@stephentall’s weekly Twitter updates for 2012-03-16

by Stephen Tall on March 16, 2012

@jamesgraham Tho without the chance to vote off your least favourite act. Admit it, you'd watch then, yes? in reply to jamesgraham #
Gerard Depardieu: genius. #grahamnorton #
@sunny_hundal Not true, Sunny. @timfarron blames Guardian readers for not voting in enough numbers for the LibDems. in reply to sunny_hundal #
@sunny_hundal Yes, the Tories would have a majority. They'd have won an autumn 2010 election. in reply to sunny_hundal #
But so was mass franchise to Charles M RT @mustberead: Gay marriage is a Tory modernisation too far, says Charles Moore http://t.co/Clcyjekx #
@sunny_hundal I'd agree, it's not /all/ Guardian readers' fault! But @timfarron clearly right that voters didn't vote LD in suff numbers. in reply to sunny_hundal #
@sunny_hundal Speculation, obvs, but not silly – do you really think Tories cdn't have walked a snap election in aut 2010 to 'save the econ' in reply to sunny_hundal #
@sunny_hundal Voters can vote as they choose. But there are consequences. And if enough don't vote LibDem don't expect to get LD policies! in reply to sunny_hundal #
@sunny_hundal Actually if more people had voted Lab, most of this stuff (on NHS and welfare) would still be happening. Just as it did before in reply to sunny_hundal #
@jamescleverly @sunny_hundal But illogical for voters not to vote 4 yr party then demand to know why yr not implem pols they didn't vote 4 in reply to JamesCleverly #
@sunny_hundal Logic long since departed the NHS debate. My pt was Lab wd be doing little diff if in govt; Lansley Bill just conts Lab pols. in reply to sunny_hundal #
@sunny_hundal I get what we're being blamed for. I think LDs playing a generally good hand with bad set of cards dealt by voters. in reply to sunny_hundal #
@sunny_hundal The bigger prob I have with LD position is we hadn't thought hard enough about LD health policy before elctn: Tories had. in reply to sunny_hundal #
@sunny_hundal I have no prob with abolishing PCTs – that *was* LD manifesto policy & a Lab party that believed in localism wd support it. in reply to sunny_hundal #
@sunny_hundal *sighs* Please show me where I "blamed" the voters. I've pointed out there are inevit conseqs of LDs not winning majority… in reply to sunny_hundal #
@sunny_hundal … and not getting every LibDem policy if not enough people vote for the party is surely too obvious to need re-stating? in reply to sunny_hundal #
Whither Dan, Emma & Rupe > Harry Potter stars make their bids for grown-up glory http://t.co/ZslFlvOp #
New post by me > : Do Lib Dem members’ views differ from conference representatives’ views? Here’s what our s… http://t.co/jRzTOhCG #
@markpack Can I use that for this week's caption comp? in reply to markpack #
@thereallibdems I see what you did there. Witty. in reply to TheRealLibDems #
3 things we learned at today's #ldconf according to Guardian's @andrewsparrow here: http://t.co/zHQHj68J < 2 on the NHS, 1 on tax. #
New post by me > : LDVideo: Nick Clegg – ‘It is only fair millionaires pay their share’ http://t.co/9LEKj3pR #
(Altho @andrewsparrow did partially spoil yr live-blog by quoting Ben Ramm, the least grassroots non-Lib Dem in the party's history.) #
@andrewsparrow Tbh, v unclear on his credentials – is he even a LD member? The Liberal is nothing to do with the party: http://t.co/sZQ9fHIS in reply to AndrewSparrow #
@andrewsparrow Fair play – and btw the live-blog continues to be essential reading for which much thx! in reply to AndrewSparrow #
New post by me > : LDVideo: Nick Clegg – “If I thought this Bill was about privatising the NHS, it would never … http://t.co/hzX14mOT #
If anything cd convince me Jonathan Franzen is right about Twitter, it's the truly dire level of 'debate' here on the NHS bill. #
At least in the old days of blogging, people had to construct some form of argument to justify their views rather than just RT glib slogans. #
Or win arguments » RT @lordbonkers …is the lesson of the past few days that shouting at people on Twitter does not win hearts and minds? #
With that am signing off Twitter for tonight. Otherwise may end up unfollowing many normally sane people hoist on their own indignation. #
New post by me > : LDVideo Conference Special: the views of Nick Clegg, party members & Simon Hughes http://t.co/g5lMXt7F #
Thoughtful as ever » RT @jamesgraham Quaequam Blog! » Why I left the Lib Dems http://t.co/Kmtcixdy #
@patrickwintour True. Tho that's also because we're the only party that allows members a meaningful debate at all. in reply to patrickwintour #
Confused how #ldconf voted on the NHS? @paulwalter provides the amended text of the motion passed this morning here: http://t.co/bq6y4pxL #
Here's @andrewsparrow's take on the ups & downs for Nick Clegg of this morning's #ldconf NHS vote http://t.co/WdyrBsKL #
RT @paulwaugh: Clegg speech re NHS: "It is not a Liberal Democrat health bill but it is a better bill because of the Liberal Democrats" #
New post by me > : Round-up of initial reactions to the Lib Dem conference NHS Bill vote http://t.co/ac7Q7Swu #
More import, will Con members get a vote? RT @conhome LDs w'end of free publicity begs quest where is Con Spring Forum? http://t.co/HlB9glZ5 in reply to ConHome #
Lib Dem who's had a stressful weekend? Here's a pic of one of our cats licking another of our cats. And relax… http://t.co/YVnVsr5l #
And here's a very sleepy third cat enjoying a bit of R&R. All together now #ldconf breathe in, breathe out… http://t.co/x2R2Z9w6 #
Interested to see Vince say one of Beecroft's proposals welcomed by LibDems, rejected by Tories: easing immigration checks for new employees #
I just bought: 'The Alternative View' by @lembitopik & Ed Joyce http://t.co/eG9M8kio < genuinely curious to read this. #
@jamesgraham Surely after #ldconf we've all learned that biting a member of your family & loving them are interchangeable concepts? in reply to jamesgraham #
Whatever you do, don't spoil the ending for me > RT @markpack: @lembitopik I'm looking forward to Appendix 6. #
Tony Greaves comments on my NHS post http://t.co/CaduXeTl: very clear Bill "will not now result in the overnight privatisation of the NHS". #
@livingafloat I can see you've fully taken on-board my point about the dire quality of Twitter debate on the NHS. http://t.co/x2KTdFfU in reply to Livingafloat #
There's something in this observn MT @declanlyons: Andrew Gilligan in the Speccie on Boris v Ken: "when voters talk about Boris they smile." #
@livingafloat Hmm, 'big picture'. Easy excuse for glib exaggeration based on absence of facts & tribal indignation. in reply to Livingafloat #
@shodanalexm You say it was never going to, but that nuance – it puts NHS on path to privatisation – not well represented in the debate… in reply to ShodanAlexM #
@shodanalexm … much more represented has been OTT claims of destroying NHS immediately, killing patients etc. Hype > accuracy. in reply to ShodanAlexM #
@timmontgomerie But reason #ldconf got attention was bec LD members have vote & decide/influence policy. That doesn't happen at Tory conf! in reply to TimMontgomerie #
1. Passion trumped pragmatism 2. Leadership played hand badly 3. Failure of proper debate< 3 thoughts on NHS #ldconf http://t.co/ac7Q7Swu #
New post by me > : In other news… Vince, Telegraph inaccuracy, Lembit, Eastleigh, Boundary Commission, site news http://t.co/uywGfXYE #
New post by me > : In other news… Vince, Telegraph inaccuracy, Le… http://t.co/uywGfXYE #
RT @frasernelson: How Clegg brilliantly outmanouevred Cameron over ECHR – my CoffeeHouse post http://t.co/JHXbiC2m #
@maxatkinson it's up on Lib Dem Voice, Max. in reply to maxatkinson #
Thx for suggestion, but I rather like individual freedom not conformity » RT @don_dapper @stephentall: you should try @thegreenparty #
Ooh, I'm at No.2. No idea why, but I won't knock it » RT @libdemvoice Top of the Blogs: The Lib Dem Golden Dozen #264 http://t.co/5fMJLv1e #
New post by me > : LDVideo at Conference: Lib Dem activists speak out against NHS Bill http://t.co/lf2I50fW #
@helenduffett Ah, link-bait, the Golden Dozen's friend in reply to helenduffett #
The 10 O'Clock Show is 90% lazy, unfunny, tediously irritating TV. But Charlie Brooker's Sun poem was utterly fab: http://t.co/v1Trd5PD #
Well worth reading > RT @libdig: #ldconf the NHS Bill, and Where The Leadership Stands Now by @achinton: http://t.co/3xEI5LCQ #
RT @jrf_uk: .@Policy_Exchange begins its second decade with a focus on the striving classes http://t.co/qMHBYebK via @ConHome #
New post by me > : EXCLUSIVE: What Lib Dem members say about the party’s direction and Nick Clegg’s leadership http://t.co/xs60tpjp #
New post by me > : What I wrote for ConHome: Some advice for the Tories http://t.co/E4UzaVIe #
New post by me > : Lib Dem conference: the aftermath – 3 must-read articles http://t.co/ODf8noqE #
Reading Lembit's book: first few pages a readable but erratic romp around history, from Locke to Lloyd George to 1959 to Cameron. #
@lordbonkers I haven't got to the bit about knowing Sian Lloyd George's father yet. in reply to lordbonkers #
@MsNoetiCat @dazmando @lordbonkers I haven't got to the bit about Lembit knowing Sian Lloyd George's father yet. in reply to MsNoetiCat #
Lembit has a rather odd concept of what 'political triangulation' actually means http://t.co/oTdVVxRA #Kindle #
I have read this sentence by Lembit a few times but am no closer to understanding it http://t.co/FWEKXxOQ #Kindle #
@SpideysRevenge @lordbonkers Now now. This book is Lembit Doing Serious. in reply to SpideysRevenge #
@JerryTaylor Play nice If Lembit had focused on writing this book 5 years ago history might be different. in reply to JerryTaylor #
@Birdyword Nice try but you need to repeat the stem word 'conform' at least twice in a sentence to mimic Lembit. in reply to Birdyword #
@libdemdaisy #iamlembitus in reply to libdemdaisy #
@AAEmmerson I may call upon your translation services again before this book is done in reply to AAEmmerson #
@NickThornsby I suspect the NHS bill is clearer in reply to NickThornsby #
@Birdyword it's not the conformity of your parody that appals me it's the parody of your conformity. in reply to Birdyword #
@Martin_Veart please don't tell me you're learning it by rote in reply to Martin_Veart #
@AAEmmerson Sloppy thinking, messy writing, zero editing. But actually kinda readable too. in reply to AAEmmerson #
@jamesgraham Tautology? Tautology, you say. #tautology in reply to jamesgraham #
@AAEmmerson no, what did it say? in reply to AAEmmerson #
@timmontgomerie Maybe, tho I suspect it's mostly a reflection of Miliband being VERY inadequate and Cameron being VERY, erm, adequate. in reply to TimMontgomerie #
@gabyhinsliff @TimMontgomerie I don't have figs but to best of knowledge LibDemVoice members' figures not changed much by Coalition. in reply to gabyhinsliff #
@gabyhinsliff @TimMontgomerie (Tho there have been a few resignations & I imagine mostly from social liberal LibDems more symp to Lab.) in reply to gabyhinsliff #
New post by me > : Revealed: What Lib Dem members think of Ed Miliband and David Cameron http://t.co/2lVnCMrq #
@nickthornsby Interesting Q: why don't we just require all UK domiciled residents to complete a tax return on their worldwide income? in reply to NickThornsby #
@nickthornsby (To best of my knowledge we're the only non-tax-haven country that doesn't.) in reply to NickThornsby #
You're misunderstanding Polly, @nickthornsby @mshapland, private sector involvement is fine when done by Labour but is otherwise WRONG. #
New post by me > : Guess the Author. (PS: the clue's in the following 2 words, 'Toynbee, Polly'.) http://t.co/8UdFgftH #
@kingoftwickers @markpack @MShapland Not being flip, but which of her two contradictory viewpoints do you think isn't actually wrong? in reply to kingoftwickers #
@kingoftwickers @markpack @MShapland I have concerns w NHS Bill but I think John Pugh much nearer mark than Polly's obsessive partisan line. in reply to kingoftwickers #
Clegg's approval rating with Lib Dems members is 57% @JamesDelingpole acc to LDV's survey – see http://t.co/q1ltEAmz #
Ah, quoted by the T'graph. Honoured. RT @telegraphblogs: Cameron more popular with Lib Dems than Clegg http://t.co/cRz75vsd #
So I'm quoted in the Torygraph here: http://t.co/ifegC0Zd It can only be a good-news story for the Lib Dems, right? #
@Birdyword @stephenpglenn I think Andrew George has already confirmed that Shirley told him she had personally written the motion. in reply to Birdyword #
@hmatthews92 @Birdyword @stephenpglenn You're welcome to disagree with Shirley. Implying she's a liar not so nice tho. in reply to hmatthews92 #
@DigitalPolitico @hmatthews92 @Birdyword @stephenpglenn Here's Andrew George's tweet confirming Shirley wrote it: https://t.co/1lDcCrBo in reply to DigitalPolitico #
Fyi @BarclaysCycle all 3 docking stations round Victoria currently full. Just missed my coach back home as a result! #
In case you thought iPads were just for humans, here's our 3 cats at play with one http://t.co/xrKb511U #
In more ways than one > RT @mshapland: DIVISION #
Do go read > RT @caronmlindsay: My advice to Nick Clegg, a decent human being & leader I believe in. http://t.co/P5e23QhE #
New post by me > : What Lib Dem bloggers have been saying about the NHS Bill after Lib Dem conference http://t.co/1NnJd0Vo #
New post by me > : Coalition defeats rebel Lib Dem backbench MPs’ attempt to stop the NHS Bill http://t.co/DeDqu9B3 #
RT @telepolitics: Blog: Policy, not politics, is the key to understanding David Cameron http://t.co/us1TVnBJ by @benedictbrogan #
@lordbonkers @adriansandersmp I thought it was an impressively serious analysis by John. in reply to lordbonkers #
New post by me > : What Lib Dem members think of the Coalition & its record http://t.co/O23SIzv0 #
New post by me > : Has something gone wrong with the Pupil Premium, as Jonathan Calder suggests? Some quick thought… http://t.co/UXvHabHn #
One for @lordbonkers RT @stephentall: Has something gone wrong with the Pupil Premium, as Jonathan Calder suggests? http://t.co/UXvHabHn #
Sad to see @christopherward has resigned from the Lib Dems: http://t.co/cfqmFSel #
@kingoftwickers Not sure – @caronmlindsay's our Wednesday editor, so cc-ing her… in reply to kingoftwickers #
RT @cllrdaisybenson: Nick Clegg doing great job at the dispatch box today across a wide range of subjects.Shows his reach across govt #pmqs #
RT @ftwestminster: PMQs: Tory backwoodsmen use chance to embarrass Clegg http://t.co/Uv4NX1wB < With my comment here http://t.co/vLtNrhun #
RT @markpack: Dear Lord Hollick, No Shirley Williams isn't an anti-Semitic fascist pro-Nazi http://t.co/zILnS7Vf < Blog by me #
@NottsProfSteve @markpack But Quisling was a Norwegian not British traitor in reply to NottsProfSteve #
@NottsProfSteve @markpack For me, the Haw-Haw thing is cheap, nasty hyperbole. I'd expect it of Dennis Skinner but Lord Hollick? in reply to NottsProfSteve #
A statement follows: I'm proud of what Nick & Lib Dems achieving in Coalition. That's why I'm happy to be a candt in May's local elections. #
@NickThornsby TESTIFY! in reply to NickThornsby #
@CllrDaisyBenson TY in reply to CllrDaisyBenson #
@HarryHayfield Good on you, Harry! in reply to HarryHayfield #
@Clairefrome Cool, hope you enjoyed the experience! in reply to Clairefrome #
@RogerCrouch1 In part of my old ward's stomping ground in Oxford. in reply to RogerCrouch1 #
@NickThornsby just urban slang for agree, no specific legal connotation! As you were… in reply to NickThornsby #
@Clairefrome Excellent, belated congratulations! in reply to Clairefrome #
RT @caronmlindsay Did I just hear the word foreplay on Masterchef? « I heard 'chilli balls' later. #
Next-door neighbour just yelled, 'Yes'. I instantly checked Twitter to confirm Chelsea had scored. That's how modern news travels. #
@CGbiketours And the ether. in reply to CGbiketours #
@caronmlindsay Is that hard, cor! in reply to caronmlindsay #
@sarabedford Well Masterchef head just finished, so only explanation 😉 in reply to sarabedford #
Thx for blog comment @Lordbonkers. Chris Cook point is poor children do worse than other kids on av in *all* schools, both 'bad' & 'good'. #
So simply 'redistributing' poorer children to 'good' schools doesn't necess make any diff (@Lordbonkers). #
Adonis in the Staggers: 'Labour should support free schools – it invented them' http://t.co/XumwdIev #
@sarabedford Sadly yr experience is the exception acc to the figs: http://t.co/QiGHFzXy in reply to sarabedford #
New post by me > : What Lib Dem members think of the impact of the Coalition http://t.co/8WeEhuGU #
New post by me > : Q: What links the AV referendum, boundary changes & Lords reform? A: The Coalition Agreement http://t.co/62tHudg3 #
Reading Michael Barber's 'The Learning Game: arguments for an education revolution' – publ 1996, but still very current. #
Like » RT @neilmonnery Once upon a time in a land (not so far) away… – Why I’m still a member of the Lib Dems – http://t.co/R1d0FkND #
Well done all » RT @oxford_thinking Amazing news – we've reached our initial target of £1.25 billion! http://t.co/sRw9sWuf #
@jamesgraham Peter Hain's writing style has changed, it seems. in reply to jamesgraham #
I know the whole point of Old Holborn is to be sick, tasteless etc. I get it, it's sometimes funny. But tonight's tweets… eugh. Un-#ff #
@archiebland They walked round the block as long as it took /not/ to be first at a restaurant. in reply to archiebland #
New post by me > : Congratulations to 'Oxford Thinking' and the £1.3 billion (with one caveat!) http://t.co/ViMMONYu #
New post by me > : Popbitch on… the Social Mobility Agenda and Cricket http://t.co/pwNTuUKa #
Excellent stuff > RT @libdig: Why I’m still a member of the Lib Dems | @NeilMonnery: A sound post http://t.co/ZxRzyHtF #
Remember this lady berating the London rioters in Hackney? http://t.co/hjEgW6qt Well, she's now a Lib Dem candidate: http://t.co/PzolEycG #
Quick thought re 50p / £10k threshold etc. All you read in next few days will be expectations m'ment and/or spin. Maybe wait til budget? #
DON'T DO IT! Sanity ends with ##bbcqt > RT @neilmonnery: Is tonight the night I end my self-imposed #bbcqt ban? #
@neilmonnery If you really want to expose yourself to ignorant, ill-informed debate, at least start with Any Questions. in reply to neilmonnery #
RT @mjrobbins: Dimblebot asks for 'evidence' – panel/audience look dumbfounded for a moment, then ignore and revert to anecdotes. #bbcqt #
Me too, amazing synch-symmetry > RT @martinslewis: I must admit I quite like the look of wind farms am I on my own on that? #bbcqt #
The Appreciation Society starts here > RT @sadielsmith: @stephentall @MartinSLewis wind turbines can look very elegant. V striking on hills. #
Working from home today. Much easier to start at 5.30 am when you can still be in your PJs than on a 2-hour bus commute. #unsurprising #
@dizzy_thinks No point working 12-hour days if the boss can't see in reply to dizzy_thinks #
@dizzy_thinks Ah, in which case my heart bleeds… less. in reply to dizzy_thinks #
@dizzy_thinks Haven't you got 'work' to be doing? in reply to dizzy_thinks #
Lib Dem cab minister Michael Moore in the EveStd: ‘Rich must pay more to help poorest in Budget’ http://t.co/VvifI9VC #
New post by me > : Who’s up, who’s down? How party members… http://t.co/0ijP41LW #
New post by me > : Who’s up, who’s down? How party members rate the performances of leading Lib Dems http://t.co/0ijP41LW #
From me last night > Popbitch on… the Social Mobility Agenda and Cricket http://t.co/pwNTuUKa #
@nottsprofsteve And you *still* don't think Simon Jenkins may have a point 😉 in reply to NottsProfSteve #
Remember this lady berating the London rioters in Hackney? http://t.co/hjEgW6qt Well, she's now a Lib Dem candidate: http://t.co/PzolEycG #

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