Westminstenders: What the winds bring

[RedToothBrush]

The next few weeks are crucial. Eu talks, covid handling, the US election and any other unexpected events (its nearly November, lets face it will probably be the weather).

It feels a little like the car crash in slow motion is about to hit the wall of reality. I guess that just means all there is left to do is to brace for impact.

@CoffeeNights

Question. Given if trump gets in this time, he technically cant run again. Do you think he will try and change the rules so he can stay? Cos he gets arrested either now or in four years doesn't he?

Technically. But if he wins, all bets are off on how the constitution will hold up full stop or whether it will fade into irrelevance...

Oh, and just remember - it can end in a tie

It can. But I think numbers have been looked at and isn't now possible (but I could be wrong on this).

Keep your eyes peeled on the missing Atlanta postal ballots. Could be significant.

@RedToothBrush

Keep your eyes peeled on the missing Atlanta postal ballots. Could be significant.

Gone with the wind ?

I see that MPs pass English lockdown regulations by 516 votes to 38.

So it looks like the rebellion once more fizzled out - like a damp firework.

So it looks like the rebellion once more fizzled out - like a damp firework.

(logs on to collect winnings)

492 CV deaths in UK today ...

Wisconsin looks like its blue. And we think it escapes a recount.

squid sending love to you

Blue is Democrat ?

(musical interlude)

Strange days indeed

Babooshka - earlier this afternoon, CBS said that Biden had c3 million more than Trump. So his popular vote majority is likely to be more than that, but like 2016, that doesn't mean a scooby unless he wins the Electoral College as well.

After initial dismay through the night, ds is now feeling slightly more confident. He'd predicted 290 for Biden in advance of the vote. He's now going back to thinking it might come to pass.

I'm not counting any chickens

babooshka
Welcome back xxxx

More whinging about Brexit from the usual suspects

www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/11/03/no-deal-brexit-could-hurt-british-film-tv-prospects-amazon-warns

A no-deal Brexit could slash demand for British original TV and film content, Amazon has warned, as the UK and EU remain locked in trade talks.

With less than two months before Britain's transition period in the EU comes to an end, the US giant voiced concerns over the consequences of a no-deal on content producers, saying there was an important issue over how film and TV shows made in the UK would be classified in the EU without a deal being reached.

(contd)

@DGRossetti

Oh, and just remember - it can end in a tie

Not this time.

Popular vote going to Biden too.

US Election :
This is the best website IMHO
fivethirtyeight.com/live-blog/2020-election-results-coverage/

US president getting third term :
I'd need to revise BUT pretty sure it requires a "supermajority" of both houses to amend the Constitution
which would involve a LOT of floor crossing in both houses
which will never happen in the next 4 years

UK Lockdown :
I get why its deemed necessary because of what Squid is seeing
but its been done so badly
when I hear Winchester millionaires openly talking about which bits they will ignore because the Tories are thick
and if for any reason it extends beyond the 4 weeks, John Lewis and M&S will go bust among many others

@DGRossetti

Oh, and just remember - it can end in a tie

SabrinaThwaite

Not this time. [] Popular vote going to Biden too.

well, here's hoping ... the fact it was "foreseen" in the penultimate series of Veep makes me nervous of real life aping satire at the moment. After all, even the most scabrous and outre predictions of the future made 20 years ago seem so anaemic compared with what we've been lucky enough to witness ....

It's eerily quiet here. Many shops have announced shorter opening hours. My local Aldi has put its plywood windows and door back. Pet supply place ditto, but the electronics place which was looted earlier in the year still has a lot of very inviting plate glass facing the world.

US president getting third term : [] I'd need to revise BUT pretty sure it requires a "supermajority" of both houses to amend the Constitution

and a majority of states too ...

Squid

Very busy at a local small retail park near me.
M&S quite busy but no queues to get in unlike next and matalan.
They had already closed the cafe in M&S.
Our local high street very quiet....lots of pubs, cafes, boutique type gift shops which will be closed.
Can't see them re opening on December 2nd tbh...
And M&S and JL are struggling because their e commerce sites are shit.

well, here's hoping

CNN has done the math.

And M&S and JL are struggling because their e commerce sites are shit.

And a certain amount of chasing the fad (which seemed to start in the 1990s).

DW reminded me of when we stopped using M&S (and that was a decision, not an accident of chance) and our sentiments that if they can't even sell decent clothes (which was and should have remained their mission statement) then what's the use of them ???

It would be odd if Debenhams are left as the last man standing, although maybe not too surprising. We had our wedding list from them, so there's a twang of sentiment.

I think there's a lot to be said for the "Woollies" test for a physical shop. You should know immediately you go in what the shop is. As soon as you find yourself wondering "what sort of shop is this ?" their days are numbered.

@SabrinaThwaite

well, here's hoping

CNN has done the math.

maths