"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
Many people in the 2000s were saying how friendly Blair and Brown were, yet we saw that was a lie even before Brown got power.
Again, I stress I don't think Johnson is a good PM. But neither do I think he's the venal, nasty and lazy one his haters on here make him out to be. He's a flawed individual, but then so was Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, and May.
Does India lack confidence in its relationship with Russia? Can't they see that the Russians are now the supplicants in this partnership? Perhaps they feel that damaging relations with Moscow would make them too reliant on the west. Or do they craftily sense an opportunity with a weak Russia?
I think India's position comes from a whole host of competing factors. A big one is their rather large military partnership with Russia - which goes from aircraft carriers to aircraft.
Apart from their recent Su-30MKI attrition replacement top-up Indian has been shopping anywhere but Russia for combat aircraft in the last decade.
C-130J - USA P-8I - USA EL/W-2090 - Israel Rafale - France ERJ-145 Brazil C-17 - USA Hawk 132 - UK
1. My taxi driver's mate (another taxi driver, whom I know quite well also) was in hospital and close to death for seven months after receiving his first AZ jab with blood clots and associated morbidities. He is still unable to work.
2. That is the last Starbucks I buy (I have previously made this threat). £3 for a black americano means I'm out for bought coffees. I treat myself to a Starbucks once every couple of months but sadly/happily no longer. And yes I am a coffee snob (Algerian Coffee Stores Swiss Water Processed Decaffeinated Columbian out of choice) but there is something about a Starbucks and its taste which I don't mind. No longer.
Does India lack confidence in its relationship with Russia? Can't they see that the Russians are now the supplicants in this partnership? Perhaps they feel that damaging relations with Moscow would make them too reliant on the west. Or do they craftily sense an opportunity with a weak Russia?
I listened to this podcast on the Indian relationship with Russia, and their response to the invasion of Ukraine, and it's complicated. Geopolitically, this seems fairly close to a worst-case scenario for India to deal with, for a variety of reasons:
1. They have a strong defence relationship with both Ukraine and Russia. 2. They have a strong bilateral relationship with Ukraine - e.g. very large numbers of Indian students go to Ukrainian universities. 3. They see a close relationship with Russia as a vital defence against China. 4. The geopolitical outcome they most want to avoid is a close relationship between Russia and China. 5. They really want to continue to improve relations with the US as a defence against China.
Russia itself certainly wouldn't want to become too reliant on China, and so the relationship with India is useful to Russia, but it's hard not to conclude that the relationship between Russia and India is more important to India than to Russia, notwithstanding Russia's current lack of friends, and that puts India in a very difficult position right now. As far as I can make out, a central plank of their geopolitical strategy has been to have a stronger Russia-India relationship than the Russia-China relationship, and that now looks like a failure.
But the closeness of the Russia China relationship (you might even call it a 'special' relationship) is Putin's sycophancy towards Beijing. The west has an awful lot more to offer India than Russia does.
I really would recommend listening to the podcast. Tanvi Madan is worth listening to, and I'd only be imperfectly repeating her words. But to do so, one detail was that the Russians were more willing to share military technology to enable local Indian production of equipment. India clearly doesn't want to put itself in a dependent relationship vis-a-vis the US, where it is 100% reliant on spare parts from the US.
Does India lack confidence in its relationship with Russia? Can't they see that the Russians are now the supplicants in this partnership? Perhaps they feel that damaging relations with Moscow would make them too reliant on the west. Or do they craftily sense an opportunity with a weak Russia?
I think India's position comes from a whole host of competing factors. A big one is their rather large military partnership with Russia - which goes from aircraft carriers to aircraft.
Apart from their recent Su-30MKI attrition replacement top-up Indian has been shopping anywhere but Russia for combat aircraft in the last decade.
C-130J - USA P-8I - USA EL/W-2090 - Israel Rafale - France ERJ-145 Brazil C-17 - USA Hawk 132 - UK
Does India lack confidence in its relationship with Russia? Can't they see that the Russians are now the supplicants in this partnership? Perhaps they feel that damaging relations with Moscow would make them too reliant on the west. Or do they craftily sense an opportunity with a weak Russia?
I listened to this podcast on the Indian relationship with Russia, and their response to the invasion of Ukraine, and it's complicated. Geopolitically, this seems fairly close to a worst-case scenario for India to deal with, for a variety of reasons:
1. They have a strong defence relationship with both Ukraine and Russia. 2. They have a strong bilateral relationship with Ukraine - e.g. very large numbers of Indian students go to Ukrainian universities. 3. They see a close relationship with Russia as a vital defence against China. 4. The geopolitical outcome they most want to avoid is a close relationship between Russia and China. 5. They really want to continue to improve relations with the US as a defence against China.
Russia itself certainly wouldn't want to become too reliant on China, and so the relationship with India is useful to Russia, but it's hard not to conclude that the relationship between Russia and India is more important to India than to Russia, notwithstanding Russia's current lack of friends, and that puts India in a very difficult position right now. As far as I can make out, a central plank of their geopolitical strategy has been to have a stronger Russia-India relationship than the Russia-China relationship, and that now looks like a failure.
But the closeness of the Russia China relationship (you might even call it a 'special' relationship) is Putin's sycophancy towards Beijing. The west has an awful lot more to offer India than Russia does.
I really would recommend listening to the podcast. Tanvi Madan is worth listening to, and I'd only be imperfectly repeating her words. But to do so, one detail was that the Russians were more willing to share military technology to enable local Indian production of equipment. India clearly doesn't want to put itself in a dependent relationship vis-a-vis the US, where it is 100% reliant on spare parts from the US.
Hasn't (isn't?) plenty of US aid loans to buy US military hardware?
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Exactly.
'One of their strongest allies.' But what has he actually done? Nothing but posturing. As usual.
The one thing Johnson excels at is photo ops, which enables him to give the impression of doing lots about everything. Beneath the charade there is nothing.
What has he done? Supported Ukraine by refusing free refuge to its citizens. Our unique in Europe scorn for the human tragedy is what marks us out as Ukraine's strongest allies.
1. My taxi driver's mate (another taxi driver, whom I know quite well also) was in hospital and close to death for seven months after receiving his first AZ jab with blood clots and associated morbidities. He is still unable to work.
2. That is the last Starbucks I buy (I have previously made this threat). £3 for a black americano means I'm out for bought coffees. I treat myself to a Starbucks once every couple of months but sadly/happily no longer. And yes I am a coffee snob (Algerian Coffee Stores Swiss Water Processed Decaffeinated Columbian out of choice) but there is something about a Starbucks and its taste which I don't mind. No longer.
I bought a rather wonderful De Longi Eletta bean to cup and recently Tesco were doing the Starbucks Espresso beans for iirc £2 with Clubcard so I snapped some up. I haven't calculated what that brings the cost of a good cup down to but I reckon must be under 20p.
Weirdly some of the best cups out I've ever had have been in Thailand. Once in Khorat on the Isaan plateau and another time on the north side of Koh Samui at a little bar calling itself Karma Sutra.
I had a bad fall yesterday. I'm not decrepit and ancient. I keep myself fit but somehow I managed to miss my footing and ended up being sent to A&E by a doctor.
What an utter mess. The 5 hour wait was pushed back to 8 hours and in the end I just gave up and came back home to catch a short sleep.
This country has gone to the dogs. The sooner the tories are booted out the better for everyone except the Far Right lunatics. They are wrecking this county with their blind dogma.
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
Many people in the 2000s were saying how friendly Blair and Brown were, yet we saw that was a lie even before Brown got power.
Again, I stress I don't think Johnson is a good PM. But neither do I think he's the venal, nasty and lazy one his haters on here make him out to be. He's a flawed individual, but then so was Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, and May.
Unlike you, perhaps, Boris distinguishes between friends and allies, or what he described as stooges in his sister's Oxford book.
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
Many people in the 2000s were saying how friendly Blair and Brown were, yet we saw that was a lie even before Brown got power.
Again, I stress I don't think Johnson is a good PM. But neither do I think he's the venal, nasty and lazy one his haters on here make him out to be. He's a flawed individual, but then so was Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, and May.
He's the most unsuitable person ever to achieve the job. And will come to be widely accepted as such - the derangement syndrome is the desperation of his supporters to see clothes that simply aren't there.
I'm not sure that's true. Whilst I don't like him very much and don't think he's very good, he hasn't made any huge unforced errors. It's easy to criticise his handling of COVID, but that was thrust upon him, and getting that right was always going to be difficult.
Blair developed a God complex, and got hundreds of British service personnel killed.
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
Many people in the 2000s were saying how friendly Blair and Brown were, yet we saw that was a lie even before Brown got power.
Again, I stress I don't think Johnson is a good PM. But neither do I think he's the venal, nasty and lazy one his haters on here make him out to be. He's a flawed individual, but then so was Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, and May.
Boris is singularly unsuited to this moment. We need someone able to deal with reality rather than spin lies.
Well, it's a real shame that Labour gave us the option of voting for an anti-Semite who called this war wrong.
If having Boris as PM is bad, then Labour need to accept some blame for putting up a far worse candidate at GE 2019.
Do you honestly think Corbyn, someone too spineless to say whether he's had the Covid vaccine, and who is utterly wrong on the Ukrainian war - would have handled the two crises better?
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
The unique set of circumstances surrounding intense dislike of Theresa May's Brexit deal is what got him elected.
Absolutely bugger all to do with his friends in Parliament of which he has precious few. I promise you that's the case. He is not well liked and he is widely mistrusted.
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Basically if you do not have contempt for Boris’ Tories, you haven’t been paying attention. From the economy to the Ukraine it’s bullshit first, substance second.
1. My taxi driver's mate (another taxi driver, whom I know quite well also) was in hospital and close to death for seven months after receiving his first AZ jab with blood clots and associated morbidities. He is still unable to work.
2. That is the last Starbucks I buy (I have previously made this threat). £3 for a black americano means I'm out for bought coffees. I treat myself to a Starbucks once every couple of months but sadly/happily no longer. And yes I am a coffee snob (Algerian Coffee Stores Swiss Water Processed Decaffeinated Columbian out of choice) but there is something about a Starbucks and its taste which I don't mind. No longer.
Sainsbury's has a whole aisle filled with different sorts of posh coffee. Presumably the rise of WFH has led to people replacing Starbucks with home-brewed non-instant.
Btw, yesterday mask-wearing was around 60 per cent, give or take. There were no yellow bananas, but lots of unripe ones.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
I'd not thought of a general VAT cut as a way forward, and if that's what Davey suggests it's a bit odd - as BigG says, the current problems are acute for low and middle incomes, not so much for higher incomes.
On Johnson, I don't find him hateful and think we collectively waste too much mental energy in despising our opponents. Britain's support for Ukraine is mostly verbal - yes, posturing if you like - but we can't realistically do much more than supply defensive weapons and give verbal support, unless we want a deeper involvement on the ground that very few people would be comfortable with. Johnson is good at rhetoric when it's a prepared statement, so he shows up well in that context. It's perfectly possible to be critical of Johnson and the Government while accepting his strengths.
Is there a risk? Yes, accidental overreach - for the sake of some felicitous phrases, we may find we've talked ourselves into supplying Ukraine with offensive weapons as well, which would move beyond helping prevent the invasion being a success (clearly right) to extending the war indefinitely to a fight over the Donbas and Crimea (IMO a mistake). Opinions will differ on that, but we should be wary of Johnson's lack of attention to detail - whatever we do, it needs to be thought through and not rhetoric-led.
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
The unique set of circumstances surrounding intense dislike of Theresa May's Brexit deal is what got him elected.
Absolutely bugger all to do with his friends in Parliament of which he has precious few. I promise you that's the case. He is not well liked and he is widely mistrusted.
You 'promise me' ?
LOL. I have zero idea who you are, or what insider knowledge you have to support such a promise.
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Exactly.
'One of their strongest allies.' But what has he actually done? Nothing but posturing. As usual.
The one thing Johnson excels at is photo ops, which enables him to give the impression of doing lots about everything. beneath the charade there is nothing.
We know that Johnson and Zelenskyy are in contact with each other several times a day.
Says whom?
I bet you that is more bollocks coming from Johnson.
Says Volodymyr Zelenskyy!
"I’m in constant contact with @BorisJohnson. Talked about critical humanitarian situation in the blocked cities, shared information about the peace talks. Discussed strengthening sanctions against Russia and defense cooperation between Ukraine and Great Britain."
"Talked to @BorisJohnson again. The United Kingdom is our powerful ally. Discussed the defensive support for 🇺🇦, intensification of anti-Russian sanctions and post-war security guarantees. We look forward to the donors' conference for Ukraine."
"Held regular talks with 🇬🇧 PM @BorisJohnson. Informed about the heroic struggle of 🇺🇦 people against the Russian aggression. Grateful for the strong support, including in terms of security. We’re committed to strengthen the anti-war coalition & ensure peace in 🇺🇦. #StopRussia"
And various other tweets. Now it was the Telegraph that said Zelenskyy and Johnson were in contact via text messages. You might have doubts about their impartiality as a source, but it seems to be borne out by the way in which Zelenskyy talks about Johnson and the support he is receiving from the UK.
The Ukranian government, and the Ukranian people, are united in their praise for the UK and the assistance they’ve been delivering over a period of years, and under several different politicians and military leaders in the key roles.
It’s something of which Britons should all take pride, no matter what we may think of any specific British politician. 🇬🇧🇺🇦
The reason for the Ukrainian government attitude towards the UK government is that since 2014 the UK has delivered material military aid and constant diplomatic support.
The reason that they are not so warm to France, Germany and others is that those countries were not providing the military support and were pressuring Ukraine to accept the Minsk II. Yes, there has been a massive change in policy in the last month or so, but it probably seems like a late conversion to the Ukrainians.
1. My taxi driver's mate (another taxi driver, whom I know quite well also) was in hospital and close to death for seven months after receiving his first AZ jab with blood clots and associated morbidities. He is still unable to work.
2. That is the last Starbucks I buy (I have previously made this threat). £3 for a black americano means I'm out for bought coffees. I treat myself to a Starbucks once every couple of months but sadly/happily no longer. And yes I am a coffee snob (Algerian Coffee Stores Swiss Water Processed Decaffeinated Columbian out of choice) but there is something about a Starbucks and its taste which I don't mind. No longer.
I bought a rather wonderful De Longi Eletta bean to cup and recently Tesco were doing the Starbucks Espresso beans for iirc £2 with Clubcard so I snapped some up. I haven't calculated what that brings the cost of a good cup down to but I reckon must be under 20p.
Weirdly some of the best cups out I've ever had have been in Thailand. Once in Khorat on the Isaan plateau and another time on the north side of Koh Samui at a little bar calling itself Karma Sutra.
Good coffee is one standard I try to keep up
I think "bean to cup" is often abused by some retailers (same with chocolate).
And yes a good cup of coffee is one of life's little inviolable corners.
Unlike you, perhaps, Boris distinguishes between friends and allies, or what he described as stooges in his sister's Oxford book.
Boris Johnson prizes loyalty to him above all else. And as he is the least loyal person, in every conceivable way, that public life has ever known, only the very stupidest people would ever be loyal to him. And this is where it ends. https://twitter.com/NewStatesman/status/1463856383598735362
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
Many people in the 2000s were saying how friendly Blair and Brown were, yet we saw that was a lie even before Brown got power.
Again, I stress I don't think Johnson is a good PM. But neither do I think he's the venal, nasty and lazy one his haters on here make him out to be. He's a flawed individual, but then so was Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, and May.
Boris is singularly unsuited to this moment. We need someone able to deal with reality rather than spin lies.
Well, it's a real shame that Labour gave us the option of voting for an anti-Semite who called this war wrong.
If having Boris as PM is bad, then Labour need to accept some blame for putting up a far worse candidate at GE 2019.
Do you honestly think Corbyn, someone too spineless to say whether he's had the Covid vaccine, and who is utterly wrong on the Ukrainian war - would have handled the two crises better?
Gold plated whataboutery. If you voted for Boris you take the lions share for this nonsense. It was perfectly possible not to vote for either. My late father in law, a lifelong Tory, cast his last vote for the Lib Dems because he didn’t trust Boris.
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
The next Tory leader is now likely to be Wallace, not Sunak. He has the highest ratings amongst party members now in the Conhome surveys and also the best net favorable ratings amongst the public overall
Hmm. From the ingredients list, it's only a maximum of 28% cheese and potato and onion, and perhaps as little as 23%. Rest is flour, oil, water and fripperies.
There's a cancer in the GOP which needs to be purged. Sadly Americans seem much more susceptible to fake news bullshit on social media than we do so I expect it will go the other way.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
Doesn't want to enable cookies but does use a clubcard. Lol.
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
Many people in the 2000s were saying how friendly Blair and Brown were, yet we saw that was a lie even before Brown got power.
Again, I stress I don't think Johnson is a good PM. But neither do I think he's the venal, nasty and lazy one his haters on here make him out to be. He's a flawed individual, but then so was Thatcher, Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron, and May.
Boris is singularly unsuited to this moment. We need someone able to deal with reality rather than spin lies.
Well, it's a real shame that Labour gave us the option of voting for an anti-Semite who called this war wrong.
If having Boris as PM is bad, then Labour need to accept some blame for putting up a far worse candidate at GE 2019.
Do you honestly think Corbyn, someone too spineless to say whether he's had the Covid vaccine, and who is utterly wrong on the Ukrainian war - would have handled the two crises better?
Gold plated whataboutery. If you voted for Boris you take the lions share for this nonsense. It was perfectly possible not to vote for either. My late father in law, a lifelong Tory, cast his last vote for the Lib Dems because he didn’t trust Boris.
I didn't vote for Boris. Never have. But it's not whataboutery. You said: "We need someone able to deal with reality rather than spin lies.", and I am just pointing out that the person that Labour put forward against Johnson is much worse. And the electorate saw this.
It's a shame neither party could put forward a better candidate for PM, but there you go. The choices were poor.
Anyway I apologise for being grumpier than normal. My coal face experience in A&E culminating in chronic sleep deprivation and quite a lot of pain has made me, shall we say, rather less charitable towards the Government this morning.
Have a good day everyone and be as nice to one another as you can be. Please. It makes the world a better place.
I'd not thought of a general VAT cut as a way forward, and if that's what Davey suggests it's a bit odd - as BigG says, the current problems are acute for low and middle incomes, not so much for higher incomes.
On Johnson, I don't find him hateful and think we collectively waste too much mental energy in despising our opponents. Britain's support for Ukraine is mostly verbal - yes, posturing if you like - but we can't realistically do much more than supply defensive weapons and give verbal support, unless we want a deeper involvement on the ground that very few people would be comfortable with. Johnson is good at rhetoric when it's a prepared statement, so he shows up well in that context. It's perfectly possible to be critical of Johnson and the Government while accepting his strengths.
Is there a risk? Yes, accidental overreach - for the sake of some felicitous phrases, we may find we've talked ourselves into supplying Ukraine with offensive weapons as well, which would move beyond helping prevent the invasion being a success (clearly right) to extending the war indefinitely to a fight over the Donbas and Crimea (IMO a mistake). Opinions will differ on that, but we should be wary of Johnson's lack of attention to detail - whatever we do, it needs to be thought through and not rhetoric-led.
Another cracking post, Nick right on both counts.
I loathe Boris and believe him wholly unsuitable to be PM. I would say (and have said) he will be found out but he already has been and remains in post so what do I know. Then again, I am quite relieved at his anti-restriction tendency. Whether that stems from some greater calculus of votes won/lost or his natural inclination I don't know but I'm glad we have a PM who is constantly looking to free us from restrictions. I know others disagree.
And yes again on Ukraine. As we discussed yesterday (not sure you were around at that point) - the war has to end at some point and there is a risk that external powers supply Ukraine with the resources to keep it going, just, for some time. Which will come at some great cost of human life. Does this mean Ukraine should accept all Russia's demands (whatever they are)? Well no but yes also. It is a decision for Zelensky and one I'm glad I don't have to make.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
You could add the diversion of the tax burden from income tax to NI (and for that matter from CGT and IHT to IT over the last decade). NI is, at the higher end, a very un-progressive tax.
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
Doesn't want to enable cookies but does use a clubcard. Lol.
From a tracking POV you mean? It certainly worries me.
I've had to start using tesco because of the cost of living issues. They are very clever with their pricing for clubcard users.
I'd not thought of a general VAT cut as a way forward, and if that's what Davey suggests it's a bit odd - as BigG says, the current problems are acute for low and middle incomes, not so much for higher incomes.
On Johnson, I don't find him hateful and think we collectively waste too much mental energy in despising our opponents. Britain's support for Ukraine is mostly verbal - yes, posturing if you like - but we can't realistically do much more than supply defensive weapons and give verbal support, unless we want a deeper involvement on the ground that very few people would be comfortable with. Johnson is good at rhetoric when it's a prepared statement, so he shows up well in that context. It's perfectly possible to be critical of Johnson and the Government while accepting his strengths.
Is there a risk? Yes, accidental overreach - for the sake of some felicitous phrases, we may find we've talked ourselves into supplying Ukraine with offensive weapons as well, which would move beyond helping prevent the invasion being a success (clearly right) to extending the war indefinitely to a fight over the Donbas and Crimea (IMO a mistake). Opinions will differ on that, but we should be wary of Johnson's lack of attention to detail - whatever we do, it needs to be thought through and not rhetoric-led.
Another cracking post, Nick right on both counts.
I loathe Boris and believe him wholly unsuitable to be PM. I would say (and have said) he will be found out but he already has been and remains in post so what do I know. Then again, I am quite relieved at his anti-restriction tendency. Whether that stems from some greater calculus of votes won/lost or his natural inclination I don't know but I'm glad we have a PM who is constantly looking to free us from restrictions. I know others disagree.
And yes again on Ukraine. As we discussed yesterday - the war has to end at some point and there is a risk that external powers supply Ukraine with the resources to keep it going, just, for some time. Which will come at some great cost of human life. Does this mean Ukraine should accept all Russia's demands (whatever they are)? Well no but yes also. It is a decision for Zelensky and one I'm glad I don't have to make.
It is also a decision for Putin. He could end this war today, and it is more in his power to do so than it is Zelensky's. Especially as Putin has designs on other neighbouring states as well.
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
The unique set of circumstances surrounding intense dislike of Theresa May's Brexit deal is what got him elected.
Absolutely bugger all to do with his friends in Parliament of which he has precious few. I promise you that's the case. He is not well liked and he is widely mistrusted.
You 'promise me' ?
LOL. I have zero idea who you are, or what insider knowledge you have to support such a promise.
So put it in the bucket of PB claims. Some of which are true, some not. But it is weird for a poster to make such claims out of thin air. And perhaps @Heathener wants you to not have a clue who they are.
The next Tory leader is now likely to be Wallace, not Sunak. He has the highest ratings amongst party members now in the Conhome surveys and also the best net favorable ratings amongst the public overall
You may be right but politics is very difficult to predict
We may see bad locals for the conservatives followed immediately by Sue Gray's report and that will be the moment of greatest danger for Boris's premiership, which if he survives I doubt there will be an election for conservative leader before mid 24 at the earliest
If a week is a long time in politics than 2 plus years is a lifetime, after all in that period of time we have had brexit, covid and war
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
The point you have never answered is why the IP is on Robert's spammer blacklist. Reputable VPNs have known IPs and won't be on that list. Whenever this has been put to you, you tend to disappear forthwith.
I'd not thought of a general VAT cut as a way forward, and if that's what Davey suggests it's a bit odd - as BigG says, the current problems are acute for low and middle incomes, not so much for higher incomes.
On Johnson, I don't find him hateful and think we collectively waste too much mental energy in despising our opponents. Britain's support for Ukraine is mostly verbal - yes, posturing if you like - but we can't realistically do much more than supply defensive weapons and give verbal support, unless we want a deeper involvement on the ground that very few people would be comfortable with. Johnson is good at rhetoric when it's a prepared statement, so he shows up well in that context. It's perfectly possible to be critical of Johnson and the Government while accepting his strengths.
Is there a risk? Yes, accidental overreach - for the sake of some felicitous phrases, we may find we've talked ourselves into supplying Ukraine with offensive weapons as well, which would move beyond helping prevent the invasion being a success (clearly right) to extending the war indefinitely to a fight over the Donbas and Crimea (IMO a mistake). Opinions will differ on that, but we should be wary of Johnson's lack of attention to detail - whatever we do, it needs to be thought through and not rhetoric-led.
Another cracking post, Nick right on both counts.
I loathe Boris and believe him wholly unsuitable to be PM. I would say (and have said) he will be found out but he already has been and remains in post so what do I know. Then again, I am quite relieved at his anti-restriction tendency. Whether that stems from some greater calculus of votes won/lost or his natural inclination I don't know but I'm glad we have a PM who is constantly looking to free us from restrictions. I know others disagree.
And yes again on Ukraine. As we discussed yesterday - the war has to end at some point and there is a risk that external powers supply Ukraine with the resources to keep it going, just, for some time. Which will come at some great cost of human life. Does this mean Ukraine should accept all Russia's demands (whatever they are)? Well no but yes also. It is a decision for Zelensky and one I'm glad I don't have to make.
It is also a decision for Putin. He could end this war today, and it is more in his power to do so than it is Zelensky's. Especially as Putin has designs on other neighbouring states as well.
Well of course it is. But the reality is that he doesn't seem minded to until some goals (what are they?) have been achieved or concessions gained. We are dealing with reality here, not some exercise with a theoretical "correct" answer.
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
The unique set of circumstances surrounding intense dislike of Theresa May's Brexit deal is what got him elected.
Absolutely bugger all to do with his friends in Parliament of which he has precious few. I promise you that's the case. He is not well liked and he is widely mistrusted.
You 'promise me' ?
LOL. I have zero idea who you are, or what insider knowledge you have to support such a promise.
So put it in the bucket of PB claims. Some of which are true, some not. But it is weird for a poster to make such claims out of thin air. And perhaps @Heathener wants you to not have a clue who they are.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
On a technical point: is a VAT cut actually regressive? AIUI the poor pay quite substantially more VAT as a percentage of their income than the wealthy do. So it's not obvious to me that Mr Davey should be criticised on that point, so long as the tax income is regained elsewhere.
I like Penny Mordaunt. However, even after a Johnson defeat will the Conservative Party come back to the centre ground? I doubt it. Perhaps the party will split.
The Johnson led party won a majority of 80 in 2019 to deliver the Brexit 52% voted for in 2016. It was the centre ground.
Most parties which lose power however go further to the right or left not the centre.
Hence when Callaghan led Labour lost power in 1979 it went further left in opposition under Foot and Kinnock. When Major's Tories lost power in 1997 the party then went further right as well under Hague, IDS and Howard when it went into opposition as well. While of course when Brown led Labour lost power in 2010 the party went further left under Ed Miliband and Corbyn.
So there is a strong likelihood the Conservatives would go further right than under Boris if and when Boris loses a general election
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
You've not watched the video, then? It is a clunky slogan though.
Morning, everybody. By no means as cold today.
The slogan strips down to 'Britain deserves better', though, and that could be quite potent.
Because one can't say, surely, and certainly from this side of the fence, that Bad Dog's government shows us in a good light.
Did Blair's government show us in a good light? So much ephemeral image fluff to strains of 'things can only get better', followed by a disastrous war and an economic crisis within ten years. Such a wasted opportunity.
The only major crisis Blair had to deal with was 9/11. Johnson, in just a handful of years, has had Covid and Ukraine to deal with. IMV (and I know you'll disagree): he hasn't done too badly on either, and very well in some respects.
Blair did not really have to deal with 9/11, and his response was probably counter-productive. Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense. We've followed the American lead on sanctions, and continued military cooperation that began under his predecessors. Afghanistan, well, least said, soonest mended. Covid and Brexit were the main crises Boris faced and is facing.
"Similarly, Boris has not really had to deal with the Ukrainian invasion in any real sense."
Wow. That seems rather disconnected with reality. Boris has been one of the strongest allies with Ukraine so far (as, to be fair, have the government since 2014/5).
Note how Russia seems keen to put the UK first amongst their enemies? That's why.
Russia thought Boris was their friend, that’s why.
Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing. Which, along with clinging to his job, is the only thing the clown is good at.
Yes, he thought the PM of the country that was actively training the military of the country he had attacked - and wanted to attack again - was a friend.
FFS. I know some people hate Boris, but sometimes hatred can lead to a certain amount of irrationality...
"Otherwise it’s mostly been posturing."
Again, this seems rather an odd comment. It's been far from posturing, given the limits of what we can actually do. Compare, say, to Germany or France...
The extent of Johnson's (and his party's) entanglement with Russian wealth is a slow burn story that will likely be running when the immediate military crisis is over. The Russians will have thought all that time grooming him might have been worth something; another misjudgement since the only reaction that would save his skin, at least in the short term, was to go over the top in the other direction.
Training the Ukranians was a decision taken by the Coalition, which I doubt the clown was even aware of until it came to matter.
Oh, come on. You are being ridiculous. Operation Orbital was extended in 2019 and expanded in 2020, well before this war. The idea Johnson knew nothing of it is a little ridiculous.
No it isn't. You forget, I've spent time with him both in public and private. His lack of awareness as to where he is, what he's supposed to be doing and the history and background to anything is closer to zero than in anyone I've ever met.
And you seem a rather impartial observer. Compare, say, with Nick's interactions with him, which seemed a lot fairer and nearer to the real Johnson (fnarr, fnarr).
(Jesus. People's irrational hatred of Johnson is turning me, someone who was criticising him before most on here, and who has never voted for him, into a defended of him!)
If it were just me, you might have a point.
But I invite you to review what a whole stack of people who've interacted with Johnson - professionally and personally - have said, from his schooldays onwards, and to notice his lack of friends and allies.
The only people who rate him are those who don't know him.
Yes, someone who lacks friends and allies managed to get himself elected to a number of positions, and became PM. He did that through lacking friends and allies, obviously ...
The unique set of circumstances surrounding intense dislike of Theresa May's Brexit deal is what got him elected.
Absolutely bugger all to do with his friends in Parliament of which he has precious few. I promise you that's the case. He is not well liked and he is widely mistrusted.
You 'promise me' ?
LOL. I have zero idea who you are, or what insider knowledge you have to support such a promise.
So put it in the bucket of PB claims. Some of which are true, some not. But it is weird for a poster to make such claims out of thin air. And perhaps @Heathener wants you to not have a clue who they are.
They are either Russian or a Sean I reckon.
One thing's for sure - PB certainly gets triggered by her so she must be doing something right.
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
Doesn't want to enable cookies but does use a clubcard. Lol.
Tesco make a small fortune selling Clubcard data via their subsidiary Dunhumby. They have created consumer profile types built from your personal data gathered in Clubcard to allow people like me to better target out shit so that you buy more of it.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
The LD's idea isn't daft - the poor pay a lot more of their in come in VAT than the wealthy do. The question is whether the LDs raise income tax at the higher end.
Hmm. From the ingredients list, it's only a maximum of 28% cheese and potato and onion, and perhaps as little as 23%. Rest is flour, oil, water and fripperies.
That would be the pastry, wouldn't it, that holds the thing together?
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
The point you have never answered is why the IP is on Robert's spammer blacklist. Reputable VPNs have known IPs and won't be on that list. Whenever this has been put to you, you tend to disappear forthwith.
If she is on a "blacklist" or a "compromised machine" then ban her. She is the only PB poster whose IP address people are worried about. If PB is worried about it then remove her, if not then address, ignore, or agree with her posts.
Hmm. From the ingredients list, it's only a maximum of 28% cheese and potato and onion, and perhaps as little as 23%. Rest is flour, oil, water and fripperies.
Is pastry not made of flour,oil,water??
Tastes Cheesy with plenty of filling and at 37p I would say it has as much filling as your £1 ish equivalents
My cost of living daily tip will highlight super VFM products not necessarily nutritionally balanced.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
On a technical point: is a VAT cut actually regressive? AIUI the poor pay quite substantially more VAT as a percentage of their income than the wealthy do. So it's not obvious to me that Mr Davey should be criticised on that point, so long as the tax income is regained elsewhere.
Yes absolutely. VAT affects the poorest most (paying 20p extra for a £1 good affects the poorer far more, and is a larger proportion of their wealth than it is for the wealthy).
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
The windfall tax is a better idea than you give it credit for. But you’ll never be convinced of that.
But generally it’s a bit rich for government supporters to demand solutions to this shambles from the opposition. No opposition worth its salt would show it’s plans two years out. No, this mess is a Tory mess.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
Is there a risk? Yes, accidental overreach - for the sake of some felicitous phrases, we may find we've talked ourselves into supplying Ukraine with offensive weapons as well, which would move beyond helping prevent the invasion being a success (clearly right) to extending the war indefinitely to a fight over the Donbas and Crimea (IMO a mistake). Opinions will differ on that, but we should be wary of Johnson's lack of attention to detail - whatever we do, it needs to be thought through and not rhetoric-led.
I think the Ukrainian strategy is to push the Russians back to where they were before February 24. They will clearly need some offensive weaponry to do that. I'd be amazed if they went into Crimea militarily. But to retake Kherson, Melitopol and Mariupol they will need some offensive weapons. Simply providing defensive weapons means stopping the Russians making any further progress. The Ukrainians may be prepared to make a commitment to resolving the sovereignty of the previously occupied territories through non-military means.
A reasonable solution would be to turn the water back on to Crimea whilst agreeing to freeze the issue of its future for 10 or 15 years. The Donbass could probably do with an Ireland style approach. That will be painful as Russia occupied it and purposely wrecked the two cities there so it is hardly reasonable but making peace sometimes demands that. The problem is that such an agreement would not really give Putin a 'win'. I wouldn't worry about that except for the nuclear weapons and fascistic tendencies he displays.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
I've just pointed out that a VAT cut DOES target the poorer.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
I've just pointed out that a VAT cut DOES target the poorer.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
The windfall tax is a better idea than you give it credit for. But you’ll never be convinced of that.
But generally it’s a bit rich for government supporters to demand solutions to this shambles from the opposition. No opposition worth its salt would show it’s plans two years out. No, this mess is a Tory mess.
Though a struggling government always asks the opposition "what would you do?"
And a wise opposition never answers in any detail.
Anyway I apologise for being grumpier than normal. My coal face experience in A&E culminating in chronic sleep deprivation and quite a lot of pain has made me, shall we say, rather less charitable towards the Government this morning.
Have a good day everyone and be as nice to one another as you can be. Please. It makes the world a better place.
Sorry to hear that. I fortunately missed that part of the NHS and only had positive experiences, but I wouldn't suggest going to the extreme of multiple fractures to get that experience.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
The windfall tax is a better idea than you give it credit for. But you’ll never be convinced of that.
But generally it’s a bit rich for government supporters to demand solutions to this shambles from the opposition. No opposition worth its salt would show it’s plans two years out. No, this mess is a Tory mess.
I am neutral on a windfall tax but as commented on the media this morning it is a one off and is not the solution
HMG has laid out its economic plans and to suggest that the opposition remain silent on their solutions would indicate they do not have any better ideas
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
The point you have never answered is why the IP is on Robert's spammer blacklist. Reputable VPNs have known IPs and won't be on that list. Whenever this has been put to you, you tend to disappear forthwith.
If she is on a "blacklist" or a "compromised machine" then ban her. She is the only PB poster whose IP address people are worried about. If PB is worried about it then remove her, if not then address, ignore, or agree with her posts.
@Heathener picked up a very indirect allusion of mine to a recent monstrously decadent Western book about mushrooms with heavy emphasis on the hallucinogens. On that basis I would bet my house against her being a ringer, it's just not what a KGB stooge would read either for background or in their spare time.
Does India lack confidence in its relationship with Russia? Can't they see that the Russians are now the supplicants in this partnership? Perhaps they feel that damaging relations with Moscow would make them too reliant on the west. Or do they craftily sense an opportunity with a weak Russia?
I listened to this podcast on the Indian relationship with Russia, and their response to the invasion of Ukraine, and it's complicated. Geopolitically, this seems fairly close to a worst-case scenario for India to deal with, for a variety of reasons:
1. They have a strong defence relationship with both Ukraine and Russia. 2. They have a strong bilateral relationship with Ukraine - e.g. very large numbers of Indian students go to Ukrainian universities. 3. They see a close relationship with Russia as a vital defence against China. 4. The geopolitical outcome they most want to avoid is a close relationship between Russia and China. 5. They really want to continue to improve relations with the US as a defence against China.
Russia itself certainly wouldn't want to become too reliant on China, and so the relationship with India is useful to Russia, but it's hard not to conclude that the relationship between Russia and India is more important to India than to Russia, notwithstanding Russia's current lack of friends, and that puts India in a very difficult position right now. As far as I can make out, a central plank of their geopolitical strategy has been to have a stronger Russia-India relationship than the Russia-China relationship, and that now looks like a failure.
Point 5 is the key one I believe. Don't think India has thought through their line on Russia and Ukraine. Instinctively India is pro Russia, but the implication of throwing their lot in with Russia in a you're-with-us-or-you're-against-us situation is that India joins the China nexus. Indians all agree they hate China. I think Blinken reminded the Indian government of that, hence their intervention yesterday at the UN that was more critical.
I'd not thought of a general VAT cut as a way forward, and if that's what Davey suggests it's a bit odd - as BigG says, the current problems are acute for low and middle incomes, not so much for higher incomes.
On Johnson, I don't find him hateful and think we collectively waste too much mental energy in despising our opponents. Britain's support for Ukraine is mostly verbal - yes, posturing if you like - but we can't realistically do much more than supply defensive weapons and give verbal support, unless we want a deeper involvement on the ground that very few people would be comfortable with. Johnson is good at rhetoric when it's a prepared statement, so he shows up well in that context. It's perfectly possible to be critical of Johnson and the Government while accepting his strengths.
Is there a risk? Yes, accidental overreach - for the sake of some felicitous phrases, we may find we've talked ourselves into supplying Ukraine with offensive weapons as well, which would move beyond helping prevent the invasion being a success (clearly right) to extending the war indefinitely to a fight over the Donbas and Crimea (IMO a mistake). Opinions will differ on that, but we should be wary of Johnson's lack of attention to detail - whatever we do, it needs to be thought through and not rhetoric-led.
Another cracking post, Nick right on both counts.
I loathe Boris and believe him wholly unsuitable to be PM. I would say (and have said) he will be found out but he already has been and remains in post so what do I know. Then again, I am quite relieved at his anti-restriction tendency. Whether that stems from some greater calculus of votes won/lost or his natural inclination I don't know but I'm glad we have a PM who is constantly looking to free us from restrictions. I know others disagree.
And yes again on Ukraine. As we discussed yesterday - the war has to end at some point and there is a risk that external powers supply Ukraine with the resources to keep it going, just, for some time. Which will come at some great cost of human life. Does this mean Ukraine should accept all Russia's demands (whatever they are)? Well no but yes also. It is a decision for Zelensky and one I'm glad I don't have to make.
It is also a decision for Putin. He could end this war today, and it is more in his power to do so than it is Zelensky's. Especially as Putin has designs on other neighbouring states as well.
Well of course it is. But the reality is that he doesn't seem minded to until some goals (what are they?) have been achieved or concessions gained. We are dealing with reality here, not some exercise with a theoretical "correct" answer.
One thing that has occurred to me is we don't know what NATO's war aims are. NATO is effectively a combatant. Boris has said "Putin must fail". Is this just rhetoric, or is NATO plotting a comprehensive military defeat for the Russians?
And I don't see that you can differentiate between defensive and offensive weaponry. Ukraine has been invaded. It is reasonable for them to want to drive the invader from their soil. They could do with being able to kill Russians in greater numbers, not just one tank crew at a time. Now we know what Russian occupation looks like, there is no argument for leaving any Ukrainians to their mercies.
Why does Toogendart's name keep getting mentioned? He's so remainy he makes Lord Adonis look like a Hartlepool dole wallah smerking tabs in a tracksuit. It's impossible for him to be tory leader.
I would like to see Labour broadening it’s attack. The cost of living is acute, but I would also attack on inflation more generally. The Tories let the genie out of the bottle and are rotting the lifetime savings and pensions of the middle class. So they may be able to pay for gas today, but everything they have worked for has also been devalued by Boris.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
But a VAT cut gets money to the poorest as other posters have detailed above. Your premise that a VAT cut hands cash largely to the wealthy is a fundamental misunderstanding of how VAT works
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
The windfall tax is a better idea than you give it credit for. But you’ll never be convinced of that.
But generally it’s a bit rich for government supporters to demand solutions to this shambles from the opposition. No opposition worth its salt would show it’s plans two years out. No, this mess is a Tory mess.
I am neutral on a windfall tax but as commented on the media this morning it is a one off and is not the solution
HMG has laid out its economic plans and to suggest that the opposition remain silent on their solutions would indicate they do not have any better ideas
To follow up on my previous approach the Israel analogy was very smart by Zelensky. How can you come to a peace agreement if you think your opponenets don't recognise your right to exist?
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
I've just pointed out that a VAT cut DOES target the poorer.
And the wealthy
I thought VAT was always seen as a regressive tax as a greater percentage of poor earnings are by necessity consumable. Wealthy people have more discretionary spending power so they can if they so wish, cut back their spending and hence their payment of VAT. That being so, a VAT cut is a progressive action.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
I've just pointed out that a VAT cut DOES target the poorer.
And the wealthy
But not to the same percentage. And you follow that up with an increase in income taxt etc at highher levels.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
The windfall tax is a better idea than you give it credit for. But you’ll never be convinced of that.
But generally it’s a bit rich for government supporters to demand solutions to this shambles from the opposition. No opposition worth its salt would show it’s plans two years out. No, this mess is a Tory mess.
I am neutral on a windfall tax but as commented on the media this morning it is a one off and is not the solution
HMG has laid out its economic plans and to suggest that the opposition remain silent on their solutions would indicate they do not have any better ideas
If you want a Labour budget, vote Labour.
What would it look like?
I don't want a Tory budget, a Labour budget, or a Lib Dem budget. I want a budget that raises taxes fairly.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
I've just pointed out that a VAT cut DOES target the poorer.
And the wealthy
I thought VAT was always seen as a regressive tax as a greater percentage of poor earnings are by necessity consumable. Wealthy people have more discretionary spending power so they can if they so wish, cut back their spending and hence their payment of VAT. That being so, a VAT cut is a progressive action.
I'd not thought of a general VAT cut as a way forward, and if that's what Davey suggests it's a bit odd - as BigG says, the current problems are acute for low and middle incomes, not so much for higher incomes.
On Johnson, I don't find him hateful and think we collectively waste too much mental energy in despising our opponents. Britain's support for Ukraine is mostly verbal - yes, posturing if you like - but we can't realistically do much more than supply defensive weapons and give verbal support, unless we want a deeper involvement on the ground that very few people would be comfortable with. Johnson is good at rhetoric when it's a prepared statement, so he shows up well in that context. It's perfectly possible to be critical of Johnson and the Government while accepting his strengths.
Is there a risk? Yes, accidental overreach - for the sake of some felicitous phrases, we may find we've talked ourselves into supplying Ukraine with offensive weapons as well, which would move beyond helping prevent the invasion being a success (clearly right) to extending the war indefinitely to a fight over the Donbas and Crimea (IMO a mistake). Opinions will differ on that, but we should be wary of Johnson's lack of attention to detail - whatever we do, it needs to be thought through and not rhetoric-led.
Another cracking post, Nick right on both counts.
I loathe Boris and believe him wholly unsuitable to be PM. I would say (and have said) he will be found out but he already has been and remains in post so what do I know. Then again, I am quite relieved at his anti-restriction tendency. Whether that stems from some greater calculus of votes won/lost or his natural inclination I don't know but I'm glad we have a PM who is constantly looking to free us from restrictions. I know others disagree.
And yes again on Ukraine. As we discussed yesterday - the war has to end at some point and there is a risk that external powers supply Ukraine with the resources to keep it going, just, for some time. Which will come at some great cost of human life. Does this mean Ukraine should accept all Russia's demands (whatever they are)? Well no but yes also. It is a decision for Zelensky and one I'm glad I don't have to make.
It is also a decision for Putin. He could end this war today, and it is more in his power to do so than it is Zelensky's. Especially as Putin has designs on other neighbouring states as well.
Well of course it is. But the reality is that he doesn't seem minded to until some goals (what are they?) have been achieved or concessions gained. We are dealing with reality here, not some exercise with a theoretical "correct" answer.
One thing that has occurred to me is we don't know what NATO's war aims are. NATO is effectively a combatant. Boris has said "Putin must fail". Is this just rhetoric, or is NATO plotting a comprehensive military defeat for the Russians?
And I don't see that you can differentiate between defensive and offensive weaponry. Ukraine has been invaded. It is reasonable for them to want to drive the invader from their soil. They could do with being able to kill Russians in greater numbers, not just one tank crew at a time. Now we know what Russian occupation looks like, there is no argument for leaving any Ukrainians to their mercies.
Well obviously Nato =/= Ukraine which is the root of the issue. What are their aims? Containment one might have said, which of course Russia interprets as aggression.
I continue to say that in the history books people will examine the two times post-Berlin Wall Russia asked to join NATO and were rebuffed.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
The windfall tax is a better idea than you give it credit for. But you’ll never be convinced of that.
But generally it’s a bit rich for government supporters to demand solutions to this shambles from the opposition. No opposition worth its salt would show it’s plans two years out. No, this mess is a Tory mess.
I am neutral on a windfall tax but as commented on the media this morning it is a one off and is not the solution
HMG has laid out its economic plans and to suggest that the opposition remain silent on their solutions would indicate they do not have any better ideas
The key point being that "HMG have laid out its economic plans" which are "what cost of living crisis, boosterism boosterism if you're poor it's your own fault."
The opposition parties need to keep calling this out - which they are - and proposing some broad brush measures which could ameliorate the worse issues now - which they are - and detail their plans for 2034 once we know what 2024 will look like.
Don't forget that the boy Rishi can't say with any confidence what energy bills will be like this autumn. Which is why nobody can make detailed plans for 2024.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
The windfall tax is a better idea than you give it credit for. But you’ll never be convinced of that.
But generally it’s a bit rich for government supporters to demand solutions to this shambles from the opposition. No opposition worth its salt would show it’s plans two years out. No, this mess is a Tory mess.
I am neutral on a windfall tax but as commented on the media this morning it is a one off and is not the solution
HMG has laid out its economic plans and to suggest that the opposition remain silent on their solutions would indicate they do not have any better ideas
If you want a Labour budget, vote Labour.
What would it look like?
I don't want a Tory budget, a Labour budget, or a Lib Dem budget. I want a budget that raises taxes fairly.
On topic, Sunak does seem to be toast amongst Conservative activists. Like @Leon in the last thread, I believe this is due mainly to a blue-on-blue hatchet job by Conservative rivals, possibly by Team Big Dog. Fortunately, though possibly by mistake, I've not backed him.
And Sunak failed to act when he had the chance, as Partygate raged. Revealing a touch of the Gordon Browns - never a good look for a senior politician.
Sunak did not "fail to act". That is such a bullshit reading of events in 2022 - and not worthy of pb.com's hive mind.
Was Ukraine likely to kick off about the time any challenge was to be made? The Guardian headline on 25th January was "US puts 8,500 troops on heightened alert amid fears over Ukraine"
I use that date because I wrote to my MP on 25th January, saying "I think only Putin invading Ukraine saves Boris..." Now, if little old me can reach that assessment, then the Most Sophisticated Electorate on the Planet is capable of seeing what is coming down the line. You'd have to bet on Putin bluffing to safely pull the plug on Boris back in late January-mid February. Which was against all the evidence.
If the required number of letters had gone in at this time - or at any time up to today - there was no way the Parliamentary Party was going to have a lengthy contest for a new leader in wartime within Europe. Truth is, once Ukraine WAS invaded, the chance of that required number of letters became zero.
And remember, a vote of no confidence in Boris meant he would then have been safe for at least another year. The expectation was likely that Ukraine would have lost within a few weeks and we would have been back to business as sort of normal. As it is, Boris could still be gone by the autumn, depending on the fines he gets given. Boris may have had " a good war" - but that was bare minimum of what he needs to survive to lead the Party into the next election. There are plenty of Tory MPs who think Boris is a net vote loser going into that next election.
The only way Sunak "missed out" was if there had been a coronation of him. And there were others running their own active campaigns to ensure that was not a possibility. Now, he may have had a poor Spring Statement (although, he actually had limited cards to play). And he has not looked great under withering fire put up by his rivals. But to suggest he "bottled it" is a very poor reading of the facts as they have presented this year.
Why does Toogendart's name keep getting mentioned? He's so remainy he makes Lord Adonis look like a Hartlepool dole wallah smerking tabs in a tracksuit. It's impossible for him to be tory leader.
Yes, I could only see Tugendhat or Hunt succeeding Johnson if there was no member vote like in 2016.
I agree that Mordaunt is still value as she has good support among the Tory membership and is acceptable to Tory MPs, while not being tainted by Johnson.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
On a technical point: is a VAT cut actually regressive? AIUI the poor pay quite substantially more VAT as a percentage of their income than the wealthy do. So it's not obvious to me that Mr Davey should be criticised on that point, so long as the tax income is regained elsewhere.
Yes absolutely. VAT affects the poorest most (paying 20p extra for a £1 good affects the poorer far more, and is a larger proportion of their wealth than it is for the wealthy).
But the poor spend a far greater amount of their income on food which is zero rated
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
Doesn't want to enable cookies but does use a clubcard. Lol.
Tesco make a small fortune selling Clubcard data via their subsidiary Dunhumby. They have created consumer profile types built from your personal data gathered in Clubcard to allow people like me to better target out shit so that you buy more of it.
Why? If that works I am just going to buy stuff I'd usually buy at Tesco, elsewhere, no? It makes sense if you are just a wine merchant and think you can sell wine snobs' details to purveyors of fine cheese, but if you sell everything....
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
On a technical point: is a VAT cut actually regressive? AIUI the poor pay quite substantially more VAT as a percentage of their income than the wealthy do. So it's not obvious to me that Mr Davey should be criticised on that point, so long as the tax income is regained elsewhere.
Yes absolutely. VAT affects the poorest most (paying 20p extra for a £1 good affects the poorer far more, and is a larger proportion of their wealth than it is for the wealthy).
But the poor spend a far greater amount of their income on food which is zero rated
I would instinctively agree that the poorest spend little of their money on VAT, apart from petrol and discretionary purchases such as cigarettes and alcohol.
Do we have any actual data of VAT paid by income decile?
I would like to see Labour broadening it’s attack. The cost of living is acute, but I would also attack on inflation more generally. The Tories let the genie out of the bottle and are rotting the lifetime savings and pensions of the middle class. So they may be able to pay for gas today, but everything they have worked for has also been devalued by Boris.
You can apply that across Europe which has niching to do with Boris
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
Everyone earning under £34,000 will now pay less in National Insurance overall however now. Only those earning more than that will pay more
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
Doesn't want to enable cookies but does use a clubcard. Lol.
Tesco make a small fortune selling Clubcard data via their subsidiary Dunhumby. They have created consumer profile types built from your personal data gathered in Clubcard to allow people like me to better target out shit so that you buy more of it.
Why? If that works I am just going to buy stuff I'd usually buy at Tesco, elsewhere, no? It makes sense if you are just a wine merchant and think you can sell wine snobs' details to purveyors of fine cheese, but if you sell everything....
Why does it work? Because you can target groups of consumers using their Clubcard data. I want to reach bearded hipsters who like aubergines and lentils? Simple - Dunhumby will sell me their data so I can reach out only to them with my promotional offer.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
But a VAT cut gets money to the poorest as other posters have detailed above. Your premise that a VAT cut hands cash largely to the wealthy is a fundamental misunderstanding of how VAT works
I accept it helps the poorest percentage wise more but why at the same time give tax cuts to the wealthy
Increasing UC and benefits and targeted help is the only way to go
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
But a VAT cut gets money to the poorest as other posters have detailed above. Your premise that a VAT cut hands cash largely to the wealthy is a fundamental misunderstanding of how VAT works
I accept it helps the poorest percentage wise more but why at the same time give tax cuts to the wealthy
Increasing UC and benefits and targeted help is the only way to go
Which only reaches people on UC. The poorest - the people in a panic about their leccy bills exploding and food bills soaring and fuel prices are a much wider group.
Simple lived reality for too many is that there is little if any money left at the end of the month even if you are on a reasonable salary.
Tories getting off far too lightly for their poor stewardship of the economy at the moment. If Labour had presided over this, the Tories would have been far more aggressive. It’s a disaster.
Problem is that Starmer would not have taken us out of lockdown last summer costing billions
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
The Tories deserve the very same objective consideration for their handling of the economy that they gave Labour and Brown during the global credit crunch.
Of course they do, but at present labour do not have an offer and the lib dems idea of dropping vat to 17.5% handing a huge tax cut to the wealthy is ridiculous and at a cost of 18 billion
The windfall tax is a better idea than you give it credit for. But you’ll never be convinced of that.
But generally it’s a bit rich for government supporters to demand solutions to this shambles from the opposition. No opposition worth its salt would show it’s plans two years out. No, this mess is a Tory mess.
I am neutral on a windfall tax but as commented on the media this morning it is a one off and is not the solution
HMG has laid out its economic plans and to suggest that the opposition remain silent on their solutions would indicate they do not have any better ideas
If you want a Labour budget, vote Labour.
I have no idea what a labour budget would contain, so no
Tugendhat and Hunt are former remainers. Unless one of them was imposed by MPs as Michael Howard was I would rate their chances of winning a vote amongst Conservative members as approximately nil.
And there we have the Tories dilemma in a nutshell, the UKIP lite membership will only be fishing in the pool of Brexiteers.
Our current government of the "brightest and best" of the leavers tells you all you need to know about how that is going to work out.
Johnson, Patel, Raab, Dorries, Rees-Mogg would have got nowhere near the cabinet if competence had been the key criteria..
Re Sunak: I have never thought he would be leader, but he did have one big chance. With Patersongate and Partygate (+Savile smear) at its height, post the worst of Covid and pre- Ukraine and the coming fiscal unravelling, he could and should have made a principled resignation and made it clear the game was afoot. Early 2022 was his chance.
Never say never of course, but, like youth, as Larkin points out, such a moment can't come again
I would like to see Labour broadening it’s attack. The cost of living is acute, but I would also attack on inflation more generally. The Tories let the genie out of the bottle and are rotting the lifetime savings and pensions of the middle class. So they may be able to pay for gas today, but everything they have worked for has also been devalued by Boris.
You can apply that across Europe which has niching to do with Boris
I can't remember the Tories making that point during the credit crunch.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
I've just pointed out that a VAT cut DOES target the poorer.
And the wealthy
I thought VAT was always seen as a regressive tax as a greater percentage of poor earnings are by necessity consumable. Wealthy people have more discretionary spending power so they can if they so wish, cut back their spending and hence their payment of VAT. That being so, a VAT cut is a progressive action.
I simply do not agree with a vat cut to all just as I do not agree with abolishing vat on energy bills
I feel that my paucity of sleep may contribute to an excess of grumpiness by me on here so I shall exit stage left, hopefully not pursued by a bear.
After the chaos in A&E last night I'm not in a good mood with Boris Johnson and co. though to be fair I wasn't exactly their biggest fan beforehand. The NHS is in such a terrible state. Because people can't get GP appointments they attend A&E for things like basic wound dressings. Was I one of those? Apparently not according to the emergency doctor who spoke to me. But the situation is just complete chaos.
I think back 30 years, 20 years, 10 years ... how was Britain then compared to now?
Scores out of 100 on all things of well-being:
1992 70 (pre Black Wednesday)
2002 75 (post 9/11 otherwise higher)
2012 75 (The coalition. Bliss.)
2022 2 (and I think that's being generous)
The country is shit
Right I'm dragging my tired wounded body back to bed. Apologies for incoherence. Some will doubtless say that it's no different from normal
The country is not, as you put it, 'shit'. There is a great deal to take pride of in this country, our people, and its place in the world. That does not mean we are immune to criticism, or that we are perfect. Just that we are facing severe problems in Covid, Brexit and the effects of the Ukraine war. Of these, Brexit is the most minor.
But Covid and the effects of the Ukraine war are common to a large number of countries in Europe and the world.
And hope you feel better soon.
When you come from the starting position that Heathener posts from behind a blacklisted vpn with shall we say “an agenda”, it’s quite interesting reading their posts. Little needling away to see what works at causing dissent. Easy to imagine a white board of buzz topics with “NHS” circled. A flow arrow pointing into it with “create sympathy first” written in Cyrillic. Perhaps I am too cynical…
Yeah yeah yeah.
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
Doesn't want to enable cookies but does use a clubcard. Lol.
Tesco make a small fortune selling Clubcard data via their subsidiary Dunhumby. They have created consumer profile types built from your personal data gathered in Clubcard to allow people like me to better target out shit so that you buy more of it.
Why? If that works I am just going to buy stuff I'd usually buy at Tesco, elsewhere, no? It makes sense if you are just a wine merchant and think you can sell wine snobs' details to purveyors of fine cheese, but if you sell everything....
Why does it work? Because you can target groups of consumers using their Clubcard data. I want to reach bearded hipsters who like aubergines and lentils? Simple - Dunhumby will sell me their data so I can reach out only to them with my promotional offer.
Yes I see that, but if you sell them aubergines and lentils that's aubergines and lentils they aren't buying from Tesco
I suppose the answer is Dunhumby fees exceed profit margin on as and ls. Which makes me ask whether you are getting such a bargain.
Ed Dave arguing for tax cuts and increased public spending.
Or, as it might also be described, higher inflation.
Good morning
Listening to him this morning he is suggesting vat is cut to 17.5% and he admitted it would cost a mere 18 billion
It does seem the opposition have completely blanked out the cost of covid and how giving a vat cut to the wealthy is progressive
I am a stern critic of Rishi since his ill fated budget but this vat cut is simply not an answer
Targeted help to those most in need should be the desire of all politicians in this crisis
Pesonally I find it morally disgusting that so many are arguing for tax cuts at a time of huge pressures on the State to the benefit of the better off. Tax cuts can be useful for a stimulus for growth at times but our economy is still growing strongly as it rebounds from Covid restrictions. It really doesn't need a further boost when inflation is already out of control and we have pretty much full employment.
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
Because the tax increase hits the poorest hardest. So we need to make a cut to restore money in people's pockets which they can spend in the economy. Put UC up as well - unlike tax cuts for the wealthy every pound given at the bottom of the economy gets spent, which means jobs which means taxes.
Davey has made a big mistake in suggesting a vat cut at 18 billion he actually quoted, handing huge sums to the better off
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
I've just pointed out that a VAT cut DOES target the poorer.
And the wealthy
But not to the same percentage. And you follow that up with an increase in income taxt etc at highher levels.
"Britain deserves better than this Conservative cost of living crisis."
Does suggest "Britain deserves a Labour cost of living crisis."
Utter lack of alternative ways to deal with it.
Main way seems to be a windfall tax on profits of oil and gas companies
Given BP and Shell will have billion upon billion of Russian write-offs, they won't be paying a penny. A more stupid time to go for a windfall tax it is hard to imagine. But it is Labour's knee-jerk muscle memory.
Stupid. Because what is Labour's response when Boris says "We supported the decisions of Shell and BP to withdraw from their investments in Russia. But in doing so, they have incurred massive losses. The Leader of the Opposition wants to destroy their cashflows. He proposes taxing them at the very time he instinctively thinks they are sat on vast profits. The Windfall Tax will not raise a tiny fraction of the sums he thinks it will. So, when that ruse fails, where is the money actually going to come from? We need answers."
Comments
C-130J - USA
P-8I - USA
EL/W-2090 - Israel
Rafale - France
ERJ-145 Brazil
C-17 - USA
Hawk 132 - UK
1. My taxi driver's mate (another taxi driver, whom I know quite well also) was in hospital and close to death for seven months after receiving his first AZ jab with blood clots and associated morbidities. He is still unable to work.
2. That is the last Starbucks I buy (I have previously made this threat). £3 for a black americano means I'm out for bought coffees. I treat myself to a Starbucks once every couple of months but sadly/happily no longer. And yes I am a coffee snob (Algerian Coffee Stores Swiss Water Processed Decaffeinated Columbian out of choice) but there is something about a Starbucks and its taste which I don't mind. No longer.
Weirdly some of the best cups out I've ever had have been in Thailand. Once in Khorat on the Isaan plateau and another time on the north side of Koh Samui at a little bar calling itself Karma Sutra.
Good coffee is one standard I try to keep up
Hope you're ok
Blair developed a God complex, and got hundreds of British service personnel killed.
If having Boris as PM is bad, then Labour need to accept some blame for putting up a far worse candidate at GE 2019.
I mean, just look at the wrongheadedness of StW's statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Signed by Jeremy.
https://www.stopwar.org.uk/article/list-of-signatories-stop-the-war-statement-on-the-crisis-over-ukraine/
Do you honestly think Corbyn, someone too spineless to say whether he's had the Covid vaccine, and who is utterly wrong on the Ukrainian war - would have handled the two crises better?
Absolutely bugger all to do with his friends in Parliament of which he has precious few. I promise you that's the case. He is not well liked and he is widely mistrusted.
https://groceries.asda.com/product/pasties-slices/asda-smart-price-cheese-onion-pasty/81927060
Btw, yesterday mask-wearing was around 60 per cent, give or take. There were no yellow bananas, but lots of unripe ones.
Boris has faced in 2 years Brexit , covid, and war in Europe and of course he has had failures but he has also had successes
His big mistake was listening to his chief whip and the idiotic JRM over Paterson which then rolled into wallpapergate and partygate which are self inflicted wounds that his opponents are benefitting from
I am yet to be convinced labour have a better answer to the economy and it is for them to make the case, just not being conservatives is not enough
I'd not thought of a general VAT cut as a way forward, and if that's what Davey suggests it's a bit odd - as BigG says, the current problems are acute for low and middle incomes, not so much for higher incomes.
On Johnson, I don't find him hateful and think we collectively waste too much mental energy in despising our opponents. Britain's support for Ukraine is mostly verbal - yes, posturing if you like - but we can't realistically do much more than supply defensive weapons and give verbal support, unless we want a deeper involvement on the ground that very few people would be comfortable with. Johnson is good at rhetoric when it's a prepared statement, so he shows up well in that context. It's perfectly possible to be critical of Johnson and the Government while accepting his strengths.
Is there a risk? Yes, accidental overreach - for the sake of some felicitous phrases, we may find we've talked ourselves into supplying Ukraine with offensive weapons as well, which would move beyond helping prevent the invasion being a success (clearly right) to extending the war indefinitely to a fight over the Donbas and Crimea (IMO a mistake). Opinions will differ on that, but we should be wary of Johnson's lack of attention to detail - whatever we do, it needs to be thought through and not rhetoric-led.
LOL. I have zero idea who you are, or what insider knowledge you have to support such a promise.
The reason that they are not so warm to France, Germany and others is that those countries were not providing the military support and were pressuring Ukraine to accept the Minsk II. Yes, there has been a massive change in policy in the last month or so, but it probably seems like a late conversion to the Ukrainians.
And yes a good cup of coffee is one of life's little inviolable corners.
https://twitter.com/NewStatesman/status/1463856383598735362
In one way I don't mind you keeping this up even though it's insulting. The reason is that if enough tories stick their fingers in their ears like this then it helps the opposition parties' chances in 2024.
I've told you why I use a VPN and I think it's madness that everyone doesn't use one. 'Cookies'? That's a laugh. They are trackers and ever since Cambridge Analytica I would never ever ever ever use the internet without blocking all cookies and using a VPN.
I'm sorry you refuse to take that at face value but if you look at what I post about ... I mean really, truly, you are 'aving a larf if you seriously believe I'm a troll or a bot.
No troll could be this smart, nor so cute
Anyway, this will fall on deaf ears but I shall keep posting my reflections on life, the universe and everything and if you choose to refuse to pay any attention that's up to you.
x
And those with the broadest shoulders, as that well known socialist, George Osborne, used to say, need to step up. How anyone can prioritise tax cuts over, for example, a rerating of UC at the present time is simply beyond me. Ed Davey should be ashamed of himself.
It's a shame neither party could put forward a better candidate for PM, but there you go. The choices were poor.
Have a good day everyone and be as nice to one another as you can be. Please. It makes the world a better place.
I loathe Boris and believe him wholly unsuitable to be PM. I would say (and have said) he will be found out but he already has been and remains in post so what do I know. Then again, I am quite relieved at his anti-restriction tendency. Whether that stems from some greater calculus of votes won/lost or his natural inclination I don't know but I'm glad we have a PM who is constantly looking to free us from restrictions. I know others disagree.
And yes again on Ukraine. As we discussed yesterday (not sure you were around at that point) - the war has to end at some point and there is a risk that external powers supply Ukraine with the resources to keep it going, just, for some time. Which will come at some great cost of human life. Does this mean Ukraine should accept all Russia's demands (whatever they are)? Well no but yes also. It is a decision for Zelensky and one I'm glad I don't have to make.
I've had to start using tesco because of the cost of living issues. They are very clever with their pricing for clubcard users.
I don't have an Aldi near by or I'd go there.
Sigh.
Anyway off to sleep. Be nice.
Snap.
Definitely the ones to watch. Also Mark Harper might take a tilt.
We may see bad locals for the conservatives followed immediately by Sue Gray's report and that will be the moment of greatest danger for Boris's premiership, which if he survives I doubt there will be an election for conservative leader before mid 24 at the earliest
If a week is a long time in politics than 2 plus years is a lifetime, after all in that period of time we have had brexit, covid and war
https://demos.co.uk/blog/why-britain-needs-a-progressive-vat/
Most parties which lose power however go further to the right or left not the centre.
Hence when Callaghan led Labour lost power in 1979 it went further left in opposition under Foot and Kinnock. When Major's Tories lost power in 1997 the party then went further right as well under Hague, IDS and Howard when it went into opposition as well. While of course when Brown led Labour lost power in 2010 the party went further left under Ed Miliband and Corbyn.
So there is a strong likelihood the Conservatives would go further right than under Boris if and when Boris loses a general election
Tastes Cheesy with plenty of filling and at 37p I would say it has as much filling as your £1 ish equivalents
My cost of living daily tip will highlight super VFM products not necessarily nutritionally balanced.
'How to Murder Your Husband' writer on trial for allegedly shooting dead her husband
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/05/murder-husband-writer-trial-allegedly-shooting-dead-spouse-25/ (£££)
But generally it’s a bit rich for government supporters to demand solutions to this shambles from the opposition. No opposition worth its salt would show it’s plans two years out. No, this mess is a Tory mess.
When money is tight it has to be targeted to the poorest which Rishi failed to address
A reasonable solution would be to turn the water back on to Crimea whilst agreeing to freeze the issue of its future for 10 or 15 years. The Donbass could probably do with an Ireland style approach. That will be painful as Russia occupied it and purposely wrecked the two cities there so it is hardly reasonable but making peace sometimes demands that. The problem is that such an agreement would not really give Putin a 'win'. I wouldn't worry about that except for the nuclear weapons and fascistic tendencies he displays.
And a wise opposition never answers in any detail.
It's just part of how the game has always been.
HMG has laid out its economic plans and to suggest that the opposition remain silent on their solutions would indicate they do not have any better ideas
And I don't see that you can differentiate between defensive and offensive weaponry. Ukraine has been invaded. It is reasonable for them to want to drive the invader from their soil. They could do with being able to kill Russians in greater numbers, not just one tank crew at a time. Now we know what Russian occupation looks like, there is no argument for leaving any Ukrainians to their mercies.
I don't want a Tory budget, a Labour budget, or a Lib Dem budget. I want a budget that raises taxes fairly.
I continue to say that in the history books people will examine the two times post-Berlin Wall Russia asked to join NATO and were rebuffed.
The opposition parties need to keep calling this out - which they are - and proposing some broad brush measures which could ameliorate the worse issues now - which they are - and detail their plans for 2034 once we know what 2024 will look like.
Don't forget that the boy Rishi can't say with any confidence what energy bills will be like this autumn. Which is why nobody can make detailed plans for 2024.
Was Ukraine likely to kick off about the time any challenge was to be made? The Guardian headline on 25th January was "US puts 8,500 troops on heightened alert amid fears over Ukraine"
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/24/nato-reinforces-eastern-borders-as-ukraine-tensions-mount
I use that date because I wrote to my MP on 25th January, saying "I think only Putin invading Ukraine saves Boris..." Now, if little old me can reach that assessment, then the Most Sophisticated Electorate on the Planet is capable of seeing what is coming down the line. You'd have to bet on Putin bluffing to safely pull the plug on Boris back in late January-mid February. Which was against all the evidence.
If the required number of letters had gone in at this time - or at any time up to today - there was no way the Parliamentary Party was going to have a lengthy contest for a new leader in wartime within Europe. Truth is, once Ukraine WAS invaded, the chance of that required number of letters became zero.
And remember, a vote of no confidence in Boris meant he would then have been safe for at least another year. The expectation was likely that Ukraine would have lost within a few weeks and we would have been back to business as sort of normal. As it is, Boris could still be gone by the autumn, depending on the fines he gets given. Boris may have had " a good war" - but that was bare minimum of what he needs to survive to lead the Party into the next election. There are plenty of Tory MPs who think Boris is a net vote loser going into that next election.
The only way Sunak "missed out" was if there had been a coronation of him. And there were others running their own active campaigns to ensure that was not a possibility. Now, he may have had a poor Spring Statement (although, he actually had limited cards to play). And he has not looked great under withering fire put up by his rivals. But to suggest he "bottled it" is a very poor reading of the facts as they have presented this year.
I agree that Mordaunt is still value as she has good support among the Tory membership and is acceptable to Tory MPs, while not being tainted by Johnson.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-61005390
Do we have any actual data of VAT paid by income decile?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60996174
Increasing UC and benefits and targeted help is the only way to go
Simple lived reality for too many is that there is little if any money left at the end of the month even if you are on a reasonable salary.
cf and more ridiculously, onshore wind generation in England
Our current government of the "brightest and best" of the leavers tells you all you need to know about how that is going to work out.
Johnson, Patel, Raab, Dorries, Rees-Mogg would have got nowhere near the cabinet if competence had been the key criteria..
Never say never of course, but, like youth, as Larkin points out, such a moment can't come again
I suppose the answer is Dunhumby fees exceed profit margin on as and ls. Which makes me ask whether you are getting such a bargain.
Stupid. Because what is Labour's response when Boris says "We supported the decisions of Shell and BP to withdraw from their investments in Russia. But in doing so, they have incurred massive losses. The Leader of the Opposition wants to destroy their cashflows. He proposes taxing them at the very time he instinctively thinks they are sat on vast profits. The Windfall Tax will not raise a tiny fraction of the sums he thinks it will. So, when that ruse fails, where is the money actually going to come from? We need answers."