Looks like Labour should have saved their Non Dom policy for the manifesto. Lessons learnt hopefully.
Nah it's fine. Plenty more to go for amongst the rich. An 8% (=NI rate) surcharge on individual investment income would be valid. Might as well do the same for pensions too once Labour have a 300 seat majority - or at least a 2% surcharge on higher rate pension income.
Plus, they can still bring forward the non-Dom abolition timetable.
Charge NI on all forms of income and to people over pension age, higher rate of CGT on property other than primary residence, bring in hotel tax on tourists (widely found elsewhere), bring back cap on pension tax relief, there are loads of options. Not that anyone will advocate them before the election of course but afterwards.....
Is there anything more weedy than putting forward a motion condemning a Labour proposed extension of the windfall tax in a parliament you’ve spent years devaluing, while sitting on your hands in the big hoose as your own government does the same?
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
And his stocks are about to tank too. Hes an infallible contrarian indicator.
I’ve invested in US tech, world tech, a US tracker, and India as a mad punt. Up so far
Absolutely no one can predict what the AI revolution is going to do. It’s Sui generis
But the explosion of AI means tech, despite the bubble, is definitely as good a medium-long term bet as any
If the revolution is overwhelming (quite possible) then everything will be worthless - don’t even invest in a pension. It’s pointless
US tech is about as bubbly as it gets right now. There are better value ways to play AI in the short term, I think.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you
You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.
But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.
For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.
What the fuck is this gibberish?
Let me summarise.
For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.
Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB
One thing I think we can all agree on is you swerving the issue and issuing insults = your interlocutor is bang on the money.
As I am here.
And this usually presages the next phase so by all means pass comment on my age, cultural background, predilections, and mental capacity.
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.
"Our communication systems were not compromised" Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?
Hopefully Reeve will paraphrase Dr Johnson in her response: "Your budget is both sensible and original in part. Unfortunately, the parts that are sensible are not original..."
I'd prefer her to say: "Indeed it is sir - but a very fine one, for I celebrated last night the encyclopedic implementation of my pre-meditated orchestration of demotic Anglo-Saxon."
Looks like Labour should have saved their Non Dom policy for the manifesto. Lessons learnt hopefully.
If thats the only thing they have as a policy they shouldnt bother standing
Oh I'm sure they have policies, and I'm sure they'll tell us and expect us to be impressed. But they will differ from the Blues in detail, not substance.
There are more people but their salaries have dropped considerably in real terms I guess. That is how the cuts materialise.
I have had some treatment at a well-known NHS hospital in London recently - the staff were good but obviously rushed off their feet, the buildings are shabby, the toilets dirty and the furniture and equipment looked at least 10 years old.
It doesn't say much for how the Tories have mismanaged the NHS. More money and staff, but wasted by poor productivity because of failure to invest in capital equipment or training.
Part of the problem in hospitals of course is the complete collapse of the GP service. My surgery accepts enquiries only by email (3-5 day timescale for reply, often missed). You can try to phone but you will be in a queue for which reaches absurd lengths - can be 20 or 30 callers. If you manage to get through you might be given a telephone appointment - probably with a nurse rather than a doctor - in a week or two. It's hopeless - for anything urgent I would just go straight to A&E and I guess most people do the same. In fact when I was at a hospital (for another reason) the other day I saw a sign pointing to "urgent GP service".
Yesterday my wife called the surgery just after 8am. Was 16th in the queue. Held on, got through, and was given an appointment for 9am. Not too shabby.
There are always exceptions....
My wife uses our GP service fairly frequently - or tries to - as she is diabetic, I use it less often but neither of us has had an on the day appointment for many years - 2-3 weeks ahead seems to be the norm for GPs, perhaps less for a nurse.
There are more people but their salaries have dropped considerably in real terms I guess. That is how the cuts materialise.
I have had some treatment at a well-known NHS hospital in London recently - the staff were good but obviously rushed off their feet, the buildings are shabby, the toilets dirty and the furniture and equipment looked at least 10 years old.
It doesn't say much for how the Tories have mismanaged the NHS. More money and staff, but wasted by poor productivity because of failure to invest in capital equipment or training.
Part of the problem in hospitals of course is the complete collapse of the GP service. My surgery accepts enquiries only by email (3-5 day timescale for reply, often missed). You can try to phone but you will be in a queue for which reaches absurd lengths - can be 20 or 30 callers. If you manage to get through you might be given a telephone appointment - probably with a nurse rather than a doctor - in a week or two. It's hopeless - for anything urgent I would just go straight to A&E and I guess most people do the same. In fact when I was at a hospital (for another reason) the other day I saw a sign pointing to "urgent GP service".
Yesterday my wife called the surgery just after 8am. Was 16th in the queue. Held on, got through, and was given an appointment for 9am. Not too shabby.
There are always exceptions....
My wife uses our GP service fairly frequently - or tries to - as she is diabetic, I use it less often but neither of us has had an on the day appointment for many years - 2-3 weeks ahead seems to be the norm for GPs, perhaps less for a nurse.
That's surprising don't most GPs keep some on the day appointments for "urgent" cases. ie if you ring up that morning you can usually expect to be seen that morning/day.
Good Lady Wifey pleased with the measures for the UK film industry.
Although, not expecting luvvies to rush to Rishi's side.
I don't know.
My son fresh with his MA in Digital Video Journalism from Cardiff University School of Journalism agrees with her. I suspect he is diametrically opposite both in terms of earnings and political leaning, but he liked that element of the budget nonetheless.
Some serious suppositions in there! She's from Glasgow, remember.
Looks like Labour should have saved their Non Dom policy for the manifesto. Lessons learnt hopefully.
Nah it's fine. Plenty more to go for amongst the rich. An 8% (=NI rate) surcharge on individual investment income would be valid. Might as well do the same for pensions too once Labour have a 300 seat majority - or at least a 2% surcharge on higher rate pension income.
Plus, they can still bring forward the non-Dom abolition timetable.
Plus removal or reduction of higher rate tax relief on pension contributions. Probably best not to advertise that in the manifesto though.
NEW energy minister criticises key Budget measure… that’s a first…
I agree with Douglas. There is much in this budget to welcome. Much that is good for Scotland and our United Kingdom. And only the Conservatives have a plan.
However, the extension of the EPL is deeply disappointing. I will be working with him to resolve this.
By my count Trump's actual margin in the primaries has underperformed that predicted by the polls by: 0-5%: AL, IA, TX 6-10%: CA, ME, NH, SC 10-15%: MA, MI, OK, TN, UT 16-20%: - 20% or more: MN, VA, VT (an astonishing 34%)
There are more people but their salaries have dropped considerably in real terms I guess. That is how the cuts materialise.
I have had some treatment at a well-known NHS hospital in London recently - the staff were good but obviously rushed off their feet, the buildings are shabby, the toilets dirty and the furniture and equipment looked at least 10 years old.
It doesn't say much for how the Tories have mismanaged the NHS. More money and staff, but wasted by poor productivity because of failure to invest in capital equipment or training.
Part of the problem in hospitals of course is the complete collapse of the GP service. My surgery accepts enquiries only by email (3-5 day timescale for reply, often missed). You can try to phone but you will be in a queue for which reaches absurd lengths - can be 20 or 30 callers. If you manage to get through you might be given a telephone appointment - probably with a nurse rather than a doctor - in a week or two. It's hopeless - for anything urgent I would just go straight to A&E and I guess most people do the same. In fact when I was at a hospital (for another reason) the other day I saw a sign pointing to "urgent GP service".
Yesterday my wife called the surgery just after 8am. Was 16th in the queue. Held on, got through, and was given an appointment for 9am. Not too shabby.
There are always exceptions....
My wife uses our GP service fairly frequently - or tries to - as she is diabetic, I use it less often but neither of us has had an on the day appointment for many years - 2-3 weeks ahead seems to be the norm for GPs, perhaps less for a nurse.
That's surprising don't most GPs keep some on the day appointments for "urgent" cases. ie if you ring up that morning you can usually expect to be seen that morning/day.
Yes I suspect you are right, it's just that what with long telephone queues, a very limited number of appointments and aggressive receptionists whose job often seems to be to keep people away from doctors it's pretty hard to get one.
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.
"Our communication systems were not compromised" Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?
I think the point of that quote was to emphasise that German secure comms are & were still secure. It’s this one meeting that was leaked (& maybe others where people have done the same thing?) where an idiot phoned into a secure meeting on an insecure line. So the total exposure is both limited & knowable - they can probably go back through all the conference calls & look at the logs to find the ones where people have called in from a landline & go through the transcripts to see what’s probably been compromised.
They do have some questions to answer about why making an insecure connection to a conference call where secret squirrel material is being discussed is allowed at all - that option shouldn’t even be available imo.
There are more people but their salaries have dropped considerably in real terms I guess. That is how the cuts materialise.
I have had some treatment at a well-known NHS hospital in London recently - the staff were good but obviously rushed off their feet, the buildings are shabby, the toilets dirty and the furniture and equipment looked at least 10 years old.
It doesn't say much for how the Tories have mismanaged the NHS. More money and staff, but wasted by poor productivity because of failure to invest in capital equipment or training.
Part of the problem in hospitals of course is the complete collapse of the GP service. My surgery accepts enquiries only by email (3-5 day timescale for reply, often missed). You can try to phone but you will be in a queue for which reaches absurd lengths - can be 20 or 30 callers. If you manage to get through you might be given a telephone appointment - probably with a nurse rather than a doctor - in a week or two. It's hopeless - for anything urgent I would just go straight to A&E and I guess most people do the same. In fact when I was at a hospital (for another reason) the other day I saw a sign pointing to "urgent GP service".
Yesterday my wife called the surgery just after 8am. Was 16th in the queue. Held on, got through, and was given an appointment for 9am. Not too shabby.
There are always exceptions....
My wife uses our GP service fairly frequently - or tries to - as she is diabetic, I use it less often but neither of us has had an on the day appointment for many years - 2-3 weeks ahead seems to be the norm for GPs, perhaps less for a nurse.
That's surprising don't most GPs keep some on the day appointments for "urgent" cases. ie if you ring up that morning you can usually expect to be seen that morning/day.
I tried to get an e-consultation at my local surgery . After filling in lots of details on my on-line form, I was then told to download some ID (driving license or passport). I downloaded a screenshot of driving license but the form wouldn't accept it as not all 4 corners were visible. What??? You could see my photo and name and the same shot had been accepted by WEA recently to enroll on a course. I then gave up.
There is now going to be a private surgery locally apparently where for a £100 fee you get a fast track appointment. My GP is one of those spearheading it. I am inclined to think they are making it as difficult as possible for people to get a consultation.
Hopefully Reeve will paraphrase Dr Johnson in her response: "Your budget is both sensible and original in part. Unfortunately, the parts that are sensible are not original..."
Isn't that the case in her own recent publications?
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.
"Our communication systems were not compromised" Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?
I think the point of that quote was to emphasise that German secure comms are & were still secure. It’s this one meeting that was leaked (& maybe others where people have done the same thing?) where an idiot phoned into a secure meeting on an insecure line. So the total exposure is both limited & knowable - they can probably go back through all the conference calls & look at the logs to find the ones where people have called in from a landline & go through the transcripts to see what’s probably been compromised.
They do have some questions to answer about why making an insecure connection to a conference call where secret squirrel material is being discussed is allowed at all - that option shouldn’t even be available imo.
IOW they don't have a secure 'system', but if they recognised that, it might be fixable.
“The game of cat and mouse has returned,” said one western intelligence officer. “Russian activities are as high or higher than during the cold war,” said another. “Russian intelligence is a huge machine and back doing what it always did,” said a third. https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1765272301778452628
Hopefully Reeve will paraphrase Dr Johnson in her response: "Your budget is both sensible and original in part. Unfortunately, the parts that are sensible are not original..."
Isn't that the case in her own recent publications?
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.
"Our communication systems were not compromised" Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?
Malfunction between keyboard and chair
Interestingly, the Gestapo ENIGMA net was never broken because they had a policy of "Break security rules and become a private on the Russian Front"
EDIT: Mandating and enforcing end-to-end encryption is pretty basis, these days. There shouldn't be a way round it for the users.
It's notable that deficit goes right down to 1.2% in 28/29 but that only causes debt to level off at an increased level.
That's largely because of the way that borrowing is measured, with various wrinkles created by accounting conventions (eg treatment of student loans, accruals vs cash accounting methods). The debt data by contrast are very much cash flow based. So one way of understanding this apparent anomaly is that borrowing is higher than as recorded: lies, damn lies and statistics, and all that. But debt is a much more well defined concept, so the key thing to look at is whether the debt trajectory is sustainable. Even by 28/29 debt is still going up by almost £100bn/year, which is just consistent with a falling debt/GDP ratio.
Yes that un-ironically is the only Brexit benefit: more immigration and we didn't even need to do Brexit to get it.
'Spot That Brexit Benefit' has potential as a computer game imo. It plunges you into a thick forest armed with a machete. You hack your way through it on the lookout for the eponymous, represented by a small glowing ball like the Golden Snitch in Quidditch. The game is over when you snaffle it. Years and years of fun.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you
You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.
But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.
For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.
What the fuck is this gibberish?
Let me summarise.
For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.
Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB
He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.
NEW energy minister criticises key Budget measure… that’s a first…
I agree with Douglas. There is much in this budget to welcome. Much that is good for Scotland and our United Kingdom. And only the Conservatives have a plan.
However, the extension of the EPL is deeply disappointing. I will be working with him to resolve this.
By my count Trump's actual margin in the primaries has underperformed that predicted by the polls by: 0-5%: AL, IA, TX 6-10%: CA, ME, NH, SC 10-15%: MA, MI, OK, TN, UT 16-20%: - 20% or more: MN, VA, VT (an astonishing 34%)
Yes that un-ironically is the only Brexit benefit: more immigration and we didn't even need to do Brexit to get it.
'Spot That Brexit Benefit' has potential as a computer game imo. It plunges you into a thick forest armed with a machete. You hack your way through it on the lookout for the eponymous, represented by a small glowing ball like the Golden Snitch in Quidditch. The game is over when you snaffle it. Years and years of fun.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
And his stocks are about to tank too. Hes an infallible contrarian indicator.
I’ve invested in US tech, world tech, a US tracker, and India as a mad punt. Up so far
Absolutely no one can predict what the AI revolution is going to do. It’s Sui generis
But the explosion of AI means tech, despite the bubble, is definitely as good a medium-long term bet as any
If the revolution is overwhelming (quite possible) then everything will be worthless - don’t even invest in a pension. It’s pointless
US tech is about as bubbly as it gets right now. There are better value ways to play AI in the short term, I think.
Which are?
I've tried to get my head around it, but I can't see how anyone supplants the tech giants - Amazon, MS, Nvidia, Apple, Google, Meta, Musk Inc
They are so far ahead and so rich they can simply buy any smaller rivals, unless they come from China or maybe the EU, which might defend them, but even then the USA is so big it will prosper in comparison
This is, BTW, spare money I gained unexpectedly. I've invested for the medium-term, not for short term profit
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
And his stocks are about to tank too. Hes an infallible contrarian indicator.
I’ve invested in US tech, world tech, a US tracker, and India as a mad punt. Up so far
Absolutely no one can predict what the AI revolution is going to do. It’s Sui generis
But the explosion of AI means tech, despite the bubble, is definitely as good a medium-long term bet as any
If the revolution is overwhelming (quite possible) then everything will be worthless - don’t even invest in a pension. It’s pointless
US tech is about as bubbly as it gets right now. There are better value ways to play AI in the short term, I think.
Which are?
I've tried to get my head around it, but I can't see how anyone supplants the tech giants - Amazon, MS, Nvidia, Apple, Google, Meta, Musk Inc
They are so far ahead and so rich they can simply buy any smaller rivals, unless they come from China or maybe the EU, which might defend them, but even then the USA is so big it will prosper in comparison
This is, BTW, spare money I gained unexpectedly. I've invested for the medium-term, not for short term profit
Apple and google dont look so hot at present. Watch how they trade.
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.
"Our communication systems were not compromised" Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?
I think the point of that quote was to emphasise that German secure comms are & were still secure. It’s this one meeting that was leaked (& maybe others where people have done the same thing?) where an idiot phoned into a secure meeting on an insecure line. So the total exposure is both limited & knowable - they can probably go back through all the conference calls & look at the logs to find the ones where people have called in from a landline & go through the transcripts to see what’s probably been compromised.
They do have some questions to answer about why making an insecure connection to a conference call where secret squirrel material is being discussed is allowed at all - that option shouldn’t even be available imo.
So the German military bought the industry-standard secure online conference call system, then configured it so that people could dial in via a phone line, and that *that* was the vector that caught them out only once?
They’re hoping that this disclosure is better than saying they were running a whole load more Webex settings, that might allow random people to join in online with nothing more than a reference number.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you
You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.
But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.
For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.
What the fuck is this gibberish?
Let me summarise.
For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.
Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB
He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.
Yeah I mean not bad at all.
That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.
But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.
Yes that un-ironically is the only Brexit benefit: more immigration and we didn't even need to do Brexit to get it.
Doesn't help per capita. As not only Britain is finding out:
Of course it is still possible, with immigration, to have falling GDP per capita and yet everyone be better off. The immigrants, while poorly paid in their new home, may still be better off then they were in their former home, while the value they generate may help to raise the standard of living of the natives in their new home.
It's like the old joke about the migration of New Zealanders to Australia raising the IQ of both countries:
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you
You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.
But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.
For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.
What the fuck is this gibberish?
Let me summarise.
For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.
Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB
He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.
Yeah I mean not bad at all.
That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.
But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.
Don't be impatient iow.
Good luck.
I love how you think how me dissing Kinabalus comical views is evidence of some giant cloak and dagger strategy. Maybe a bit paranoid.
Yes that un-ironically is the only Brexit benefit: more immigration and we didn't even need to do Brexit to get it.
'Spot That Brexit Benefit' has potential as a computer game imo. It plunges you into a thick forest armed with a machete. You hack your way through it on the lookout for the eponymous, represented by a small glowing ball like the Golden Snitch in Quidditch. The game is over when you snaffle it. Years and years of fun.
Blue passports my friend blue passports.
Not to mention the Big One - the ruination of the Tory Party.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you
You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.
But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.
For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.
What the fuck is this gibberish?
Let me summarise.
For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.
Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB
He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.
Yeah I mean not bad at all.
That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.
But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.
Don't be impatient iow.
Good luck.
I love how you think how me dissing Kinabalus comical views is evidence of some giant cloak and dagger strategy. Maybe a bit paranoid.
Oh god no by all means diss Kinabalus's comical views. Everyone does it, and for obvious reasons.
But, and I'm sorry if it sounds a touch self-regarding, we are, on average, a bright bunch here and therefore just thought I'd give a few pointers how to proceed.
Yes that un-ironically is the only Brexit benefit: more immigration and we didn't even need to do Brexit to get it.
'Spot That Brexit Benefit' has potential as a computer game imo. It plunges you into a thick forest armed with a machete. You hack your way through it on the lookout for the eponymous, represented by a small glowing ball like the Golden Snitch in Quidditch. The game is over when you snaffle it. Years and years of fun.
Blue passports my friend blue passports.
Not to mention the Big One - the ruination of the Tory Party.
Well who cares about them. I may appoint rees mogg as my butler after the election.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
And his stocks are about to tank too. Hes an infallible contrarian indicator.
I’ve invested in US tech, world tech, a US tracker, and India as a mad punt. Up so far
Absolutely no one can predict what the AI revolution is going to do. It’s Sui generis
But the explosion of AI means tech, despite the bubble, is definitely as good a medium-long term bet as any
If the revolution is overwhelming (quite possible) then everything will be worthless - don’t even invest in a pension. It’s pointless
US tech is about as bubbly as it gets right now. There are better value ways to play AI in the short term, I think.
Which are?
I've tried to get my head around it, but I can't see how anyone supplants the tech giants - Amazon, MS, Nvidia, Apple, Google, Meta, Musk Inc
They are so far ahead and so rich they can simply buy any smaller rivals, unless they come from China or maybe the EU, which might defend them, but even then the USA is so big it will prosper in comparison
This is, BTW, spare money I gained unexpectedly. I've invested for the medium-term, not for short term profit
Those who can most profitably leverage its use in the short/medium term. And who aren't on the nosebleed valuations of big tech.
I don't do stock recommendations, but think (eg) biotech; aerospace.
Yes that un-ironically is the only Brexit benefit: more immigration and we didn't even need to do Brexit to get it.
Doesn't help per capita. As not only Britain is finding out:
Of course it is still possible, with immigration, to have falling GDP per capita and yet everyone be better off. The immigrants, while poorly paid in their new home, may still be better off then they were in their former home, while the value they generate may help to raise the standard of living of the natives in their new home.
It's like the old joke about the migration of New Zealanders to Australia raising the IQ of both countries:
No, you’re including the originating donor country of the immigrants in your calculations. “Remittances” are imports, money earned in the UK being sent abroad.
From a UK perspective, a falling GDP per capita makes everyone worse off, and that’s before second-order effects such as increased housing costs and longer healthcare waiting lists.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you
You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.
But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.
For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.
What the fuck is this gibberish?
Let me summarise.
For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.
Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB
He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.
Yeah I mean not bad at all.
That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.
But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.
Don't be impatient iow.
Good luck.
I love how you think how me dissing Kinabalus comical views is evidence of some giant cloak and dagger strategy. Maybe a bit paranoid.
It fits the regular pattern. As does multiple posting as soon as you join the site.
If you're an innocent newb, then that would be the real surprise. As Topping says, learn to play yourself in. This isn't 20/20.
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.
"Our communication systems were not compromised" Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?
I think the point of that quote was to emphasise that German secure comms are & were still secure. It’s this one meeting that was leaked (& maybe others where people have done the same thing?) where an idiot phoned into a secure meeting on an insecure line. So the total exposure is both limited & knowable - they can probably go back through all the conference calls & look at the logs to find the ones where people have called in from a landline & go through the transcripts to see what’s probably been compromised.
They do have some questions to answer about why making an insecure connection to a conference call where secret squirrel material is being discussed is allowed at all - that option shouldn’t even be available imo.
So the German military bought the industry-standard secure online conference call system, then configured it so that people could dial in via a phone line, and that *that* was the vector that caught them out only once?
They’re hoping that this disclosure is better than saying they were running a whole load more Webex settings, that might allow random people to join in online with nothing more than a reference number.
The military in NATO ally Germany is offering communications apps to soldiers and other federal employees on Chinese phone maker Huawei's app store — even though the telecoms giant has been deemed a security risk by the U.S. and European Union, Newsweek can reveal.
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
The insanity there is not having end to end encryption. Even if the landline passed through Putin's office, they shouldn't have been able to get anything.
If Nadine Dorries reads PB, this is why you need end-to-end encryption. It is not just for criminals.
Haley is a very impressive politician. It shows the rot in the GOP that they would rather have Trump as their nominee over her.
She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.
She’s the epitome of everything wrong with US politics, the dominance of big money in election campaigns, and totally devoid of opinions except for those of her paymasters.
For a minute I thought he was going to abolish NI then.
So did I. What he said about making things simpler, in respect of the 2% reduction in NI, doesn’t make sense. It’s no less complicated just because the rate is smaller.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you
You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.
But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.
For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.
What the fuck is this gibberish?
Let me summarise.
For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.
Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB
He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.
Yeah I mean not bad at all.
That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.
But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.
Don't be impatient iow.
Good luck.
I love how you think how me dissing Kinabalus comical views is evidence of some giant cloak and dagger strategy. Maybe a bit paranoid.
It fits the regular pattern. As does multiple posting as soon as you join the site.
If you're an innocent newb, then that would be the real surprise. As Topping says, learn to play yourself in. This isn't 20/20.
Boycott used to play himself in but he sent the crowd to sleep.
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
The insanity there is not having end to end encryption. Even if the landline passed through Putin's office, they shouldn't have been able to get anything.
If Nadine Dorries reads PB, this is why you need end-to-end encryption. It is not just for criminals.
"Well the laws of Australia prevail in Australia, I can assure you of that. The laws of mathematics are very commendable, but the only law that applies in Australia is the law of Australia.”
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
Blimey, that's even more stupid than I thought.
"Our communication systems were not compromised" Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?
I think the point of that quote was to emphasise that German secure comms are & were still secure. It’s this one meeting that was leaked (& maybe others where people have done the same thing?) where an idiot phoned into a secure meeting on an insecure line. So the total exposure is both limited & knowable - they can probably go back through all the conference calls & look at the logs to find the ones where people have called in from a landline & go through the transcripts to see what’s probably been compromised.
They do have some questions to answer about why making an insecure connection to a conference call where secret squirrel material is being discussed is allowed at all - that option shouldn’t even be available imo.
So the German military bought the industry-standard secure online conference call system, then configured it so that people could dial in via a phone line, and that *that* was the vector that caught them out only once?
They’re hoping that this disclosure is better than saying they were running a whole load more Webex settings, that might allow random people to join in online with nothing more than a reference number.
The military in NATO ally Germany is offering communications apps to soldiers and other federal employees on Chinese phone maker Huawei's app store — even though the telecoms giant has been deemed a security risk by the U.S. and European Union, Newsweek can reveal.
Haley is a very impressive politician. It shows the rot in the GOP that they would rather have Trump as their nominee over her.
She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.
She’s the epitome of everything wrong with US politics, the dominance of big money in election campaigns, and totally devoid of opinions except for those of her paymasters.
These are my opinions but pay me enough and i will develop others. Democracy is a mess isnt it.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
Thanks mum. I knew I could rely on you
You probably think that you are the belwether on immigration and how _this time_ it will herald the end of the UK as we know it.
But you are wrong. There has always been immigration into the UK and now you get the situation whereby a guy who shouts at a probable Islamist terrorist "you ain't no Muslim, bruv" is considered quintessentially British.
For someone who believes themselves so acutely attuned to new trends and oncoming paradigm shifts, in this area you seem to be stuck on the back of one of John Major's old maid's bicycles.
What the fuck is this gibberish?
Let me summarise.
For someone who believes they see into the future your posts on immigration show that you are irrevocably stuck in the past.
Your opinions are neither interesting nor novel nor amusingly expressed. But hey. There’s room for all on PB
He fits in well on here. Kinabalus endless lectures on misogyny I find amusing. His wife has disappeared to Malaysia to escape them.
Yeah I mean not bad at all.
That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.
But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.
Don't be impatient iow.
Good luck.
I love how you think how me dissing Kinabalus comical views is evidence of some giant cloak and dagger strategy. Maybe a bit paranoid.
It fits the regular pattern. As does multiple posting as soon as you join the site.
If you're an innocent newb, then that would be the real surprise. As Topping says, learn to play yourself in. This isn't 20/20.
Boycott used to play himself in but he sent the crowd to sleep.
Now you're getting it; that's the point. You don't want us awake.
Re London’s nightlife. Covid definitely had a massive effect. As did Brexit to a much lesser extent
But london has also gone from a Muslim population of ~300,000 to ~1,400,000 in 20 years. Muslims don’t drink or go to clubs. Or if they go to clubs they don’t drink. So nightlife dies
You can see this is in the widespread closure of pubs in tower hamlets etc
Many may welcome this change. Especially old nimbys who hate noise. Good for them and god speed - but I don’t. If I want a quiet sober Muslim city I’ll go to Fez. London is meant to be a buzzing world city or it is nothing
Its yet another tragic consequence of an insanely cavalier immigration policy; imagining that importing ten million people with a very different culture will have no effect
The non-Muslim population of London has also increased over the past twenty years, so I call bullshit.
I hope you see the statistical error here
No error. You've said the Muslim population of London has increased by 1.1 million over 20 years. But the total population of London has increased by around 1.8 million in that time. So the non-Muslim population has also increased.
I look forward to your prompt and effusive apology.
At the turn of the century about one in twelve Londoners were Muslims, now it's around one in six
Sure - the percentage of Londoners who are Muslims has increased and you can have various arguments over whether that's good, bad or neutral.
But Leon's specific point was that there is less of a market for nightclubs in London now because the absolute number of Muslims living in London has increased. But the fatal flaw in that argument is that the absolute number of non-Muslims living in London has also increased. Not by as much, but it's increased.
So it doesn't explain the phenomenon Leon has apparently noticed (which, as a reminder, is that he has less fun in London now he's an old fart).
Yes but these tend to be black africans, indians and east asians none of whom are renowned for their partying lifestyle. So the basic point is correct.
I'm old enough to remember when immigrants were criticised for having too much of a partying lifestyle! Now apparently a sober hard-working attitude is their crime. This site is starting to develop a monomaniacle obsession with immigrants and Muslims that is both disturbing and boring.
I don't think it's this site developing a monomaniacal obsession with immigrants and Muslims; it's one loudmouth boor with a tedious and somewhat pathetic need to try and hijack every thread with a bizarre cocktail of holiday snaps and tendentious attention-seeking, like the bastard lovechild of Judith Chalmers and Jeremy Clarkson but without the subtlety or finesse.
And his stocks are about to tank too. Hes an infallible contrarian indicator.
I’ve invested in US tech, world tech, a US tracker, and India as a mad punt. Up so far
Absolutely no one can predict what the AI revolution is going to do. It’s Sui generis
But the explosion of AI means tech, despite the bubble, is definitely as good a medium-long term bet as any
If the revolution is overwhelming (quite possible) then everything will be worthless - don’t even invest in a pension. It’s pointless
US tech is about as bubbly as it gets right now. There are better value ways to play AI in the short term, I think.
Which are?
I've tried to get my head around it, but I can't see how anyone supplants the tech giants - Amazon, MS, Nvidia, Apple, Google, Meta, Musk Inc
They are so far ahead and so rich they can simply buy any smaller rivals, unless they come from China or maybe the EU, which might defend them, but even then the USA is so big it will prosper in comparison
This is, BTW, spare money I gained unexpectedly. I've invested for the medium-term, not for short term profit
Things change. Decades ago I worked for one of the 'BUNCH', the big mainframe manufacturers. Named so because they were all huge, but still dwarfed by IBM. The one I worked for at one point had over 200,000 employees. What is left of it is about 15,000 strong. All except IBM have effectively disappeared. None of the new giants were around then (well MS might have been two guys in a garage). Ten or twenty years from now it might all be different again.
For a minute I thought he was going to abolish NI then.
So did I. What he said about making things simpler, in respect of the 2% reduction in NI, doesn’t make sense. It’s no less complicated just because the rate is smaller.
Presumably he is setting it up to be a manifesto commitment in the next Parliament. I thought it was going to a big rabbit out of hat moment though.
It's quite the swing in approach on NI. Sunak as chancellor almost increased it to 13.25% and now it's dropping to 8%.
Still too expensive to abolish in one go, but an interesting shift.
So with Sunak:
NI - Increase/Decrease Energy Windfall Levy - Terrible idea/Lets do it anyway Non Doms - As above
Plan to attack Starmer - can't think of much, he got away with his korma, lets call him a flip flopper, bound to work if we keep repeating it ad nauseum.
Haley is a very impressive politician. It shows the rot in the GOP that they would rather have Trump as their nominee over her.
She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.
She’s the epitome of everything wrong with US politics, the dominance of big money in election campaigns, and totally devoid of opinions except for those of her paymasters.
These are my opinions but pay me enough and i will develop others. Democracy is a mess isnt it.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Too soon.
Before you jump in with undermining western liberal democracy (we've already had your comment on immigration, which was pretty clumsy) you need at least six weeks of opining on Scottish sub-samples with some arch observations about Dundee South.
THEN the whole country would be better off under a dictatorship what's with all these foreigners-type posts.
I am really trying to help here but sometimes people are their own worst enemies.
Haley is a very impressive politician. It shows the rot in the GOP that they would rather have Trump as their nominee over her.
She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.
She’s the epitome of everything wrong with US politics, the dominance of big money in election campaigns, and totally devoid of opinions except for those of her paymasters.
These are my opinions but pay me enough and i will develop others. Democracy is a mess isnt it.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Too soon.
Before you jump in with undermining western liberal democracy (we've already had your comment on immigration, which was pretty clumsy) you need at least six weeks of opining on Scottish sub-samples with some arch observations about Dundee South.
THEN the whole country would be better off under a dictatorship what's with all these foreigners-type posts.
I am really trying to help here but sometimes people are their own worst enemies.
Ask me to comment for 6 weeks on scottish subsamples and i would desire a move to north korea for the excitement.
It's quite the swing in approach on NI. Sunak as chancellor almost increased it to 13.25% and now it's dropping to 8%.
Still too expensive to abolish in one go, but an interesting shift.
NI is going to be a total pain in the arse to actually abolish, thanks to a whole load of legislation around pensions etc.
The hope is that it trends to 1% over time, which is both progressive* and equalises earned vs unearned income.
*Most 20% taxpayers don’t realise there’s an upper limit, and that most 40% taxpayers only pay 2% NI contributions.
Abolishing employers' constributions as a first step would be a good way to make salaries more transparent.
Absolutely, but employer NI is an even bigger nightmare as it raises £100bn a year yet most people don’t really see it.
As David Cameron said, it’s quite literally a tax on jobs.
(I’m always torn between the US system of most people writing a cheque every year for their taxes, and the UK system of most people just seeing them deducted at source).
All pensioners like me will. be pissed off. Vote Labour.
Yes the budget doesn't offer anything much to pensioners. From April the basic state pension will be £11,502 so anyone with a private pension of more than £1,068 will be dragged into the income tax net. There must be many more pensioners paying income tax now than was the case when tax allowances were frozen in 2022.
Haley is a very impressive politician. It shows the rot in the GOP that they would rather have Trump as their nominee over her.
She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.
She’s the epitome of everything wrong with US politics, the dominance of big money in election campaigns, and totally devoid of opinions except for those of her paymasters.
These are my opinions but pay me enough and i will develop others. Democracy is a mess isnt it.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Too soon.
Before you jump in with undermining western liberal democracy (we've already had your comment on immigration, which was pretty clumsy) you need at least six weeks of opining on Scottish sub-samples with some arch observations about Dundee South.
THEN the whole country would be better off under a dictatorship what's with all these foreigners-type posts.
I am really trying to help here but sometimes people are their own worst enemies.
Yes he really needs to be putin in the hours in terms of groundwork.
We're running a panel of 2019 Tory voters with @SamCoatesSky + @YouGov to get their Budget reactions.
These are THE key voters. And their first response is damning:
❌ "Absolutely farcical" ❌ "A great vote-loser" ❌ "Not bold enough" ❌ "Waste of time. Time for them to go"
I think the budget was reasonable given the starting point, but it is clear that virtually no-one is listening to the Tories anymore or giving them benefit of the doubt or time at all.
Haley is a very impressive politician. It shows the rot in the GOP that they would rather have Trump as their nominee over her.
She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.
She’s the epitome of everything wrong with US politics, the dominance of big money in election campaigns, and totally devoid of opinions except for those of her paymasters.
She might be the epitome of that particular thing that's wrong with current US politics - but it's possible to spot a bigger one if you've been to specsavers.
All pensioners like me will. be pissed off. Vote Labour.
Yes the budget doesn't offer anything much to pensioners. From April the basic state pension will be £11,502 so anyone with a private pension of more than £1,068 will be dragged into the income tax net. There must be many more pensioners paying income tax now than was the case when tax allowances were frozen in 2022.
We could always fix that by reducing the state pension?
Haley is a very impressive politician. It shows the rot in the GOP that they would rather have Trump as their nominee over her.
She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.
She’s the epitome of everything wrong with US politics, the dominance of big money in election campaigns, and totally devoid of opinions except for those of her paymasters.
These are my opinions but pay me enough and i will develop others. Democracy is a mess isnt it.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Too soon.
Before you jump in with undermining western liberal democracy (we've already had your comment on immigration, which was pretty clumsy) you need at least six weeks of opining on Scottish sub-samples with some arch observations about Dundee South.
THEN the whole country would be better off under a dictatorship what's with all these foreigners-type posts.
I am really trying to help here but sometimes people are their own worst enemies.
Ask me to comment for 6 weeks on scottish subsamples and i would desire a move to north korea for the excitement.
"desire a move", eh? What would have been the prompt for that, I wonder.
Haley is a very impressive politician. It shows the rot in the GOP that they would rather have Trump as their nominee over her.
She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.
She’s the epitome of everything wrong with US politics, the dominance of big money in election campaigns, and totally devoid of opinions except for those of her paymasters.
These are my opinions but pay me enough and i will develop others. Democracy is a mess isnt it.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Too soon.
Before you jump in with undermining western liberal democracy (we've already had your comment on immigration, which was pretty clumsy) you need at least six weeks of opining on Scottish sub-samples with some arch observations about Dundee South.
THEN the whole country would be better off under a dictatorship what's with all these foreigners-type posts.
I am really trying to help here but sometimes people are their own worst enemies.
Ask me to comment for 6 weeks on scottish subsamples and i would desire a move to north korea for the excitement.
There is a direct sleeping-car between Moscow and Pyongyang in North Korea twice a month provided by the North Korean Railways.
We're running a panel of 2019 Tory voters with @SamCoatesSky + @YouGov to get their Budget reactions.
These are THE key voters. And their first response is damning:
❌ "Absolutely farcical" ❌ "A great vote-loser" ❌ "Not bold enough" ❌ "Waste of time. Time for them to go"
I think the budget was reasonable given the starting point, but it is clear that virtually no-one is listening to the Tories anymore or giving them benefit of the doubt or time at all.
I think that's the point.
I thought it was rather good, and Hunt delivered it very well, but people have simply stopped listening to them.
The NHS is NOT the reason most of us are "proud to be British." The NHS was a great idea. It is no longer fit for purpose - as millions of people who cannot get the care they need can attest. 1:56 PM · Mar 6, 2024 · 17.5K Views
...My son fresh with his MA in Digital Video Journalism from Cardiff University School of Journalism....
Is he a YouTuber?
Not really.
He has a few of his films on YouTube (I didn't get his Masters project, but his lecturers gave him a distinction (effectively a first) but he doesn't operate a YouTube channel. He's back as an Extra on Wolf Hall and Casualty now.
When you see the new line up for Sky Breakfast with Wilfred Frost (son of David) as the anchor he has no chance, he really needs to get up and running with a YouTube channel.
...My son fresh with his MA in Digital Video Journalism from Cardiff University School of Journalism....
Is he a YouTuber?
Not really.
He has a few of his films on YouTube (I didn't get his Masters project, but his lecturers gave him a distinction (effectively a first) but he doesn't operate a YouTube channel. He's back as an Extra on Wolf Hall and Casualty now.
When you see the new line up for Sky Breakfast with Wilfred Frost (son of David) as the anchor he has no chance, he really needs to get up and running with a YouTube channel.
Wil Frost is useless too. So boring. Nepotism at its finest.
The NHS is NOT the reason most of us are "proud to be British." The NHS was a great idea. It is no longer fit for purpose - as millions of people who cannot get the care they need can attest. 1:56 PM · Mar 6, 2024 · 17.5K Views
This seems really strange from the German ambassador.
Nothing to do with us, Guv.
The German ambassador to the UK has said there is "no need to apologise" for security breaches which led to a call between top army officials being leaked by Russian sources.
Miguel Berger told BBC Radio 4's Today programme one of the participants had likely dialled in via an insecure line.
As a result, Russia was able to intercept the call, he said.
In the audio, officials can be heard discussing details of alleged British operations on the ground in Ukraine.
Mr Berger hit back at criticism by former UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who said Germany was "pretty penetrated by Russian intelligence" and "neither secure nor reliable". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68488962
Arguing that their communications were secure because someone got hacked phoning in via his hotel WIFI isn't the most convincing thing I've ever heard.
Shoulda used Whatsapp?
(I'm not up to date on it.)
They didn’t get hacked because they used hotel WiFi - the Russians were able to listen into the call because a German officer phoned into a WebEx conference call from a hotel landline. A landline is unencrypted.
Not doing the German officer corps’ reputation for competence any favours in the process tbh. I’m surprised the military even has the option to use a landline turned on given that it breaks all the security guarantees.
I thought the German officer corps' reputation for competence ran out some time around 1900.
Comments
There are better value ways to play AI in the short term, I think.
I've torn up my membership card.
As I am here.
And this usually presages the next phase so by all means pass comment on my age, cultural background, predilections, and mental capacity.
"Our communication systems were not compromised"
Do they not realise that idiot users are part of systems - and usually its weakest part ?
A bit expensive to raise the surrounding area.
My wife uses our GP service fairly frequently - or tries to - as she is diabetic, I use it less often but neither of us has had an on the day appointment for many years - 2-3 weeks ahead seems to be the norm for GPs, perhaps less for a nurse.
NEW energy minister criticises key Budget measure… that’s a first…
I agree with Douglas.
There is much in this budget to welcome. Much that is good for Scotland and our United Kingdom. And only the Conservatives have a plan.
However, the extension of the EPL is deeply disappointing. I will be working with him to resolve this.
https://x.com/faisalislam/status/1765386719266812052?s=46
By my count Trump's actual margin in the primaries has underperformed that predicted by the polls by:
0-5%: AL, IA, TX
6-10%: CA, ME, NH, SC
10-15%: MA, MI, OK, TN, UT
16-20%: -
20% or more: MN, VA, VT (an astonishing 34%)
...and he outperformed pre-primary polling only in NC.
https://twitter.com/JustinWolfers/status/1765260529294246108
Not only will I be voting Conservative, I will be actively campaigning for the lovely Philip Davies.
They do have some questions to answer about why making an insecure connection to a conference call where secret squirrel material is being discussed is allowed at all - that option shouldn’t even be available imo.
There is now going to be a private surgery locally apparently where for a £100 fee you get a fast track appointment. My GP is one of those spearheading it. I am inclined to think they are making it as difficult as possible for people to get a consultation.
“The game of cat and mouse has returned,” said one western intelligence officer. “Russian activities are as high or higher than during the cold war,” said another. “Russian intelligence is a huge machine and back doing what it always did,” said a third.
https://twitter.com/maxseddon/status/1765272301778452628
Interestingly, the Gestapo ENIGMA net was never broken because they had a policy of "Break security rules and become a private on the Russian Front"
EDIT: Mandating and enforcing end-to-end encryption is pretty basis, these days. There shouldn't be a way round it for the users.
I've tried to get my head around it, but I can't see how anyone supplants the tech giants - Amazon, MS, Nvidia, Apple, Google, Meta, Musk Inc
They are so far ahead and so rich they can simply buy any smaller rivals, unless they come from China or maybe the EU, which might defend them, but even then the USA is so big it will prosper in comparison
This is, BTW, spare money I gained unexpectedly. I've invested for the medium-term, not for short term profit
They’re hoping that this disclosure is better than saying they were running a whole load more Webex settings, that might allow random people to join in online with nothing more than a reference number.
I call bullsh!t.
That reasonableness, who could possibly disagree with that line, perhaps the odd say what comment. Not bad at all.
But press me and I would say that it is all a bit forced, too hurried. I mean look at us lot, it takes time to play yourself in so if I had a word of advice I'd say pace yourself. Play the long game. Reasonable comments and then after a few months, perhaps, jump in with a truly wtf pronouncement after we have all been lulled in and say well Colin said it so it must be so.
Don't be impatient iow.
Good luck.
It's like the old joke about the migration of New Zealanders to Australia raising the IQ of both countries:
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2021/10/16/iq/
But, and I'm sorry if it sounds a touch self-regarding, we are, on average, a bright bunch here and therefore just thought I'd give a few pointers how to proceed.
Patience is the key.
As I said, good luck.
And who aren't on the nosebleed valuations of big tech.
I don't do stock recommendations, but think (eg) biotech; aerospace.
From a UK perspective, a falling GDP per capita makes everyone worse off, and that’s before second-order effects such as increased housing costs and longer healthcare waiting lists.
https://x.com/disclosetv/status/1765395074282557604
As does multiple posting as soon as you join the site.
If you're an innocent newb, then that would be the real surprise. As Topping says, learn to play yourself in.
This isn't 20/20.
She is only 52 - a spring chicken in US politics! I hope she gets the chance to run as a nominee one day.
The military in NATO ally Germany is offering communications apps to soldiers and other federal employees on Chinese phone maker Huawei's app store — even though the telecoms giant has been deemed a security risk by the U.S. and European Union, Newsweek can reveal.
be pissed off. Vote Labour.
Still too expensive to abolish in one go, but an interesting shift.
You don't want us awake.
The hope is that it trends to 1% over time, which is both progressive* and equalises earned vs unearned income.
*Most 20% taxpayers don’t realise there’s an upper limit, and that most 40% taxpayers only pay 2% NI contributions.
NI - Increase/Decrease
Energy Windfall Levy - Terrible idea/Lets do it anyway
Non Doms - As above
Plan to attack Starmer - can't think of much, he got away with his korma, lets call him a flip flopper, bound to work if we keep repeating it ad nauseum.
Too soon.
Before you jump in with undermining western liberal democracy (we've already had your comment on immigration, which was pretty clumsy) you need at least six weeks of opining on Scottish sub-samples with some arch observations about Dundee South.
THEN the whole country would be better off under a dictatorship what's with all these foreigners-type posts.
I am really trying to help here but sometimes people are their own worst enemies.
We're running a panel of 2019 Tory voters with @SamCoatesSky + @YouGov to get their Budget reactions.
These are THE key voters. And their first response is damning:
❌ "Absolutely farcical"
❌ "A great vote-loser"
❌ "Not bold enough"
❌ "Waste of time. Time for them to go"
As David Cameron said, it’s quite literally a tax on jobs.
(I’m always torn between the US system of most people writing a cheque every year for their taxes, and the UK system of most people just seeing them deducted at source).
Never did get an answer. However, it was a rhetorical question, as answer was clear by "Colin's" second post or thereabouts.
NEW THREAD
I thought it was rather good, and Hunt delivered it very well, but people have simply stopped listening to them.
The NHS is NOT the reason most of us are "proud to be British." The NHS was a great idea. It is no longer fit for purpose - as millions of people who cannot get the care they need can attest.
1:56 PM · Mar 6, 2024
·
17.5K
Views
https://x.com/IsabelOakeshott/status/1765375876546392130?s=20
He has a few of his films on YouTube (I didn't get his Masters project, but his lecturers gave him a distinction (effectively a first) but he doesn't operate a YouTube channel. He's back as an Extra on Wolf Hall and Casualty now.
When you see the new line up for Sky Breakfast with Wilfred Frost (son of David) as the anchor he has no chance, he really needs to get up and running with a YouTube channel.
And who is "us"? Are you a facemask supplier?