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December 10, 2009

Champagne for expenses spotters

Champs 
The recycling at Conservative Party conference this year

After the MPs' duck houses, moats, faux Tudor beams and porn video claims last time round - will any of today's expenses reach the same embarrassing heights?

We are scouring thousands of pages of claims and receipts from 2008 to 2009 as quickly as we can but we are also opening the floor to you. Send us the funniest, stingiest, or outright weirdest expenses claim you find and we will reward the best entry with a bottle of Champagne.

We will contact the winner by e-mail if you enter it in the comments form below.

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on December 10, 2009 at 10:49 AM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (12)

December 07, 2009

Poll: will Copenhagen deal make a difference?

Copers

World leaders are gathering in Denmark over the coming days hoping to reach a deal on halting climate change. In some quarters the summit is seen as make or break for the health of the planet but critics say any agreement reached in Copenhagen will have little impact.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on December 07, 2009 at 11:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)

November 23, 2009

Jedward were never Deadwood

Finchley Road, Tottenham Court Road, Old Street, Whitechapel - everywhere we turned this morning we saw this ghastly new Tory election poster.

Deadwood


 

Now we like a joke as much as the next man (or woman), but how can the Conservatives justify such naked exploitation of two young lads after we'd been forced to watch that horrible Australian woman vote John and Edward off the X-Factor last night? And to think that David Cameron said that he wanted the boys to win! Was he telling an untruth?


We're well aware that Labour did the same thing a week or two back, but that was different. The boys were still in the contest for one thing. And they didn't plaster their 'joke' all over London.

Labourjedward

For all you fans out there, here's a picture of John and Edward as we shall remember them. We'll miss you boys. All we've got to live for now is Jordan in the Jungle. At least she's safe.

Jedward


In the interest of balance, we felt obliged to do one of our own for the Liberal Democrats. Only we couldn't think of a joke!

Libdem

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on November 23, 2009 at 10:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

November 17, 2009

Poll: worst train station problems

Station_blog

A report on the state of Britain's railway stations today calls for a £50 million government cash injection to improve the worst stations. Which of the many issues affecting our stations do you think need to be targeted most urgently?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on November 17, 2009 at 12:44 PM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (1)

November 06, 2009

An Obama 'shout out' too far?

We interrupt this broadcast to bring you the President's thoughts on the attack at Fort Hood. . .

Except, Barack Obama did not seem to realise the news networks were relaying his remarks live to the nation. Before moving on to the shooting, he offered his thanks to the people organising the event and offered a "shout out" to someone in the audience.

Right-wing bloggers are fuming at his "crass insensitivity". Some are comparing Mr Obama's words to President Bush continuing to read My Pet Goat to a class of children as he heard about the 9/11 attacks.

What do you think?

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on November 06, 2009 at 04:37 PM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (29)

November 03, 2009

Poll: Obama one year on

Obama

President Obama was elected President on November 4, 2008. Twelve months later, has he achieved more or less than you expected?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on November 03, 2009 at 05:51 PM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (6)

October 30, 2009

Poll: President Blair?

Blair_1

After furious behind-the-scenes campaigning and public appeals from Gordon Brown and David Miliband, are you glad Tony Blair's bid for the EU presidency has run into trouble?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 30, 2009 at 08:20 AM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 27, 2009

Poll: give up meat to save the planet?

Cow
Methane from cattle farms is a major contributor of greenhouse gas

Lord Stern, author of the influential Stern Report on global warming, told The Times today that people would need to consider turning vegetarian if the world is to conquer climate change.

"Meat is a wasteful use of water and creates a lot of greenhouse gases," he said. "It puts enormous pressure on the world's resources. A vegetarian diet is better."

Are you willing to give up steak for the sake of the health of the world?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 27, 2009 at 01:10 PM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 23, 2009

Guide to scrutinising the debate for yourself

During the hurley-burley of last night's debate Nick Griffin called on viewers to check the disputed facts "on the internet or whatever". Well, we have - here's some of the evidence alluded to in last night's debate:

Wacky history

Bonnie Greer, an American author, tells Mr Griffin "the history you've got on your website is wacky" - Have a look for yourself - the party magazine's back issues are all available on the BNP website. Here's one example:In Praise of Britain's Imperial Mission (pdf).

She also suggested that he made use of the British Museum's extensive learning tools.

Secret agenda

Chris Huhne, Lib Dem, says Griffin can't deny his hidden agenda to lie about his beliefs in order to gain greater legitimacy. "This is video footage - there's no question of him being misquoted," he says.

In the clip, Mr Griffin says: "Perhaps one day, once, by being more subtle, we've got ourselves into the position where we control the British broadcasting media, the British people might change their mind and say 'Yes, every single one must go.'"



This video recorded in April 2000 came up several times last night as it also shows the BNP leader on stage with David Duke - the former leader of the Ku Klux Klan.

BNP manual


Jack Straw, the Justice Secretary says set of instructions for party members betrays the party's inner thoughts.


"They've even published a manual," he said. "It's called the BNP language and discipline manual which starts off: 'Rule one the BNP is not a racist or racial party.' Well how many other parties have to say they're not a racist or racial party."


The instructions are published on the BNP website (pdf)



Dr Strangelove


"This guy is the Dr Strangelove of British politics!" Mr Straw trumpeted. But the audience didn't really seem to get his gag about the classic Peter Sellers character - here he is trying not to betray his inner Nazi.



 

Misquoted

Mr Griffin claimed that an article in the morning's Daily Mail was inaccurate. The paper quoted him joking about "blacks behaving so badly and walking like monkeys."

He also said The Times had made up his quote thanking the BBC for his appearance. The Times reported him saying: “Thank you, Auntie.”

The Mail on Sunday was also accused of inventing the "Adolf went a bit too far" quote.

A member of the audience asked him whether "Islam is a wicked and vicious faith" after a remark he was quoted using.

YouTube

 

Jack Straw said: "I think it's been a catastrophic week for the BNP because for the first time the views of the BNP have been properly scrutinised - people have been going on to YouTube, going on to the web and finding out the true views of the BNP."

Here are some of the best viewed clips:


The Cook Report 1997 - 66,390 views


"This nonsense about gas chambers has been exposed as a lie." The
voiceover from Cook saying hopefully this will mark the start of Mr Griffin's period in the wilderness.




On Obama - 65,290 views


"Virtually all black people think about other black people as being brothers. . .  They'll see the most powerful job in the world has gone to a black man and that means there's nothing a black man can't do, which is unfortunate."





The clip of Mr Griffin alongside the Ku Klu Klan leader has been viewed 62,799 times.

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 23, 2009 at 01:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

What did you think of the Nick Griffin show?

Now that the dust has settled what do you think about the BBC's handling of the BNP?



Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 23, 2009 at 12:29 PM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (45)

October 22, 2009

Share your views: Nick Griffin on Question Time, live blog

Times Mobile users, please go to http://bit.ly/griffinlive 

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 22, 2009 at 04:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

October 21, 2009

Is BBC right to give BNP air time?

Griffin_marr

It is expected to be a ratings smash hit, but should the BBC have invited Nick Griffin to take part in Question Time?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 21, 2009 at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (53)

October 16, 2009

Crumbs! Which biscuit is Brown?

Gordon Brown refused to reveal his favourite biscuit to Mumsnet users today. Which got us thinking ... if Gordon Brown was a biscuit, what biscuit would he be?

Have a cup of tea - and give us your suggestions ...

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 16, 2009 at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)

October 14, 2009

Democratic solution?

Parl
The Times leader today suggests that a general election may be the only way to purge Parliament of the expenses scandal.

"The saga of the Additional Cost Allowances is now descending into farce. The credibility and authority of Parliament is falling with it."

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 14, 2009 at 11:18 AM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (8)

October 09, 2009

Obama wins Nobel peace prize, finally!

Or should that read, already?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 09, 2009 at 12:19 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (122)

October 08, 2009

Post-conference poll - who would you vote for?

After all the talking a quick question...

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 08, 2009 at 04:01 PM in Religion | Permalink | Comments (65)

October 02, 2009

Referendum on Europe

Ref The ever-generous Irish government has offered its citizens a second chance to ratify the Lisbon Treaty after the population spurned the opportunity last year.

A yes vote from Ireland, and indeed Britain if the chance ever arrived, looks increasingly likely to mean Tony Blair will become the first president of Europe.

If No. 10 was to give us the same chance, would you vote to adopt the treaty?

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 02, 2009 at 11:07 AM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (21)

Who should get the Olympics?

Olym
As last ditch campaigning continues in Copenhagen, we have no need for the fiendishly complex IOC voting system. Just click below to choose your favourite for host city.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on October 02, 2009 at 10:45 AM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (4)

September 11, 2009

Alan Turing apology: too late to say sorry?

Turing_185x360_612603a Click here for exclusive Turing picture

Gordon Brown has issued a national apology to Alan Turing, the Bletchley Park code-breaker and computing pioneer who committed suicide after being found guilty of gross indecency.

Turing killed himself in 1954.

The apology came after a petition on the Downing Street website, backed by Stephen Fry, received more than 30,000 signatures.

But is this what the Prime Minister should be occupying himself with, especially when we're still in the midst of the greatest economic crisis since the 1930s? Has he not got a country to run? Is there no statute of limitations on apologies?

You decide.

Online Surveys & Market Research

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on September 11, 2009 at 10:41 AM in Books | Permalink | Comments (62)

September 03, 2009

Gruesome warning: texting can kill you

When the filmmaker Peter Watkins-Hughes was commissioned to make a public safety film for Gwent Police on the dangers of texting behind the wheel he made sure to find out first what kind of message young people would respond to.

The answer? The more gruesome the better.

The video above is a four-minute clip from a half-hour film that will air on BBC Wales this autumn and which the Gwent force is planning to show on school roadshows.

The entire film was made for about $20,000 - not exactly big budget even in Wales - but the sample clip has been viewed an estimated six million times since Watkins-Hughes, a former BBC producer who lectures at Newport College of Art, posted it on YouTube two months ago.

It's hard-hitting stuff, even by British standards, but the level of gore has prompted some debate in the US, where it's been widely discussed in the media.

Young people were telling us, ‘It needs to be more shocking, it needs to be more violent, it needs to be more truthful'," Watkins-Hughes told The New York Times.

“The reality is, if we want our message, which is a lifesaving message, to cut through, we have to adopt certain strategies,” he added. “In this one, we’ve gone for grim reality.”

Posted by Times Online Newsdesk on September 03, 2009 at 05:17 PM in From the newsdesk | Permalink | Comments (11)

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