Just because someone isn't gay doesn't mean equality is irrelevant. That's such a myopic view, the like of which lead to poorer outcomes for society as a whole. More equal and cohesive societies are more productive and happier places for everyone not just those who would be worse off under a less equal system.

And before anyone thinks it I'm in no way promoting communism!

For anyone who's interested I'd recommend reading anything by Stiglitz or Paul Krugman. It's good to see that there is interest in politics and economics and lively discussion among the Palace faithful!

They are reasonable people I think. But the only realistic choice at the moment is May, having Corbyn or Farron in charge would be like having Neil from the Young Ones.

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. [Orwell]

As opposed to Theresa May, who is more like Vyvyan Basterd!

Human nature? What, it's natural to hate people who are different to you?

I think there's a very good example of how money influences the way we feel about other people. If you look at the most diverse part of the UK, it's probably the megarich in the city (you have Arabs, Nigerian princes, Russian oligarchs, Chinese billionaires etc etc), who seem to be able to put their differences aside to collectively screw over everyone else. It's areas with very little money where we see huge social divisions along these lines - Northern Ireland I think is a classic example. Fact is, if you have enough money to live a comfortable life, you have less reason to feel hatred to someone. That seems evident, and that's why reducing inequality is far more important than simply reducing migration to create cohesion.

If punk ever happened I'd be preaching the law, instead of listenin to Lydon lecture BBC4

But don't you consider him as - like Milliband - a version of the noblesse oblige who really have nothing to offer to society anymore? I mean, this is a man right from the heart of the French establishment - he went to their equivalent of Eton, before working for the Rothschilds, then in hedge funds. How are politicians like that meant to solve the vast social tensions which are coming to the surface around Europe?

In my opinion, it's no surprise that his campaign seems to be fading away. According to mates in France, most people don't seem to be able to name a single concrete policy the guy has.

If punk ever happened I'd be preaching the law, instead of listenin to Lydon lecture BBC4

You can't 'create cohesion'. People get along or they don't. At best different groups club together and more or less ignore others. The megarich are just as likely to marry and mix with their own nationalities as everyone else. There are exceptions of course, but we are talking about general behaviour. Why do you think there are 'Little Italy' and 'Little China' and Harlem and Irish districts in New York.

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. [Orwell]

Exactly - that is surely the whole point of leaving the EU and what most out voters expected and wanted.

19 hospitals including five major acute hospitals to be closed, 24 A&E units marked for closure
3.7 million children living in poverty
over 20,000 fewer police officers, Violent crime up 22% in the 12 months to September 2016, 40% increase in reported hate crimes
910,000 UK workers on zero-hours contracts
Growth in UK living standards worst in 60 years
The number of people sleeping rough in England a 133% increase since 2010 over 4000 people
Tory Manifesto promised no rail fare hike for passengers but this January our rail fares climbed another 2.3%. Now up 27% overall
1 in 5 adults have had mental health problems because of their housing pressures
Britain's housing crisis is at its worst for 20 years
Schools Crisis in England
Prisons crisis
flat lining wages
Over 500,000 people using food banks

This is tory britain today, this is Reality

My wife's french and she will be voting for him. We were in France at the weekend and I saw no evidence of a fading campaign. I predict he will win, but it is close and I could well be wrong. I can name a number of his policies and I'm not French and live in London.

I see no reason why his background precludes him from being a good President with plenty to offer. Also I think he spent most of his time at school in his home town of Amiens and went to a local school.

Miliband is the son of Polish Jewish immigrants. Not sure that falls under the heading of Noblesse Oblige.

As has been said before on this thread, if a UK Government decides on mass immigration, so be it. We then have the opportunity of voting out that government and electing a government that has a different policy - something we cannot do while in the EU.

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. [Orwell]