@stephentall’s weekly Twitter updates for 2012-04-06

by Stephen Tall on April 6, 2012

Agree> RT @stewartjoseph: @stephentall News media (esp tv) is stuck in a bubble called The Westminster Village. Reporters too self-important #
RT @libdemvoice: Bradford West by-election: 5 initial thoughts on an astonishing result http://t.co/grDRpOp3 by @stephentall #
Congrats! RT @morepartnership: More Partnership awarded contract to provide expert opinion to grd-breaking HEFCE Review http://t.co/rLSJ8JVp #
If I'd known I'd be stuck in solid London traffic for an hour I'd have joined my work colleagues in the pub instead. #longfridaylongweek #
Do read! » MT @NeilDotObrien Fascinating first – @edstaite blogs pre-rebuttal of a planned S.Times story on him: http://t.co/lnGBCfkH #
On plus side, free wifi, a seat & extra £4k RT @sjoh0050 @stephentall that's what you get if you go by coach! #
Am still reading Lembit's book… well, writing like this has to be savoured http://t.co/rgCkmq52 #Kindle #
Aha, half-way through Lembit's book on how LibDems can win elections in future, have spotted first mention of Montgomeryshire. #
I said that this morning > RT @bbcnewsnight: Steve Richards: In prev years, the Lib Dems would have hoped to win in Bradford West #newsnight #
I definitely didn't say that. Who sane would? > RT @bbcnewsnight: Sunny Hundal: Bradford West result "strengthens Ed Miliband" #newsnight #
My 5 thoughts on the astonishing Bradford West by-election result from this morning on LDV > http://t.co/F9sy33Ud #
@cllrannmarie So were (eg) Leicester Sth, Hartlepool, Birmingham Hodge Hill… in reply to CllrAnnMarie #
@matttcasey Happy to, Matt, but tmrw easier than tonight. in reply to matttcasey #
.@simonblackwell Yeah, why didn't Clegg spend week talking pasties instead of halting trafficking of nuclear material? http://t.co/CpQbIv80 in reply to simonblackwell #
.@gedrobinson Here's my take on BradW from y'day http://t.co/F9sy33Ud (@richardmorrisuk) Summary: Bad for LDs, worse for Lab. in reply to richardmorrisuk #
.@gedrobinson @richardmorrisuk Clegg will serve to 2015. Not sure if he'll go just before/after election & obvs much could happen in 3 yrs. in reply to gedrobinson #
.@gedrobinson Yes. Worse for Lab. LDs slipped from 12% to 5%. Lab from 45% to 25% & lost the seat. How is that not worse? in reply to gedrobinson #
.@gedrobinson If you want to believe LDs did worse that's fine by me & doubtless happier for you. in reply to gedrobinson #
.@gedrobinson No, claiming that losing a seat is better than not losing a seat is nonsense. Obvs yr welcome to yr view. in reply to gedrobinson #
What Saturdays are about: http://t.co/0WskbqC4 #
Actual LOL, thx » RT @KingOfTwickers Educational mover and shaker helps talents (7,4) @stephentall #crypticlibdems #
Guardian's Helen Pidd reports from Bradford West. Gotta love Galloway suggesting victory rally at 12 noon on a Fri! http://t.co/2GTk0SeD #
Yay » RT @Everton GOAL! Everton 1-0 WBA. Leon Osman's shot from the edge of the box is deflected in off Gareth McAuley on 18 minutes. #
Wondering why Nick Clegg's not been spending the week talking about pasties? http://t.co/Zub4h5b6 #
A picture paints a 1,000 words: 3 politicians, 1 statesman this week – see if you can spot the odd one out http://t.co/Zub4h5b6 #
@greedyrosie Neat combo of homophobia /and/ bad grammar. *applauds* in reply to GreedyRosie #
Good graphic! > RT @gregjudge: @stephentall I had noticed this too, see my pic; http://t.co/T0xw3MwU… #
.@jason_manc You suggesting Clegg shd leave the country more often? in reply to jason_manc #
Okay, will admit it – becoming a big fan of #TheVoiceUK – really is a great format. #
Interesting analysis > 'So What Happened At Bradford West?' by @all_thats_left_ http://t.co/SvLoZ63a #
@mansfieldboy Indeed – 'twas the point of my tweet! (See link.) in reply to mansfieldboy #
Worked for Jesus (by the 3rd day) > RT @alexfoster: Survey finds that 33 is the happiest age of people's lives http://t.co/mNoew9bv #
@alexfoster I *thought* you were only a year younger than me! in reply to alexfoster #
#phwoarorsomething RT @helenduffett: @AAEmmerson Enjoy :p http://t.co/BR54oIkW #
.@alexfoster Don't worry, it gets easier. One day we die. in reply to alexfoster #
@alexfoster in reply to alexfoster #
@helenduffett You should have a word with that there Deirdre. Guaranteed renewal pic. #moneyshot in reply to helenduffett #
It never went away RT @helenduffett: "Nick Clegg: Bringing Sexy Back" #
*Very* interesting Nick Clegg story lined up for the morning on my blog – a new tax idea floated that's likely to divide opinion. #
@petercardwell Well, quite: http://t.co/Zub4h5b6 #
#lessphwoar http://t.co/R65g3hih @stackee @helenduffett in reply to stackee #
@stackee @helenduffett The Guantanamo look is so on-trend, I understand. in reply to stackee #
@helenduffett @stackee As a warning to my fellow men. in reply to helenduffett #
Jeremy Clarkson on joining Twitter > RT @jcrclarksonesq: I am intrigued. Mostly by how unpaid it all is #
@mjturner1975 Worth reading d'Ancona today for different perspective. in reply to mjturner1975 #
Do you back Nick Clegg's call for an 'Ocado Tax' to target the super-wealthy? Exclusive blog-post here: http://t.co/mGwvvYp2 #
@MsNoetiCat now changed to 'stumbing block', with thx. in reply to MsNoetiCat #
Want to know what @timmontgomerie & @SteveHiltonGuru think of Nick Clegg's Ocado Tax idea? Find out here http://t.co/mGwvvYp2 #
.@insightST comes out of this v badly » @insightST was RTing others' anti @edstaite tweets last night even tho story dropped (h/t @Psigrist) #
@TimMontgomerie Thx Tim! (And for confirming Ken story wasn't April Fool, my initial assumption!) in reply to TimMontgomerie #
@mjturner1975 I mean this is in a nice way: that is a very you kind of flaw to spot in that story! in reply to mjturner1975 #
@alansm 5? I'm flattered in reply to alansm #
Clegg calls on Lib Dems to give new tax break to Lidl Britain http://t.co/mGwvvYp2 < bad news for Ocado shoppers tho #
The Grauniad's famous 1977 San Serriffe April Fool spoof http://t.co/tEYV90bk V well done (h/t @_fionawalsh) #
Deservedly so > RT @sam_hodges: Average audience for #TheVoiceUK rises to 9.0m #BBC1 #
@sarabedford Ah for those viewing figures. in reply to sarabedford #
High praise! > RT @jamesgraham: Credit where it's due, @stephentall's Ocado Tax is scarily close to the bone satire: http://t.co/Ot6mzQ9j #
.@jamesgraham The Harry Potter pastiche Wand Value Tax will just have to wait for next year. in reply to jamesgraham #
RT @johnrentoul: Alan Watkins in Feb 2010 on Osborne "has about him a certain fly-by-night quality" http://t.co/BDMreIA4 < AW was peerless #
Ta for all the RTs >> EXCLUSIVE: Nick Clegg to launch new ‘Ocado Tax’ to hit super-wealthy and woo ‘Lidl Britain’ http://t.co/BjDtFUfu #
Wow, managed to book London hotel for night for <£100 *during* the Olympics. Impressed. Tho still spending small fort to watch volleyball :~ #
And there'll be no Budgen you, I s'pose > RT @thomoli: @stephentall Ill enjoy the Lidl Britain pun Aldi long. #
On last 7 days, apparently "Stephen Tall, writing on the Liberal Democrat Voice website, summed it up" says Scotsman > http://t.co/gg4LFwqP #
(Scotsman's quoting of my btw was from this post on Bradford West: http://t.co/F9sy33Ud) #
@po8crg Indoor! in reply to po8crg #
Okay, so now it's gone 12 noon I'll come clean. There is no Ocado Tax http://t.co/BjDtFUfu. But I bet this is how the #pastytax started. #
Good of you to be so cooperative > RT @richardmorrisuk: @stephentall @Thomoli I asda say, the supermarket puns are getting worse #
THIS > RT @thhamilton: You can now download Any Answers as a podcast. It is not clear to me why anyone in the world would want to do this. #
@jerryhayes1 Fab, isn't it! in reply to jerryhayes1 #
Match this week's activity to the leader… badminton playing, Greggs shopping, nuclear talks // Cam, Mili, Clegg >> http://t.co/Zub4h5b6 #
Fun day's campaigning in sunny Headington with @Ruthwilk and Oxford Lib Dems. 12 years since my first full LE campaign #wheredidthetimego #
I'm as against email snooping as the next liberal, but tired of Twitter getting itself into constant lather based on flimsy info. #
Campaigning, blogging, gym, Spanish, washing: all done. Now prosecco opened & prawn, porcini & asparagus risotto started # deepjoy #
.@Birdyword I like evidence-based critiques as well as evidence-based policies! in reply to Birdyword #
.@MsNoetiCat I recommend door-knocking as the antidote to Twitter! They put politics in perspective. in reply to MsNoetiCat #
@RobNolanTruro I may need a little more evidence than the Indy* front page. * = middle-class Daily Mail. in reply to RobNolanTruro #
I've just been listening to » Adam Dalgliesh – Devices and Desires http://t.co/UhYr6AEq #
@lordbonkers @jamesgraham @markpack Bill Tidy was the only famous old boy of my school in Liverpool. in reply to lordbonkers #
@lordbonkers @jamesgraham @markpack Does your 'Liverpool!' surprise refer to me, Bill Tidy, or both? in reply to lordbonkers #
Do read, esp the post Mark links to here » RT @markpack Government snooping plans: why I'm not outraged, yet http://t.co/uHzWWMeP #
Obvs because the site was hacked by GCHQ »RT @sunny_hundal No mention at all today on @libdemvoice of govt plans to snoop at communication. #
Warm Twelcome to @oxfordbusco (who ferry me between work and home, Oxford to London, mostly on time). #
@hashbangperl Not correct on the Digital Econ Bill. No LibDem voted in favour, 16 voted against… in reply to hashbangperl #
How the AAB+ cap-lifting is marketising HE > 'A quiet Big Bang in universities' | @xtophercook here http://t.co/pjKcxWd6 #
Wintour & Watt get the Mili-Rapture us mortals can only imagine RT @RobinMcGhee Quite astonishing article from Guardian http://t.co/I2XFqgwI #
Well worth it! > RT @markpack: My next monthly Lib Dem email newsletter comes out tomorrow. Still time to sign up http://t.co/yDm52zHA #
@nash_aaron And the interesting contradiction is…? I don't follow your point. in reply to nash_aaron #
@nash_aaron Erm, issues then were compulsory ID cards & centralised database open to all authorities without warrant. V diff, so diff tone. in reply to nash_aaron #
My views on web snooping and what the Lib Dems should do next here > http://t.co/4PtnC2m1 #
@nash_aaron Still confused by your point: both my posts say safeguards & warrants essential to protect freedoms. No contradiction there. in reply to nash_aaron #
Here's what I think about the proposed new 'web snooping' powers http://t.co/4PtnC2m1. Summary: not angry, not in favour. #
@nash_aaron I'd distingish betwn extending measures (against) & recognising existing measures may need updating w/ safeguards (persuadable). in reply to nash_aaron #
.@nash_aaron Tone is bec of context. Coalition Agree & LDs pro-civil libs, Lab const legislated against freedom. Will judge both by actions. in reply to nash_aaron #
Exc pt abt danger of any one grp having monop control MT @alisongoddard: Univs as guilty of grade inflatn as exams bds http://t.co/bkfnef4Y #
A fair post! > RT @carlminns: Dear Nick re: Internet snooping I'm just following orders http://t.co/OefKsU1R #
@nash_aaron Agreed. in reply to nash_aaron #
Thx to @NickThornsby Chris Phillips @millenniumdome @alansm for comments on web surveillance post here http://t.co/4PtnC2m1 > have replied. #
Do read: 'Tax cuts for millions or for millionaires?' (Newsletter #19 via @markpack here > http://t.co/RflNHagM #
@birdyword Agree with you that evidence not anecdote crucial here. Intuitively tho wdn't be surprised if new tech being used in org crime..? in reply to Birdyword #
With thx to @markpack and @AlexWilcock for inspiration for post on web surveillance here http://t.co/4PtnC2m1 #
My views on web snooping and what the Lib Dems should do next here > http://t.co/4PtnC2m1 #
Ta! > MT @djm4: Useful post http://t.co/4PtnC2m1 on web snooping by @stephentall makes good points tho I agree with @NickThornsby reply more #
@markpack @helenduffett My curiosity about this a.m.'s early bird is now piqued… in reply to markpack #
Hmm, interesting timing > RT @medianooze: Television News: James Murdoch to step down as BSkyB chairman – live http://t.co/7oWgSk1H #
Good post on Govt's #charitytax > 'You're nice so I don't trust you: The ongoing debate about the 2012 Budget' http://t.co/2apR3zCW #
Another post on Govt's #charitytax 'Donations to universities under threat' http://t.co/c8HRnP0H #
My post in support of the #giveitbackgeorge campaign > http://t.co/TXH4ZgAO (@MotionJoanna @MarkRClay @LieslElder @kahunter @SimonJJennings) #
@lonwon Mine too – but I assumed (naively?) that charities wd be exempted at the consultation stage. A bonus for some, for others it's core. in reply to LonWon #
Will Nick Clegg support #giveitbackgeorge I think he should: http://t.co/TXH4ZgAO If you agree, pls sign here http://t.co/IXwmJ9of #
@lonwon £487.5k would IIRC be the net cost to the donor (ie, value of gift before Gift Aid less the higher-rate rebate). in reply to LonWon #
The DPM gives it both barrels > 'Nick Clegg attacks 'blunderbuss' Tories' http://t.co/utuqSPKt #
@mjturner1975 But companies cannot Gift Aid so this wouldn't get round capital relief (I think) in reply to mjturner1975 #
@mjturner1975 In my example the tax relief claimed (£312k) would be considerably *less* than the amount earned in a year (£800k). in reply to mjturner1975 #
My #giveitbackgeorge post » "@LonWon: Is it a "Tycoon Tax" or actually a "Charity Tax"? Good discussion at http://t.co/gZjrnGHo" #
Dear Mr Coach Driver, I'm happy to wear my seat-belt & so abide by the legal requirement. But, believe me, it is not here for my "comfort". #
Includes me! » RT @OxfordCity: List of candidates nominated to stand in Oxford City Council elections on 3 May 2012 http://t.co/Iw1OSwD3 #
Media not learned fr Bradford » MT @cllrkemp: Well done @the times, 1st n'paper to ring abt Liverpool mayoral electn apart fr Guardian blog. #
Odd headline of the day » RT @ConHome: 'Beware of wolves when there's a full moon and Lib Dems when there are local elections' #
1/8th pa #morethanme RT » @oliverburkeman: A Harvard student's av no. of sexual partners during four years at uni: 0.5 http://t.co/GczMhyXm" #
Fab stuff! » RT @oliverburkeman: This week's column: on 'reverse-incentive fundraising' & other sneaky ways to do good http://t.co/itEXS8vd" #
@MattSellwood @antoniabance 2012 *is* the 2004. We're so on-trend. in reply to MattSellwood #
@RobinMcGhee Thx, tho HH+N rather than Headington (before @ruthwilk gets worried!) in reply to RobinMcGhee #
@MattSellwood @antoniabance 2012 *is* the new 2004. We're so on-trend. in reply to MattSellwood #
Lined-up for LDV tmrw? » RT @markpack: Well, it's better than 'Beware of rabbits where there's a low tide'. #
@tonybrett Actually that may not be true! in reply to tonybrett #
It's a cruel world! MT @TonyOX3: @tonybrett no sooner is @stephentall's nom made public u suggest his coach might crash #nofriendsinpolitics #
#giveitbackgeorge RT @nicholaswatt: PM + chancellor on collision course w charities over cap on philanthropic donations http://t.co/3rT8mt3Q #
@tonybrett (My 'not true' reply was to earlier tweet.) in reply to tonybrett #
.@tonybrett @TonyOX3 I can confirm I am wearing my seat-belt (have to be careful of OxMail now I'm a cand!). In fact wearing 2 #beltnbraces in reply to tonybrett #
Good! (O God) » RT » @alexfoster: RT [my mother] Anagram of the day: "it's a bus lane" = "sustainable" :-)" #
The letter waiting for me on my return home http://t.co/p80brQq6 « 'Notice as to validity of nomination' from @OxfordCity #
.@brendan__miller @TimMontgomerie @grantshapps @ChukaUmunna Nando's was location for my first date with my partner #proudorashamednotsure in reply to Brendan__Miller #
RT @adrianbeney: Sir Ronald Cohen says 25% cap could wipe out Big Society Capital's benefit. http://t.co/ePpkHHyQ #giveitbackgeorge #
.@mssusieday They were simpler days, but y'know what, we were happy. in reply to mssusieday #
.@mjturner1975 but the v point of the triple lock pension guarantee was to precisely protect pensioners from rising prices. (@nicholaswatt) in reply to mjturner1975 #
@mjturner1975 Prev, pensioners wld have taken real terms income hit from rising prices. Coalition triple lock stops that @nicholaswatt in reply to mjturner1975 #
@alansm *before* an election? S'already started! in reply to alansm #
@mjturner1975 but not in line with earnings so no parity @nicholaswatt in reply to mjturner1975 #
Want to see the earliest campaigning photo I have on my computer (c.2002)? Campaigning in Headington, Oxford: http://t.co/sqjhJxmx #
.@idealcamel How can one ever be "done" with the opportunity to serve the public [/sanctimony] in reply to idealcamel #
@neilfawcett As an example of what?! in reply to neilfawcett #
@rickmuir1 That's how I'd like to remember it as well. But I can't. in reply to rickmuir1 #
My 2004 election Focus leaflet, complete with classic Lib Dem bar-chart, 'working hard' slogan & pothole update: http://t.co/sqjhJxmx #
Am hoping to avoid the slides RT @rickmuir1: @stephentall you did well the next time round – swings and roundabouts #
RT @martinslewis: "Ken you're like a bad '70s comedian playing to whichever audience you're taking to" killer comment by Paddick to Ken #
RT @iainmartin1: Paddick doing well. Green party person doing less well #Newsnight #
Interesting. 1) FSM useful start pt but crude measure of poverty RT @timharford: Who gets pupil premium? @xtophercook http://t.co/0PExtuHe #
2) Idea there's 1-size-fits-all solutn (eg summer schools) to use of PP to improve FSM childrens chances simplistic @timharford @xtophercook in reply to TimHarford #
3) we need to learn more from schools which have narrowed gaps while achieving good exam results (they exist) @timharford @xtophercook in reply to TimHarford #
@xtophercook Indeed – and FSM definition wld've scooped in folk like me with 2 grad parents with low income when my educn chances were fine. in reply to xtophercook #
Really? @xtophercook I thought projected PP per pupil wld be £1200 by 2015? (Tho not def bec of change to ever-FSM) @neilfawcett @TimHarford in reply to xtophercook #
Our /estimates/ are that'll reduce PP from £1750 to £1200 (but still a doubling per pupil cf now) @xtophercook @neilfawcett @TimHarford in reply to xtophercook #
Great news! > RT @brianpaddick: Very happy today to be announcing @DuwayneBrooks as my Deputy Mayor for Youth & Communities #
Easter reading > I just bought: 'Free Market Fairness' by John Tomasi http://t.co/1BqJ1Dto #
Easter reading (2) > 'The Other Invisible Hand: Delivering Public Services thru Choice and Competition' by J le Grand http://t.co/xV7uYvvo #
@neildotobrien Thx for link, will have a read. in reply to NeilDotObrien #
From me last night > For the first time in 8 years my name will appear on a ballot paper. (PS: as a Lib Dem.) http://t.co/sqjhJxmx #
@alansm Then lobby the denizens of Oxford not to vote for me in reply to alansm #
@travelling_wolf Must. Have. A. Bar. Chart. #politicalpseudoscience in reply to travelling_wolf #
Not good at all > RT @kahunter: Clarity at last on tax relief cap, but it’s not good news for charities http://t.co/eCZTX9yN #
RT @lieslelder: Clearly our politicians are not philanthropists themselves. Tax relief cap policy is nonsense. http://t.co/eCZTX9yN #
@mjryandaly TY in reply to mjryandaly #
And don't forget the EEF toolkit! > http://t.co/G4gdGEga @rickmuir1 @IPPR in reply to rickmuir1 #
Hmm I suspect, @jananganesh, many want Evereyone Else But Them to live in a surveillance state (@DPJHodges) in reply to JananGanesh #
Quite! » RT @DuncanStott Imagine if Lib Dem HQ barked orders at our online activists like this http://t.co/xzAJjSFd There'd be mutiny! #
@rickmuir1 @IPPR We'll let you know once our RCT-ed evaluation results start coming in (we're new so no evid to report yet). in reply to rickmuir1 #
I've reached the bit in Lembit's book where he seems to think all Tories united by single narrative http://t.co/NmSLvWRc #Kindle #
Hmm Lembit the Libertarian argues Lib Dems shd sue for libel much more often http://t.co/creq3r8m #Kindle #
@AAEmmerson not incompatible, I agree. but libel laws freq undermine free speech. in reply to AAEmmerson #
@jdliteracytrust Hi & TY! – there's a reason for the pic, honest: http://t.co/DBAJ3k41 in reply to JDLiteracyTrust #
@jdliteracytrust ok, an excuse in reply to JDLiteracyTrust #
I admire Coventry Building Society's online security. Imposs to penetrate either by fraudsters *or* customers. I know what the BS stands for #
@jdliteracytrust in reply to JDLiteracyTrust #
@lonwon The usual cure is a delivery round of Focuses in reply to LonWon #
Very impressed by @simoncoxreports BBC R4 report on NHS changes, the +ves and -ves http://t.co/FN59Oedw #
I do love beginning a holiday by bulk-ordering wine from Majestic. #
An early #ff for @SaveFOI – Labour's weak stance on #FOI in govt was straw/camel/back reason I resigned my Lab membership back in '99. #
Oh noes! It's the Easter Tax! » RT @Sun_Politics EXC: Hot cross buns could be clobbered by pasty tax, bakers warn…see tomorrow's Sun #
@tonybrett I am going to collect it myself, not being delivered! in reply to tonybrett #
Bad for Ken's campaign > RT @mikesmithsonogh: http://t.co/AgcqxPzU Good piece on Labour Uncut on the Ken tax returns. #
RT @willhowells: Have a good Friday everyone. Unfortunately I have given up Easter for Lent. < You can Borrow some from me #badoomtsss #

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