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Could Biden Win The Presidency But Lose The Popular Vote? – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 11,762
edited September 2023 in General
imageCould Biden Win The Presidency But Lose The Popular Vote? – politicalbetting.com

Since 1988, the Republicans have won the Presidential popular vote only once, in 2004. Popular opinion is that the recent Republican Electoral College advantage is somehow immutable. It is not. Indeed, 2024 could see Trump win the popular vote, and Biden the Presidency.

Read the full story here

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    First like Biden :)
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 63,676
    edited September 2023
    No, because Biden will win the popular vote.

    But fair point about the change in electoral efficiency (noted also by the NYT). Has much to do with the GOP's cultural jihad.
  • Options
    FPT

    Why Biden Is Losing Support Among Voters Of Color | FiveThirtyEight Politics Podcast

    Among the most politically tuned-in, last week saw the kind of hand-wringing and accusations of bias surrounding the polls that you’d usually expect from the final two months of a campaign, not the final year and two months of a campaign.

    The focus was largely on general election polls: Whether a Wall Street Journal poll showing former President Donald Trump and President Biden tied is to be trusted. What to make of a CNN poll showing Nikki Haley as the only Republican candidate with a lead over Biden that falls outside the margin of error and how to understand data from the New York Times suggesting that Biden is losing support among voters of color.

    In this installment of the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast, Galen speaks with Carlos Odio of Equis Research and Terrance Woodbury of HIT Strategies to parse through which recent data is actually worth paying attention to and which is sound and fury.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiP8uRZ8shw
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 63,676
    This is ridiculously true.

    Much of media sees its job as making this chart balance out.
    So one thing on the Biden side must match multiple things on the Trump side.
    Otherwise, more negative facts about Trump might result in him coming across more negatively in coverage, which would be "unfair" and "biased"

    https://twitter.com/NGrossman81/status/1701251830255100014
  • Options
    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.
  • Options
    Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 27,627
    Nigelb said:

    No, because Biden will win the popular vote.

    But fair point about the change in electoral efficiency (noted also by the NYT). Has much to do with the GOP's cultural jihad.

    I'm not sure Biden will be the Democratic candidate.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 63,676
    Andy_JS said:

    Nigelb said:

    No, because Biden will win the popular vote.

    But fair point about the change in electoral efficiency (noted also by the NYT). Has much to do with the GOP's cultural jihad.

    I'm not sure Biden will be the Democratic candidate.
    Nor I, 100%.
    But way more likely than not. And than Trump being the GOP candidate.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 63,676

    FPT

    Why Biden Is Losing Support Among Voters Of Color | FiveThirtyEight Politics Podcast

    Among the most politically tuned-in, last week saw the kind of hand-wringing and accusations of bias surrounding the polls that you’d usually expect from the final two months of a campaign, not the final year and two months of a campaign.

    The focus was largely on general election polls: Whether a Wall Street Journal poll showing former President Donald Trump and President Biden tied is to be trusted. What to make of a CNN poll showing Nikki Haley as the only Republican candidate with a lead over Biden that falls outside the margin of error and how to understand data from the New York Times suggesting that Biden is losing support among voters of color.

    In this installment of the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast, Galen speaks with Carlos Odio of Equis Research and Terrance Woodbury of HIT Strategies to parse through which recent data is actually worth paying attention to and which is sound and fury.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiP8uRZ8shw

    Also FPT.

    Classic one sided analysis.

    There's been a huge cycling of political identification over the last decade (see also the Politico piece about medical workers I posted a couple of days back). Democrats have lost support in some traditional areas of strength - but have conversely picked up significant support elsewhere.

    The aggregate effect is what Robert talks about in the header.

    "Why Biden has lost..." is the same kind of framing I noted a little upthread.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 63,676
    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch
  • Options
    Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 27,627
    edited September 2023
    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    Yes, watched it earlier today. Superb. The sort of thing the BBC does very well. Reminds me of their documentary about the collapse of the Tories during the 1990s.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 63,676
    Andy_JS said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    Yes, watched it earlier today. Superb. The sort of thing the BBC does very well. Reminds me of their documentary about the collapse of the Tories during the 1990s.
    I'll watch it when I get back home. Thanks.
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 45,335

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 63,676
    Kim sensibly takes the train to visit Putin.
    https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-66757311

    No doubt will also stay on the ground floor when he arrives.
  • Options
    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,449
    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 92,772
    Nigelb said:

    Kim sensibly takes the train to visit Putin.
    https://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-66757311

    No doubt will also stay on the ground floor when he arrives.

    He's the safest man in Russia - Putin needs him for something other than as a potential conscript.
  • Options
    kle4kle4 Posts: 92,772
    edited September 2023
    I take the point about where support has shifted a bit, but it was a pretty large gap last time, its hard to believe Biden retains enough of a lead in all necessary knife edge states if he's overall lost so much he no longer has a popular vote lead.
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 45,335
    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    The whole point is that these aren't anesthesiologists.
  • Options
    ‘Rishi Sunak needs a new tailor and King Charles’ suits require more pressing’
    America’s most outspoken fashion critic reveals his style hits and misses of summer 2023
    ...
    In early August, Guy made headlines when he criticised the Prime Minister’s suits. Rishi Sunak had money, Guy argued, so why were his suits so short? “Lots of conspiracy theories on why Sunak wears such short trousers… but my theory is simple… [He] is a vaguely trend-aware guy, but just a little behind the times,” he said. According to Mandrake in the New European, Sunak is set to “drop his trousers” before the next election in response to the criticism – the original proportions were apparently designed to make him look taller.
    ...
    [Commenting on a photograph] Rishi Sunak’s clothes often look shrunken on him. Here they at least fit his shoe. His jacket is a bit short, which is causing the jacket to flare out around his bum. His trousers are so slim they barely cover the end of his shoes. The effect is that he looks like he is wearing clown shoes. He should just go to a different tailor. You can’t widen the trousers without also enlarging the jacket, because the jacket and the trousers have to work together. He should go for a different cut. My impression is that he has trendy tastes that are 15-20 years old. If you saw that person on the street you wouldn’t say he’s poorly dressed, I just think as prime minister, just go to Henry Poole and they’ll take care of it. I don’t understand this early-2000s cut.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/derek-guy-dieworkwear-rishi-sunak-king-charles/ (£££)

  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 63,676

    ‘Rishi Sunak needs a new tailor and King Charles’ suits require more pressing’
    America’s most outspoken fashion critic reveals his style hits and misses of summer 2023
    ...
    In early August, Guy made headlines when he criticised the Prime Minister’s suits. Rishi Sunak had money, Guy argued, so why were his suits so short? “Lots of conspiracy theories on why Sunak wears such short trousers… but my theory is simple… [He] is a vaguely trend-aware guy, but just a little behind the times,” he said. According to Mandrake in the New European, Sunak is set to “drop his trousers” before the next election in response to the criticism – the original proportions were apparently designed to make him look taller.
    ...
    [Commenting on a photograph] Rishi Sunak’s clothes often look shrunken on him. Here they at least fit his shoe. His jacket is a bit short, which is causing the jacket to flare out around his bum. His trousers are so slim they barely cover the end of his shoes. The effect is that he looks like he is wearing clown shoes. He should just go to a different tailor. You can’t widen the trousers without also enlarging the jacket, because the jacket and the trousers have to work together. He should go for a different cut. My impression is that he has trendy tastes that are 15-20 years old. If you saw that person on the street you wouldn’t say he’s poorly dressed, I just think as prime minister, just go to Henry Poole and they’ll take care of it. I don’t understand this early-2000s cut.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/derek-guy-dieworkwear-rishi-sunak-king-charles/ (£££)

    Very much on trend in Asia.
  • Options
    rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 54,449
    Foxy said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    The whole point is that these aren't anesthesiologists.
    My point is that anesthesiologists kill more patients than any other doctors, so how much worse can untrained associates be?
  • Options
    Andy_JS said:

    Nigelb said:

    No, because Biden will win the popular vote.

    But fair point about the change in electoral efficiency (noted also by the NYT). Has much to do with the GOP's cultural jihad.

    I'm not sure Biden will be the Democratic candidate.
    I must admit I'm starting to wonder myself.

    Yesterday was awful.
  • Options
    DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 25,028
    edited September 2023
    Shoplifters evade TikTok police to spread tips and targets
    ...
    Shoplifters are using TikTok to spread a playbook of tactics on how to steal goods such as clothes, jewellery and make-up from retailers.

    Users on the video-sharing platform have rated high-street stores on the basis of how easy it is to get away with shoplifting and offered tips on avoiding detection.

    They swap the words “stealing” and “shoplifting” with “borrowing” to evade detection by TikTok’s filters.

    A search for “borrowing tips and tricks” on the app generates a host of videos, many from accounts clearly created to advertise shoplifting techniques. The self-declared “borrowers” urge shoplifters not to target small businesses but instead steal from large companies who are less likely to intervene because they can cover the losses.

    https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/shoplifters-slip-evade-tiktok-police-to-spread-tips-and-targets-vnwl7ggqk (£££)

    The educational uses of TikTok.
  • Options
    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.
  • Options
    HeathenerHeathener Posts: 5,687
    Great thread Robert @rcs1000

    Thank you.

    And good morning y'all.
  • Options
    HeathenerHeathener Posts: 5,687

    Andy_JS said:

    Nigelb said:

    No, because Biden will win the popular vote.

    But fair point about the change in electoral efficiency (noted also by the NYT). Has much to do with the GOP's cultural jihad.

    I'm not sure Biden will be the Democratic candidate.
    I must admit I'm starting to wonder myself.

    Yesterday was awful.
    Yes not the best.

    I'm wondering too.
  • Options

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,712
    Andy_JS said:

    Nigelb said:

    No, because Biden will win the popular vote.

    But fair point about the change in electoral efficiency (noted also by the NYT). Has much to do with the GOP's cultural jihad.

    I'm not sure Biden will be the Democratic candidate.
    I’ve been laying both Trump and Biden for next President for some time. If it turns out to be one or the other, I don’t lose too much, but anyone else and it will be a good return.
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 19,178
    edited September 2023

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,712

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    +1

    This year I have spent time in Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands to which your Germany comment could equally apply.

    Indeed I am about to leave Budapest, having visited forty years ago when it was communist and twenty years ago when it was scam city central. Now the city at least appears to have its act together, although with Orban and his cronies, not the nation’s politics.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,712
    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
  • Options
    FishingFishing Posts: 4,580
    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
  • Options
    kamskikamski Posts: 4,352
    In the House midterms Republicans also got more votes because there were more districts where they had candidates but the Democrats didn't - from memory this was worth maybe 2% of the difference in popular vote.
  • Options
    kjhkjh Posts: 10,790
    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    The whole point is that these aren't anesthesiologists.
    My point is that anesthesiologists kill more patients than any other doctors, so how much worse can untrained associates be?
    I assume a pun as possibly true which cleverly demonstrates the need for context in statistics. I know my wife always admired the role and commented that if you are in an immediate life and death situation this is the doctor you want present and definitely not a role for a ditherer.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,712
    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
  • Options

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
    Both Johnson and Corbyn gambled that the awfulness of the other guy meant that they could do what they wanted .

    They couldn't both be right.
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 19,178
    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    It's six months for foreign cars brought to the UK before re-registration required.
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 19,178
    edited September 2023
    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
  • Options
    FishingFishing Posts: 4,580
    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    But I thought all EU governments were wonderful at everything and the British one is broken beyond repair?
  • Options
    dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 28,297
    8.5% will be the rise in pensions next year under the triple lock.
  • Options
    dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 28,297
    dixiedean said:

    8.5% will be the rise in pensions next year under the triple lock.

    I have an inkling that may be politically challenging if inflation is half that and the government intends to impose pay rises of a quarter of it.
  • Options
    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,100

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
    What a cretin.

    Jezza offered a proper alternative.

    You opted to not vote for it.

    This whole shit show is on you.(and Sunil)

    Man up and take responsibility.
  • Options
    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,562
    Certainly Biden is more likely to win the rust belt swing states again than the likes of Newsom and Harris
  • Options
    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,562
    IanB2 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    +1

    This year I have spent time in Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands to which your Germany comment could equally apply.

    Indeed I am about to leave Budapest, having visited forty years ago when it was communist and twenty years ago when it was scam city central. Now the city at least appears to have its act together, although with Orban and his cronies, not the nation’s politics.
    Norway isn't in the EU
  • Options
    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,100
    dixiedean said:

    8.5% will be the rise in pensions next year under the triple lock.

    It is the September figure out in a month that decides that isn't it.
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 19,178
    dixiedean said:

    8.5% will be the rise in pensions next year under the triple lock.

    Same as average earnings, then. Sounds reasonable.

    Also it's not "pensions"; it's the state pension.
  • Options
    HYUFD said:

    Certainly Biden is more likely to win the rust belt swing states again than the likes of Newsom and Harris

    He's just too old now and is approaching Mitch McConnell territory. He stumbles, mumbles, tires and says really stupid stuff.

    How on earth will that survive a campaign? Can he survive a campaign?

    I have a huge financial interest in him staying Democratic candidate and winning the General but men really should be retired in their 80s unless in fine fettle; it's very obvious.
  • Options

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
  • Options

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
    What a cretin.

    Jezza offered a proper alternative.

    You opted to not vote for it.

    This whole shit show is on you.(and Sunil)

    Man up and take responsibility.
    First rule of serious politics: get elected. So the "whole shit show" - of Corbyn not getting elected - is on the voters. How dare they not vote for Him?

    Lots of politicians offer a proper alternative. Unless a majority of voters feel the desire to vote for them, that alternative is about as much use as policies about fairies.
  • Options
    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,562
    Inflation rose by 7.8% from May to July, the same rate as inflation

    "Pay growth catches up with price rises - BBC News" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66778178
  • Options
    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens.

    Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull over to let the driver past, and nor do they heel over to the side of the road to give space, because of their line, so the driver is basically blocked. The driver gets increasingly frustrated and then when an opportunity to overtake arises - at a closeness less than ideal - the cyclist shouts out, somewhat pompously to the driver, and this triggers a rage in the car driver.

    I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 45,335

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
    Corbyn became leader the year before Brexit, an issue that he cared little about either way.

    It was one of Britain's steps towards its biggest foreign policy failure since the Suez crisis.
  • Options

    HYUFD said:

    Certainly Biden is more likely to win the rust belt swing states again than the likes of Newsom and Harris

    He's just too old now and is approaching Mitch McConnell territory. He stumbles, mumbles, tires and says really stupid stuff.

    How on earth will that survive a campaign? Can he survive a campaign?

    I have a huge financial interest in him staying Democratic candidate and winning the General but men really should be retired in their 80s unless in fine fettle; it's very obvious.
    Yes, but Mitch McConnell was elected. There are 15 members of Congress older than President Biden and many more in their 70s. Whether you or I think they should have retired earlier is moot while Americans keep voting for them.
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,702

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
    What a cretin.

    Jezza offered a proper alternative.

    You opted to not vote for it.

    This whole shit show is on you.(and Sunil)

    Man up and take responsibility.
    Many moons ago, pre-Jezza being selected I was chatting to a Lab MP. They asked me who I wanted to win the nomination and I said that as a (then) Conservative I wanted Corbyn, of course. They looked at me with pity, loathing, derision. The £3-ers were also derided.

    But that decision, to make Corbyn Labour leader, eventually delivered a stonking great Conservative majority.

    So yes, people opted not to vote for Corbyn. You're damn right they did. And we thank them.
  • Options
    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,562

    HYUFD said:

    Certainly Biden is more likely to win the rust belt swing states again than the likes of Newsom and Harris

    He's just too old now and is approaching Mitch McConnell territory. He stumbles, mumbles, tires and says really stupid stuff.

    How on earth will that survive a campaign? Can he survive a campaign?

    I have a huge financial interest in him staying Democratic candidate and winning the General but men really should be retired in their 80s unless in fine fettle; it's very obvious.
    If the Democrats want to win again Biden is still probably their best bet or Whitmer maybe. They certainly would lose with a coastal Democrat next year
  • Options
    TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 40,541
    edited September 2023

    ‘Rishi Sunak needs a new tailor and King Charles’ suits require more pressing’
    America’s most outspoken fashion critic reveals his style hits and misses of summer 2023
    ...
    In early August, Guy made headlines when he criticised the Prime Minister’s suits. Rishi Sunak had money, Guy argued, so why were his suits so short? “Lots of conspiracy theories on why Sunak wears such short trousers… but my theory is simple… [He] is a vaguely trend-aware guy, but just a little behind the times,” he said. According to Mandrake in the New European, Sunak is set to “drop his trousers” before the next election in response to the criticism – the original proportions were apparently designed to make him look taller.
    ...
    [Commenting on a photograph] Rishi Sunak’s clothes often look shrunken on him. Here they at least fit his shoe. His jacket is a bit short, which is causing the jacket to flare out around his bum. His trousers are so slim they barely cover the end of his shoes. The effect is that he looks like he is wearing clown shoes. He should just go to a different tailor. You can’t widen the trousers without also enlarging the jacket, because the jacket and the trousers have to work together. He should go for a different cut. My impression is that he has trendy tastes that are 15-20 years old. If you saw that person on the street you wouldn’t say he’s poorly dressed, I just think as prime minister, just go to Henry Poole and they’ll take care of it. I don’t understand this early-2000s cut.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/derek-guy-dieworkwear-rishi-sunak-king-charles/ (£££)

    I follow him (Derek Guy) on twitter and he’s good value but acerbic as fuck, engage with him at one’s peril.
  • Options
    MattW said:

    dixiedean said:

    8.5% will be the rise in pensions next year under the triple lock.

    Same as average earnings, then. Sounds reasonable.

    Also it's not "pensions"; it's the state pension.
    And occupational pensions
  • Options
    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 22,100
    TOPPING said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
    What a cretin.

    Jezza offered a proper alternative.

    You opted to not vote for it.

    This whole shit show is on you.(and Sunil)

    Man up and take responsibility.
    Many moons ago, pre-Jezza being selected I was chatting to a Lab MP. They asked me who I wanted to win the nomination and I said that as a (then) Conservative I wanted Corbyn, of course. They looked at me with pity, loathing, derision. The £3-ers were also derided.

    But that decision, to make Corbyn Labour leader, eventually delivered a stonking great Conservative majority.

    So yes, people opted not to vote for Corbyn. You're damn right they did. And we thank them.
    For causing this shitshow?
  • Options

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    I approve this message.

    Any must see places/events while you were there? Always interested in a fresh perspective.
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 45,335

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
    It also explains what an albatross around the Tory party's neck Brexit is. There are a lot of us who won't vote Tory again. While Labour has made gains with the Leavers, the Tories stand no chance of progress with Remainers.
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 42,376
    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    To be fair lots of people have lots of misgivings about lots of Doctors, there are plenty of crap Doctors.
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 45,335

    ‘Rishi Sunak needs a new tailor and King Charles’ suits require more pressing’
    America’s most outspoken fashion critic reveals his style hits and misses of summer 2023
    ...
    In early August, Guy made headlines when he criticised the Prime Minister’s suits. Rishi Sunak had money, Guy argued, so why were his suits so short? “Lots of conspiracy theories on why Sunak wears such short trousers… but my theory is simple… [He] is a vaguely trend-aware guy, but just a little behind the times,” he said. According to Mandrake in the New European, Sunak is set to “drop his trousers” before the next election in response to the criticism – the original proportions were apparently designed to make him look taller.
    ...
    [Commenting on a photograph] Rishi Sunak’s clothes often look shrunken on him. Here they at least fit his shoe. His jacket is a bit short, which is causing the jacket to flare out around his bum. His trousers are so slim they barely cover the end of his shoes. The effect is that he looks like he is wearing clown shoes. He should just go to a different tailor. You can’t widen the trousers without also enlarging the jacket, because the jacket and the trousers have to work together. He should go for a different cut. My impression is that he has trendy tastes that are 15-20 years old. If you saw that person on the street you wouldn’t say he’s poorly dressed, I just think as prime minister, just go to Henry Poole and they’ll take care of it. I don’t understand this early-2000s cut.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/people/derek-guy-dieworkwear-rishi-sunak-king-charles/ (£££)

    I follow him (Derek Rae) on twitter and he’s good value but acerbic as fuck, engage with him at one’s peril.
    Yes, we'll worth a follow, not that I agree with all of his style comments.
  • Options
    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    You must remember this classic.....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNPTlT8HXjk
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,702

    TOPPING said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
    What a cretin.

    Jezza offered a proper alternative.

    You opted to not vote for it.

    This whole shit show is on you.(and Sunil)

    Man up and take responsibility.
    Many moons ago, pre-Jezza being selected I was chatting to a Lab MP. They asked me who I wanted to win the nomination and I said that as a (then) Conservative I wanted Corbyn, of course. They looked at me with pity, loathing, derision. The £3-ers were also derided.

    But that decision, to make Corbyn Labour leader, eventually delivered a stonking great Conservative majority.

    So yes, people opted not to vote for Corbyn. You're damn right they did. And we thank them.
    For causing this shitshow?
    Yep. I likely wouldn't have voted Cons in 2019 if you hadn't had an anti-semite in charge.
  • Options

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens.

    Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull over to let the driver past, and nor do they heel over to the side of the road to give space, because of their line, so the driver is basically blocked. The driver gets increasingly frustrated and then when an opportunity to overtake arises - at a closeness less than ideal - the cyclist shouts out, somewhat pompously to the driver, and this triggers a rage in the car driver.

    I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.
    What overtake? The guy was coming the other way and drove at the cyclist who got squeezed into the hedge. Cyclist shouts "watch out". Driver then goes into reverse and chases the cyclist. Backwards. For a distance. Before running over a dog.

    The police decide that the cyclist contributed to road rage, that the driver simply wanted to "talk" to the cyclist, and that the cyclist should watch his actions in future.
  • Options
    NigelbNigelb Posts: 63,676

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
    Your views are very much in the minority of the electorate now, though. However much you adopt the de haut en bas mode.

  • Options
    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens. Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull ove
    Foxy said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
    It also explains what an albatross around the Tory party's neck Brexit is. There are a lot of us who won't vote Tory again. While Labour has made gains with the Leavers, the Tories stand no chance of progress with Remainers.
    But, I think you're the only person in this category who would ever consider voting Tory.

    The Cameron/Osborne modernisation project was aimed at voters like you, but the trouble is there aren't very many of them.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,712

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
    Both Johnson and Corbyn gambled that the awfulness of the other guy meant that they could do what they wanted .

    They couldn't both be right.
    Which is kind of on topic.
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 45,335
    malcolmg said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    To be fair lots of people have lots of misgivings about lots of Doctors, there are plenty of crap Doctors.
    Indeed, anaesthesia is dangerous but is that a sound reason to replace a doctor with 9 years of postgraduate training with a non-doctor with two?

    The other big issue is informed consent. A lot of Physician Assistants are not clear to patients that they are not, and never will be medically qualified.

    Doctors, nurses, physios etc are all heavily regulated professions, but these new grades are evolving without that.
  • Options
    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Certainly Biden is more likely to win the rust belt swing states again than the likes of Newsom and Harris

    He's just too old now and is approaching Mitch McConnell territory. He stumbles, mumbles, tires and says really stupid stuff.

    How on earth will that survive a campaign? Can he survive a campaign?

    I have a huge financial interest in him staying Democratic candidate and winning the General but men really should be retired in their 80s unless in fine fettle; it's very obvious.
    If the Democrats want to win again Biden is still probably their best bet or Whitmer maybe. They certainly would lose with a coastal Democrat next year
    Yes, that's the theses, and it probably still holds true - just, but that doesn't mean Biden isn't past it.

    If he clearly isn't up to the job then that's no guarantee.
  • Options
    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 59,011
    edited September 2023

    MattW said:

    dixiedean said:

    8.5% will be the rise in pensions next year under the triple lock.

    Same as average earnings, then. Sounds reasonable.

    Also it's not "pensions"; it's the state pension.
    And occupational pensions
    Aren't most of them capped so dont allow these relatively big rises?
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 45,335

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens. Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull ove
    Foxy said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
    It also explains what an albatross around the Tory party's neck Brexit is. There are a lot of us who won't vote Tory again. While Labour has made gains with the Leavers, the Tories stand no chance of progress with Remainers.
    But, I think you're the only person in this category who would ever consider voting Tory.

    The Cameron/Osborne modernisation project was aimed at voters like you, but the trouble is there aren't very many of them.
    The Tories need to seriously consider getting people to vote for them if they ever want to be elected again.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,712
    HYUFD said:

    IanB2 said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    +1

    This year I have spent time in Norway, Finland, and the Netherlands to which your Germany comment could equally apply.

    Indeed I am about to leave Budapest, having visited forty years ago when it was communist and twenty years ago when it was scam city central. Now the city at least appears to have its act together, although with Orban and his cronies, not the nation’s politics.
    Norway isn't in the EU
    His comment about Berlin didn’t mention the EU. That was the next paragraph.

    Sometimes I think you struggle with basic comprehension.
  • Options

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
    Indeed. Lunatics howling at the moon and other idiots egging them on.

    The funny thing is that the further we get from Brexit and the more it is proved not to be the disaster they all yearn for, the more desperate and insane they become in their ravings.
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 42,376
    Foxy said:

    malcolmg said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    To be fair lots of people have lots of misgivings about lots of Doctors, there are plenty of crap Doctors.
    Indeed, anaesthesia is dangerous but is that a sound reason to replace a doctor with 9 years of postgraduate training with a non-doctor with two?

    The other big issue is informed consent. A lot of Physician Assistants are not clear to patients that they are not, and never will be medically qualified.

    Doctors, nurses, physios etc are all heavily regulated professions, but these new grades are evolving without that.
    For me the Tories have totally F***ed the NHS, you have to pray you do not get ill nowadays.
  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 40,496

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens.

    Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull over to let the driver past, and nor do they heel over to the side of the road to give space, because of their line, so the driver is basically blocked. The driver gets increasingly frustrated and then when an opportunity to overtake arises - at a closeness less than ideal - the cyclist shouts out, somewhat pompously to the driver, and this triggers a rage in the car driver.

    I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.
    What overtake? The guy was coming the other way and drove at the cyclist who got squeezed into the hedge. Cyclist shouts "watch out". Driver then goes into reverse and chases the cyclist. Backwards. For a distance. Before running over a dog.

    The police decide that the cyclist contributed to road rage, that the driver simply wanted to "talk" to the cyclist, and that the cyclist should watch his actions in future.
    Doesn't the dog count? If it were a cat, meh - it's a wild animal in law, so its own fault. But dogs are deemed to have owners and it's the law one has to find the owner or report it to the police/LA dog officer.
  • Options
    CookieCookie Posts: 11,757

    TOPPING said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    The Labour Party needs to take responsibility for this as well. At the point in history when a responsible alternative was so desperately required they offered us as Corbyn. I find that almost as difficult to forgive as what the Tory party has put us through.
    What a cretin.

    Jezza offered a proper alternative.

    You opted to not vote for it.

    This whole shit show is on you.(and Sunil)

    Man up and take responsibility.
    Many moons ago, pre-Jezza being selected I was chatting to a Lab MP. They asked me who I wanted to win the nomination and I said that as a (then) Conservative I wanted Corbyn, of course. They looked at me with pity, loathing, derision. The £3-ers were also derided.

    But that decision, to make Corbyn Labour leader, eventually delivered a stonking great Conservative majority.

    So yes, people opted not to vote for Corbyn. You're damn right they did. And we thank them.
    For causing this shitshow?
    I was glad of a big Tory majority in 2019 only because it saw the hard left off. I'd have much rather had a small Tory majority and an opposition I'd have felt safe with as an alternative government. I basically spent from 2017 to 2019 working out how to emigrate in case of a hard left government.
    And it's not as if they've done anything particularly conservative with their majority. Granted, they delivered Brexit, but seem paralysed by indecision on what to do next. Meanwhile, none of the positives you hope might come with a Tory government - low taxes, efficient government, consumer rather than producer interests, managing immigration, putting woke back in its box - have happened.
    I'm under no illusion Labour will be any improvement in any of these, of course. On almost every level they fit my preferences less. But maybe they'll do something about housing. And possibly infrastructure investment.
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 19,178

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens.

    Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull over to let the driver past, and nor do they heel over to the side of the road to give space, because of their line, so the driver is basically blocked. The driver gets increasingly frustrated and then when an opportunity to overtake arises - at a closeness less than ideal - the cyclist shouts out, somewhat pompously to the driver, and this triggers a rage in the car driver.

    I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.
    You have a whole series of made up prejudicial assumptions there.

    Have a look at the clip:

    Rear Cam:
    https://youtu.be/6rZFrvqMdRo?t=60

    Front Cam:
    https://youtu.be/YHnE826PuEU
  • Options
    148grss said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    What I really hate about things like this (similar to the books about the White House 3 or so years later) is that journalists could be respected figures because they break these stories when they are relevant and therefore allow the public to use the knowledge to shape events, rather than act as a means of people settling narrative scores after the fact. If May was shit from the get go, we had a right to know. Instead of saying it at the time, being unpopular with the politicians and maybe losing some access, we have this piece of garbage where all the gossip gets spread, Kuenssberg gets to flex her network muscles and anything that is truly important gets told to us 3-5 years after anyone could do anything about it.
    Laura didn’t get where she is today by rocking the boat which might stop cosy chats with currently powerful politicians.
  • Options

    MattW said:

    dixiedean said:

    8.5% will be the rise in pensions next year under the triple lock.

    Same as average earnings, then. Sounds reasonable.

    Also it's not "pensions"; it's the state pension.
    And occupational pensions
    Aren't most of them capped so dont allow these relatively big rises?
    My teachers pension went up the same percentage as state this year.
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,702
    malcolmg said:

    Foxy said:

    malcolmg said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    To be fair lots of people have lots of misgivings about lots of Doctors, there are plenty of crap Doctors.
    Indeed, anaesthesia is dangerous but is that a sound reason to replace a doctor with 9 years of postgraduate training with a non-doctor with two?

    The other big issue is informed consent. A lot of Physician Assistants are not clear to patients that they are not, and never will be medically qualified.

    Doctors, nurses, physios etc are all heavily regulated professions, but these new grades are evolving without that.
    For me the Tories have totally F***ed the NHS, you have to pray you do not get ill nowadays.
    The NHS has been a basket case for decades, Malc.
  • Options
    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,712
    Architects, eh?

    I was just reading the story of how this hotel came to be built; you’ve seen the photos of the bridge and the Danube I’ve been posting this week, taken from my room and the restaurant, and it’s the same from the sauna and gym.

    During the financial crisis when the owners were planning the hotel, the city mayor insisted on an international architectural competition, because the site was so prominent, and a panel of architects and other experts was formed to judge the entries.

    The entry the panel wanted to award the prize to had designed a totally windowless facade, with the light coming into the hotel down a light well in the middle with some sort of periscope arrangement so you could see the river by looking up. The owner of the site refused to accept the outcome, saying that a windowless hotel would be absurd given the views from the site, and also that its designers had failed to explain how the periscope would be cleaned or maintained or could cope with adverse weather.

    In the event no winner was announced and the owner went off to find a new archictect. Now the hotel has 60% of its rooms looking out over one of the most iconic city views in the world.
  • Options

    MattW said:

    dixiedean said:

    8.5% will be the rise in pensions next year under the triple lock.

    Same as average earnings, then. Sounds reasonable.

    Also it's not "pensions"; it's the state pension.
    And occupational pensions
    Aren't most of them capped so dont allow these relatively big rises?
    My teachers pension went up the same percentage as state this year.
    Whereas I believe didn't current teacher's salaries go up by a significantly lower percentage?

    Pretty messed up to be raising the pay of former teachers by considerably more than current ones. Especially considering many current teachers will also have the graduate tax to pay and will be renting etc too.

    Which is no disrespect to you. The problem is the way current employees are being treated - and then with fiscal drag on top to add insult to injury.
  • Options
    HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 117,562
    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens. Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull ove
    Foxy said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, A the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
    It also explains what an albatross around the Tory party's neck Brexit is. There are a lot of us who won't vote Tory again. While Labour has made gains with the Leavers, the Tories stand no chance of progress with Remainers.
    But, I think you're the only person in this category who would ever consider voting Tory.

    The Cameron/Osborne modernisation project was aimed at voters like you, but the trouble is there aren't very many of them.
    The Tories need to seriously consider getting people to vote for them if they ever want to be elected again.
    A Labour government of high inflation, strikes and poor growth is far more likely to increase Tory voteshare than another 'modernisation' project
  • Options
    bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 8,413
    148grss said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    What I really hate about things like this (similar to the books about the White House 3 or so years later) is that journalists could be respected figures because they break these stories when they are relevant and therefore allow the public to use the knowledge to shape events, rather than act as a means of people settling narrative scores after the fact. If May was shit from the get go, we had a right to know. Instead of saying it at the time, being unpopular with the politicians and maybe losing some access, we have this piece of garbage where all the gossip gets spread, Kuenssberg gets to flex her network muscles and anything that is truly important gets told to us 3-5 years after anyone could do anything about it.
    The people talking to the journalists won’t do so until 3-5 years later.
  • Options
    BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 18,967
    edited September 2023
    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens. Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull ove
    Foxy said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, A the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
    It also explains what an albatross around the Tory party's neck Brexit is. There are a lot of us who won't vote Tory again. While Labour has made gains with the Leavers, the Tories stand no chance of progress with Remainers.
    But, I think you're the only person in this category who would ever consider voting Tory.

    The Cameron/Osborne modernisation project was aimed at voters like you, but the trouble is there aren't very many of them.
    The Tories need to seriously consider getting people to vote for them if they ever want to be elected again.
    A Labour government of high inflation, strikes and poor growth is far more likely to increase Tory voteshare than another 'modernisation' project
    Because then we'll look back at this current government of high inflation, strikes and poor growth and think "they're all the same"?
  • Options
    TOPPING said:

    malcolmg said:

    Foxy said:

    malcolmg said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    To be fair lots of people have lots of misgivings about lots of Doctors, there are plenty of crap Doctors.
    Indeed, anaesthesia is dangerous but is that a sound reason to replace a doctor with 9 years of postgraduate training with a non-doctor with two?

    The other big issue is informed consent. A lot of Physician Assistants are not clear to patients that they are not, and never will be medically qualified.

    Doctors, nurses, physios etc are all heavily regulated professions, but these new grades are evolving without that.
    For me the Tories have totally F***ed the NHS, you have to pray you do not get ill nowadays.
    The NHS has been a basket case for decades, Malc.
    Just on the numbers, the Tories have been in power for most of those decades. All their good work done by short, sharp doses of Labour I imagine.
  • Options

    MattW said:

    dixiedean said:

    8.5% will be the rise in pensions next year under the triple lock.

    Same as average earnings, then. Sounds reasonable.

    Also it's not "pensions"; it's the state pension.
    And occupational pensions
    Aren't most of them capped so dont allow these relatively big rises?
    My teachers pension went up the same percentage as state this year.
    Whereas I believe didn't current teacher's salaries go up by a significantly lower percentage?

    Pretty messed up to be raising the pay of former teachers by considerably more than current ones. Especially considering many current teachers will also have the graduate tax to pay and will be renting etc too.

    Which is no disrespect to you. The problem is the way current employees are being treated - and then with fiscal drag on top to add insult to injury.
    Normally I would agree, but pensions are much smaller than the salaries, so a percentage increase comparison means pension increase is less real money.
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,753
    HYUFD said:

    Inflation rose by 7.8% from May to July, the same rate as inflation

    "Pay growth catches up with price rises - BBC News" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66778178

    I recall forecasting this 3-4 weeks ago for this month. We will now have a sustained period of real wage growth but it will not recover the shortfall suffered over the last two years by the election.
  • Options
    CookieCookie Posts: 11,757
    IanB2 said:

    Architects, eh?

    I was just reading the story of how this hotel came to be built; you’ve seen the photos of the bridge and the Danube I’ve been posting this week, taken from my room and the restaurant, and it’s the same from the sauna and gym.

    During the financial crisis when the owners were planning the hotel, the city mayor insisted on an international architectural competition, because the site was so prominent, and a panel of architects and other experts was formed to judge the entries.

    The entry the panel wanted to award the prize to had designed a totally windowless facade, with the light coming into the hotel down a light well in the middle with some sort of periscope arrangement so you could see the river by looking up. The owner of the site refused to accept the outcome, saying that a windowless hotel would be absurd given the views from the site, and also that its designers had failed to explain how the periscope would be cleaned or maintained or could cope with adverse weather.

    In the event no winner was announced and the owner went off to find a new archictect. Now the hotel has 60% of its rooms looking out over one of the most iconic city views in the world.

    Architects are the last people who should be judging an architecture contest.
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 42,376
    Carnyx said:

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens.

    Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull over to let the driver past, and nor do they heel over to the side of the road to give space, because of their line, so the driver is basically blocked. The driver gets increasingly frustrated and then when an opportunity to overtake arises - at a closeness less than ideal - the cyclist shouts out, somewhat pompously to the driver, and this triggers a rage in the car driver.

    I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.
    What overtake? The guy was coming the other way and drove at the cyclist who got squeezed into the hedge. Cyclist shouts "watch out". Driver then goes into reverse and chases the cyclist. Backwards. For a distance. Before running over a dog.

    The police decide that the cyclist contributed to road rage, that the driver simply wanted to "talk" to the cyclist, and that the cyclist should watch his actions in future.
    Doesn't the dog count? If it were a cat, meh - it's a wild animal in law, so its own fault. But dogs are deemed to have owners and it's the law one has to find the owner or report it to the police/LA dog officer.
    That would have involved the Rozzers having to do some work though, easier to just blame the cyclist.
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 45,335
    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens. Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull ove
    Foxy said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, A the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
    It also explains what an albatross around the Tory party's neck Brexit is. There are a lot of us who won't vote Tory again. While Labour has made gains with the Leavers, the Tories stand no chance of progress with Remainers.
    But, I think you're the only person in this category who would ever consider voting Tory.

    The Cameron/Osborne modernisation project was aimed at voters like you, but the trouble is there aren't very many of them.
    The Tories need to seriously consider getting people to vote for them if they ever want to be elected again.
    A Labour government of high inflation, strikes and poor growth is far more likely to increase Tory voteshare than another 'modernisation' project
    You mean one continuing current Tory policies?
  • Options
    148grss148grss Posts: 3,872
    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Certainly Biden is more likely to win the rust belt swing states again than the likes of Newsom and Harris

    He's just too old now and is approaching Mitch McConnell territory. He stumbles, mumbles, tires and says really stupid stuff.

    How on earth will that survive a campaign? Can he survive a campaign?

    I have a huge financial interest in him staying Democratic candidate and winning the General but men really should be retired in their 80s unless in fine fettle; it's very obvious.
    If the Democrats want to win again Biden is still probably their best bet or Whitmer maybe. They certainly would lose with a coastal Democrat next year
    The big problem for the Democratic party is their is very little consensus in what the base wants in a Presidential candidate - both personality wise and policy wise. Do they want a progressive or a moderate - the base is split. Do they want a fighter or a compromiser - the base is split. Do they want medicare for all and the Green New Deal - the base is split. The party elite, on the other hand, seems unified in what they want - the next Clinton or Obama who can do moderate policy but progressive rhetoric. And there isn't a really good candidate for that at the moment (well, there is a consensus candidate who could do that that party elites and the base likes, but she has no desire to run for president because she seems to be somewhat of a normal human being).

    The GOP base, on the other hand, is much more unified (even if party elites are not). They want Trump. Lots of GOP politicians thought that meant they could ape Trumps tone, style, rhetoric or policies - but the GOP don't care about those things, they just want Trump.

    If it isn't Biden, I don't know who the Dems would choose. Knowing the Democratic Party elites - part of me worries they would once again turn to Hillary Clinton. They might go with Newsom, but I don't think the progressives would take him. Maybe Whitmer - she has made abortion rights pretty central to her campaigns in Michigan and helped the local Democratic party take control from the GOP, so she might get support from all sides.
  • Options

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens. Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull ove
    Foxy said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    I won’t watch it because I’ll end up hurling the TV out the window in rage. Reading that article has got my blood pressure up.

    What a fucking shambles the Conservatives have brought us. Wrecked decades, nay centuries, of statesmanship, fractured economic ties, diminished us globally. Reduced my freedom, stripped me of my rights. For what? For nothing other than to appease the nutters, the far-right libertarians with their inane theories, the reactionaries, the racists and xenophobes, the nostalgists.

    I’m coming to the end of four superb days in Berlin. Four days in a country that doesn’t feel like it’s falling apart, that feels like it gives a fuck about its citizens, where everything works and the public realm isn’t withering before your eyes.

    I want my EU citizenship back. I will never forgive the Conservative Party for what they have done, for the lies their founders and members told, brazenly and repeatedly, to deliver the insanity of Brexit.
    Fascinating that this #FBPE anger management case study has got 8 likes so far (and counting)

    This explains why Twitter is the way it is.
    It also explains what an albatross around the Tory party's neck Brexit is. There are a lot of us who won't vote Tory again. While Labour has made gains with the Leavers, the Tories stand no chance of progress with Remainers.
    But, I think you're the only person in this category who would ever consider voting Tory.

    The Cameron/Osborne modernisation project was aimed at voters like you, but the trouble is there aren't very many of them.
    Well, I make two (not as an absolute, and it's not just about Brexit, but I'll struggle to return to voting blue without some Euroleg being shown), and I can think of others.

    The Conservative experiment of 2019 was that they could win without Centre-rightist Dads by picking up more Faragists to compensate. And whilst the early results were promising.

    But 2019 had the massive confounder of Corbyn. Without him, the experiment doesn't seem to be going so well. The Conservatives need another five percent or so to fail as badly as Major did in 1997, fifteen to get back to May's score of 2017.

    Where do they get those extra supporters?
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,753
    malcolmg said:

    Foxy said:

    malcolmg said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    To be fair lots of people have lots of misgivings about lots of Doctors, there are plenty of crap Doctors.
    Indeed, anaesthesia is dangerous but is that a sound reason to replace a doctor with 9 years of postgraduate training with a non-doctor with two?

    The other big issue is informed consent. A lot of Physician Assistants are not clear to patients that they are not, and never will be medically qualified.

    Doctors, nurses, physios etc are all heavily regulated professions, but these new grades are evolving without that.
    For me the Tories have totally F***ed the NHS, you have to pray you do not get ill nowadays.
    That would be the SNP Malcolm, who have been in charge of it for more than a decade now.
  • Options
    148grss148grss Posts: 3,872

    148grss said:

    Nigelb said:

    Anyone watching this ?

    Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos review – full of extraordinary revelations, if you can bear to watch
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/sep/11/laura-kuenssberg-state-of-chaos-review-full-of-extraordinary-revelations-if-you-can-bear-to-watch

    What I really hate about things like this (similar to the books about the White House 3 or so years later) is that journalists could be respected figures because they break these stories when they are relevant and therefore allow the public to use the knowledge to shape events, rather than act as a means of people settling narrative scores after the fact. If May was shit from the get go, we had a right to know. Instead of saying it at the time, being unpopular with the politicians and maybe losing some access, we have this piece of garbage where all the gossip gets spread, Kuenssberg gets to flex her network muscles and anything that is truly important gets told to us 3-5 years after anyone could do anything about it.
    The people talking to the journalists won’t do so until 3-5 years later.
    Then do some actual journalism and find it out without those people as your sources. When the only people you're willing to use as sources are the same people you have drinks with at the Spectator garden party, you aren't a journalist - you're just a glorified courtier.
  • Options
    malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 42,376
    TOPPING said:

    malcolmg said:

    Foxy said:

    malcolmg said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    Would YOU be happy to be seen by a doctor who hadn't trained at medical school?
    New apprentice scheme part of measures to address shortage of NHS doctors

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12505969/Would-happy-seen-doctor-hadnt-trained-medical-school.html

    A long Mail article describing physician/anaesthesia associates and the new medical apprenticeship schemes.

    A lot of doctors have deep misgivings about PA and AA staff acting way beyond their competences, and with only nominal supervision.
    To be fair, most doctors have deep misgivings about anesthesiologists generally.
    To be fair lots of people have lots of misgivings about lots of Doctors, there are plenty of crap Doctors.
    Indeed, anaesthesia is dangerous but is that a sound reason to replace a doctor with 9 years of postgraduate training with a non-doctor with two?

    The other big issue is informed consent. A lot of Physician Assistants are not clear to patients that they are not, and never will be medically qualified.

    Doctors, nurses, physios etc are all heavily regulated professions, but these new grades are evolving without that.
    For me the Tories have totally F***ed the NHS, you have to pray you do not get ill nowadays.
    The NHS has been a basket case for decades, Malc.
    Topping , It has deteriorated big time in last decade though, Labour at least tried to stem the tide and helped things improve for a bit.
  • Options
    Peter_the_PunterPeter_the_Punter Posts: 13,518
    edited September 2023
    MattW said:

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Fishing said:

    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    From September 15, British expats in Spain may need to ditch their UK-issued driving licences for a Spanish one.
    https://www.gbnews.com/lifestyle/british-expats-driving-licence-changes-spain-2665089823

    GB News is popular with expats on the Costas, apparently.

    Is this just another one where our Conservative Government dropped the equality ball?

    Here's the equivalent term for Italy - UK Residents in Italy get their licences recognised for one year after gaining Residency, and can just exchange it for a limited period of 5 years if expired; Italian Residents in UK get their licences recognised until expiry date in Italy, and can exchange it here forever with no test.

    Whereas a United Kingdom driving licence, as long as it has not expired, remains
    valid for the purposes of driving in the territory of the Italian Republic for one year
    after the date of acquisition of the holder's residence in the territory of the Italian
    Republic,
    Whereas an Italian driving licence remains valid for the purposes of driving in the
    territory of the United Kingdom until its expiry date even after the holder has
    acquired residence in the territory of the United Kingdom


    See clause 2:
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128283/CS_UK_Italy_1.2023_Mutual_Recognition_Driving_Licences.pdf

    This raises yet another red flag for me on road safety grounds.
    The catch in Italy is that after six months you need to re register your British plated car, though.
    Given the standard of driving I just observed in two weeks in Italy I'm amazed we recognise their licenses at all.
    It must be the Italian driving test that’s to blame. They just sit the student down, give him or her the mission to get past the vehicle in front, and if they make it, they pass.
    A quip? "Driven by Italians".

    Here's a video clip put out by the Black Belt Barrister yesterday about everyday driving in the UK. Driver reversed down a country lane chasing a cyclist he had close passed who had shouted "Watch Out", so out of control / not looking than he forced a quadbike off the road and ran over a dog.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LB7Ri7-xg

    North Yorks Police "No traffic offences committed", "The Driver probably wanted to talk". Apart I'd say from Careless Driving or Dangerous Driving, whatever the offence is on reversing, and several others. Various non motoring offences too, starting with common assault.
    I haven't seen the clip but at the margins you can see the mechanism by which this happens.

    Cyclist going at 20-25mph doing a time, so doesn't pull over to let the driver past, and nor do they heel over to the side of the road to give space, because of their line, so the driver is basically blocked. The driver gets increasingly frustrated and then when an opportunity to overtake arises - at a closeness less than ideal - the cyclist shouts out, somewhat pompously to the driver, and this triggers a rage in the car driver.

    I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often.
    You have a whole series of made up prejudicial assumptions there.

    Have a look at the clip:

    Rear Cam:
    https://youtu.be/6rZFrvqMdRo?t=60

    Front Cam:
    https://youtu.be/YHnE826PuEU
    Looks pretty clear cut to me, or am I missing something?

    There appears to be several examples of dangerous driving, and one of reversing further than necessary. (In fact it is not clear why he is reversing at all.)

    Hard to understand why there was no prosecution. Looks an easy nick to me.
This discussion has been closed.