Best Of
Re: Political authority is a lot like virginity, once it is gone it is very difficult to get back
On a human level, I have a huge amount of persona sympathy for Rachel Reeves.
Re: Political authority is a lot like virginity, once it is gone it is very difficult to get back
Well then you're both very fortunate. Three of my very nearest and dearest have become very ill recently and getting any kind of state institution to help them is frankly driving me to the end of my tether. Sorry if this is overemotional but the consensus on here recently that anyone can walk into a vast wodge of cash from the state is so at odds with my current experience it makes me quite upset.To get motability as stated you need 12 points in mobility, meaning you need to demonstrateMrs U could get 12 points on that, despite being in perfect physical and mental shape.
1. Planning and following journeys.
Can plan and follow the route of a journey unaided. 0 points.
Needs prompting to be able to undertake any journey to avoid overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. 4 points.
Cannot plan the route of a journey. 8 points.
Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without another person, assistance dog or orientation aid. 10 points.
Cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant. 10 points.
Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without another person, an assistance dog or an orientation aid. 12 points.
2. Moving around.
Can stand and then move more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 0 points.
Can stand and then move more than 50 metres but no more than 200 metres, either aided or unaided. 4 points.
Can stand and then move unaided more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 8 points.
Can stand and then move using an aid or appliance more than 20 metres but no more than 50 metres. 10 points.
Can stand and then move more than 1 metre but no more than 20 metres, either aided or unaided. 12 points.
Cannot, either aided or unaided, –
stand; or
move more than 1 metre. 12 points.
You can only score once from each section
Re: Political authority is a lot like virginity, once it is gone it is very difficult to get back
New design for BoE notes
Taz
12
Re: Two NYC bets you should be making – politicalbetting.com
Ultimately, Starmer is paying the price for lying his way to the leadership of the Labour Party.
tlg86
5
Re: Political authority is a lot like virginity, once it is gone it is very difficult to get back
Great X post by a Gulf Arab. I get the sense this isn't the kind of view on the Middle East conflict you'd see very often on the BBC or Sky (Humanitarian porn) News.
https://x.com/AimenDean/status/1939278518979821890
Let me make something absolutely clear.
I am not a Zionist - not in any way, shape, or form. I am an Arab. My roots are in Bahrain, I was born in Saudi Arabia, and I live in the UAE. My family spans generations across all three countries. On top of that, I am also a British citizen - a nationality I hold with honor, especially given my years working alongside UK security forces. It was a privilege, and an eye-opening chapter of my life.
So no, I don’t carry any Zionist affiliation.
But let me now ask the question I rarely hear answered honestly:
Why should I support groups like Hamas, the PFLP, or other Palestinian factions that have long embraced terrorism - even when their targets have been us, the Gulf Arabs?
Let’s look at reality:
•Israel has never fired a single bullet at any GCC country — not at Saudi Arabia, not at Bahrain, not at Kuwait, not at the UAE, not even at Qatar or Oman. Not even a BB gun.
•Meanwhile, Palestinian terrorist groups have assassinated our diplomats, hijacked our planes, bombed our embassies, and worked hand-in-hand with our enemies — even as we offered them political, financial, and moral support for decades.
•And now? Hamas and its allies have fully aligned with the Ayatollahs of Iran, our true existential enemy - the same regime that has plotted coups in Bahrain, that has flooded the region with missiles and militias, and that has openly declared its intent to topple our governments and destroy our societies.
Let’s remember - it wasn’t Israel that launched thousands of drones and ballistic missiles on Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
It was Iran.
Through the Houthis.
With Hezbollah operatives.
With Hamas blessings.
And with Iranian weapons.
So why should I betray my own people, my own security, my own dignity - to support a group that would see us fall, just to serve Tehran’s ambitions?
No, I am not a Zionist.
But the Zionists are NOT my enemy.
My enemies are in Tehran, in Beirut, in Sana’a, and - yes - among those Palestinian factions who turned against the very hands that once fed them.
This is not about being trendy or emotional. This is about loyalty, logic, and survival.
https://x.com/AimenDean/status/1939278518979821890
Let me make something absolutely clear.
I am not a Zionist - not in any way, shape, or form. I am an Arab. My roots are in Bahrain, I was born in Saudi Arabia, and I live in the UAE. My family spans generations across all three countries. On top of that, I am also a British citizen - a nationality I hold with honor, especially given my years working alongside UK security forces. It was a privilege, and an eye-opening chapter of my life.
So no, I don’t carry any Zionist affiliation.
But let me now ask the question I rarely hear answered honestly:
Why should I support groups like Hamas, the PFLP, or other Palestinian factions that have long embraced terrorism - even when their targets have been us, the Gulf Arabs?
Let’s look at reality:
•Israel has never fired a single bullet at any GCC country — not at Saudi Arabia, not at Bahrain, not at Kuwait, not at the UAE, not even at Qatar or Oman. Not even a BB gun.
•Meanwhile, Palestinian terrorist groups have assassinated our diplomats, hijacked our planes, bombed our embassies, and worked hand-in-hand with our enemies — even as we offered them political, financial, and moral support for decades.
•And now? Hamas and its allies have fully aligned with the Ayatollahs of Iran, our true existential enemy - the same regime that has plotted coups in Bahrain, that has flooded the region with missiles and militias, and that has openly declared its intent to topple our governments and destroy our societies.
Let’s remember - it wasn’t Israel that launched thousands of drones and ballistic missiles on Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
It was Iran.
Through the Houthis.
With Hezbollah operatives.
With Hamas blessings.
And with Iranian weapons.
So why should I betray my own people, my own security, my own dignity - to support a group that would see us fall, just to serve Tehran’s ambitions?
No, I am not a Zionist.
But the Zionists are NOT my enemy.
My enemies are in Tehran, in Beirut, in Sana’a, and - yes - among those Palestinian factions who turned against the very hands that once fed them.
This is not about being trendy or emotional. This is about loyalty, logic, and survival.
Re: Political authority is a lot like virginity, once it is gone it is very difficult to get back
I’ve had this update from VanillaOh.
Exciting news — we’re upgrading your community to Higher Logic Vanilla’s new Foundation theme!
This modernized version replicates your current community design while bringing the benefits of our most flexible and future-ready theming system. With Foundation, you’ll enjoy:
A user-friendly Theme Editor for easier customization
Compatibility with the latest Vanilla features
Improved mobile responsiveness and SEO performance
We’re happy to incorporate your chosen images (banners, category icons etc) into your new theme. Please share any collateral with us within the next two weeks so we can be sure they are included. After that, we’ll move the new theme to your production site July 18th 2025.
If you have any questions or want help reviewing the changes afterwards, feel free to reach out! I will also be sending you a message directly on your dashboard to make sure you don’t miss this important update.
Best,
Kirstie
God.
No.
rcs1000
7
Re: Political authority is a lot like virginity, once it is gone it is very difficult to get back
I’ve had this update from VanillaNo mention of AI or LLMs....I think first computer product update all year that hasn't.
Exciting news — we’re upgrading your community to Higher Logic Vanilla’s new Foundation theme!
snip.
Re: Two NYC bets you should be making – politicalbetting.com
Halfords have a sign on their front door requesting cyclists dismount before entering the store. Some signs shouldn't be necessary, but it gave us a laugh. I'm a fairly competent cyclist, but I don't think I could have managed getting more than a metre or so in.
I wonder if Sainsbury's are going to request shoppers leave their cars in the car park.
I wonder if Sainsbury's are going to request shoppers leave their cars in the car park.
kjh
6
Re: Two NYC bets you should be making – politicalbetting.com
I don't want to sound callous, but if you've just had some 'personal news'/issues, then WTF are you doing sitting on the benches in PMQs in front of the cameras? Just head off to your office.
Re: Two NYC bets you should be making – politicalbetting.com
I don't normally watch PMQs. It's a bit of a pointless circus. Taking a look now.
1) I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Lindsay Hoyle. He's the best speaker we've had since Betty. He also has the best voice ever.
2) I'd forgotten how asinine the whole process is. Stop cheering, everyone.
3) Shut up about football, Keir. You can get away with a single mention of the NHS.
4) Kemi's being a bit oily. And that first question should just have been the last sentence. I actually used to quite like Corbyn's relatively simple approach to PMQs, albeit that his questions were a bit scattergun.
5) Kemi's clearly winning now. She has an odd way of pronouncing the word 'alone'.
6) SKS looking a bit rattled now. Rayner looking furious all the time.
7) Actually, this is really good by Kemi. Starmer not putting up a bad fight though - the Lab approach of Lab-does-x-repeat sounds more convincing and less robotic coming out of his mouth than it does out of Rachel Reeves.
... that was quite good actually I take back some of point 2. Reeves looking a bit hangdog but no tears yet. Let's scan forward a bit...
8) Here's some fella from Glasgow asking a very bland question about rail staff which SKS answers earnestly. The Reeves bottom lip is definitely quivering now. Why now? Scanning back and forwards she seemed ok before this?
9) Harriet Cross, Gordon and Buchan. I hadn't heard of her before. She's quite good, albeit on a subject I am unconvinced by. Reeves cheered herself up a little now, though her face is still at no happier than 2/10. What's she doing with her tongue?
10) Clearly wiping away tears now.
...but not really clear why? It didn't appear to be in response to anything in particular that happened in the chamber.
1) I'd forgotten how much I enjoy Lindsay Hoyle. He's the best speaker we've had since Betty. He also has the best voice ever.
2) I'd forgotten how asinine the whole process is. Stop cheering, everyone.
3) Shut up about football, Keir. You can get away with a single mention of the NHS.
4) Kemi's being a bit oily. And that first question should just have been the last sentence. I actually used to quite like Corbyn's relatively simple approach to PMQs, albeit that his questions were a bit scattergun.
5) Kemi's clearly winning now. She has an odd way of pronouncing the word 'alone'.
6) SKS looking a bit rattled now. Rayner looking furious all the time.
7) Actually, this is really good by Kemi. Starmer not putting up a bad fight though - the Lab approach of Lab-does-x-repeat sounds more convincing and less robotic coming out of his mouth than it does out of Rachel Reeves.
... that was quite good actually I take back some of point 2. Reeves looking a bit hangdog but no tears yet. Let's scan forward a bit...
8) Here's some fella from Glasgow asking a very bland question about rail staff which SKS answers earnestly. The Reeves bottom lip is definitely quivering now. Why now? Scanning back and forwards she seemed ok before this?
9) Harriet Cross, Gordon and Buchan. I hadn't heard of her before. She's quite good, albeit on a subject I am unconvinced by. Reeves cheered herself up a little now, though her face is still at no happier than 2/10. What's she doing with her tongue?
10) Clearly wiping away tears now.
...but not really clear why? It didn't appear to be in response to anything in particular that happened in the chamber.
Cookie
6