As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
On your first point, I'm inclined to agree although listening to Rory Stewart on the Rest is Politics earlier he relayed an exchange with a Tory MP who admonished him for constantly saying that MPs will do whatever they can to avoid a GE in order to cling onto their seats. The Tory MP claimed that many first time MPs were sick of the whole thing and wanted out. I'm not 100% convinced because there's a big difference between not wanting to do a job and imminently making yourself unemployed. However, it should certainly be factored into predictions.
On your second, I reckon Starmer's very good at politics.
For the average Tory redwall MP the £84,144 MPs salary is probably the most they have or will ever earn even if some Home Counties Tory MPs might be able to make more money outside
No wealthy people in the 'red wall' then?
Redwall seats have below the national average earnings and a below the national average median houseprice
Funny. But misleading that you don’t note it’s a parody
DP was enjoyable today,. Steve Brine genuinely did slip (Edit: not sleep!) at one point and call Hunt PM and was gently ribbed for the remainder of the programme.
But the ribbing, said Tominay was as nothing to, as she claimed, Liz Truss humanity's greatest bantermeister. (I'm not kidding).
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
Starmer is the best Labour leader since Tony Blair.
That’s almost certainly true, though the competition isn’t that tough.
Remarkably since Blair came to power Labour have had 4 leaders (Brown, Miliband, Corbyn, Starmer) and the Conservatives 7 (Hague, IDS, Howard, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, and about to embark on an 8th).
Starmer does seem to be someone who improves with time, and shows signs of learning from events. His authority has also slowly but surely grown in the party. Look how he’s mended the relationship with Angela Rayner so the two of them are now quite an effective double act.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
Fake news. It’s probably the best Labour front bench since late Blair.
Would like to agree, but on what I've heard....Maybe I just happened to listen to the wrong ones.
I used to be a profound Keir skeptic. I also used to be very suspicious of the Labour front bench.
Add Bryant and Benn (potentially) and you have a high-calibre team.
Rayner is not really my cup of tea, but I appreciate she reaches places others don’t.
Starmer’s energy policy should highlight to anyone paying attention that he (and/or his team) have no idea whatsoever what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean he’ll be electorally unsuccessful, at least initially. But it is a clue as to how competent an administration he would likely run.
I'd have no problem with the triple lock being swapped to finance higher defence spending.
In fact, I'd view it as wholly appropriate.
I agree however just 4 minutes ago.
NEW: Cabinet Office Minister Brendan Clarke-Smith tells @JPonpolitics on @TimesRadio pensioners can breathe easily tonight on a their pensions being up-rated inline with with inflation:
"We want to look after our pensioners. The triple lock was a manifesto commitment"
Doesn’t mean they can't be taxed. (Or does it; I've never bothered to understand it)
They could be but they won't. The Tories will never attack what they perceive as their client vote. At least I don't think they will. Hunt may prove me wrong in which case more power to him.
What is daft is that there will be a significant portion of those pensioners and near pensioners who can look beyond their own self interest and realise their benefits come at the expense of their children and grandchildren. I actually think the smack back against any government who got rid of the triple lock or starting taxing pensioners would be no where near as bad as politicians and pundits think. I would love to be proved right on this but I doubt I will get the chance.
As I wrote earlier, Dick, Hunt has a once in a generation opportunity to rid us of the Lock. I think he'll do it, but you may be right so I won't fall off my bathchair if he doesn't.
Indeed. I do desperately want to be wrong about this and see a politician do something because it is the right thing to do for the country rather even though they think it will be politically damaging to them. Hunt, for all the criticism directed at him in the past, might be the person to grasp this rare opportunity.
Who knows, he might even get to like the idea and start taking some more of the electorally damaging but correct decisions for the long term good of the country.
In this discussion Hunt is being assigned agency he does not have. There are not the votes in the Commons to remove the triple lock. Labour will vote against as would at least 50 Tory MPs, probably a lot more.
I am not so sure about that. Of course you may well be right but I think the mood at the moment is such that he could get away with it. Indeed it is worth remembering that when the vote on the Triple lock came before the house last September, Labour did not support retaining it. Instead they abstained. So there is at least some element of realism at work there.
We all know how a budget vote on ending the triple lock will turn out. Labour will decide, after careful consideration, that making poor, vulnerable pensioners with scarcely two pennies to rub together pay the cost of the Kamikwazi budget and multi-million pound bonuses for evil City bankers is abhorrent, and vote against.
All the Tory backbenchers will then be made to leave their fingerprints on the bloody knife. They do it, bye bye grey vote. They refuse, general election. Checkmate, crown Starmer King.
There hasn't been quite enough discussion about what SKS and Labour would actually do when in government about the impossible task facing them - much the same as the impossible task facing Hunt's government. Winning the next GE is the easy bit.
i remember last time labour got in and the tories were wiped out nationalist parties like the bnp and later ukip started to have electoral success. The BNP made big breakthroughs in the 2002 to 2006 period when the Tories were moribund...now we have a much worse economic situation so something like that could well happen again this time on a bigger scale
I went to the local election pages of the BBC to see the extent of this BNP surge:
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
On your first point, I'm inclined to agree although listening to Rory Stewart on the Rest is Politics earlier he relayed an exchange with a Tory MP who admonished him for constantly saying that MPs will do whatever they can to avoid a GE in order to cling onto their seats. The Tory MP claimed that many first time MPs were sick of the whole thing and wanted out. I'm not 100% convinced because there's a big difference between not wanting to do a job and imminently making yourself unemployed. However, it should certainly be factored into predictions.
On your second, I reckon Starmer's very good at politics.
For the average Tory redwall MP the £84,144 MPs salary is probably the most they have or will ever earn even if some Home Counties Tory MPs might be able to make more money outside
No wealthy people in the 'red wall' then?
Just Billy Elliot's is the view of the Epping Forest Massive.
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
It's not even about smarts, or how much people like Starmer. Right now they'd face an extinction level event. Playing for time might not change that, but it at least has a chance!
Extinction level event is playing overplayed. The wrinklies and thickos will fall back in line on Election Day. Under no scenario can I see the Tories going under 175 seats.
If they keep Truss I can, indeed under 100 seats. Sunak however could probably at least get them to around 250 seats+
That's a bit optimistic, H, but at least with Sunak they stay in the game. With Truss, it would be Game Over.
But Truss is going. Until recently, I was with you in thinking she would stay till the 2023 May Elections. I'm now of the view that tomorrow will be her last PMQ.
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
Starmer is the best Labour leader since Tony Blair.
That’s almost certainly true, though the competition isn’t that tough.
Remarkably since Blair came to power Labour have had 4 leaders (Brown, Miliband, Corbyn, Starmer) and the Conservatives 7 (Hague, IDS, Howard, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, and about to embark on an 8th).
Starmer does seem to be someone who improves with time, and shows signs of learning from events. His authority has also slowly but surely grown in the party. Look how he’s mended the relationship with Angela Rayner so the two of them are now quite an effective double act.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
Fake news. It’s probably the best Labour front bench since late Blair.
Would like to agree, but on what I've heard....Maybe I just happened to listen to the wrong ones.
I used to be a profound Keir skeptic. I also used to be very suspicious of the Labour front bench.
Add Bryant and Benn (potentially) and you have a high-calibre team.
Rayner is not really my cup of tea, but I appreciate she reaches places others don’t.
Starmer’s energy policy should highlight to anyone paying attention that he (and/or his team) have no idea whatsoever what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean he’ll be electorally unsuccessful, at least initially. But it is a clue as to how competent an administration he would likely run.
Appalling policy. So bad Hunt looks set to steal it.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Neither Tories or Labour anywhere near. Will anyone emerge to seize the opportunity?
Er... pro-freedom and culturally conservative?
So, free to marry someone of the same sex and against gay marriages for example?
Culturally conservative can be of the "minding your own business" variety, ie. people do whatever they like as long as they don't tell other people what to do. So it can be libertarian and culturally conservative at the same time.
Anti lockdown, anti tax but otherwise socially conservative
Until the Tory membership move on from Brexit then they’re going to remain a clear and present danger to the UK and need to be sidelined .
Truss got in because she went into EU hate on steroids , even though she voted Remain she’s turned into the ERGs gimpess!
That's utterly ridiculous and false. The EU have barely featured in the discussions and Truss has done nothing to "hate" the EU, she's merely come up with a sensible method to unilaterally fix the NI Protocol in case an agreement isn't reached - which is the only sensible way to act in negotiations, you need a Plan B in case your negotiations fail and the UK is perfectly entitled to act in a way it sees fit to protect the Good Friday Agreement.
The Truss v Sunak divide had bugger all to do with Europe and was purely an old-fashioned one on the issue of taxation versus sound money. Sunak on the side of increasing taxes, with Truss on the side of cutting them. Brussels was neither here nor there in that.
Truss was both literally and figuratively our first post-Brexit PM and is further proof that Brexit is "done". How people voted for Brexit - Leave or Remain - won't get people to the polls to vote Tory next time as that is all history now.
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
Starmer is the best Labour leader since Tony Blair.
That’s almost certainly true, though the competition isn’t that tough.
Remarkably since Blair came to power Labour have had 4 leaders (Brown, Miliband, Corbyn, Starmer) and the Conservatives 7 (Hague, IDS, Howard, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, and about to embark on an 8th).
Starmer does seem to be someone who improves with time, and shows signs of learning from events. His authority has also slowly but surely grown in the party. Look how he’s mended the relationship with Angela Rayner so the two of them are now quite an effective double act.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
Fake news. It’s probably the best Labour front bench since late Blair.
Would like to agree, but on what I've heard....Maybe I just happened to listen to the wrong ones.
I used to be a profound Keir skeptic. I also used to be very suspicious of the Labour front bench.
Add Bryant and Benn (potentially) and you have a high-calibre team.
Rayner is not really my cup of tea, but I appreciate she reaches places others don’t.
Starmer’s energy policy should highlight to anyone paying attention that he (and/or his team) have no idea whatsoever what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean he’ll be electorally unsuccessful, at least initially. But it is a clue as to how competent an administration he would likely run.
Appalling policy.
So bad Hunt looks set to steal it.
If that’s what you really think then you haven’t read Starmer’s energy policy.
I hunkered down like it was the Harrods Sale, and watched the European Research Group arrive in dribs, drabs and the occasional straightjacket.
These are the true believers: if they’re angry at Liz for anything, it’s for not keeping the mini-Budget. Lord Frost, John Redwood, Kate Hoey, Jacob, Fabbers, the magnificent David Campell Bannerman dragging a suitcase - full, no doubt, of Monetarist literature - and Steve “Muscles” Baker.
Sir William Cash spread his arms like Jolson, and sang, “Here we goooo!”
Says the man who believes Putin invaded Ukraine because of Brexit. Face it Gammonwalker your credibility is shot.
That’s ridiculous
Putin invaded Ukraine because of the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Actually I believe that Putin and Zelensky had a disagreement over the truth or falsehood of the miracle of transubstantiation. Though granted I've no idea on which sides of the dispute the two men found themselves.
Ah, transubstantiation.
Some really believe that Northern Ireland is about religion. But that would mean that this chap understands what transubstantiation means. Or could spell it…
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
Starmer is the best Labour leader since Tony Blair.
That’s almost certainly true, though the competition isn’t that tough.
Remarkably since Blair came to power Labour have had 4 leaders (Brown, Miliband, Corbyn, Starmer) and the Conservatives 7 (Hague, IDS, Howard, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, and about to embark on an 8th).
Starmer does seem to be someone who improves with time, and shows signs of learning from events. His authority has also slowly but surely grown in the party. Look how he’s mended the relationship with Angela Rayner so the two of them are now quite an effective double act.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
Fake news. It’s probably the best Labour front bench since late Blair.
Would like to agree, but on what I've heard....Maybe I just happened to listen to the wrong ones.
I used to be a profound Keir skeptic. I also used to be very suspicious of the Labour front bench.
Add Bryant and Benn (potentially) and you have a high-calibre team.
Rayner is not really my cup of tea, but I appreciate she reaches places others don’t.
Starmer’s energy policy should highlight to anyone paying attention that he (and/or his team) have no idea whatsoever what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean he’ll be electorally unsuccessful, at least initially. But it is a clue as to how competent an administration he would likely run.
It's the policy more or less implemented now by the government. I understand you don't like it; plenty of grown-ups think it's the right thing to do.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Try NYC on an average weeknight or afternoon and it would still be bustling I expect. As I said, Denver is just the biggest city in Colorado, it is not a global metropolis
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
Starmer is the best Labour leader since Tony Blair.
That’s almost certainly true, though the competition isn’t that tough.
Remarkably since Blair came to power Labour have had 4 leaders (Brown, Miliband, Corbyn, Starmer) and the Conservatives 7 (Hague, IDS, Howard, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, and about to embark on an 8th).
Starmer does seem to be someone who improves with time, and shows signs of learning from events. His authority has also slowly but surely grown in the party. Look how he’s mended the relationship with Angela Rayner so the two of them are now quite an effective double act.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
Could you be more specific? Too much of a generalisation to respond to, although I think the SC is stronger than for some time.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Try NYC on an average weeknight or afternoon and it would still be bustling I expect. As I said, Denver is just the biggest city in Colorado, it is not a global metropolis
The Denver metro has 3m people, which would make it the second largest metro after London I think, were it in the UK.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Not really a fair comparison. Seville is a tourist destination; Denver not so much.
A better comparison would be Leeds or Birmingham, but I suspect both would still look a lot livelier than Denver does in those pics.
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
Starmer is the best Labour leader since Tony Blair.
That’s almost certainly true, though the competition isn’t that tough.
Remarkably since Blair came to power Labour have had 4 leaders (Brown, Miliband, Corbyn, Starmer) and the Conservatives 7 (Hague, IDS, Howard, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, and about to embark on an 8th).
Starmer does seem to be someone who improves with time, and shows signs of learning from events. His authority has also slowly but surely grown in the party. Look how he’s mended the relationship with Angela Rayner so the two of them are now quite an effective double act.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
Could you be more specific? Too much of a generalisation to respond to, although I think the SC is stronger than for some time.
Sorry but I can't remember names (which is itself an indication of the problem) but too often I hear a substandard response from a Shadow spokesman so I can only assume there is a lack of talent.
And why is Hilary Benn still a backbencher? Makes no sense.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
If that's an American Costco sized store rather than a UK sized supermarket I don't see anything wrong with that, at all.
American/Canadian Costco's etc are humungous and have a huge selection of goods, plus a deep quantity of those goods. It looked like many cabinets only had a single flavour of the pizza (so many versions of the same flavour) while here a supermarket could have 9 different flavours in the same cabinet.
So long as it has a comparable range of fresh food etc and not just frozen pizza, if it simply has a lot of stock, and a lot of choice in that stock, there's nothing wrong with that. There's no difference between buying 1 pizza from one freezer, or 1 pizza from a choice of 30 different freezers, it just means walking further which isn't necessarily a bad thing for anyone eating pizza to do!
Well worth reading, even if you don't like the source.
Over two-thirds of voters (70 per cent) think that, over the medium term, the UK should have a closer relationship with the EU than what we have today, but only a third of the public think that the UK should seek membership of the EU single market at the minimum.
That's hardly a public endorsement for joining the EU as it actually is, rather than the romantic utopian view die-hard Remainers have.
As someone who voted Leave, I looked at the result and was quite dismayed at where we ended up. 48% of people wanted to Remain, so my view was we should've seriously considered EEA or EFTA+ To leave both the EU and stay outside of EFTA as well was not, in my opinion, delivering what was broadly voted for.
And given the events in Russia and the Ukraine, I personally think like Finland and Sweden joining NATO that we should rejoin EFTA.
Maybe Labour will do that.... who knows......
This was my argument from the day after the referendum. Actually, it was my argument well before but unlike some I did stick to this conviction. I still think it is where our final destination will be although not soon enough to save me the £100 bet I had with Richard Nabavi at the time.
It is also the reason why we will not rejoin the EU. And it is the only way in which Brexit will, finally, be settled.
At least the very worse off are getting a Brexit payrise, though.
Do you have the same chart for Greeks, Germans and other Europeans?
Its entirely possible that people are having both a Brexit payrise and a decline in real wages considering there is huge global inflation - but that the decline in real wages would have been much worse without their Brexit payrise to help cushion the blow.
I hunkered down like it was the Harrods Sale, and watched the European Research Group arrive in dribs, drabs and the occasional straightjacket.
These are the true believers: if they’re angry at Liz for anything, it’s for not keeping the mini-Budget. Lord Frost, John Redwood, Kate Hoey, Jacob, Fabbers, the magnificent David Campell Bannerman dragging a suitcase - full, no doubt, of Monetarist literature - and Steve “Muscles” Baker.
Sir William Cash spread his arms like Jolson, and sang, “Here we goooo!”
Says the man who believes Putin invaded Ukraine because of Brexit. Face it Gammonwalker your credibility is shot.
That’s ridiculous
Putin invaded Ukraine because of the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Actually I believe that Putin and Zelensky had a disagreement over the truth or falsehood of the miracle of transubstantiation. Though granted I've no idea on which sides of the dispute the two men found themselves.
Ah, transubstantiation.
Some really believe that Northern Ireland is about religion. But that would mean that this chap understands what transubstantiation means. Or could spell it…
Tbh, Putin strikes me as more of a Radiohead man than Zelensky does, so I think that may be it.
If that's an American Costco sized store rather than a UK sized supermarket I don't see anything wrong with that, at all.
American/Canadian Costco's etc are humungous and have a huge selection of goods, plus a deep quantity of those goods. It looked like many cabinets only had a single flavour of the pizza (so many versions of the same flavour) while here a supermarket could have 9 different flavours in the same cabinet.
So long as it has a comparable range of fresh food etc and not just frozen pizza, if it simply has a lot of stock, and a lot of choice in that stock, there's nothing wrong with that. There's no difference between buying 1 pizza from one freezer, or 1 pizza from a choice of 30 different freezers, it just means walking further which isn't necessarily a bad thing for anyone eating pizza to do!
Yup. Indeed, some of the replies to that tweet show videos of similarly huge cheese and beer sections of similar stores.
Having said that, Wisconsin does have a famously bad obesity problem. They eat like they still do a day's manual labour in the winter snows - very carb heavy indeed. There's a scene in a documentary (Palin? Bourdain?) of a Wisconsin lunch buffet which sticks in my mind, even if I can't place it.
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
Starmer is the best Labour leader since Tony Blair.
That’s almost certainly true, though the competition isn’t that tough.
Remarkably since Blair came to power Labour have had 4 leaders (Brown, Miliband, Corbyn, Starmer) and the Conservatives 7 (Hague, IDS, Howard, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, and about to embark on an 8th).
Starmer does seem to be someone who improves with time, and shows signs of learning from events. His authority has also slowly but surely grown in the party. Look how he’s mended the relationship with Angela Rayner so the two of them are now quite an effective double act.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
Fake news. It’s probably the best Labour front bench since late Blair.
Would like to agree, but on what I've heard....Maybe I just happened to listen to the wrong ones.
I used to be a profound Keir skeptic. I also used to be very suspicious of the Labour front bench.
Add Bryant and Benn (potentially) and you have a high-calibre team.
Rayner is not really my cup of tea, but I appreciate she reaches places others don’t.
Starmer’s energy policy should highlight to anyone paying attention that he (and/or his team) have no idea whatsoever what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean he’ll be electorally unsuccessful, at least initially. But it is a clue as to how competent an administration he would likely run.
It's the policy more or less implemented now by the government. I understand you don't like it; plenty of grown-ups think it's the right thing to do.
So what you're saying is that the way to judge whether a policy is sound is by whether this government is implementing it? And if this government is implementing the policy, then that is competent and the grown up thing to do?
Well worth reading, even if you don't like the source.
Over two-thirds of voters (70 per cent) think that, over the medium term, the UK should have a closer relationship with the EU than what we have today, but only a third of the public think that the UK should seek membership of the EU single market at the minimum.
That's hardly a public endorsement for joining the EU as it actually is, rather than the romantic utopian view die-hard Remainers have.
As someone who voted Leave, I looked at the result and was quite dismayed at where we ended up. 48% of people wanted to Remain, so my view was we should've seriously considered EEA or EFTA+ To leave both the EU and stay outside of EFTA as well was not, in my opinion, delivering what was broadly voted for.
And given the events in Russia and the Ukraine, I personally think like Finland and Sweden joining NATO that we should rejoin EFTA.
Maybe Labour will do that.... who knows......
This was my argument from the day after the referendum. Actually, it was my argument well before but unlike some I did stick to this conviction. I still think it is where our final destination will be although not soon enough to save me the £100 bet I had with Richard Nabavi at the time.
It is also the reason why we will not rejoin the EU. And it is the only way in which Brexit will, finally, be settled.
The thing that I find compelling EFTA/EEA is that the countries in it seem very happy about their relationships with the EU.
And maybe something that works for the middle 60% is the right place to be.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
Have you been to the Wynkoop yet? Make sure you go there this evening.
Neither Tories or Labour anywhere near. Will anyone emerge to seize the opportunity?
Er... pro-freedom and culturally conservative?
So, free to marry someone of the same sex and against gay marriages for example?
When they say "pro-freedom", what they mean is "pro-my-specific-kind-of-freedom-and-I-should-be-free-to-make-jokes-about-uphill-gardening"/
As opposed to the pro-my-specific-kind-of-freedom-and-I-should-be-free-to-get-people-fired-for-not-believing-my-esoteric-set-of-nostrums
The belief in freedom in the sense of “freedom for people I don’t like, to do things I don’t approve of” is rather rare
It is. But it's important.
I have no desire to snort heroin off a 19 year old hooker's naked body, and I would regard such behaviour as tawdry and boorish, but believe people should have the freedom to do that, so long as everyone is a consenting adult.
I have no desire to go into a Mosque and preach about the evils of America. But I believe people should have the freedom to do that.
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
Starmer is the best Labour leader since Tony Blair.
That’s almost certainly true, though the competition isn’t that tough.
Remarkably since Blair came to power Labour have had 4 leaders (Brown, Miliband, Corbyn, Starmer) and the Conservatives 7 (Hague, IDS, Howard, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, and about to embark on an 8th).
Starmer does seem to be someone who improves with time, and shows signs of learning from events. His authority has also slowly but surely grown in the party. Look how he’s mended the relationship with Angela Rayner so the two of them are now quite an effective double act.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
Fake news. It’s probably the best Labour front bench since late Blair.
Would like to agree, but on what I've heard....Maybe I just happened to listen to the wrong ones.
I used to be a profound Keir skeptic. I also used to be very suspicious of the Labour front bench.
Add Bryant and Benn (potentially) and you have a high-calibre team.
Rayner is not really my cup of tea, but I appreciate she reaches places others don’t.
Starmer’s energy policy should highlight to anyone paying attention that he (and/or his team) have no idea whatsoever what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean he’ll be electorally unsuccessful, at least initially. But it is a clue as to how competent an administration he would likely run.
It's the policy more or less implemented now by the government. I understand you don't like it; plenty of grown-ups think it's the right thing to do.
False. The current govt is not proposing to crowd our private sector investment by nationalising renewable energy production.
I hunkered down like it was the Harrods Sale, and watched the European Research Group arrive in dribs, drabs and the occasional straightjacket.
These are the true believers: if they’re angry at Liz for anything, it’s for not keeping the mini-Budget. Lord Frost, John Redwood, Kate Hoey, Jacob, Fabbers, the magnificent David Campell Bannerman dragging a suitcase - full, no doubt, of Monetarist literature - and Steve “Muscles” Baker.
Sir William Cash spread his arms like Jolson, and sang, “Here we goooo!”
Says the man who believes Putin invaded Ukraine because of Brexit. Face it Gammonwalker your credibility is shot.
That’s ridiculous
Putin invaded Ukraine because of the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Actually I believe that Putin and Zelensky had a disagreement over the truth or falsehood of the miracle of transubstantiation. Though granted I've no idea on which sides of the dispute the two men found themselves.
Ah, transubstantiation.
Some really believe that Northern Ireland is about religion. But that would mean that this chap understands what transubstantiation means. Or could spell it…
Tbh, Putin strikes me as more of a Radiohead man than Zelensky does, so I think that may be it.
I hunkered down like it was the Harrods Sale, and watched the European Research Group arrive in dribs, drabs and the occasional straightjacket.
These are the true believers: if they’re angry at Liz for anything, it’s for not keeping the mini-Budget. Lord Frost, John Redwood, Kate Hoey, Jacob, Fabbers, the magnificent David Campell Bannerman dragging a suitcase - full, no doubt, of Monetarist literature - and Steve “Muscles” Baker.
Sir William Cash spread his arms like Jolson, and sang, “Here we goooo!”
Says the man who believes Putin invaded Ukraine because of Brexit. Face it Gammonwalker your credibility is shot.
That’s ridiculous
Putin invaded Ukraine because of the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Actually I believe that Putin and Zelensky had a disagreement over the truth or falsehood of the miracle of transubstantiation. Though granted I've no idea on which sides of the dispute the two men found themselves.
Ah, transubstantiation.
Some really believe that Northern Ireland is about religion. But that would mean that this chap understands what transubstantiation means. Or could spell it…
Tbh, Putin strikes me as more of a Radiohead man than Zelensky does, so I think that may be it.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
Though looking at the photos in the round, why would anyone want to spend any more time there than they had to? It looks like slab - wide road - slab. Not much to engage with, or that can make the soul sing. In their different ways, the Square Mile, Docklands and old Seville have got enough density and texture to give the eye lots of somethings to look at.
Has anywhere done that and left enough space for cars to flow and park sufficiently freely?
Neither Tories or Labour anywhere near. Will anyone emerge to seize the opportunity?
Er... pro-freedom and culturally conservative?
So, free to marry someone of the same sex and against gay marriages for example?
When they say "pro-freedom", what they mean is "pro-my-specific-kind-of-freedom-and-I-should-be-free-to-make-jokes-about-uphill-gardening"/
As opposed to the pro-my-specific-kind-of-freedom-and-I-should-be-free-to-get-people-fired-for-not-believing-my-esoteric-set-of-nostrums
The belief in freedom in the sense of “freedom for people I don’t like, to do things I don’t approve of” is rather rare
It is. But it's important.
I have no desire to snort heroin off a 19 year old hooker's naked body, and I would regard such behaviour as tawdry and boorish, but believe people should have the freedom to do that, so long as everyone is a consenting adult.
I have no desire to go into a Mosque and preach about the evils of America. But I believe people should have the freedom to do that.
Freedom means absolutely nothing if you don't give the same freedom to those you vehemently disagree with.
Given that the current UK cabinet is a motley collection of substandard muppets, why not replacing with a new and (greatly) improved team, composed of REAL Muppets:
Prime Minister > Kermit the Frog (aka GOF) Deputy PM and Chief Whip > Miss Piggy Chancellor of the Exchequer > Fozie Bear Foreign Secretary > Dr Julius Strangepork Home Secretary > Gonzo the Great Defense Secretary > Animal Justice Secretary/Lord Chancellor > Bert and Ernie SS for Business & Trade > Rizzo the Rat SS for Environment > Oscar the Grouch SS for Education > Elmo SS for Health > Link Hogthrob SS for Science > Dr Bensen Honeydew (w Beaker as UnderSec) SS for Culture > Dr Teeth SS for Agriculture > Henrietta Chicken (or Attila the Hen?) SS for Transport > Big Bird SS for Leveling Up > Cookie Monster SSs for Woke & Multiculturalism > Janice and Swedish Chef Leader of the House of Commons > Scooter
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Try NYC on an average weeknight or afternoon and it would still be bustling I expect. As I said, Denver is just the biggest city in Colorado, it is not a global metropolis
The Denver metro has 3m people, which would make it the second largest metro after London I think, were it in the UK.
Yes but who wants to go into Birmingham to work either if they can work at home.
The big tourist cities and the big buzzing global metropolis cities like London and NYC and Paris will still have plenty of people in them in the week, the rest won't unless for the odd team meeting or night out
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
Denver exists for people who like to spend their entire time in the mountains, but have day jobs.
Almost everyone I know there has a second place - usually just a two or three room cabin - out in the mountains.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Try NYC on an average weeknight or afternoon and it would still be bustling I expect. As I said, Denver is just the biggest city in Colorado, it is not a global metropolis
But how much of that in NYC is tourists? That's treating a city as a museum exhibit to be gawked at, rather than a real living thing.
I know that of my family in NYC quite a few of them are still working at home a fair bit. It's definitely a change. Not convinced that it's the death of western civilisation that Leon thinks it is, but I have no problem admitting to being frequently wrong.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
Though looking at the photos in the round, why would anyone want to spend any more time there than they had to? It looks like slab - wide road - slab. Not much to engage with, or that can make the soul sing. In their different ways, the Square Mile, Docklands and old Seville have got enough density and texture to give the eye lots of somethings to look at.
Has anywhere done that and left enough space for cars to flow and park sufficiently freely?
Except there is also a really nice handsome preserved Victorian downtown bit - steam cleaned bricks and wooden floors, classic preservation stuff - and it is nearly as bad
My guide was a charming old dude and he was in mild despair. It is not a good thing if your cities die. Just isn’t. Working From Home is a fucking disaster for the human soul
Increasing signal through the noise that Kherson is about to fall. Sounds too like a systematic campaign of slow but steady encirclement happening in the north east that should soon tie up probably two of three major remaining railway junctions in north Luhansk.
As for Wallace in DC, I suspect this is about new Iranian nuclear capability (gifted from Russia). I’d say >50% odds we see an Israeli intervention of some sort within a month.
Philip Blond is utterly deluded. The Tories the Party of the working class? My arse.
They were under Boris, he was the first Tory leader ever to win DEs, the unskilled working class and unemployed, as well as winning C2s, the skilled working class by more than he won upper middle class ABs
Given that the current UK cabinet is a motley collection of substandard muppets, why not replacing with a new and (greatly) improved team, composed of REAL Muppets:
Prime Minister > Kermit the Frog (aka GOF) Deputy PM and Chief Whip > Miss Piggy Chancellor of the Exchequer > Fozie Bear Foreign Secretary > Dr Julius Strangepork Home Secretary > Gonzo the Great Defense Secretary > Animal Justice Secretary/Lord Chancellor > Bert and Ernie SS for Business & Trade > Rizzo the Rat SS for Environment > Oscar the Grouch SS for Education > Elmo SS for Health > Link Hogthrob SS for Science > Dr Bensen Honeydew (w Beaker as UnderSec) SS for Culture > Dr Teeth SS for Agriculture > Henrietta Chicken (or Attila the Hen?) SS for Transport > Big Bird SS for Leveling Up > Cookie Monster SSs for Woke & Multiculturalism > Janice and Swedish Chef Leader of the House of Commons > Scooter
Leader(s) of the Opposition > Statler and Waldorf
The mini budget could have done with a few Wocka Wockas.
I hunkered down like it was the Harrods Sale, and watched the European Research Group arrive in dribs, drabs and the occasional straightjacket.
These are the true believers: if they’re angry at Liz for anything, it’s for not keeping the mini-Budget. Lord Frost, John Redwood, Kate Hoey, Jacob, Fabbers, the magnificent David Campell Bannerman dragging a suitcase - full, no doubt, of Monetarist literature - and Steve “Muscles” Baker.
Sir William Cash spread his arms like Jolson, and sang, “Here we goooo!”
Neither Tories or Labour anywhere near. Will anyone emerge to seize the opportunity?
Er... pro-freedom and culturally conservative?
So, free to marry someone of the same sex and against gay marriages for example?
When they say "pro-freedom", what they mean is "pro-my-specific-kind-of-freedom-and-I-should-be-free-to-make-jokes-about-uphill-gardening"/
As opposed to the pro-my-specific-kind-of-freedom-and-I-should-be-free-to-get-people-fired-for-not-believing-my-esoteric-set-of-nostrums
The belief in freedom in the sense of “freedom for people I don’t like, to do things I don’t approve of” is rather rare
I can't say I've noticed any Populist movements anywhere that have any interest in freedom at all. Quite the reverse.
The other three - definitely, especially if non-free market fundamentalist means fairly left wing protectionist.
But the problem for Populist movements seems to be (as a poster said the other day) that they always seem to end up being captured by wealthy anti-tax small state (apart from the bits they like, such as police) elites.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
Though looking at the photos in the round, why would anyone want to spend any more time there than they had to? It looks like slab - wide road - slab. Not much to engage with, or that can make the soul sing. In their different ways, the Square Mile, Docklands and old Seville have got enough density and texture to give the eye lots of somethings to look at.
Has anywhere done that and left enough space for cars to flow and park sufficiently freely?
Except there is also a really nice handsome preserved Victorian downtown bit - steam cleaned bricks and wooden floors, classic preservation stuff - and it is nearly as bad
My guide was a charming old dude and he was in mild despair. It is not a good thing if your cities die. Just isn’t. Working From Home is a fucking disaster for the human soul
Given that the current UK cabinet is a motley collection of substandard muppets, why not replacing with a new and (greatly) improved team, composed of REAL Muppets:
Prime Minister > Kermit the Frog (aka GOF) Deputy PM and Chief Whip > Miss Piggy Chancellor of the Exchequer > Fozie Bear Foreign Secretary > Dr Julius Strangepork Home Secretary > Gonzo the Great Defense Secretary > Animal Justice Secretary/Lord Chancellor > Bert and Ernie SS for Business & Trade > Rizzo the Rat SS for Environment > Oscar the Grouch SS for Education > Elmo SS for Health > Link Hogthrob SS for Science > Dr Bensen Honeydew (w Beaker as UnderSec) SS for Culture > Dr Teeth SS for Agriculture > Henrietta Chicken (or Attila the Hen?) SS for Transport > Big Bird SS for Leveling Up > Cookie Monster SSs for Woke & Multiculturalism > Janice and Swedish Chef Leader of the House of Commons > Scooter
Leader(s) of the Opposition > Statler and Waldorf
The mini budget could have done with a few Wocka Wockas.
Kermit the frog would be a lot more interesting and charismatic than Teyss
Philip Blond is utterly deluded. The Tories the Party of the working class? My arse.
They were under Boris, he was the first Tory leader ever to win DEs, the unskilled working class and unemployed, as well as winning C2s, the skilled working class by more than he won upper middle class ABs
And what did he do for them? Falling real wages and worse conditions. Fool me once. The skilled and unskilled retired home owners did OK. They aren't workers.
Given that the current UK cabinet is a motley collection of substandard muppets, why not replacing with a new and (greatly) improved team, composed of REAL Muppets:
Prime Minister > Kermit the Frog (aka GOF) Deputy PM and Chief Whip > Miss Piggy Chancellor of the Exchequer > Fozie Bear Foreign Secretary > Dr Julius Strangepork Home Secretary > Gonzo the Great Defense Secretary > Animal Justice Secretary/Lord Chancellor > Bert and Ernie SS for Business & Trade > Rizzo the Rat SS for Environment > Oscar the Grouch SS for Education > Elmo SS for Health > Link Hogthrob SS for Science > Dr Bensen Honeydew (w Beaker as UnderSec) SS for Culture > Dr Teeth SS for Agriculture > Henrietta Chicken (or Attila the Hen?) SS for Transport > Big Bird SS for Leveling Up > Cookie Monster SSs for Woke & Multiculturalism > Janice and Swedish Chef Leader of the House of Commons > Scooter
Leader(s) of the Opposition > Statler and Waldorf
Brilliant!
I think the previous Chancellor couldn't count even as well as Fozzie...
Philip Blond is utterly deluded. The Tories the Party of the working class? My arse.
They were under Boris, he was the first Tory leader ever to win DEs, the unskilled working class and unemployed, as well as winning C2s, the skilled working class by more than he won upper middle class ABs
And what did he do for them? Falling real wages and worse conditions. Fool me once.
Got Brexit done and replaced free movement with a points system, provided furlough with Sunak and got the vaccine out.
Before Truss he was also investing in levelling up
I am starting a new role in January and some of it is going to be trying to work out how to balance the collaborative productivity of in-office working, with the improved comfort of working from home.
If anyone is aware of any decent models, let me know.
I hunkered down like it was the Harrods Sale, and watched the European Research Group arrive in dribs, drabs and the occasional straightjacket.
These are the true believers: if they’re angry at Liz for anything, it’s for not keeping the mini-Budget. Lord Frost, John Redwood, Kate Hoey, Jacob, Fabbers, the magnificent David Campell Bannerman dragging a suitcase - full, no doubt, of Monetarist literature - and Steve “Muscles” Baker.
Sir William Cash spread his arms like Jolson, and sang, “Here we goooo!”
Says the man who believes Putin invaded Ukraine because of Brexit. Face it Gammonwalker your credibility is shot.
That’s ridiculous
Putin invaded Ukraine because of the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Actually I believe that Putin and Zelensky had a disagreement over the truth or falsehood of the miracle of transubstantiation. Though granted I've no idea on which sides of the dispute the two men found themselves.
Ah, transubstantiation.
Some really believe that Northern Ireland is about religion. But that would mean that this chap understands what transubstantiation means. Or could spell it…
Tbh, Putin strikes me as more of a Radiohead man than Zelensky does, so I think that may be it.
No surprises that this guy is a creep.
And a loser. What the hell is he doing there. He doesn't belong there.
I hunkered down like it was the Harrods Sale, and watched the European Research Group arrive in dribs, drabs and the occasional straightjacket.
These are the true believers: if they’re angry at Liz for anything, it’s for not keeping the mini-Budget. Lord Frost, John Redwood, Kate Hoey, Jacob, Fabbers, the magnificent David Campell Bannerman dragging a suitcase - full, no doubt, of Monetarist literature - and Steve “Muscles” Baker.
Sir William Cash spread his arms like Jolson, and sang, “Here we goooo!”
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
Though looking at the photos in the round, why would anyone want to spend any more time there than they had to? It looks like slab - wide road - slab. Not much to engage with, or that can make the soul sing. In their different ways, the Square Mile, Docklands and old Seville have got enough density and texture to give the eye lots of somethings to look at.
Has anywhere done that and left enough space for cars to flow and park sufficiently freely?
Except there is also a really nice handsome preserved Victorian downtown bit - steam cleaned bricks and wooden floors, classic preservation stuff - and it is nearly as bad
My guide was a charming old dude and he was in mild despair. It is not a good thing if your cities die. Just isn’t. Working From Home is a fucking disaster for the human soul
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
Denver exists for people who like to spend their entire time in the mountains, but have day jobs.
Almost everyone I know there has a second place - usually just a two or three room cabin - out in the mountains.
Seattle is quite similar. With boating as alternative to mountaineering.
Also similar issue regarding downtown.
Though we do get a LOT of tourists, most visibly in relation to cruise ships to Alaska & back. Their returning to business has helped downtown SEA.
BTW, Leon, have you been to the State Capitol yet? Always wanted to go there & stand at the Mile High marker!
Philip Blond is utterly deluded. The Tories the Party of the working class? My arse.
They were under Boris, he was the first Tory leader ever to win DEs, the unskilled working class and unemployed, as well as winning C2s, the skilled working class by more than he won upper middle class ABs
And what did he do for them? Falling real wages and worse conditions. Fool me once.
Got Brexit done and replaced free movement with a points system, provided furlough with Sunak and got the vaccine out.
Before Truss he was also investing in levelling up
Philip Blond is utterly deluded. The Tories the Party of the working class? My arse.
They were under Boris, he was the first Tory leader ever to win DEs, the unskilled working class and unemployed, as well as winning C2s, the skilled working class by more than he won upper middle class ABs
And what did he do for them? Falling real wages and worse conditions. Fool me once.
Got Brexit done and replaced free movement with a points system, provided furlough with Sunak and got the vaccine out.
Before Truss he was also investing in levelling up
Ha ha. My arse he was. Falling real wages and worse conditions. Nobody on minimum wage cares about the rest. That's fluff for the decently paid to obsess about.
I am starting a new role in January and some of it is going to be trying to work out how to balance the collaborative productivity of in-office working, with the improved comfort of working from home.
If anyone is aware of any decent models, let me know.
Some of our admin team work from home, and their appraisals were interesting. Some had higher productivity and fewer errors, others the opposite. It is very person and site specific.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
Though looking at the photos in the round, why would anyone want to spend any more time there than they had to? It looks like slab - wide road - slab. Not much to engage with, or that can make the soul sing. In their different ways, the Square Mile, Docklands and old Seville have got enough density and texture to give the eye lots of somethings to look at.
Has anywhere done that and left enough space for cars to flow and park sufficiently freely?
Except there is also a really nice handsome preserved Victorian downtown bit - steam cleaned bricks and wooden floors, classic preservation stuff - and it is nearly as bad
My guide was a charming old dude and he was in mild despair. It is not a good thing if your cities die. Just isn’t. Working From Home is a fucking disaster for the human soul
Philip Blond is utterly deluded. The Tories the Party of the working class? My arse.
They were under Boris, he was the first Tory leader ever to win DEs, the unskilled working class and unemployed, as well as winning C2s, the skilled working class by more than he won upper middle class ABs
And what did he do for them? Falling real wages and worse conditions. Fool me once.
Got Brexit done and replaced free movement with a points system, provided furlough with Sunak and got the vaccine out.
Before Truss he was also investing in levelling up
I hunkered down like it was the Harrods Sale, and watched the European Research Group arrive in dribs, drabs and the occasional straightjacket.
These are the true believers: if they’re angry at Liz for anything, it’s for not keeping the mini-Budget. Lord Frost, John Redwood, Kate Hoey, Jacob, Fabbers, the magnificent David Campell Bannerman dragging a suitcase - full, no doubt, of Monetarist literature - and Steve “Muscles” Baker.
Sir William Cash spread his arms like Jolson, and sang, “Here we goooo!”
Says the man who believes Putin invaded Ukraine because of Brexit. Face it Gammonwalker your credibility is shot.
That’s ridiculous
Putin invaded Ukraine because of the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Actually I believe that Putin and Zelensky had a disagreement over the truth or falsehood of the miracle of transubstantiation. Though granted I've no idea on which sides of the dispute the two men found themselves.
Actually it was over the Schleswig-Holstein question. Only three men ever knew the answer. One is dead, one has forgotten, and the other is @Richard_Tyndall
I am starting a new role in January and some of it is going to be trying to work out how to balance the collaborative productivity of in-office working, with the improved comfort of working from home.
If anyone is aware of any decent models, let me know.
Some of our admin team work from home, and their appraisals were interesting. Some had higher productivity and fewer errors, others the opposite. It is very person and site specific.
Working in an office is highly regarded by managers who've risen to their position by being good at working in an office shock. Folk are different. We aren't all David Brent surprise.
I'd have no problem with the triple lock being swapped to finance higher defence spending.
In fact, I'd view it as wholly appropriate.
I agree however just 4 minutes ago.
NEW: Cabinet Office Minister Brendan Clarke-Smith tells @JPonpolitics on @TimesRadio pensioners can breathe easily tonight on a their pensions being up-rated inline with with inflation:
"We want to look after our pensioners. The triple lock was a manifesto commitment"
Doesn’t mean they can't be taxed. (Or does it; I've never bothered to understand it)
They could be but they won't. The Tories will never attack what they perceive as their client vote. At least I don't think they will. Hunt may prove me wrong in which case more power to him.
What is daft is that there will be a significant portion of those pensioners and near pensioners who can look beyond their own self interest and realise their benefits come at the expense of their children and grandchildren. I actually think the smack back against any government who got rid of the triple lock or starting taxing pensioners would be no where near as bad as politicians and pundits think. I would love to be proved right on this but I doubt I will get the chance.
As I wrote earlier, Dick, Hunt has a once in a generation opportunity to rid us of the Lock. I think he'll do it, but you may be right so I won't fall off my bathchair if he doesn't.
Indeed. I do desperately want to be wrong about this and see a politician do something because it is the right thing to do for the country rather even though they think it will be politically damaging to them. Hunt, for all the criticism directed at him in the past, might be the person to grasp this rare opportunity.
Who knows, he might even get to like the idea and start taking some more of the electorally damaging but correct decisions for the long term good of the country.
In this discussion Hunt is being assigned agency he does not have. There are not the votes in the Commons to remove the triple lock. Labour will vote against as would at least 50 Tory MPs, probably a lot more.
I am not so sure about that. Of course you may well be right but I think the mood at the moment is such that he could get away with it. Indeed it is worth remembering that when the vote on the Triple lock came before the house last September, Labour did not support retaining it. Instead they abstained. So there is at least some element of realism at work there.
We all know how a budget vote on ending the triple lock will turn out. Labour will decide, after careful consideration, that making poor, vulnerable pensioners with scarcely two pennies to rub together pay the cost of the Kamikwazi budget and multi-million pound bonuses for evil City bankers is abhorrent, and vote against.
All the Tory backbenchers will then be made to leave their fingerprints on the bloody knife. They do it, bye bye grey vote. They refuse, general election. Checkmate, crown Starmer King.
There hasn't been quite enough discussion about what SKS and Labour would actually do when in government about the impossible task facing them - much the same as the impossible task facing Hunt's government. Winning the next GE is the easy bit.
i remember last time labour got in and the tories were wiped out nationalist parties like the bnp and later ukip started to have electoral success. The BNP made big breakthroughs in the 2002 to 2006 period when the Tories were moribund...now we have a much worse economic situation so something like that could well happen again this time on a bigger scale
I went to the local election pages of the BBC to see the extent of this BNP surge:
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
Though looking at the photos in the round, why would anyone want to spend any more time there than they had to? It looks like slab - wide road - slab. Not much to engage with, or that can make the soul sing. In their different ways, the Square Mile, Docklands and old Seville have got enough density and texture to give the eye lots of somethings to look at.
Has anywhere done that and left enough space for cars to flow and park sufficiently freely?
Except there is also a really nice handsome preserved Victorian downtown bit - steam cleaned bricks and wooden floors, classic preservation stuff - and it is nearly as bad
My guide was a charming old dude and he was in mild despair. It is not a good thing if your cities die. Just isn’t. Working From Home is a fucking disaster for the human soul
Don’t you work from home?
Working from home should be for the elites, not the plebs!
The World has changed - the genie is out. WFH is here to stay,
I am starting a new role in January and some of it is going to be trying to work out how to balance the collaborative productivity of in-office working, with the improved comfort of working from home.
If anyone is aware of any decent models, let me know.
Some of our admin team work from home, and their appraisals were interesting. Some had higher productivity and fewer errors, others the opposite. It is very person and site specific.
I work, very broadly speaking, in a creative profession. In-person collaboration is indispensable. There is also a need to work client-side occasionally.
I’m leaning toward a multi-modal policy, set by project leads, who can choose from two or three options.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
Though looking at the photos in the round, why would anyone want to spend any more time there than they had to? It looks like slab - wide road - slab. Not much to engage with, or that can make the soul sing. In their different ways, the Square Mile, Docklands and old Seville have got enough density and texture to give the eye lots of somethings to look at.
Has anywhere done that and left enough space for cars to flow and park sufficiently freely?
Except there is also a really nice handsome preserved Victorian downtown bit - steam cleaned bricks and wooden floors, classic preservation stuff - and it is nearly as bad
My guide was a charming old dude and he was in mild despair. It is not a good thing if your cities die. Just isn’t. Working From Home is a fucking disaster for the human soul
Don’t you work from home?
Friend, the WORLD is my home
Citizens of Nowhere are the traitors. T May said so....
I hunkered down like it was the Harrods Sale, and watched the European Research Group arrive in dribs, drabs and the occasional straightjacket.
These are the true believers: if they’re angry at Liz for anything, it’s for not keeping the mini-Budget. Lord Frost, John Redwood, Kate Hoey, Jacob, Fabbers, the magnificent David Campell Bannerman dragging a suitcase - full, no doubt, of Monetarist literature - and Steve “Muscles” Baker.
Sir William Cash spread his arms like Jolson, and sang, “Here we goooo!”
Says the man who believes Putin invaded Ukraine because of Brexit. Face it Gammonwalker your credibility is shot.
That’s ridiculous
Putin invaded Ukraine because of the repeal of the Corn Laws.
Actually I believe that Putin and Zelensky had a disagreement over the truth or falsehood of the miracle of transubstantiation. Though granted I've no idea on which sides of the dispute the two men found themselves.
Actually it was over the Schleswig-Holstein question. Only three men ever knew the answer. One is dead, one has forgotten, and the other is @Richard_Tyndall
“the English word civilisation comes from the 16th-century French civilisé ("civilized"), from Latin civilis ("civil"), related to civis ("citizen") and civitas ("city").”
If we let our cities die, then our civilisation dies with it
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
Though looking at the photos in the round, why would anyone want to spend any more time there than they had to? It looks like slab - wide road - slab. Not much to engage with, or that can make the soul sing. In their different ways, the Square Mile, Docklands and old Seville have got enough density and texture to give the eye lots of somethings to look at.
Has anywhere done that and left enough space for cars to flow and park sufficiently freely?
Except there is also a really nice handsome preserved Victorian downtown bit - steam cleaned bricks and wooden floors, classic preservation stuff - and it is nearly as bad
My guide was a charming old dude and he was in mild despair. It is not a good thing if your cities die. Just isn’t. Working From Home is a fucking disaster for the human soul
Don’t you work from home?
Working from home should be for the elites, not the plebs!
The World has changed - the genie is out. WFH is here to stay,
Complete 100% WFH is as depressing as complete 100% working in the office, though.
It was evident that Truss' survival was barely 50-50 on back of the reaction to the budget. Once she sacked Kwarteng then the survival odds got less. The other day I reckoned the markets going forward might have as big as role to play as Conservativbe MPs. If the markets kept going for the throat against UK PLC then that was it, she wouldnt survive because it would have been a clear statement of no confidence until the PM was gone. Truss aint bigger than the economy and only a total swivel eyed tool believes that.
Now there is at least a bit of softening of marklet sentiment, even if the damage will take a lot longer to repair so now its down to the parliamentary party to get their act together, forget about infighting and get on with it. It appears the majority of the membership arent going to rebel.
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
Yet Denver is many times richer than Seville. Economically, at least.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
I'm not sure whether that is better or worse than San Francisco with its heaps of steaming human excrement, and mental health/meth casualties on every block being studiously ignored by precarious middle class work drones.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
The shadow cabinet are generally terrible.
And infinitely better at every position than the actual cabinet
Indeed. The state of British politics is shocking. Where are the the heavyweights of old?
It's easy enough to think that politicians were better when one was younger. But, I think it's true. Most modern politicians are frivolous (and it's not restricted to this country).
The French, German, and US political class are also a shadow of what they were.
Well worth reading, even if you don't like the source.
Over two-thirds of voters (70 per cent) think that, over the medium term, the UK should have a closer relationship with the EU than what we have today, but only a third of the public think that the UK should seek membership of the EU single market at the minimum.
That's hardly a public endorsement for joining the EU as it actually is, rather than the romantic utopian view die-hard Remainers have.
As someone who voted Leave, I looked at the result and was quite dismayed at where we ended up. 48% of people wanted to Remain, so my view was we should've seriously considered EEA or EFTA+ To leave both the EU and stay outside of EFTA as well was not, in my opinion, delivering what was broadly voted for.
And given the events in Russia and the Ukraine, I personally think like Finland and Sweden joining NATO that we should rejoin EFTA.
Maybe Labour will do that.... who knows......
This was my argument from the day after the referendum. Actually, it was my argument well before but unlike some I did stick to this conviction. I still think it is where our final destination will be although not soon enough to save me the £100 bet I had with Richard Nabavi at the time.
It is also the reason why we will not rejoin the EU. And it is the only way in which Brexit will, finally, be settled.
I've long believed that we'd end up in EFTA or an analogue of it. Because it made the most sense if you wanted maximise public contentment, or alternately minimise the discontent. The one thing I've never been able to figure out is how long it would take the exhausted maximalists on both sides to thrown in the towel. They are not quite there yet, maybe it will require a couple of more electoral maulings.
As much as I want an immediate GE, it’s simply not going to happen. The Tories are smart enough to play the long game. Starmar is pretty hopeless as the YouGov net favourability ratings show; yes, he may be significantly better than the actors from the filth that is Tory party but the guy has zero political awareness.
Starmer is the best Labour leader since Tony Blair.
That’s almost certainly true, though the competition isn’t that tough.
Remarkably since Blair came to power Labour have had 4 leaders (Brown, Miliband, Corbyn, Starmer) and the Conservatives 7 (Hague, IDS, Howard, Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss, and about to embark on an 8th).
Starmer does seem to be someone who improves with time, and shows signs of learning from events. His authority has also slowly but surely grown in the party. Look how he’s mended the relationship with Angela Rayner so the two of them are now quite an effective double act.
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
Fake news. It’s probably the best Labour front bench since late Blair.
Would like to agree, but on what I've heard....Maybe I just happened to listen to the wrong ones.
I used to be a profound Keir skeptic. I also used to be very suspicious of the Labour front bench.
Add Bryant and Benn (potentially) and you have a high-calibre team.
Rayner is not really my cup of tea, but I appreciate she reaches places others don’t.
Starmer’s energy policy should highlight to anyone paying attention that he (and/or his team) have no idea whatsoever what they’re doing. That doesn’t mean he’ll be electorally unsuccessful, at least initially. But it is a clue as to how competent an administration he would likely run.
It's the policy more or less implemented now by the government. I understand you don't like it; plenty of grown-ups think it's the right thing to do.
So what you're saying is that the way to judge whether a policy is sound is by whether this government is implementing it? And if this government is implementing the policy, then that is competent and the grown up thing to do?
Its a view. 🤔
You know very well that's not what I am saying.
I was pointing out in March/April that the Energy price cap was going to need to be frozen. It was the only sensible approach. The Lib Dems and then Labour adopted it way back when your preferred Tory leader was telling us she wasn't going to do it (several u-turns ago).
Typically this government has not yet addressed the funding (which my proposal did) but they are inching closer and I wouldn't be surprised to see both windfall taxes on energy companies and increased taxes on the wealthy being implement in time (as per my proposals).
Starmer is ok. More of a problem is the quality of the Shadow Cabinet generally.
The shadow cabinet are generally terrible.
And infinitely better at every position than the actual cabinet
Indeed. The state of British politics is shocking. Where are the the heavyweights of old?
It's easy enough to think that politicians were better when one was younger. But, I think it's true. Most modern politicians are frivolous (and it's not restricted to this country).
The French, German, and US political class are also a shadow of what they were.
Also, NZ.
I always laugh when I see the plaudits for Jacinda Ardern.
Losing my most highly valued TA this week. She's absolutely super with the most damaged and disruptive kids. Going back to care because she can't afford the loss of pay due to the school holidays. And because she can't be put on the minimum wage payroll due to no GSCE's. Therefore no holiday or sick pay. We start from scratch after half term. All progress lost while the Tory Party wanks about Corporation Tax. Going to set 2 or 3 really tricky kids back a whole half term. Am thinking what's the point? Working class Party my absolute arse.
“the English word civilisation comes from the 16th-century French civilisé ("civilized"), from Latin civilis ("civil"), related to civis ("citizen") and civitas ("city").”
If we let our cities die, then our civilisation dies with it
Get back in the office you fucking plebs
Says the man who by his own admission has never done a day's work in an office in his life. 🤔
If you lived in Colorado though, with some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world, would you really want to work in Denver every day rather than work at home and admire the view? If you want a big city lifestyle you would move to New York or Chicago or LA
Denver exists for people who like to spend their entire time in the mountains, but have day jobs.
Almost everyone I know there has a second place - usually just a two or three room cabin - out in the mountains.
Seattle is quite similar. With boating as alternative to mountaineering.
Also similar issue regarding downtown.
Though we do get a LOT of tourists, most visibly in relation to cruise ships to Alaska & back. Their returning to business has helped downtown SEA.
BTW, Leon, have you been to the State Capitol yet? Always wanted to go there & stand at the Mile High marker!
Comments
https://www.ft.com/content/48495b7f-b749-407b-9cfe-c1a34f6a9cf5
But the ribbing, said Tominay was as nothing to, as she claimed, Liz Truss humanity's greatest bantermeister. (I'm not kidding).
But Truss is going. Until recently, I was with you in thinking she would stay till the 2023 May Elections. I'm now of the view that tomorrow will be her last PMQ.
So bad Hunt looks set to steal it.
But they don’t live up in the sometimes-lovely mountains. They all live in endless identikit suburbs that sprawl around Denver city/downtown. I’ve seen them. Sometimes they come in at night to drink but by day it is a zombie city and - so the guide told me - city businesses that held out during the pandemic hoping things would return are now giving up
A culture that abandons its city centres is in secular decline. It’s what happened to Roman Britain in the 4th century just before Rome quit for good
It’s paradoxical. Americans all say they want a lovable walkable city that is more like Europe. But they don’t do anything to make that happen, they do the opposite. And they insist on driving private cars, which ultimately kills cities
The contrast with happily bustling central Seville a few weeks ago is stark
The Truss v Sunak divide had bugger all to do with Europe and was purely an old-fashioned one on the issue of taxation versus sound money. Sunak on the side of increasing taxes, with Truss on the side of cutting them. Brussels was neither here nor there in that.
Truss was both literally and figuratively our first post-Brexit PM and is further proof that Brexit is "done". How people voted for Brexit - Leave or Remain - won't get people to the polls to vote Tory next time as that is all history now.
Some really believe that Northern Ireland is about religion. But that would mean that this chap understands what transubstantiation means. Or could spell it…
Economically, at least.
I don't think it would be a very different shape under any other conceivable government. It is going to be a grim winter for many.
Not a good idea to alienate half the membership.
A better comparison would be Leeds or Birmingham, but I suspect both would still look a lot livelier than Denver does in those pics.
And why is Hilary Benn still a backbencher? Makes no sense.
Denver is vastly richer on paper. And you can feel the money in the nice quality new buildings. The modern stonework. There is very little graffiti. At its best it feels like a more demotic Zurich
Except: zero people. None. I’d much much rather be in beautiful Seville with its happy buzzing atmosphere. This is creepy
Amazingly, the guide told me it is WORSE in the Denver CBD with the skyscrapers
Here’s an office across the road from my hotel. Tuesday at 3pm. Not a soul in there
https://www.focus.de/finanzen/news/spuerbare-preiserhoehungen-rekord-preise-fuer-schnitzel-im-restaurant-was-sie-beachten-muessen_id_164955696.html
More seriously, several bankruptcies have been announced in the last 24 hours: Wolff Hoch-und Ingenieurbau, Borgers, Bodeta and Kappus.
American/Canadian Costco's etc are humungous and have a huge selection of goods, plus a deep quantity of those goods. It looked like many cabinets only had a single flavour of the pizza (so many versions of the same flavour) while here a supermarket could have 9 different flavours in the same cabinet.
So long as it has a comparable range of fresh food etc and not just frozen pizza, if it simply has a lot of stock, and a lot of choice in that stock, there's nothing wrong with that. There's no difference between buying 1 pizza from one freezer, or 1 pizza from a choice of 30 different freezers, it just means walking further which isn't necessarily a bad thing for anyone eating pizza to do!
It is also the reason why we will not rejoin the EU. And it is the only way in which Brexit will, finally, be settled.
The Tories the Party of the working class? My arse.
https://fortune.com/2022/10/18/russia-population-historic-decline-emigration-war-plunging-birth-rate-form-perfect-storm/
Its entirely possible that people are having both a Brexit payrise and a decline in real wages considering there is huge global inflation - but that the decline in real wages would have been much worse without their Brexit payrise to help cushion the blow.
https://twitter.com/francis_scarr/status/1582472381519781888?t=dSND6-lZllMo17KdEKWmDw&s=19
Having said that, Wisconsin does have a famously bad obesity problem. They eat like they still do a day's manual labour in the winter snows - very carb heavy indeed. There's a scene in a documentary (Palin? Bourdain?) of a Wisconsin lunch buffet which sticks in my mind, even if I can't place it.
Its a view. 🤔
And maybe something that works for the middle 60% is the right place to be.
I have no desire to snort heroin off a 19 year old hooker's naked body, and I would regard such behaviour as tawdry and boorish, but believe people should have the freedom to do that, so long as everyone is a consenting adult.
I have no desire to go into a Mosque and preach about the evils of America. But I believe people should have the freedom to do that.
Thank God Brexit is done and dusted. Christ only knows how many posts there would be on it if it was still a bone of contention.
Has anywhere done that and left enough space for cars to flow and park sufficiently freely?
Prime Minister > Kermit the Frog (aka GOF)
Deputy PM and Chief Whip > Miss Piggy
Chancellor of the Exchequer > Fozie Bear
Foreign Secretary > Dr Julius Strangepork
Home Secretary > Gonzo the Great
Defense Secretary > Animal
Justice Secretary/Lord Chancellor > Bert and Ernie
SS for Business & Trade > Rizzo the Rat
SS for Environment > Oscar the Grouch
SS for Education > Elmo
SS for Health > Link Hogthrob
SS for Science > Dr Bensen Honeydew (w Beaker as UnderSec)
SS for Culture > Dr Teeth
SS for Agriculture > Henrietta Chicken (or Attila the Hen?)
SS for Transport > Big Bird
SS for Leveling Up > Cookie Monster
SSs for Woke & Multiculturalism > Janice and Swedish Chef
Leader of the House of Commons > Scooter
Leader(s) of the Opposition > Statler and Waldorf
The big tourist cities and the big buzzing global metropolis cities like London and NYC and Paris will still have plenty of people in them in the week, the rest won't unless for the odd team meeting or night out
Almost everyone I know there has a second place - usually just a two or three room cabin - out in the mountains.
I know that of my family in NYC quite a few of them are still working at home a fair bit. It's definitely a change. Not convinced that it's the death of western civilisation that Leon thinks it is, but I have no problem admitting to being frequently wrong.
My guide was a charming old dude and he was in mild despair. It is not a good thing if your cities die. Just isn’t. Working From Home is a fucking disaster for the human soul
As for Wallace in DC, I suspect this is about new Iranian nuclear capability (gifted from Russia). I’d say >50% odds we see an Israeli intervention of some sort within a month.
https://twitter.com/francis_scarr/status/1582279794242486277?t=2svjzWV7XzdiCsGm1O021A&s=19
The other three - definitely, especially if non-free market fundamentalist means fairly left wing protectionist.
But the problem for Populist movements seems to be (as a poster said the other day) that they always seem to end up being captured by wealthy anti-tax small state (apart from the bits they like, such as police) elites.
Fool me once.
The skilled and unskilled retired home owners did OK.
They aren't workers.
I think the previous Chancellor couldn't count even as well as Fozzie...
"What did you see in Liz Truss that made you change your support from Rishi Sunak to her?"
There's a lot to dislike in this bunch of Tory MPs. YUK!
Before Truss he was also investing in levelling up
If anyone is aware of any decent models, let me know.
Also similar issue regarding downtown.
Though we do get a LOT of tourists, most visibly in relation to cruise ships to Alaska & back. Their returning to business has helped downtown SEA.
BTW, Leon, have you been to the State Capitol yet? Always wanted to go there & stand at the Mile High marker!
Sunak never released the funds.
Falling real wages and worse conditions.
Nobody on minimum wage cares about the rest. That's fluff for the decently paid to obsess about.
He changed from Sunak to Truss because she had a more realistic and hopeful vision ! Or was it you thought she’d win and wanted a job .
Edit - Icon AND role model?
For instance, have always sensed strong native affinity between HST and Big_G_NorthWales.
Boris is also the only senior politician still who has higher favourables with working class C2DEs than middle class ABC1s with Yougov.
Starmer, Sunak. Truss and Hunt by contrast all do better with middle class voters than working class voters
https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2022/10/18/liz-trusss-net-favourability-rating-falls-70
Folk are different.
We aren't all David Brent surprise.
The World has changed - the genie is out. WFH is here to stay,
I met a guy that knew Hunter S Thompson at lunch today
@rcs1000 will be pleased to hear it was at Wynkoop
I’m leaning toward a multi-modal policy, set by project leads, who can choose from two or three options.
If we let our cities die, then our civilisation dies with it
Get back in the office you fucking plebs
All things in moderation, or some such shite.
Now there is at least a bit of softening of marklet sentiment, even if the damage will take a lot longer to repair so now its down to the parliamentary party to get their act together, forget about infighting and get on with it. It appears the majority of the membership arent going to rebel.
The question is, whos the safe hands going to be?
https://twitter.com/officejjsmart/status/1582472547505143808?s=20&t=m9JuUVFmOmExXq1BT6k59g
The French, German, and US political class are also a shadow of what they were.
I was pointing out in March/April that the Energy price cap was going to need to be frozen. It was the only sensible approach. The Lib Dems and then Labour adopted it way back when your preferred Tory leader was telling us she wasn't going to do it (several u-turns ago).
Typically this government has not yet addressed the funding (which my proposal did) but they are inching closer and I wouldn't be surprised to see both windfall taxes on energy companies and increased taxes on the wealthy being implement in time (as per my proposals).
Your alternative proposal is...?
I always laugh when I see the plaudits for Jacinda Ardern.
Going back to care because she can't afford the loss of pay due to the school holidays. And because she can't be put on the minimum wage payroll due to no GSCE's. Therefore no holiday or sick pay.
We start from scratch after half term. All progress lost while the Tory Party wanks about Corporation Tax.
Going to set 2 or 3 really tricky kids back a whole half term.
Am thinking what's the point?
Working class Party my absolute arse.
https://i.redd.it/t29p032x3an21.jpg
BTW, Aspen (with Woody Creek nearby) is at top left