@stephentall’s weekly Twitter updates for 2012-03-30

by Stephen Tall on March 30, 2012

A very fair point >> Redressing the balance between the generations by @ChrisANicholson http://t.co/3aXfNViF #
Good news! » RT @BBCLondonOnline Liberal Democrats hold onto marginal seat in a by-election. http://t.co/fQ5dkfDy #
@hopisen I'm confused you could have thought it was anything but that before now… in reply to hopisen #
True! RT @AndrewSparrow Andrew Mitchell says Lib Dems deserve "a lot of credit" for the budget tax allowance increase http://t.co/aLMr3wBj #
I think Lembit thinks the credit crunch was the Tories' fault, Labour blameless. Odd. http://t.co/CROu0ETu #Kindle #
@jamesgraham Oh true. But Lembit seems to imply (correctly used!) Tories in *opposition* more to blame than Lab in govt. As I say: odd. in reply to jamesgraham #
Good luck, Chris! » RT @ChrisANicholson So just finished last day @CentreForum after 21 v enjoyable months. Start new job at decc on Monday. #
The hotel-cum-live-music-venue we're staying at in Norwich is so loud the toaster in our room is playing percussion. #wascheaptho #
Do read @DeborahOrr: 'Lib Dems a bit wiser than in the early days. But not much' http://t.co/86lZ4qlb « almost 100% fair comment. #
2 points @DeborahOrr nails: (1) LibDems terrified of putting forward unpop but right policies (eg, 'granny tax') http://t.co/86lZ4qlb #
And (2) @DeborahOrr right LibDems kop-out of proposing what a liberal education, health, etc system would look like http://t.co/86lZ4qlb #
Tho @DeborahOrr I think wrong to say LibDems "thrilled to be playing with the big boys". Most MPs/members seem more scared than thrilled. #
@mrblawton But we do echo tabloid-friendly terms to sell policies – even when those terms obscure rather than clarify. in reply to mrblawton #
I like The Guardian. But terrified by prospect of 5,000 of its readers gathering in one place to unleash their collective sanctimony. #
@adriansalmon Enjoy! The building & canal-setting will be fab in this weather. in reply to adriansalmon #
@jamesgraham Yes, stamp duty not good tax. & unconvinced pensions = unearned income. (That's why only "almost 100%" agree!) (@DeborahOrr) in reply to jamesgraham #
Ok, *now* I'm appalled » RT @jockox3 I didn't realise this alcohol pricing thing banned things like Majestic's multi-buy and case discounts? #
@NickThornsby I took her argument on 'granny tax' to be "this is liberal, u shd have argued its merits, not distanced yrselves" because… in reply to NickThornsby #
@NickThornsby … arguing for principled unpop policies how you earn long-term respect as potential govt. in reply to NickThornsby #
@NickThornsby (Obvs that does need to be combined with some popular & principled stuff too!) in reply to NickThornsby #
That year's gone v fast! Grt 2 see you all » RT @RevMarkFT Grace's first birthday. Great time celebrating the birth of a very special girl #
I /think/ I've just read a section of Lembit's book where he blames NClegg's poor TV debate performances for LDs losing seats to Tories. #
Oh Lembit. Your writing syle really is quite, erm, unique. http://t.co/qolxaH6j #Kindle #
PLEASE, will someone teach Lembit the difference between 'imply' and 'infer' #secondoffence http://t.co/CmprL4mp #Kindle #
@IainDale You really think Michael Brown donated £2m to LibDems for access to Charles Kennedy?! in reply to IainDale #
If we can volunt self-imp prop represent as well » RT @IainDale @matttcasey They haven't voluntarily self imposed it though, have they? #
If THIS, good on Cruddas! » RT @PeterWatt123 Expect £50k donation limit legislation pretty soon & Lab to lose argument for union exemption. #
It's not enough for Lab to call Tories party of rich | A. Rawnsley http://t.co/hmUBXy1z « Hmm. Osborne = poor strategist. But strat working #
It will *always* be too early for that hashtag > RT @rfenwick: Is it too early to hashtag #sirbobrussellforleader #
@andycavster If you've read my post you'll see I mention Michael Borwn and the LDs. But he didn't buy influence or policies. in reply to AndyCavster #
@andycavster Ah okay. Tells me all I need to know about your criticisms. #kthxbye in reply to AndyCavster #
What I wrote back in Nov 11 > 'Clegg and Farron on party funding: yes to action now, no to more taxpayer contributions' http://t.co/rUr772kQ #
So totally > RT @unlockdemocracy: We need action not bluster from government on #cashforcameron http://t.co/97h7wBdW #
Believe me *I* cannot spoil Lembit's book MT @ldgirl4toryboy: don't spoil ending! haven't read it yet, bought a copy Lembit signed for me #
Enjoyed Voice's format > RT @medianooze: Television News: The Voice has first laugh as Britain's Got Talent ratings dip http://t.co/47vxa8WF #
Interesting list of Coalition SpAds here http://t.co/1f55OPOT (bit out of date, but best I've come across – unless I've missed an update?) #
What I wrote last month > 'Clegg resurrects party funding talks, appoints Laws as Lib Dem negotiator' http://t.co/OgMWdsJI #
Well worth reading both parts > RT @libdemvoice: Opinion: A note to my successor (Part 2) http://t.co/zOqHFAKe by @ChrisANicholson #
@AndyCavster Tell you what, if union contributions are really voluntary why not allow members to opt-in to their money being donated to Lab? in reply to AndyCavster #
@sammyloudavies Erm, why 'on hold'? Surely now ideal time to give before any proposed changes kick in (after consultation)? in reply to sammyloudavies #
My thoughts > RT @libdemvoice: Enough's enough: 6 essential steps to help clean up the reputation of British politics http://t.co/PxhXtGyX #
@andrewsparrow Fyi, here are the 6 measures I've blogged shld be taken asap: http://t.co/PxhXtGyX in reply to AndrewSparrow #
RT @nickthornsby: Six essential steps to clean up British politics by @stephentall. Let's get it done! http://t.co/VNcu3w77 #
@michaelsavage Points to professionalisation of fundraising (in case of Tories / LibDems – Lab's become more reliant on trade unions) in reply to michaelsavage #
RT @michaelsavage: Neat graph in Kelly Report shows how donations have crept up over last decade (as m'ship has fallen) http://t.co/kzKeLbBb #
RT @libdemvoice: Prizes to be won! Free Chris Mullin diaries for best 2 entries in this week's LDV caption competition http://t.co/Wuez2Id4 #
Cameron calls for £50k a year donation cap. Too high! That's £250k over 5-yr P'ment. £10k shd be max http://t.co/mszztYyl #
@alansm Thx for the proof-read! in reply to alansm #
I hope we do! > RT @spectator_ch: Lib Dems could put Tories in a far more difficult position over #cashforcameron http://t.co/nyOlvZgS #
@sunny_hundal Isn't that exactly what Kelly recommended (with explicit opt-in)? in reply to sunny_hundal #
RT @mshapland: Take a look at this graph, remove Union Funding and compare Labour with Lib Dems http://t.co/YcdVFVkP #
An apt day to link to this post from a month ago > Spreadsheets of all main party donations, 2001-11, available here http://t.co/HmyiPhCX #
But @douglascarswell the overall market being shared is diminishing (@JananGanesh) in reply to DouglasCarswell #
Hmm, not organic enough > RT @beaubodor: Seems the Lib Dems have some explaining to do as well: http://t.co/os3KEoWs #cashforcameron #
See u there! > RT @jonathanfryer: Going to a Centre Forum seminar on the challenges of being the junior partner in a Coalition government #
Interview in @TotalPolitics > Twigg: 'It’s not about being anti-free schools' http://t.co/o6xfvdww #
At 'How to be an effective junior partner of a Coalition' with @BenIPSOSMori speaking at #centreforum #
Lab + Tories have retained c.6/10 voters from 2010; LDs just c.3/10 @BenIPSOSMori #centreforum #
One upside for LDs from @BenIpsosMori: large centre ground still there to be won. #centreforum #
@libdemdaisy @jonathanfryer Will do my best! Hashtag is #centreforum for others' tweets. in reply to libdemdaisy #
Simon Hughes: worth thinking how LDs might've suffered in polls if we had walked away from opportunity to govern: prob worse #centreforum #
Simon Hughes: this is a 5-yr deal. Vital we last the course to have any credibility with voters. #centreforum #
Simon Hughes: centre ground can be won by being seen to be more competent than Lab, fairer than Tories #centreforum #
Simon Hughes: PLDP now has rules to stop non-manifesto non-Coalition Agree pols being adopted. Wld prob have been no NHS Bill. #centreforum #
Simon Hughes: voter volatility very high, so centre ground now more crucial than ever. #centreforum #
@NeilStockley Polls mean exactly what pols want them to mean in reply to NeilStockley #
Martin Kettle: Lab not a party that knows what it stands for. Contrast to LDs, who're always underestimated #centreforum #
Simon Hughes: 3 most diffic pieces of legisltn now behind LDs – NHS, welfare, Legal Aid #centreforum #
Yes » "@krishgm: now Cameron and Clegg have published their dinner list shld Miliband reveal all his meetings with donors including unions?" #
Dates back to 1959 & Hoover apparently » RT @politicalwire Political word of the day: "entryism"
http://t.co/WNXbljPl #
Straight back atcha » MT @NickThornsby #CentreForum Good to see @stephentall, @LordRennard, @markpack & @libdemlife & meet @jonathanfryer. #
I see @markpack merits a mention in Lembit's book for "writing for the Internet" http://t.co/oyBrq893 #Kindle #
The short version of Lembit's book: Why didn't they ask me to write for The Orange Book? http://t.co/mroQLWox #Kindle #
See if you can spot the minor editorial error here: http://t.co/6Wm6MkUf #Kindle #
If he does they're not connected » RT @jamesgraham @stephentall @markpack Presumably Lembit submits his work via a series of tubes? #
@alixmortimer @libdemlife Is there a link to the letter? in reply to alixmortimer #
Just read @timfarron letter: why shouldn't he voice belief in power of prayer? Why do liberals want to stop him? #
@alixmortimer Am a relativist on this. L'Oreal stands/falls on basis of science alone. Not true of faith. in reply to alixmortimer #
@NeilStockley I suspect that's true (tho will wait to see poll Q: remember last week's poll that suggested tax threshold policy not pop?) in reply to NeilStockley #
@NeilStockley But I don't think that means we should give up & stop talking about it. in reply to NeilStockley #
Ah, such trenchant opposition! » RT @HBaldwinMP Labour have abstained on the vote to lower the top rate of tax to 45% from 2013! #
@MarkReckons But NB @Anthonyjwells caution on that figure. in reply to MarkReckons #
@NeilStockley Oh I'm sure you're right we're failing to tell the story well enough. in reply to NeilStockley #
@lddurbin As my post says, I simply don't accept the 'claim equivalence' given to religion and pharmaceuticals. in reply to lddurbin #
@lddurbin I think the closest equiv to faith-based claims are political claims (which are exempted from ASA regulation!) in reply to lddurbin #
@LonWon @lddurbin Pharma depends on science to prove its claim: as a consumer I'm not qualfd to judge. Religion depends on faith: I am. in reply to LonWon #
@lddurbin But No2AV exempt from ASA regulation. in reply to lddurbin #
When it comes to creating new regulations, I think it's for you to explain why polit/rel advertising should be ASA-regulated! @lddurbin in reply to lddurbin #
@LonWon @lddurbin I'd agree with that. in reply to LonWon #
That Labour 50p vote explained in one simple graph by @markpack here http://t.co/cOqd3gvi #
My defence of @timfarron here on LDV http://t.co/IUwVXGQf – 39 comments & rising so far… #
@martijn_grooten Many thanks! in reply to martijn_grooten #
RT @NickThornsby Read this. Please. RT @stephentall: New post by me: A P.S. to my defence of Tim Farron http://t.co/L5KcjSlB « Thx Nick! #
@richardmorrisuk my great uncle was a founding member of the Labour party. I like to think he'd be proud in reply to richardmorrisuk #
.@richardmorrisuk And I was right PROPER proud of it when I was a socialist & 16 #havegrownupnow in reply to richardmorrisuk #
My LibDemVoice post in defence of @timfarron has sparked a fascinating debate http://t.co/VGChVaRi. I've responded here http://t.co/L5KcjSlB #
@orangebooker1 Agree, there are fundamental values at issue here. in reply to orangebooker1 #
If Everton hold on to 1-0 lead, all-Mersey derby same day as Aintree Grand National. Will racegoers entering > footie fans leaving? #
.@sundersays My first ever live Everton match – 1986 & Paul Wilkinson scored a fab top corner goal in a 4-0 win (opposition forgotten!) in reply to sundersays #
@sundersays I'll settle for 2-0 tonight in reply to sundersays #
Hmm, here's a confession – when I type 'd' into my Chrome address bar, the Daily Mail website auto-completes #amaliberalreallytrulyhonestly #
@doctorcdf That would be, like, so 10 years ago. in reply to doctorcdf #
Blog-post from me from over 7 years ago » Freedom of expression without limits http://t.co/OxKvEQN5 « happily still agree with myself #
Srsly? *This* is the level of debate? » RT @Sun_Politics Chancellor's insult to skint Brits: let them eat cold pasty http://t.co/2mckUlG9 #
Just as 'milk snatcher' Thatcher never made it? » MT @MirrorJames Looks as if Osborne's cherished leadership hopes sunk by #pastytax #
.@Birdyword Presumably only 50p tax rate payers will now be able to afford Greggs. Rules Osborne out. #pastytax in reply to Birdyword #
Uber-liberal dream> RT @jonathanfryer This involved my having a BSkyB dish on my house I camouflaged it by using it as a wok to cook falafel #
@birdyword You're clearly an unpatriotic elitist. in reply to Birdyword #
Agree > A lack of vision on university admissions – The Independent http://t.co/aWlbtPif #
.@ankersman I cannot believe I just used the hastag #pastytax Forces me into my first FFS-sigh of the day. in reply to Ankersman #
@birdyword S'alright – you're a northerner, you can get away with championing Pret over Greggs in reply to Birdyword #
'Also in defence of Tim Farron' | @paulwalteruk http://t.co/t74TOtvV "I’m in a minority of two with Stephen Tall." << The best place to be! #
"A minority of at least 3" – not sure it feels exclusive enough for me now @kingoftwickers @paulwalteruk – let's engineer a split. in reply to kingoftwickers #
@kingoftwickers @paulwalteruk Phew! in reply to kingoftwickers #
Welcome to the Minority Club @spideyandlilah @mrchrisjwilson @stevenlambert1 #iamspartacus in reply to SpideyAndLilah #
Missed the Lib Dems' @TimFarron debate? My original LDV post here http://t.co/VGChVaRi and my PS here http://t.co/L5KcjSlB #
Can't help feeling the sun has gone to news journos' heads. #tooearlyforsillyseasonstories #
In the interests of balance… > RT @libdemvoice: Opinion: 3 Liberal Criticisms of Stephen Tall’s defence of Tim Farron http://t.co/6u0f4dj6 #
Good stuff! > RT @motionjoanna: Good to see Eric Thomas briefing Civil Soc Minister on self-defeating cap on giving http://t.co/RU1l3HQk #
@stephentall (And for the record I'd stick up for the BHA's right to argue against faith healing.) #
@richardmorrisuk I agree (and wrote) that ASA acted fairly in the circs. But I don't think they should get involved at all. #
@richardmorrisuk (And for the record I'd stick up for the BHA's right to argue against faith healing.) #
Today's the kind of day when most of the public will look at politicians, media & Twitter and just mouth WTF? #pastygate #notrealnews #
@Natt If only there were a politician, eg standing as London mayor, prepared to speak truth unto power. in reply to Natt #
@Everton @sundersays Go old skool. Why not @StDomingosFC? in reply to sundersays #
@richardmorrisuk IIRC, the HOTS ad said "We believe God can heal". in reply to richardmorrisuk #
@richardmorrisuk Thank you! in reply to richardmorrisuk #
@matttcasey Anyone who's a) sentient, and b) not a journo would have stuck with Cruddas story. Labour & media have let Cameron off hook. in reply to matttcasey #
@alisongoddard @GregHurstTimes @jeevanvasagar @miconm @xtophercook And in case of Oxford, city council restricts further growth. in reply to AlisonGoddard #
'Top 100 charities experienced increase in income' http://t.co/21XyV34x < raised £11.4bn to March 2011, increase of £355.5m on previous year #
'Schools reform: The ties that bind' http://t.co/4XTYG3xe < "autonomy necessary but insufficient condition for improvement" #
Interesting comment on hopes of being Lab cab min » RT @MichaelLCrick Liam Byrne quitting shadow cabinet to stand for mayor of Birmingham #
Bagehot in Econ > 'Pasty-gate is a proxy for Tory angst about class, but class is a proxy for anger of the Tory right' http://t.co/dtBm95ca #
RT @jgurling: V sad to hear news of death of David Walter. Award winning broadcaster, inspiring media trainer, & active Lib Dem campaigner #
I wonder if Labour supporters have realised the right-wing press wdn't be going after Cam right now if they thought Ed M had a hope in 2015? #
The Tory press wants to drag Cam further to the right & think Ed Mili-led Lab is so weak there will be no long-term damage to Cons. #
@matttcasey Oh true enough. But shd be aware of their motives and the outcomes they seek (which ain't liberal!). in reply to matttcasey #
@hulbertmathew Hi Mathew – voice@libdemvoice.org the best address (as picked up by more than one of us) in reply to HulbertMathew #
Almost official: have 10 signatures for Oxford city council nomination form & signed my declaration today. (Deadline's next Wed). #
8 years since my name last appeared on a ballot paper, in Headington: http://t.co/T7EujBzF #
@extrabold in reply to ExtraBold #
@hulbertmathew Thanks for yr good wishes Mathew. in reply to HulbertMathew #
RT @harryhayfield: would like to pass on his best wishes to @stephentall as he stands for election in #Oxford (I am standing in #Ceredigion #
@harryhayfield Thx Harry – best of luck to you in reply to HarryHayfield #
@robblackie Thx Rob, sorry I missed you at the CF event on Mon (assuming it was I you I spotted across the room). in reply to robblackie #
Thx Charlotte! RT @digitalpolitico: @stephentall So pleased to hear u standing – the very best of luck! #
.@paulwaugh @sundersays Am wary of rose-tinting OurFriendsITN: I recall lots of clunky 'council tower blocks are the future' crow-barring. in reply to paulwaugh #
Who better? » RT @caronmlindsay I, by the way, am now the Scottish Lib Dem candidate for the Livingston North ward of West Lothian Council. #
Welcome & enjoy Twitter, Liesl RT @tonybrett Ha. Your first follower. That's what happens when you copy tweets to facebook. @LieslElder #
Astounding, sensational result! RT @MikeSmithsonOGH "@Kevin_Maguire: "Heavy blow for Ed Mili-Labour" Dead right Kevin #
Suspect media attent will turn from Cam woes to Mili's for weekend RT @TimMontgomerie Just woken up to #BradfordWest result. Wow. Just wow. #
@AndyCavster @mikesmithsonogh @kevin_maguire No, but I think Lib Dems expected 4th place. Lab didn't expect to lose [/understatement] in reply to AndyCavster #
Who'd have thought it? Apparently voters in Bradford West are concerned about bigger issues than the #pastytax #
It's not just main parties that need a post-Bradford post mortem – news media obsessed abt trivialities, missed huge story bec not in London #
Almost admirable the way Patrick Wintour in Graun implies Galloway's win in Bradford West worse for Tories than Lab http://t.co/INcAE7wZ #
Election results which show block votes can be organised on sectarian lines always trouble me. #bradfordwest #
@guardian_clark Down to Tories' choice of candidate. in reply to guardian_clark #
Unlike the W'minster media obvs> RT @benedictbrogan: David Cameron needs more ministers who speak like everyday Britain http://t.co/VXHEvz60 #
Clrly v soft 10%! L> RT @ns_mehdihasan: V bad result for Lab but politics is funny old game. At start of week, they had 10% lead over Tories #

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