The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Exactly, Poland neighbours Ukraine.
Why should Putin not use this complete lack of support by the EU for Poland to send some regiments across the Polish border now, completely wrongfooting NATO? He would use the jets being sent to Poland for Ukraine as an excuse
Even by yours and Putin's standards that's an over reaction to an EU vote.
Putin is ruthless, he smells any weakness in the Western alliance. He could add this appalling EU vote to Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan
If the Ukrainian air force is still flying and the Russians are not doing a huge amount of flying themselves at the moment is it not surprising that more of the Russian battalions are not being targeted around Kiev?
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Exactly, Poland neighbours Ukraine.
Why should Putin not use this complete lack of support by the EU for Poland to send some regiments across the Polish border now, completely wrongfooting NATO? He would use the jets being sent to Poland for Ukraine as an excuse
Even by yours and Putin's standards that's an over reaction to an EU vote.
Putin is ruthless, he smells any weakness in the Western alliance. He could add this appalling EU vote to Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
There is common sense but then to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
It's just people reacting to a tweet when they have no context of what's been going on for years. Any idiot can juxtapose two unrelated things and provoke a reaction. A few minutes looking at the details is the cure, but some people prefer the rush of emotion to the facts.
No matter the poor performance of the Russians we're perfectly capable of doing much the same. In this I'm mainly criticising Generals - we have far too many, the MoD - flabby beyond imagination, the treasury - procurement is easy, you buy stuff that works, but that doesn't happen so much; but also it seems that the average serviceman isn't so engaged (Oddly the guys that we want are off awol - although I'd not back their actions).
There was some stat years ago about how few people the Israelis needed to man their procurement department as contrasted to us. I don't imagine that anyone disputes that man-for-man Israels defence forces are the best.
I do. As would most who know about it…
Ok. Please correct me. Ask yourself what the purpose of the Israeli armed forces is and then compare abs contrast with us, the US, etc. They have a very niche role.
Man for man, with equipment? Excluding SF? The US marines every time clearly. Allowing for training and doctrine and ignoring kit? We get a look in.
To your procurement point, it’s piss easy for Israel - you just buy the last 5% of American production runs. We could that if you like but not without impact.
A simple example of why British defence procurement is the way it is.
A few years back the Spearfish torpedos needed some midlife upgrades. For those that don't know, the Spearfish torpedo is a genuinely good effort - faster and more modern than the American equivalent.
Part of the rework require work on the hydraulic system. Like many machines of it's vintage, it is full of high pressure hydraulic lines to control stuff.
In a classic example of how this works, the makers of the hydraulics had used custom tools and knowledge that they had partially funded. So that only they could do the work to replace the hydraulics. So they submitted a suitably astronomical bill.
A coupe of bright sparks at the MoD noticed that decades had passed since Spearfish was designed - things have moved on. It turned out that the hydraulics could largely be replaced with electrical actuators, which were safer, lighter etc etc. Oh, and tiny fraction of the price....
A trial torpedo was rigged up with some actuators from the very large underwater remote vehicle world (see the old business etc) - and it worked. All was looking good....
Were tea and medals offered?
No
Instead a delegation of the hydraulic manufacturers, politicians and various other interested parties requested -
- The innovative chaps be fired. - The hydraulics be upgraded as planned.
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
When Russian forces are on the streets of Brussels and the Russian flag is raised above the EU Parliament no doubt they will still be voting to sanction their supposed fellow member states and NATO allies!
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
There is common sense but then to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong
It'll shock you to hear that there is a flip side to that. The best thing to do is to expand your reading on the subject to beyond 280 characters before emoting.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
Even though there aren't many refugees coming into the UK, if there was ever a bunch of arseholes who might suspend the rule of law for low political purposes...
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
26% for the Tories in Wales still matches the 26% Cameron got in Wales in 2010 and almost matches the 27% Cameron got in Wales in 2015 when the Tories got a UK majority
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
It's just people reacting to a tweet when they have no context of what's been going on for years. Any idiot can juxtapose two unrelated things and provoke a reaction. A few minutes looking at the details is the cure, but some people prefer the rush of emotion to the facts.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
There is common sense but then to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong
Hungary, Ukraine and Poland are all, ultimately, about the rule of law. Can't have one without the others. And so, yes, the timing has an awkward aspect, but it in other ways it is perfect. It underscores the West's commitment to defending the rule or law whether attacked overtly and militarily, or covertly through the country's own democratic and legal mechanisms.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
There is common sense but then to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong
I don't believe I've ever considered the EU as sacrosanct and unable to do wrong, certainly not having voted for Brexit in the first place. Recant that position though I may have the EU remains an organisation that cocks up frequently.
So the idea anyone raising it believes the EU can do no wrong is provably nonsense.
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
When Russian forces are on the streets of Brussels and the Russian flag is raised above the EU Parliament no doubt they will still be voting to sanction their supposed fellow member states and NATO allies!
Remember when you said Russia is a democracy? Hilarious times, those heady days of [checks notes] two weeks ago
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
When Russian forces are on the streets of Brussels and the Russian flag is raised above the EU Parliament no doubt they will still be voting to sanction their supposed fellow member states and NATO allies!
If we get to the point of Russian troops storming Brussels I believe the parliament would at the least consent to adjourn until they can get to Strasbourg.
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
When Russian forces are on the streets of Brussels and the Russian flag is raised above the EU Parliament no doubt they will still be voting to sanction their supposed fellow member states and NATO allies!
Remember when you said Russia is a democracy? Hilarious times, those heady days of [checks notes] two weeks ago
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I might be angry with my government - but i don't think as a result I'd be calling for other organisations to impose sanctions on my country as a result.
Ukr offers $1m to any ru pilot who defects with his plane.
I admire the inventiveness of that ! The west should offer £1 billion to any russian nuclear missile commander who defects with that !
I seem to recall that in Iraq and Pakistan, offering larger amounts of bounty was sometimes counterproductive. Because poor people can imagine, in their wildest dreams, what $1000 is. They have a tough time imagining $25 million, let alone $1 billion, so it means less to them and is less motivating.
Ukr offers $1m to any ru pilot who defects with his plane.
I admire the inventiveness of that ! The west should offer £1 billion to any russian nuclear missile commander who defects with that !
Judging by the (lack of) maintenance of most of their sporadically used gear I doubt the average Russian nuclear warhead could boil a kettle on command.
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
When Russian forces are on the streets of Brussels and the Russian flag is raised above the EU Parliament no doubt they will still be voting to sanction their supposed fellow member states and NATO allies!
If we get to the point of Russian troops storming Brussels I believe the parliament would at the least consent to adjourn until they can get to Strasbourg.
France has nukes unlike Belgium, so yes they might be a bit safer there
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
There is common sense but then to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong
It'll shock you to hear that there is a flip side to that. The best thing to do is to expand your reading on the subject to beyond 280 characters before emoting.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
Has it gone through ? It was something they were consulting on earlier this year.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
Has it gone through ? It was something they were consulting on earlier this year.
It is certainly Drakeford's intention and there is uproar here
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I might be angry with my government - but i don't think as a result I'd be calling for other organisations to impose sanctions on my country as a result.
I have no belief in the effectiveness of the EU Parliament. I simply find the negatiuve reaction to their passing of a resolution to uphold the standards of the institution to be quite deeply strange.
It's just people reacting to a tweet when they have no context of what's been going on for years. Any idiot can juxtapose two unrelated things and provoke a reaction. A few minutes looking at the details is the cure, but some people prefer the rush of emotion to the facts.
It's always Brexit with some people.
There's nobody as zealous as the convert. People who grow up in the religion are usually more relaxed about it, but latecomers always overcompensate.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I might be angry with my government - but i don't think as a result I'd be calling for other organisations to impose sanctions on my country as a result.
Perhaps, but the situation is more complicated when one is pooling sovereignty in an organisation like the EU. Some of the MEPs will be of a political perusasion opposed to the government at home, and some of the opinion at home will be in favour of opposing their government. Many will see the EU doing it and not like that, but others won't necessarily see the EU as so much of an external force.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
My corner of Wales seems politically happier than yours.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I've been really impressed by Poland's willingness to take so many refugees without whinging that they ought to be spread across all the EU countries. At the very least, I think they deserve financial help for that. But at the same time the Government is increasingly Trumpian in its attitude to opponents and notably willing to subvert the judiciary. Being penalised for it by the EU has been a long time coming. The juxtaposition doesn't look great, though, and it would have been sensible to delay the vote for a couple of months.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
My corner of Wales seems politically happier than yours.
Well it's not got Wales's biggest BJ fan in it for a start.
Twitter has removed false tweets from the Russian embassy account in London that claimed images from the bombing of a children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, were fake"
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
It doesn't in the slightest, but: 1) "many" is (probably?) not a majority 2) there's a long way from "angry" to "prepared to vote in their country's immediate short-term interests"
I never had much of a idea as to what the UK MEPs were voting for and why, but I'm certain it had way more to do with internal EU politics and horse-trading than anything else.
Ukr offers $1m to any ru pilot who defects with his plane.
I admire the inventiveness of that ! The west should offer £1 billion to any russian nuclear missile commander who defects with that !
Judging by the (lack of) maintenance of most of their sporadically used gear I doubt the average Russian nuclear warhead could boil a kettle on command.
Perhaps true, but not something one generally wishes to test.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I might be angry with my government - but i don't think as a result I'd be calling for other organisations to impose sanctions on my country as a result.
Scotland's government otoh
I also consider Scotland's government a tad sub-optimal, but I wouldn't call for sanctions on Scotland either. Not even when they arbitrarily decide to bar travel from Greater Manchester.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
In your view, other views are available
Poland's government has been politically interfering with its judiciary. Read up on it, it's very bad. It's been going on for years. It's only the timing, the juxtaposition of two unrelated stories, that is making people react. Rule of law matter, you don't suspend it just because there are refugees coming in.
There is common sense but then to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong
It'll shock you to hear that there is a flip side to that. The best thing to do is to expand your reading on the subject to beyond 280 characters before emoting.
Insulting comments achieves nothing
But G, you're the one shifting away from the issue and into ad hom. That's why you haven't addressed the substance of this at all, and just resorted to "to many the EU is sacrosanct and can do no wrong". That's just a veiled attempt to say that anyone who disagrees with you is wearing partisan blinkers. Rolling around on the ground and then complaining that you're muddy doesn't work.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Have a look at the 2013 polls….
Have a look at the economic train wreck coming down the track which wasn't coming down the track in 2015.
If Johnson holds on in 2024 he is able to defy gravity. Perhaps he can.
There are huge questions for all political parties going forward as this war has changed everything, and the party that can come forward with policies to address the cost of living, the need to source our own oil and gas for a transition period of years , and address how the NHS and now defence demands billions of additional investments when we have absolutely no money will win
Predicting landslides may comfort some but the reality is it could be anything between a labour government, a coalition, or dare I say Boris with a majority government
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
Checking it's an overnight stay tax, which I'm not sure they have the power to impose on hotels.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
I've been really impressed by Poland's willingness to take so many refugees without whinging that they ought to be spread across all the EU countries. At the very least, I think they deserve financial help for that. But at the same time the Government is increasingly Trumpian in its attitude to opponents and notably willing to subvert the judiciary. Being penalised for it by the EU has been a long time coming. The juxtaposition doesn't look great, though, and it would have been sensible to delay the vote for a couple of months.
It's already been delayed for an unfeasibly long time. Kudos to the EU Parliament I say.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
My corner of Wales seems politically happier than yours.
Probably until Drakeford's policies come into force
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
Around £3 a night for a hotel stay and £1 for a campsite. I don't think you will mind spending so few of your English pounds on me.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
It doesn't in the slightest, but: 1) "many" is (probably?) not a majority 2) there's a long way from "angry" to "prepared to vote in their country's immediate short-term interests"
I never had much of a idea as to what the UK MEPs were voting for and why, but I'm certain it had way more to do with internal EU politics and horse-trading than anything else.
The question of what's in the country's interests is, of course, central here. In my view, rule of law is foundational, and anything built upon a system that subverts justice to politics is unsteady at best. I would personally take a "short term" economic hit to have an independent judiciary. So would most people. That is, after all, we have a justice system funded by the taxpayer. Rule of law is a public good and should extend to all independent of means.
If some people come to the opposite view after at least considering the issue, I can hear that (and I would still disagree). I just don't think "but this other crisis!" is at all an honourable argument. Especially as the actions that have led to this long predate the current iteration of the Ukraine situation.
No matter the poor performance of the Russians we're perfectly capable of doing much the same. In this I'm mainly criticising Generals - we have far too many, the MoD - flabby beyond imagination, the treasury - procurement is easy, you buy stuff that works, but that doesn't happen so much; but also it seems that the average serviceman isn't so engaged (Oddly the guys that we want are off awol - although I'd not back their actions).
AFAICS we only have 3 real Generals in the Army.
Though two of them are called Sir Mark Alexander Popham Carleton-Smith and Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders, which probably makes up for the other 20 we haven't got.
I'm not sure which sod put their full names on Wikipedia.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
Details here and due to come in force in Autumn 22
No matter the poor performance of the Russians we're perfectly capable of doing much the same. In this I'm mainly criticising Generals - we have far too many, the MoD - flabby beyond imagination, the treasury - procurement is easy, you buy stuff that works, but that doesn't happen so much; but also it seems that the average serviceman isn't so engaged (Oddly the guys that we want are off awol - although I'd not back their actions).
AFAICS we only have 3 real Generals in the Army.
Though two of them are called Sir Mark Alexander Popham Carleton-Smith and Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders, which probably makes up for the other 20 we haven't got.
I'm not sure which sod put their full names on Wikipedia.
Probably not many Hartlepool connections with those lads.
The phrase "there's a time and a place" comes to mind when reading this.
The optics are dreadful irrespective of right and wrong
So... perception matters more than right and wrong?
In this case common sense should prevail and yes, the optics are terrible
You are epically, heroically, legendarily wrong.
Maybe tell that to the Poles
Polish MEPs voted in favour of this.
After consulting with the constituents who elected them, or...?
It may surprise you to know that many Poles are angry with their government over its attacks on the judiciary. So, yes.
It doesn't in the slightest, but: 1) "many" is (probably?) not a majority 2) there's a long way from "angry" to "prepared to vote in their country's immediate short-term interests"
I never had much of a idea as to what the UK MEPs were voting for and why, but I'm certain it had way more to do with internal EU politics and horse-trading than anything else.
The question of what's in the country's interests is, of course, central here. In my view, rule of law is foundational, and anything built upon a system that subverts justice to politics is unsteady at best. I would personally take a "short term" economic hit to have an independent judiciary. So would most people. That is, after all, we have a justice system funded by the taxpayer. Rule of law is a public good and should extend to all independent of means.
If some people come to the opposite view after at least considering the issue, I can hear that (and I would still disagree). I just don't think "but this other crisis!" is at all an honourable argument. Especially as the actions that have led to this long predate the current iteration of the Ukraine situation.
And, in any case, a strong economy requires rule of law. Kleptocracies tend to underperform significantly economically as the uncertainty they bring increases the costs of investment.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
Around £3 a night for a hotel stay and £1 for a campsite. I don't think you will mind spending so few of your English pounds on me.
P.S It has Labour and PC support.
I wonder what it will end up as in several years time.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
Wales is implementing a tourist tax?!
Yes
That's madness. How does that work? Who is it imposed on? Is it on accommodation? Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again. Utter lunacy.
Around £3 a night for a hotel stay and £1 for a campsite. I don't think you will mind spending so few of your English pounds on me.
P.S It has Labour and PC support.
I don't begrudge you, Pete (whereabouts in Wales are you?) - but costs add up, and if accommodation in Wales ends up being more expensive than accommodation not in Wales, then business will flow to not-Wales. It's only a bit - so it will only have a bit of an effect - but changes to costs have effects on people's choices. And fewer people will visit Wales as a result.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Welsh poll They were +5 even in 2019
+5 becomes +15
Boris = Bozo
Wales will be a lot closer by GE24 with a hard left government enacting job destroying policies, a failing NHS, and in North Wales a tourist tax of all things
My corner of Wales seems politically happier than yours.
Probably until Drakeford's policies come into force
Drakey for his manifold faults is head and shoulders less bad that Paul and Andrew RT Gammon.
Chelsea to have home advantage in their PL matches.
Can they sell tickets?
No. This is one sanction the Government confirmed will be enforced in order to deprive Abramovich of “benefiting from his ownership of the club”. That means only those who have previously bought tickets for home matches - including approximately 28,000 season-ticket holders - will be able to attend. That would appear to include any away supporters at Stamford Bridge, which may not go down well with rival clubs and their fans, and could cast doubt on the integrity of any competition.
As it stands, Chelsea will be forced to hold their Champions League home matches from the quarter-final onwards behind closed doors because cup ties are not included in a season ticket. It is also unclear how many supporters will be allowed to attend their remaining FA Cup ties. Ticket revenue for those ties is shared and some of the away allocation - but not all - has already been sold for Chelsea’s quarter-final at Middlesbrough.
(YouGov/ITV Cymru Wales/Wales Governance Centre; 1,086; 25 Feb-1 Mar 2022)
Landslide win for Labour.
GE2024, Labour Government almost certainly.
Have a look at the 2013 polls….
Have a look at the economic train wreck coming down the track which wasn't coming down the track in 2015.
If Johnson holds on in 2024 he is able to defy gravity. Perhaps he can.
There are huge questions for all political parties going forward as this war has changed everything, and the party that can come forward with policies to address the cost of living, the need to source our own oil and gas for a transition period of years , and address how the NHS and now defence demands billions of additional investments when we have absolutely no money will win
Predicting landslides may comfort some but the reality is it could be anything between a labour government, a coalition, or dare I say Boris with a majority government
Coalition sounds Ok. The last coalition we had in 2010-15 was arguably one of the best governments for a while. Perhaps we should hope that the SNP hold the balance and behaves so unreasonably that we get a German style grand coalition?
Sensible members of the public would fund Labour. Would be better for us all.
Well ye-es... but unfortunately sensible members of the public tend not to fund any political parties. The era of parties funded by mass memberships has passed, if it ever existed.
I don't have a solution, btw, and I welcome that Labour is no longer in hock to the loonies at Unite.
Sensible members of the public would fund Labour. Would be better for us all.
Well ye-es... but unfortunately sensible members of the public tend not to fund any political parties. The era of parties funded by mass memberships has passed, if it ever existed.
I don't have a solution, btw, and I welcome that Labour is no longer in hock to the loonies at Unite.
I am reasonably sensible and I fund Labour every month
Sensible members of the public would fund Labour. Would be better for us all.
Well ye-es... but unfortunately sensible members of the public tend not to fund any political parties. The era of parties funded by mass memberships has passed, if it ever existed.
I don't have a solution, btw, and I welcome that Labour is no longer in hock to the loonies at Unite.
They, and the Tories, will just have to get by on less money. The amount capable of being donated by an individual or group should be much reduced.
A lot of new videos of Ukrainians destroying Russian tanks today, especially in the vicinity of Kyiv.
Very poor tactics from the Russians according to most commentaries I've read.
Yet they've moved 5 km closer to Kiev.
The brutality of the plan is quite something, both for the young Russian conscripts and Ukraine.
It is reminiscent of their WW2 tactics. Even when they had the enemy on the run and at their mercy the strategy seemed to be throw bodies at them and win by brute strength and willpower rather than strategy.
From what I have heard it may be that the defenders of Kiev would actually prefer the Russians to get a bit closer. It is a stretagy known as 'hugging' and it works particularly well when you are defending on home soil but you have a deficit of men and munitions.
All the Americans I know are talking about the price of gas. It is totemic over there in a way it isn't for us. Nearing eight dollars a gallon in some places. Increasing discontent about inflation, too.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
Going to be ironic when the Western world unites long enough to put Putin back in his box just in time to let laughing boy Trump back in the White House and undo it all.
All the Americans I know are talking about the price of gas. It is totemic over there in a way it isn't for us. Nearing eight dollars a gallon in some places. Increasing discontent about inflation, too.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
We put up with getting ripped off, don't we? I reckon it's partly why the Premier League is so successful. The Germans would never put up with paying what we do to watch our own domestic football.
All the Americans I know are talking about the price of gas. It is totemic over there in a way it isn't for us. Nearing eight dollars a gallon in some places. Increasing discontent about inflation, too.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
Last time I was over there I can remember a couple of occasions when I remarked how cheap petrol was in the USA compared to the UK.
All the Americans I know are talking about the price of gas. It is totemic over there in a way it isn't for us. Nearing eight dollars a gallon in some places. Increasing discontent about inflation, too.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
Last time I was over there I can remember a couple of occasions when I remarked how cheap petrol was in the USA compared to the UK.
It didn't win me any friends.
One irony is that because our taxes are so ridiculously high, it kind of levels out prices. The price of petrol has gone from trough to peak here up by about 60% already but the price of oil has gone up much, much more than that.
I expect as a percentage gas price rises have risen far higher there than here.
Comments
Boris = Bozo
Ask yourself what the purpose of the Israeli armed forces is and then compare abs contrast with us, the US, etc. They have a very niche role.
Man for man, with equipment? Excluding SF? The US marines every time clearly. Allowing for training and doctrine and ignoring kit? We get a look in.
To your procurement point, it’s piss easy for Israel - you just buy the last 5% of American production runs. We could that if you like but not without impact.
A simple example of why British defence procurement is the way it is.
A few years back the Spearfish torpedos needed some midlife upgrades. For those that don't know, the Spearfish torpedo is a genuinely good effort - faster and more modern than the American equivalent.
Part of the rework require work on the hydraulic system. Like many machines of it's vintage, it is full of high pressure hydraulic lines to control stuff.
In a classic example of how this works, the makers of the hydraulics had used custom tools and knowledge that they had partially funded. So that only they could do the work to replace the hydraulics. So they submitted a suitably astronomical bill.
A coupe of bright sparks at the MoD noticed that decades had passed since Spearfish was designed - things have moved on. It turned out that the hydraulics could largely be replaced with electrical actuators, which were safer, lighter etc etc. Oh, and tiny fraction of the price....
A trial torpedo was rigged up with some actuators from the very large underwater remote vehicle world (see the old business etc) - and it worked. All was looking good....
Were tea and medals offered?
No
Instead a delegation of the hydraulic manufacturers, politicians and various other interested parties requested -
- The innovative chaps be fired.
- The hydraulics be upgraded as planned.
"Must preserve industrial base"
The best thing to do is to expand your reading on the subject to beyond 280 characters before emoting.
When is Sue's report due?
So the idea anyone raising it believes the EU can do no wrong is provably nonsense.
Hilarious times, those heady days of [checks notes] two weeks ago
Can't remember the source of this insight.
If Johnson holds on in 2024 he is able to defy gravity. Perhaps he can.
Wales is just 40 miles down the road. But so is the Peak District; the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales not much further. Wales has great beaches, but so does Devon and Cornwall. And people can go abroad again now. Tourism is pretty competitive again.
Utter lunacy.
Twitter has removed false tweets from the Russian embassy account in London that claimed images from the bombing of a children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, were fake"
https://twitter.com/BloombergUK/status/1502009233956642820
1) "many" is (probably?) not a majority
2) there's a long way from "angry" to "prepared to vote in their country's immediate short-term interests"
I never had much of a idea as to what the UK MEPs were voting for and why, but I'm certain it had way more to do with internal EU politics and horse-trading than anything else.
Rolling around on the ground and then complaining that you're muddy doesn't work.
Predicting landslides may comfort some but the reality is it could be anything between a labour government, a coalition, or dare I say Boris with a majority government
Redfield & Wilton Strategies
@RedfieldWilton
Donald Trump regains his lead over Joe Biden for the first time since 18 Dec.
2024 Presidential Election Hypothetical Voting Intention (8 Mar):
Donald Trump: 42% (+4)
Joe Biden: 40% (-2)
Don't know: 12% (-1)
https://twitter.com/RedfieldWilton/status/1501966292043112467
It is now, anyway.
Wild camping is possible in Wales.
P.S It has Labour and PC support.
In my view, rule of law is foundational, and anything built upon a system that subverts justice to politics is unsteady at best. I would personally take a "short term" economic hit to have an independent judiciary. So would most people. That is, after all, we have a justice system funded by the taxpayer. Rule of law is a public good and should extend to all independent of means.
If some people come to the opposite view after at least considering the issue, I can hear that (and I would still disagree). I just don't think "but this other crisis!" is at all an honourable argument. Especially as the actions that have led to this long predate the current iteration of the Ukraine situation.
Though two of them are called Sir Mark Alexander Popham Carleton-Smith and Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders, which probably makes up for the other 20 we haven't got.
I'm not sure which sod put their full names on Wikipedia.
https://gov.wales/next-step-development-tourism-tax
Long way to go though
https://twitter.com/electpoliticsuk/status/1502013943765774339
Excellent news, Labour is ready for Government
At least he can always fall back on piano-playing if needs be.
Can they sell tickets?
No. This is one sanction the Government confirmed will be enforced in order to deprive Abramovich of “benefiting from his ownership of the club”. That means only those who have previously bought tickets for home matches - including approximately 28,000 season-ticket holders - will be able to attend. That would appear to include any away supporters at Stamford Bridge, which may not go down well with rival clubs and their fans, and could cast doubt on the integrity of any competition.
As it stands, Chelsea will be forced to hold their Champions League home matches from the quarter-final onwards behind closed doors because cup ties are not included in a season ticket. It is also unclear how many supporters will be allowed to attend their remaining FA Cup ties. Ticket revenue for those ties is shared and some of the away allocation - but not all - has already been sold for Chelsea’s quarter-final at Middlesbrough.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/03/10/roman-abramovich-sanctions-mean-chelsea-club-sale-transfer/
The Tories have similar awful baggage.
The brutality of the plan is quite something, both for the young Russian conscripts and Ukraine.
https://twitter.com/sommervilletv/status/1502000265490227206?t=X31S8-PxKq5gLS6HXbgUog&s=19
I don't have a solution, btw, and I welcome that Labour is no longer in hock to the loonies at Unite.
Publicly funded and capped election campaigns can't come soon enough.
From what I have heard it may be that the defenders of Kiev would actually prefer the Russians to get a bit closer. It is a stretagy known as 'hugging' and it works particularly well when you are defending on home soil but you have a deficit of men and munitions.
I think perhaps the difference with the UK is people don't think petrol or food prices would be any cheaper under a Labour government, while they seem to think they would be cheaper under the republicans over in the States.
If these tactics are unfamiliar to you, then you haven't been paying attention. Because this is the Russian attack playbook.
It didn't win me any friends.
If you can't get the public to voluntarily give your party money, then either convince them to do so, or just cope with spending less money.
I expect as a percentage gas price rises have risen far higher there than here.
Hope you are well btw.