Whether you like him or not the fact is that Big Mac is the business, he's generally entertaining (even if he overdoes the bufooning sometimes) and he also has a perceptive mind. How many racing journo's are perceptive and entertaining? Plus of course he is a colourful character who gets racing more coverage than it would otherwise get from mainstream media.
Whether you like him or not the fact is that Big Mac is the business, he's generally entertaining (even if he overdoes the bufooning sometimes) and he also has a perceptive mind. How many racing journo's are perceptive and entertaining? Plus of cours
The problem with Big Mac is that his schtick can be positively offensive to young people, to women, and to anyone whose politics are to the left of Genghis Khan.
The problem with Big Mac is that his schtick can be positively offensive to young people, to women, and to anyone whose politics are to the left of Genghis Khan.
My politics are certainly left wing but I am not interested in his views on other subjects. I think he has always done a good job for racing and as somebody said earlier has forgotten more than most of the others know about the game.
My politics are certainly left wing but I am not interested in his views on other subjects. I think he has always done a good job for racing and as somebody said earlier has forgotten more than most of the others know about the game.
they need someone that represents punters interests (ie the typical viewer), the 2 sucessors seem to represent bookies interests, even though tarns has made a living out of reading the bf odds....
they need someone that represents punters interests (ie the typical viewer), the 2 sucessors seem to represent bookies interests, even though tarns has made a living out of reading the bf odds....
Where would Tanya be with Mac calling her "Female " . Created the word "Machine" , now widely used by all . If Brucie is going strong at 80 , Big Mac has another 10 good years ahead of him , power to you Mac .
Where would Tanya be with Mac calling her "Female " . Created the word "Machine" , now widely used by all . If Brucie is going strong at 80 , Big Mac has another 10 good years ahead of him , power to you Mac .
He's ignorant and obnoxious and anyone who thinks he knows anything about racing or has anything useful to say must be working from a pretty low base line.
He's ignorant and obnoxious and anyone who thinks he knows anything about racing or has anything useful to say must be working from a pretty low base line.
Here's one from the out field Tutan. I think the Labour Party should have picked Harriet Harman as leader. And in fact I have had a few quid on her being their next leader. The party rules state that if GB resigns, they have no mechanism for him to be ousted, then the deputy leader is automatically made leader. And she is not a bad price either.
Here's one from the out field Tutan. I think the Labour Party should have picked Harriet Harman as leader. And in fact I have had a few quid on her being their next leader. The party rules state that if GB resigns, they have no mechanism for him to b
For DM to win or even stand to be elected, and that is not a given, HH must relinquish her position voluntarilly and I cannot see her doing that to give the 'boys' a go especially if they poll badly. 10/1 with PP is big.
For DM to win or even stand to be elected, and that is not a given, HH must relinquish her position voluntarilly and I cannot see her doing that to give the 'boys' a go especially if they poll badly.10/1 with PP is big.
call him what you like - but those younger kids do nothing for me, might look the part but no personality and lack experience in the game. Love him or loath him - big mac is a character.
call him what you like - but those younger kids do nothing for me, might look the part but no personality and lack experience in the game. Love him or loath him - big mac is a character.
The likelihood of a hung parliament has prompted Whitehall to draw up contingency plans that would give Gordon Brown extra time to form a viable administration if there is no clear winner at the general election.
Under the proposals, which have been drawn up to prevent a constitutional crisis and a run on the pound, parliament may not reconvene for nearly three weeks to allow the prime minister to form a working government with the minority parties. Normally, MPs would sit again in six days.
Senior Whitehall sources stressed tonight that Brown could remain prime minister and try to create a working majority even if the Tories were to win most seats.
It has also been agreed that for the first time the civil service will be able to facilitate talks between Labour or the Tories and the minority parties on forming a coalition.
The civil service will not be allowed to provide policy advice, but will be able to draw up papers on potential policy overlap between the parties.
The Queen may also have to play a role in the event of a hung parliament; under existing rules, she could urge the political parties not hold a second poll if it is not deemed to be in the national economic interest, or there is little sign that it will produce a different result.
A run of polls have suggested Britain is heading for a hung parliament, and the civil service, Buckingham Palace and political parties are anxious to codify the rules and conventions surrounding a hung parliament to prevent confusion.
The head of the civil service, Sir Gus O'Donnell, updated a manual today which sets out how the key players are expected to act if no party can instantly form a government.
In one of a number of precautionary steps, it has been agreed that parliament should not meet to decide if a government can be formed for as long as 18 days after polling day.
The extension to the period is to give the political parties extra leeway to create a government commanding the support of the Commons.
After the 18 days the Tories could then table an immediate motion of no confidence.
The manual is designed to protect the Queen from being asked prematurely to invite someone to form a government, or to prevent a constitutional impasse causing a panic in the financial markets at a time when the UK's triple-A credit rating is under threat .
O'Donnell is due to meet with other senior civil servants in New Zealand shortly to discuss how they have handled hung parliaments.
It also emerged todaythat it is possible that the chancellor, Alistair Darling, could even remain in his post in charge of policy on sterling pending the formation of the government, even in the event that he has lost his parliamentary seat.
That scenario would arise because Brown would remain as prime minister, and therefore responsible for all ministerial appointments, until it were clear that he was unable to secure a majority for his Queen's speech.
Senior Whitehall sources were keen to stress that it would be Brown's duty to remain in place until it were clear that a successor exists who was capable of securing a majority for their own speech.
The Queen will not intervene in any discussions between the political parties, the sources made clear, although she can expect to be kept informed of developments.
It is for the political parties to agree on a prime minister who can win support for the speech.
Although conventions remain unclear, it will be open for the Queen to reject a call for a dissolution of parliament if it is not in the national interest. But this was unlikely, the sources said.
It is likely she will take into account the length of time since the previous election and how unlikely it is that no agreement can be reached in the Commons on the identity of a new prime minister.
The prime minister will not be expected to make policy announcements during this caretaker period, but instead focus on trying to form a government.
In the discussions on the formation of a minority government or coalition, civil service sources said it will also be the duty of the civil service to facilitate the talks by providing a venue.
Civil service staff would remain outside the room during inter-party talks, but may be asked to draw up any formal agreement between them. The cabinet would not meet after the election unless a Queen's speech had been voted through.
O'Donnell has said he doubted that financial markets would be destabilised by a hung parliament.
Gordon Brown to stay as PM in a hung parliament .The likelihood of a hung parliament has prompted Whitehall to draw up contingency plans that would give Gordon Brown extra time to form a viable administration if there is no clear winner at the genera
In the case of a hung parliament the LP and the LDems will join together to form a government. Clegg has already stated that GB would have to resign in which case HH would automatically become leader. I see no reason why Clegg would resist HH becoming leader but may well not want to share with Milliband.
In the case of a hung parliament the LP and the LDems will join together to form a government. Clegg has already stated that GB would have to resign in which case HH would automatically become leader. I see no reason why Clegg would resist HH becomin
Clegg , has already softened his stance on the comments , that he made on Sunday regarding not been able to work with GB . This is going to be a real conundrum .
Clegg , has already softened his stance on the comments , that he made on Sunday regarding not been able to work with GB . This is going to be a real conundrum .
Similarities with the 1923 election where the Tories won the most seats yet Labour and the Liberals formed a Government. Whatever the outcome this time there will still be another election within 12 months.
Similarities with the 1923 election where the Tories won the most seats yet Labour and the Liberals formed a Government.Whatever the outcome this time there will still be another election within 12 months.
The economy will play a very key part who stays as PM in the case of a hung parliament . If you look at what is happening in Greece (government backed funding has stopped , 90% of the countries building has come to a stand still ), that the Country has been given a junk status by Moodys . The Germans are not endorsing the fund raising issue due to their up coming elections . The only safe person to run Country will be Gordon Brown in a hung parliament ,otherwise their could be chaos on our streets . Portugal will be asking the IMF for money very soon . Europe is in very dangerous waters . Gordon will be giving a very good performance tonight .
The economy will play a very key part who stays as PM in the case of a hung parliament . If you look at what is happening in Greece (government backed funding has stopped , 90% of the countries building has come to a stand still ), that the Country h
I am sorry Tutan but that is not right. Even before the election plots were afoot to remove GB even though there are no structures within the LP for this to happen. I see absolutely no way GB will stay, or even want to stay, in power unless LP win the election. The two scenarios I see happening are a hung parliament or a Labour loss. In the first instance I think Clegg will do a deal where a main point is that GB stands aside, and the second will see GB standing down and HH taking over. Nothing is cast in stone but at 10/1 the opportunity is too good to miss with only a couple of weeks left.
I am sorry Tutan but that is not right. Even before the election plots were afoot to remove GB even though there are no structures within the LP for this to happen. I see absolutely no way GB will stay, or even want to stay, in power unless LP win th