, he would have fallen on his sword.

Hollandes' success is a victory for Europe. Hopefully more leaders will be brave enough to run a campaign against austerity measures. The only organisations willing to do that in the UK at the moment are the unions and Labour refuses to back them in fear that there will be a reaction against themselves in the Right wing media. Britain really needs a leader like Hollande and I wish the British people had the passion of the Greeks to vote against unpopular policies dumped on them by the politicians who have caused the problems. Cameron and Osborne are hopeless and have caused a serious, double-dip recession yet the only time there is any disquiet on the streets in the UK, the people protesting seem more keen on stealing training shoes that realising how they have been let down by the politicians on the Right and so-called Left in this country. Hopefully Hollande will inspire something similar in the UK.