Ken Livingstone

Didn't the Jews lose Israel at some point in their history? I have read it in the distant past but can't remember.

No it's true. That's why Tories won't upset pensioners if they can help it.

Alea, if my link says in the title what it's about, I see no need to comment further.

Granjura, I had no idea what the Havaara Agreement was until told about it on here.
I am also quite bemused by those who say there was no state of Israel until 1948.
I am sure it was called that in the bible, old testament.

Really? Even if they've been Labour/LibDem/Other Party supporters all their lives? They gradually start to consider voting Conservative?

I doubt whether many life-long Labour voters would agree with that sweeping statement, whitewave!

Wouldn't it be boring if we lefties did not comment on the news and politics threads.

There are more conservative supporters on this site because as people age they become more conservative. It's just how it is.

Goldsmith was never in with any real chance.

In answer to Alea

1. Prat -I don't think anyone could make him say something he didn't want to say
2. I suspect his ego got the better of him, again
3. No he wasn't set up, he's too Wiley and experienced for that. Increasingly, ken's agenda seems to be self promotion. How can his actions and statements have helped Naz Shah, Sadiq Khan or the Labour Party?

I honestly believe he's a liability and have commented earlier about allegations of drinking -, I won't detail but get anyone can find links on google if the want to.

I am amazed at the number of lefties on this site - from a post by someone this afternoon. Not me. Do get your facts straight.

As for KL being a prat, I still think he is one, because he thinks he can say or do whatever he wants and get away with it because there are so many rushing to excuse him.

I wonder for instance how many of us were aware of the Havaara Agreement- as it is so relevant to this thread.

Surely a side of A4 at least rosesarered!!

You're probably right rosesarered
Does anyone know what makes Ken tick (perhaps not even Ken himself!).

Loose cannon is a phrase often bandied around and probably used too much and inappropriately, but it does seem to be an apt description.

Alea yes, answers on a postcard please for those questions you raised in your last post.But will anyone be able to answer them, other than Ken himself?

I like that analysis, jalima.

A poster asked 'why are there so many lefties on here' and was answered with, there are actually more Conservative ( and possibly Lib/ Dem) but maybe the left are more vocal.This is true ( it's a fact not a slur) the Left like to get into a debate on the political threads more than others do, so it just seems as if there are more of them, than there actually are.

"LOL" nobody is laughing.
I am assuming that last commenvr referred the one before mine? As I think my questions were succinct and pertinent, but if you are complaining about posters who post links without explanation or comment, there are plenty to choose from on this thread and others. And with respect, I think DJ must hold the record for links, not infrequently without commentary,

1 No, I don't think he is a prat actually, and would he take any notice of any advisers?
2 Deliberate and calculated. He comes across as affable but he can be manipulative and devious as past actions have shown
3 No, he wasn't set up (he is not that stupid) and I have no idea what his agenda would be since:
Labour's London mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan believes his chances of winning the election next week could be damaged by the anti-Semitism row that has erupted. So why would Livingstone do this?

What could happen is that more people may vote for Khan because they feel indignant on his behalf - Goldsmith has probably retaliated and shot himself in the foot.

LOL- what else did that mean then, come on:

'Or perhaps just more vocal? According to the GN survey last year, there are more Tory supporters than Labour supporters who are members. Not everyone has an appetite for being embroiled in political ping-pobg matches.'

posting links and comments to counter an argument or comment- (often NOT accompanied by any information or explanation at all) is not being 'vocal', nor is it playing political ping-pong. As said, I find both insulting- and add absolutely nothing to the debate, that is for sure.

Anyway, why has this thread descended into near farce yet again and lost its way so as to be virtually unrecognisable when juxtaposed with the Original Post.
1) was/is he a prat or merely ill advised?
2) given the timing with the Mayoral elections within just a few days, were his words deliberate, ill-chosen, "foot in mouth" disease or calculated? I for one may not like him, but he is not stupid
3) was he set up? Or does he have a deep hidden agenda?

Answers to these questions would seem to me immeasurably more relevant than discussing tabloids and broadsheets or the inevitable political ding-dong .

Intelligent, informed and informative debate is more than welcome as far as I am concerned
Excellent ideal!
Long may it continue on every thread, even the non-political ones and that no-one is ever brow-beaten or upset by diatribes from other posters.

über vocal' for the sake of, rather than informative - whichever 'side' they are on

Your words, GJ , nobody else's .

No one except you has used the phrase 'uber vocal' granjura.

Of course you read the content of the link first - what would be the point otherwise? As long as the article fits with your way of thinking it's worth postinv.

Neither do I- but as I love learning, and even at times actually change my mind due to great information- I really do appreciate people who try hard to give relevant links and information which help the debate progress inteliigently- on both sides and even in between. What is rude is saying that those who do, are 'über vocal' for the sake of, rather than informative - whichever 'side' they are on.

Intelligent, informed and informative debate is more than welcome as far as I am concerned.

But I have done, Alea, honestly. I have even linked to the DM and the Times!
I am really clever and can do google searches. I do read the article linked to first, before I put the link on, like I did with the Mirror ones. I can't imagine those criticising me have done so.