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D’you know, this could be genuine and it wouldn’t surprise me anymore.

"Legend" seems to have become a journalistic cliche that is automatically attached to any vaguely newsworthy person who dies.

Lymphoma doesn’t get any more ‘advanced’ than that.

I would argue that appearing electable and offering effective opposition to Johnson go hand in hand in this instance, however he's done neither of those things. If Johnson was driving a bus with all of us on it into a burning, collapsing building, all Corbyn would do is complain that buses should be nationalised. We've got bigger issues we want you to oppose, Jeremy. Look at yesterday's antics in Commons. Keir Starmer delivered the storming speech, the contumely, the comprehensive demolition of this bullshit deal Johnson's taking credit for. That speech was one that Corbyn could and would never deliver. The opposition is coming from various corners of his party, not from him, and that makes him an ineffectual leader. If he cared about the country, from the huge questions thrown up about our future to the bread and butter issues he appears he might be clued up on, he would step aside and let someone else lead his party into a more likely GE success. The Tories have lurched right, Labour left. The Tories have a gibbering wreck leading them, Labour a soggy cabbage. Neither are even on flirting terms with being fit to govern. And yet, we are still too much of a two-party state for anyone else to have a vague hope of getting the governing side of the chamber.

This is an interesting analysis. Corbyn's job has not been to oppose for months imo. As soon as Bawjaws looked like an evasive, blibbering, lying, law-breaking toerag, and had no majority, his job was to make himself and his party look electable. Let's not forget that despite Cameron being revealed as a total cunt who penetrated pork, Theresa May as a home secretary who was prepared to send the vans round effectively saying "go home paki" while deporting British citizens, George Osborne as Chancellor keeping his money offshore, etc etc, they got elected with a small majority. As I recall, Cameron and his ilk would have been at uni at the same time as I was, and I recall the Young Conservatives calling for the execution of Nelson Mandela - wouldn't surprise me if a number of the 2010 Tory government had their participation in that little scumbag operation covered up as soon as they got the keys to the castle. History's a problem for Corbyn. For example, there was Kinnock, being a strong leader rooting out Militant Tendency and where did that get him? Party divided and all that. Corbyn's problem should be his future, not his past. There's no doubt he's an effective campaigner on bread and butter issues. That's what a General Election should look like. Past Labour leaders would have swept people like Bawjaws aside easily. Both major parties look divided, both look unelectable, both are really not fit for 21st century Britain, in or out of the EU. They both need a grand old kicking at the polls. But who will give that kicking to them? I'm sorry to say it's the public who look on with horror at Westminster and what it has become, then stick their cross in a box with one or the other. Then wonder why the shitshow continues. I say as always, use your vote, and think hard before that cross goes down.

So, when I was doing some work research I found a strong contender for this in the Herald archives. Sir Tam Galbraith, former Glasgow Tory MP (my family MP at one point in fact before my birth) was knighted 31st December 1981 when known to be gravely ill, and died 48 hours later. (Willz might recall this - Glasgow had 3 by-elections due to death in about 2 years!) Decided the Doddy thread was too dead to resurrect, but that this factoid was interesting enough to bring up on forum. So here it is.

That's just given me a horrific mental image.

Wales by 1. Well predicted engineer. Pedro 246 En Passant 209 Redrumours 183 Biblioggtyphon 134 MSC 113 Quim Reaper 106 Paul Bearer 104 Charlottes Controler 96 The Engineer 83  Sir Creep 6

Most projections currently run us to a Tory majority government. If we somehow ended up with a 3rd hung parliament in 10 years then it really is time that parliament got together and voted in some form of proportional representation.

I think the two party system isn't dead but it will be strained.With the SNP dominating Scottish politics and the Lib Dems growing in popularity amongst remainers and the possibility of Farages Brexit Party gaining traction should the Tories be seen concede any further in the minds of Brexiteers we could see the two parties both returning with less seats than they have now.I think Labour has the greatest risk of losing seats at present but a week is a long time in politics.

Corbyn would never do a speech like Starmer as he is a Bennite at heart and as hostile to the EU as Kate Hoey and Dennis Skinner.He has had to champion the possibility of a further referendum to appease his MPs and membership.This makes him a careerist and not a man of principle as he and his supporters are keen to portray him as.

I think Labour really don't want a general election at the moment.They would lose leave seats to the Tories in the north and Wales and remain seats in the south and Scotland.They have been standing in the middle of the road and can see traffic approaching from both sides.

I have said it before and will say it again.The country is ungovernable for a generation.They can't hold off a general election any longer.Hung parliament's simply cannot function in a constitutional crisis .Especially when all the leaders are weak.

Not sure, around those couple of years it really was head down in the books, then heading to Strathclyde Uni during that period. Remember Jenkins getting elected though. Was more worried about being conscripted for the Falklands if it got out of hand. No way was I fighting for Thatcher's war!

General election? Hmmmmmmm.

Didn’t you say before the only ones who won’t obit are the living?

He's sending an unsigned letter asking for the extension. Along with signed letters asking for the EU to reject the extension request. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50112924

My guess is as good as yours. I'd say the next one that goes from the list has a natural cause and is really old. So Kirk Douglas - it is time.

Kirk Douglas. Although we're getting close to "no more for the year" being the sensible choice imho.

I'm gonna miss this thread now it will no doubt become inactive. Reading back through it, it's one of my favourites. Very funny some of the replies.

I imagine her diary for gazza is basically the lyrics to tubthumping.

Saturday. Promise.

Here, Quimmy, I chose this one for you.

In respect of the above, I feel compelled to add a German music legend to the mix. I discovered this genius while living in Germany, back in the early part of the 80s. His albums were peppered amongst my uncles extensive record collection which swung from the delights of Motown to that Eurovision artist Nicoles latest offerings. Ladies and gentlemen I give you......HEINO!!!!

Harry walked across a minefield once crossed for publicity purposes by his mum. Fair enough - but...wouldn't he make a bigger point if the took a ride around Paris in the backseat of a Merc with a drunk guy at the wheel and got out of that alive? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49849848