Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
Taxes on high incomes are not that high, especially for those marginal few making millions a year. And for those people, yes they can go abroad if they wish, but they almost certainly won't wish because they work here and London is the cultural capital of the English speaking world.
As well as that we could do some innovative wealth taxes - land value taxes, taxes on second and third homes, taxes on certain trading practices that magic money out of 1s and 0s, etc. At the end of the day money needs to move more efficiently than it currently is, and rich people are sitting on money and assets rather than spending it in the economy. If you give poorer people money, they'll spend - which in many instances will grow the economy without causing inflation (the recent bout of inflation being caused by supply chain issues rather than too much cash being in the economy). Manage that, and you'll get what every capitalist should supposedly want - happy workers and a good market. It will just lower some top level profits somewhat.
You don’t realise how mobile people have become. People have worked out that, not only can they work from home, they can work from somewhere really sunny
And is London still that buzzing global capital? I’d like to think so, it’s my home and I own property there. I’m just not sure any more
Btw you’ll be displeased to know I agree with you on starmer. He will get a massive majority but the mood will fiercely turn against him when it becomes obvious he has no more money and no bright ideas and nothing will improve quickly, if at all
And in some ways - Wokeness - he will be even worse than the Tories and will immediately annoy lots of people
On the topic of Putins "popularity" russian gdp per head is up 11 fold between 1999 and 2024. Thats a massive increase in standard of living at a time when the uk has stagnated.
per annum per capita growth for a quarter of a century. Impressive.
Do you get double the pay for using two logins at once?
I was joking! It's obvious that standards of living in Russia haven't increased by 10% each year for 25 years.
It's almost like Russia benefited massively from the commodities boom of the last quarter century.
With that said, Outside Moscow and St.Petersburg, there's very little evidence of prosperity in Russia. Most of rural, and small city, Russia is dirt poor, with little commerce, and few prospects. Much of the country still has dirt tracks rather than paved roads.
Hmmmm
Not sure that’s completely true
Russia is vast and varied. There are definitely huge regions which are shockingly poor
But also unexpected areas of prosperity - the commodity rich north or the pacific coast or down south around the Black Sea - they can be rather nice
Sure, there are little islands of prosperity. But most of Russia makes Albania look prosperous.
One of the fascinating things I learned early on in the Ukraine war, was that many Russian conscripts were shocked at how wealthy Ukraine felt, and how that was completely at odds with what they'd been told.
We forget, as it's a year or so since they were looting all the washing machines and toilet seats.
On the topic of Putins "popularity" russian gdp per head is up 11 fold between 1999 and 2024. Thats a massive increase in standard of living at a time when the uk has stagnated.
per annum per capita growth for a quarter of a century. Impressive.
Do you get double the pay for using two logins at once?
I was joking! It's obvious that standards of living in Russia haven't increased by 10% each year for 25 years.
It's almost like Russia benefited massively from the commodities boom of the last quarter century.
With that said, Outside Moscow and St.Petersburg, there's very little evidence of prosperity in Russia. Most of rural, and small city, Russia is dirt poor, with little commerce, and few prospects. Much of the country still has dirt tracks rather than paved roads.
Hmmmm
Not sure that’s completely true
Russia is vast and varied. There are definitely huge regions which are shockingly poor
But also unexpected areas of prosperity - the commodity rich north or the pacific coast or down south around the Black Sea - they can be rather nice
I think there are rather fewer holidaymakers in Crimea than previously.
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
The PB Tory-Lefties seem to swing daily from:
• SKS is a Red Tory who will change nothing at all • SKS is a closet socialist revolutionary who has a secret plan to launch a state-mandated kleptocracy after two years in power • SKS an incompetent but lucky general who will preside over chaos and be hated within 12 months of power
Yes!
I can understand just how depressing it must be if you are a natural conservative. The government have the name but none of the policies, and appear to doing all they can to not just remove themselves from power but do so for a long time.
Sometimes we need to drop the party label nonsense as positions have shifted so much. Even if you are a natural conservative you have to ask - is what we're doing now good for the country or even just for our kind of politics? And as it isn't then the conclusion surely is The Ben Wallace Gambit:
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
No - Labour will be riding high for a year or two at least, the every fact the we have a government which is actually doing some governing and acting in what it believes to be the national interest will lead to a huge sigh of relief at all levels and I would expect a short-term increase in investment as business reacted to the return of a stable policy environment.
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
No - Labour will be riding high for a year or two at least, the every fact the we have a government which is actually doing some governing and acting in what it believes to be the national interest will lead to a huge sigh of relief at all levels and I would expect a short-term increase in investment as business reacted to the return of a stable policy environment.
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
Nah, they won’t
Nobody likes Labour and nobody likes starmer
They’re just desperate to get rid of the Tories and starmer is a boring blank slate on to which they can project ANYTHING
It’s a clever way to get elected but then when Starmer has to do something - eg immigration and the boats - it will become clear he has no idea very fast. And the backlash will follow that
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
Taxes on high incomes are not that high, especially for those marginal few making millions a year. And for those people, yes they can go abroad if they wish, but they almost certainly won't wish because they work here and London is the cultural capital of the English speaking world.
As well as that we could do some innovative wealth taxes - land value taxes, taxes on second and third homes, taxes on certain trading practices that magic money out of 1s and 0s, etc. At the end of the day money needs to move more efficiently than it currently is, and rich people are sitting on money and assets rather than spending it in the economy. If you give poorer people money, they'll spend - which in many instances will grow the economy without causing inflation (the recent bout of inflation being caused by supply chain issues rather than too much cash being in the economy). Manage that, and you'll get what every capitalist should supposedly want - happy workers and a good market. It will just lower some top level profits somewhat.
You don’t realise how mobile people have become. People have worked out that, not only can they work from home, they can work from somewhere really sunny
And is London still that buzzing global capital? I’d like to think so, it’s my home and I own property there. I’m just not sure any more
Btw you’ll be displeased to know I agree with you on starmer. He will get a massive majority but the mood will fiercely turn against him when it becomes obvious he has no more money and no bright ideas and nothing will improve quickly, if at all
And in some ways - Wokeness - he will be even worse than the Tories and will immediately annoy lots of people
Incomes are mobile, yet we tax them through the roof.
Land is immobile yet it's barely taxed.
Wage earnings can be dodged or fudged. Land ownership can't be.
We should reduce wages on working and increase taxes on land.
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
The PB Tory-Lefties seem to swing daily from:
• SKS is a Red Tory who will change nothing at all • SKS is a closet socialist revolutionary who has a secret plan to launch a state-mandated kleptocracy after two years in power • SKS an incompetent but lucky general who will preside over chaos and be hated within 12 months of power
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
Taxes on high incomes are not that high, especially for those marginal few making millions a year. And for those people, yes they can go abroad if they wish, but they almost certainly won't wish because they work here and London is the cultural capital of the English speaking world.
As well as that we could do some innovative wealth taxes - land value taxes, taxes on second and third homes, taxes on certain trading practices that magic money out of 1s and 0s, etc. At the end of the day money needs to move more efficiently than it currently is, and rich people are sitting on money and assets rather than spending it in the economy. If you give poorer people money, they'll spend - which in many instances will grow the economy without causing inflation (the recent bout of inflation being caused by supply chain issues rather than too much cash being in the economy). Manage that, and you'll get what every capitalist should supposedly want - happy workers and a good market. It will just lower some top level profits somewhat.
You don’t realise how mobile people have become. People have worked out that, not only can they work from home, they can work from somewhere really sunny
And is London still that buzzing global capital? I’d like to think so, it’s my home and I own property there. I’m just not sure any more
Btw you’ll be displeased to know I agree with you on starmer. He will get a massive majority but the mood will fiercely turn against him when it becomes obvious he has no more money and no bright ideas and nothing will improve quickly, if at all
And in some ways - Wokeness - he will be even worse than the Tories and will immediately annoy lots of people
Incomes are mobile, yet we tax them through the roof.
Land is immobile yet it's barely taxed.
Wage earnings can be dodged or fudged. Land ownership can't be.
We should reduce wages on working and increase taxes on land.
On the topic of Putins "popularity" russian gdp per head is up 11 fold between 1999 and 2024. Thats a massive increase in standard of living at a time when the uk has stagnated.
per annum per capita growth for a quarter of a century. Impressive.
Do you get double the pay for using two logins at once?
I was joking! It's obvious that standards of living in Russia haven't increased by 10% each year for 25 years.
It's almost like Russia benefited massively from the commodities boom of the last quarter century.
With that said, Outside Moscow and St.Petersburg, there's very little evidence of prosperity in Russia. Most of rural, and small city, Russia is dirt poor, with little commerce, and few prospects. Much of the country still has dirt tracks rather than paved roads.
I was in both for the 2018 World Cup, and in those cities the standard of living looked pretty similar to other bits of Eastern Europe. The small towns look desolate from the train.
Putins support is mostly in these rural areas I think. The peasants love their czar, and the smack of firm government.
On the topic of Putins "popularity" russian gdp per head is up 11 fold between 1999 and 2024. Thats a massive increase in standard of living at a time when the uk has stagnated.
per annum per capita growth for a quarter of a century. Impressive.
Do you get double the pay for using two logins at once?
I was joking! It's obvious that standards of living in Russia haven't increased by 10% each year for 25 years.
It's almost like Russia benefited massively from the commodities boom of the last quarter century.
With that said, Outside Moscow and St.Petersburg, there's very little evidence of prosperity in Russia. Most of rural, and small city, Russia is dirt poor, with little commerce, and few prospects. Much of the country still has dirt tracks rather than paved roads.
Hmmmm
Not sure that’s completely true
Russia is vast and varied. There are definitely huge regions which are shockingly poor
But also unexpected areas of prosperity - the commodity rich north or the pacific coast or down south around the Black Sea - they can be rather nice
Sure, there are little islands of prosperity. But most of Russia makes Albania look prosperous.
One of the fascinating things I learned early on in the Ukraine war, was that many Russian conscripts were shocked at how wealthy Ukraine felt, and how that was completely at odds with what they'd been told.
The looting of white goods etc would support that observation. It shows what is concealed by mean GDP stats, and also how greedy the Russian kleptocracy is.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
Reform are going nowhere. They have the potential to cost a lot of Tories their seats but not by being elected themselves. Instead they will let Labour in with a comfortable majority and probably for the next 10 years. How does that advance their agenda? Pointless.
The crank left have agitated against capitalism for decades. There is zero chance of them actually gaining power *and implementing* their agenda, but they do so regardless.
Why is the crank right any different?
The main difference is that the right wing cranks seem to be able to attract almost 10% of the vote, mainly at the cost of the Conservatives, whilst the left wing cranks don't really trouble the scorers. But I agree that as cranks they have a lot in common.
The crank right are also still beneficial to capitalism, no matter what they campaign on, so the structures of capital will allow them to succeed in a way that those structures refuse to give the left even a slight chance.
Yes indeed. Many with capital.voted for Hitler to prevent the communists getting in.
With reference to the 4 factors of production, the crank right are a front for owners of Land and Resources. They intend to screw over both Capital and Labour.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
And yet Man City continue to get away with repeated flouting of the rules over many years. If I were a Forest or Everton fan I would be fuming at this.
Reform are going nowhere. They have the potential to cost a lot of Tories their seats but not by being elected themselves. Instead they will let Labour in with a comfortable majority and probably for the next 10 years. How does that advance their agenda? Pointless.
The crank left have agitated against capitalism for decades. There is zero chance of them actually gaining power *and implementing* their agenda, but they do so regardless.
Why is the crank right any different?
The main difference is that the right wing cranks seem to be able to attract almost 10% of the vote, mainly at the cost of the Conservatives, whilst the left wing cranks don't really trouble the scorers. But I agree that as cranks they have a lot in common.
The crank left seem to go Green, these days.
True, the water melon vote.
The Greens are being used as Spare Labour, at the moment.
Greens like BJO loathe Labour, however.
Nothing "green" about some of these so-called Greens.
True. I've just seen a pretty vitriolic Green Party leaflet from a candidate standing in the local elections around here.
A4 folded twice to 6 separate sections. Of these: - 3 sections all about Gaza/Palestine - 1 section about all about being governed by bankers in London and "ending Labour Party corruption" - 1 section about Brexit and rejoining the EU - 1 section about a melange of 6 other Green Party claimed policies, just one of which is about a genuine green issue (reducing prices using clean energy), and the only one within the gift of the local authority would encourage car usage (opposing increases in car parking charges).
Hardly a "local election" leaflet. And just 3% of it is promoting a genuine environmental policy, countered by another 3% promoting a policy that would accelerate climate change. 3%-3%=0%. So that's a net zero (irony!)
Says it all really. No, the Green Party candidate isn't "green" in any meaningful sense of the word, just an angry far left crank Corbynite who bailed out to them having been a Labour member until 2 years ago.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
Going the way of your other famous predictions:
• Self-driving cars • Chinese GDP • Truss surprising on the upside
(P.S. Licensing in Hackney has nothing to do with Sadiq Khan)
"There comes a moment in time in the electoral cycle where you effectively put on your best suit, you stand up and you march towards the sound of the guns and you get on with it."
Rishi Sunak hints the Tories would accept another £5 million from 'racism' storm donor Frank Hester
The spineless gimp is still lying .
Hester did not apologize for his racist comments .
Who was sitting on the story since 2019? They can't have thought it was particularly urgent to bring it to anyone's attention.
How do you know they had the story since 2019 . The comments were made in 2019 doesn’t mean they’ve had them since then. Regardless the papers across the board print the stories when they think they’ll have most impact . I await your outrage when a right wing paper sits on a damaging Labour story !
And yet Man City continue to get away with repeated flouting of the rules over many years. If I were a Forest or Everton fan I would be fuming at this.
Indeed. The most farcical element of the City transgressions is that the PL have apparently agree a date with City for their 'hearing' but are unable/unwilling to say when that date is.
But... four points dedicated, who gives a fuck? The Reds are staying up.
And yet Man City continue to get away with repeated flouting of the rules over many years. If I were a Forest or Everton fan I would be fuming at this.
Based on the offences by Everton and Forest, and the size of their points deductions, we are going to see Citeh docked 20,000 points for their offences...
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
The thing is if you are going to live in a declining chaotic country you might as well live in one with good weather. And there are plenty of such countries around.
Reform are going nowhere. They have the potential to cost a lot of Tories their seats but not by being elected themselves. Instead they will let Labour in with a comfortable majority and probably for the next 10 years. How does that advance their agenda? Pointless.
The crank left have agitated against capitalism for decades. There is zero chance of them actually gaining power *and implementing* their agenda, but they do so regardless.
Why is the crank right any different?
The main difference is that the right wing cranks seem to be able to attract almost 10% of the vote, mainly at the cost of the Conservatives, whilst the left wing cranks don't really trouble the scorers. But I agree that as cranks they have a lot in common.
The crank left seem to go Green, these days.
True, the water melon vote.
The Greens are being used as Spare Labour, at the moment.
Greens like BJO loathe Labour, however.
I'm a member and I don't think I know anybody who would be tempted to vote Labour.
Starmer's shithousery over Gaza alone is enough to put anyone off.
There we go. Bugger all to do with environmentalism.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
No - Labour will be riding high for a year or two at least, the every fact the we have a government which is actually doing some governing and acting in what it believes to be the national interest will lead to a huge sigh of relief at all levels and I would expect a short-term increase in investment as business reacted to the return of a stable policy environment.
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
Nah, they won’t
Nobody likes Labour and nobody likes starmer
They’re just desperate to get rid of the Tories and starmer is a boring blank slate on to which they can project ANYTHING
It’s a clever way to get elected but then when Starmer has to do something - eg immigration and the boats - it will become clear he has no idea very fast. And the backlash will follow that
Immigration is not very high on Labour voters' list of concerns. But even so I think you may find that the French will be more amenable to find solutions with a Labour government that co-operates with them rather than the Tories who merely shout at them and blame them for not resolving problems which the UK itself created by leaving the Dublin convention with Brexit.
Warm congratulations to H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation. Look forward to working together to further strengthen the time-tested Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia in the years to come. @KremlinRussia
Why does a large amount of Twitter / X believe that Chaz has kicked the bucket? Is this wishful thinking on the poetry of him dying on St Paddy's day; or is this an outcome of the continued palace silence after the weirdness around Kate and Chaz's illness leading to more conspiratorial thinking?
You must be new to twitter.
TBF twitter was ahead of the "official" curve when Lizzy popped her clogs. I know it has got much worse since then, and recent Windsor conspiracies have been abound - but still, we know Charles is ill and I wouldn't be surprised to learn he's popped it.
The King will be at Trooping the Colour but in a carriage while his cancer treatment continues rather than riding a horse, he certainly is not dead
What is the poetry of him dying on St. Patrick's Day?
Fairly sure Charles isn't dead. The lags between queen's death and internet rumours of queen's death, and between queen's death and actual announcement of queen's death, were about 2 hours and 7 hours respectively. It was hardly hushed up.
The Kate stuff is weirder by far. Not least because it's hard to see who gains by it.
+1. The Kate thing is weird. I don't understand the point of any of it. If she is seriously unwell, then just say, and expect privacy. Health issues happen. If its something else? Divorce? Seems unlikely. Is she dead? Even more unlikely. At this point its classic Streissand.
It's not Streisand. Their comms managers may not get their jobs by being the best in the business, but they're not that stupid.
The mistake is to assume that if she had a health issue they would necessarily be OK with its nature and cause and circumstances coming out. It's easy to think of scenarios where that wouldn't be so - ones that don't involve the anti-Christ or bad people believing what they read on the internet.
You believe the story about the photograph? I certainly have my doubts, and I am not one to go into conspiracy theories.
Of course it may just be health issues, but if she currently looks as good as she did in the photo, then why isn't she back at work? She looked amazing.
My guess is that she has something - like a stoma - that she is embarrassed by. In an ideal world she might be like Charles and cancer and use it as a “teachable moment” but you can’t force her to
The mistake was faking a photo.
I stress this is just speculation
IBD and stoma is the logical answer for the non conspiracy minded. Post op treatment by steroids causing puffiness so refusal to give a brief video thanking well wishers. But it doesn’t explain the very odd press management and behaviour of William. Reportedly visiting the hospital only once, the last min ducking out from that funeral. Nor the sudden attention by sections of the global press on an apparently ordinary British aristo mother of three.
There’s plenty of other things that would be embarrassing for both the patient AND the institution of the monarchy and you only need to look at the public comments of MM and Lady Di to hazard a guess as to what.
If the foreign press reports about the true nature of Charles condition are accurate, you can see how the two combined represent a genuine crisis. The last Prince of Wales had three decades for his image to recover from “caddish” behaviour before taking the top job. The current PoW may not have that luxury.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
Taxes on high incomes are not that high, especially for those marginal few making millions a year. And for those people, yes they can go abroad if they wish, but they almost certainly won't wish because they work here and London is the cultural capital of the English speaking world.
As well as that we could do some innovative wealth taxes - land value taxes, taxes on second and third homes, taxes on certain trading practices that magic money out of 1s and 0s, etc. At the end of the day money needs to move more efficiently than it currently is, and rich people are sitting on money and assets rather than spending it in the economy. If you give poorer people money, they'll spend - which in many instances will grow the economy without causing inflation (the recent bout of inflation being caused by supply chain issues rather than too much cash being in the economy). Manage that, and you'll get what every capitalist should supposedly want - happy workers and a good market. It will just lower some top level profits somewhat.
You don’t realise how mobile people have become. People have worked out that, not only can they work from home, they can work from somewhere really sunny
And is London still that buzzing global capital? I’d like to think so, it’s my home and I own property there. I’m just not sure any more
Btw you’ll be displeased to know I agree with you on starmer. He will get a massive majority but the mood will fiercely turn against him when it becomes obvious he has no more money and no bright ideas and nothing will improve quickly, if at all
And in some ways - Wokeness - he will be even worse than the Tories and will immediately annoy lots of people
Incomes are mobile, yet we tax them through the roof.
Land is immobile yet it's barely taxed.
Wage earnings can be dodged or fudged. Land ownership can't be.
We should reduce wages on working and increase taxes on land.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
The thing is if you are going to live in a declining chaotic country you might as well live in one with good weather. And there are plenty of such countries around.
On the topic of Putins "popularity" russian gdp per head is up 11 fold between 1999 and 2024. Thats a massive increase in standard of living at a time when the uk has stagnated.
per annum per capita growth for a quarter of a century. Impressive.
Do you get double the pay for using two logins at once?
I was joking! It's obvious that standards of living in Russia haven't increased by 10% each year for 25 years.
It's almost like Russia benefited massively from the commodities boom of the last quarter century.
With that said, Outside Moscow and St.Petersburg, there's very little evidence of prosperity in Russia. Most of rural, and small city, Russia is dirt poor, with little commerce, and few prospects. Much of the country still has dirt tracks rather than paved roads.
Hmmmm
Not sure that’s completely true
Russia is vast and varied. There are definitely huge regions which are shockingly poor
But also unexpected areas of prosperity - the commodity rich north or the pacific coast or down south around the Black Sea - they can be rather nice
Sure, there are little islands of prosperity. But most of Russia makes Albania look prosperous.
One of the fascinating things I learned early on in the Ukraine war, was that many Russian conscripts were shocked at how wealthy Ukraine felt, and how that was completely at odds with what they'd been told.
The looting of white goods etc would support that observation. It shows what is concealed by mean GDP stats, and also how greedy the Russian kleptocracy is.
Ive just read this on reddit. This guy says rural russia and ukraine dont really differ in prosperity.
I've been to Russia and Ukraine every year until 2014 and they don't really differ in prosperity or lack thereof.
Speaking from my own experience and my relatives (Kalmykia is a rural place with infrastructure that is lacking 😅): Most people in rural Russia own an own house (they bought or built it back during the Soviet Union times). The people don't starve because they have their own gardens and kettle that cover their basic needs. Kids have toys (cheap Chinese products are available even in rural areas). All people I know have a washing machine (it may not be the newest model but who cares if it's still functioning?). Every household I know has at least one car (it's rather a Lada than a Mercedes, but Mercedes cars aren't built for the Russian "outback" anyway, not even the SUVs 😅, the "richer" people have a Toyota). All people I know have at least one smartphone and tablet/laptop per household (usually every family member has a smartphone), including internet connection. Nutella is a tricky one (rural villages are probably not profitable for them, but there's coca cola, sprite, fanta, etc.). There are several supermarket (franchise) and some local stores. Most people have a flat TV (some have an old fashioned TV. DVD/blue-ray player, music player, etc.
Based on my experience, I'd say, those news reports about Russian soldiers stealing daily goods are either propaganda or some nasty individuals (in large groups?). There's also a chance that the army is recruiting former criminals (that wouldn't be a new thing in Russian history?).
If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating).
"There comes a moment in time in the electoral cycle where you effectively put on your best suit, you stand up and you march towards the sound of the guns and you get on with it."
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
No - Labour will be riding high for a year or two at least, the every fact the we have a government which is actually doing some governing and acting in what it believes to be the national interest will lead to a huge sigh of relief at all levels and I would expect a short-term increase in investment as business reacted to the return of a stable policy environment.
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
Nah, they won’t
Nobody likes Labour and nobody likes starmer
They’re just desperate to get rid of the Tories and starmer is a boring blank slate on to which they can project ANYTHING
It’s a clever way to get elected but then when Starmer has to do something - eg immigration and the boats - it will become clear he has no idea very fast. And the backlash will follow that
Immigration is not very high on Labour voters' list of concerns. But even so I think you may find that the French will be more amenable to find solutions with a Labour government that co-operates with them rather than the Tories who merely shout at them and blame them for not resolving problems which the UK itself created by leaving the Dublin convention with Brexit.
From the French perspective the boats are a solution. They don't need to look for another.
"There comes a moment in time in the electoral cycle where you effectively put on your best suit, you stand up and you march towards the sound of the guns and you get on with it."
And that's meant to be helpful to Sunak?
"Tory MPs, Rishi is asking you to lay down your seats. We need a futile gesture at this stage. It will raise the whole tone of the election."
And yet Man City continue to get away with repeated flouting of the rules over many years. If I were a Forest or Everton fan I would be fuming at this.
And the new Premier League rules coming in next season will favour the big clubs even more.
The Conservative track record is one of complete lack of regulation of football over 14 years. Now we have a vague promise to bring in a football regulator some time in the near future. That won't cut it when there will be an election between then and now, for they appear to have deliberately missed the opportunity to act. And in any case a Conservative football regulator would be about as effective as OFWAT.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
Cos he's owned by Islamists?
Kinabalu how could you of all people imply such a thing about the wonderful mayor of London.
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
No - Labour will be riding high for a year or two at least, the every fact the we have a government which is actually doing some governing and acting in what it believes to be the national interest will lead to a huge sigh of relief at all levels and I would expect a short-term increase in investment as business reacted to the return of a stable policy environment.
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
Nah, they won’t
Nobody likes Labour and nobody likes starmer
They’re just desperate to get rid of the Tories and starmer is a boring blank slate on to which they can project ANYTHING
It’s a clever way to get elected but then when Starmer has to do something - eg immigration and the boats - it will become clear he has no idea very fast. And the backlash will follow that
Immigration is not very high on Labour voters' list of concerns. But even so I think you may find that the French will be more amenable to find solutions with a Labour government that co-operates with them rather than the Tories who merely shout at them and blame them for not resolving problems which the UK itself created by leaving the Dublin convention with Brexit.
Until about 2018 there weren't any boats, because until then a returns agreement for illegal arrivals was in place within the EU and still applied to the UK. Those trying to arrive on boats knew that they would be caught on arrival or earlier and sent back.
"There comes a moment in time in the electoral cycle where you effectively put on your best suit, you stand up and you march towards the sound of the guns and you get on with it."
And that's meant to be helpful to Sunak?
"Tory MPs, Rishi is asking you to lay down your seats. We need a futile gesture at this stage. It will raise the whole tone of the election."
Why is Wallace saying anything? He won't even be standing in the election.
And yet Man City continue to get away with repeated flouting of the rules over many years. If I were a Forest or Everton fan I would be fuming at this.
A nice like from @Foxy to this post. I think it's fair to say that Leicester supporters are not particularly fond of their friends from up the A46, but decent football fans can see the injustice in this. See also Chelsea buying players for 100s of millions then putting them all on eight year contracts and 'spreading' the expenditure over almost a decade...
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
No - Labour will be riding high for a year or two at least, the every fact the we have a government which is actually doing some governing and acting in what it believes to be the national interest will lead to a huge sigh of relief at all levels and I would expect a short-term increase in investment as business reacted to the return of a stable policy environment.
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
Nah, they won’t
Nobody likes Labour and nobody likes starmer
They’re just desperate to get rid of the Tories and starmer is a boring blank slate on to which they can project ANYTHING
It’s a clever way to get elected but then when Starmer has to do something - eg immigration and the boats - it will become clear he has no idea very fast. And the backlash will follow that
Immigration is not very high on Labour voters' list of concerns. But even so I think you may find that the French will be more amenable to find solutions with a Labour government that co-operates with them rather than the Tories who merely shout at them and blame them for not resolving problems which the UK itself created by leaving the Dublin convention with Brexit.
From the French perspective the boats are a solution. They don't need to look for another.
But they want to be rid of the squalid camps around Calais, the costs of policing etc etc. We need to engage with them sensibly on this with the thought that there is a better way - that is what the energy and enthusiasm of a new government can bring, away with the tired old certainties, we can do it better (we hope!)
And yet Man City continue to get away with repeated flouting of the rules over many years. If I were a Forest or Everton fan I would be fuming at this.
Based on the offences by Everton and Forest, and the size of their points deductions, we are going to see Citeh docked 20,000 points for their offences...
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
Cos he's owned by Islamists?
Is that the Jewish Islamaphobic Islamists, the Jewish Antisemitic Islamists, or the Opus Dei Masonic Islamists?
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
The thing is if you are going to live in a declining chaotic country you might as well live in one with good weather. And there are plenty of such countries around.
Unfortunately this is exactly right
And Cambodia has 0% tax, amazing food, safe streets, and - far from declining - is brimming with optimism. It will be the fastest growing country in south east asia this year (as it was in many years before Covid)
The emotional difference between a country with zero growth (or worse, like Britain, declining income per capita) and a country with 6-7% growth like Cambodia - is quite profound
People are obviously happier in the growing country
On the topic of Putins "popularity" russian gdp per head is up 11 fold between 1999 and 2024. Thats a massive increase in standard of living at a time when the uk has stagnated.
per annum per capita growth for a quarter of a century. Impressive.
Do you get double the pay for using two logins at once?
I was joking! It's obvious that standards of living in Russia haven't increased by 10% each year for 25 years.
It's almost like Russia benefited massively from the commodities boom of the last quarter century.
With that said, Outside Moscow and St.Petersburg, there's very little evidence of prosperity in Russia. Most of rural, and small city, Russia is dirt poor, with little commerce, and few prospects. Much of the country still has dirt tracks rather than paved roads.
Hmmmm
Not sure that’s completely true
Russia is vast and varied. There are definitely huge regions which are shockingly poor
But also unexpected areas of prosperity - the commodity rich north or the pacific coast or down south around the Black Sea - they can be rather nice
Sure, there are little islands of prosperity. But most of Russia makes Albania look prosperous.
One of the fascinating things I learned early on in the Ukraine war, was that many Russian conscripts were shocked at how wealthy Ukraine felt, and how that was completely at odds with what they'd been told.
The looting of white goods etc would support that observation. It shows what is concealed by mean GDP stats, and also how greedy the Russian kleptocracy is.
Ive just read this on reddit. This guy says rural russia and ukraine dont really differ in prosperity.
I've been to Russia and Ukraine every year until 2014 and they don't really differ in prosperity or lack thereof.
Speaking from my own experience and my relatives (Kalmykia is a rural place with infrastructure that is lacking 😅): Most people in rural Russia own an own house (they bought or built it back during the Soviet Union times). The people don't starve because they have their own gardens and kettle that cover their basic needs. Kids have toys (cheap Chinese products are available even in rural areas). All people I know have a washing machine (it may not be the newest model but who cares if it's still functioning?). Every household I know has at least one car (it's rather a Lada than a Mercedes, but Mercedes cars aren't built for the Russian "outback" anyway, not even the SUVs 😅, the "richer" people have a Toyota). All people I know have at least one smartphone and tablet/laptop per household (usually every family member has a smartphone), including internet connection. Nutella is a tricky one (rural villages are probably not profitable for them, but there's coca cola, sprite, fanta, etc.). There are several supermarket (franchise) and some local stores. Most people have a flat TV (some have an old fashioned TV. DVD/blue-ray player, music player, etc.
Based on my experience, I'd say, those news reports about Russian soldiers stealing daily goods are either propaganda or some nasty individuals (in large groups?). There's also a chance that the army is recruiting former criminals (that wouldn't be a new thing in Russian history?).
If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating).
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
No - Labour will be riding high for a year or two at least, the every fact the we have a government which is actually doing some governing and acting in what it believes to be the national interest will lead to a huge sigh of relief at all levels and I would expect a short-term increase in investment as business reacted to the return of a stable policy environment.
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
Nah, they won’t
Nobody likes Labour and nobody likes starmer
They’re just desperate to get rid of the Tories and starmer is a boring blank slate on to which they can project ANYTHING
It’s a clever way to get elected but then when Starmer has to do something - eg immigration and the boats - it will become clear he has no idea very fast. And the backlash will follow that
Immigration is not very high on Labour voters' list of concerns. But even so I think you may find that the French will be more amenable to find solutions with a Labour government that co-operates with them rather than the Tories who merely shout at them and blame them for not resolving problems which the UK itself created by leaving the Dublin convention with Brexit.
lol yeah. That’s Starmer’s brilliant solution. “Be nice to the French”
Spoiler: it won’t work
And the idea these new Labour voters “don’t care about immigration” is, I suggest, about to be severely tested. And found wanting
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
The thing is if you are going to live in a declining chaotic country you might as well live in one with good weather. And there are plenty of such countries around.
On the subject of declining, chaotic countries, how are you getting on in Putin's Russia?
'If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating). '
Comrade
You will experience exactly the same abrupt change in driving from Worcestershire into Gloucestershire.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
Taxes on high incomes are not that high, especially for those marginal few making millions a year. And for those people, yes they can go abroad if they wish, but they almost certainly won't wish because they work here and London is the cultural capital of the English speaking world.
As well as that we could do some innovative wealth taxes - land value taxes, taxes on second and third homes, taxes on certain trading practices that magic money out of 1s and 0s, etc. At the end of the day money needs to move more efficiently than it currently is, and rich people are sitting on money and assets rather than spending it in the economy. If you give poorer people money, they'll spend - which in many instances will grow the economy without causing inflation (the recent bout of inflation being caused by supply chain issues rather than too much cash being in the economy). Manage that, and you'll get what every capitalist should supposedly want - happy workers and a good market. It will just lower some top level profits somewhat.
You don’t realise how mobile people have become. People have worked out that, not only can they work from home, they can work from somewhere really sunny
And is London still that buzzing global capital? I’d like to think so, it’s my home and I own property there. I’m just not sure any more
Btw you’ll be displeased to know I agree with you on starmer. He will get a massive majority but the mood will fiercely turn against him when it becomes obvious he has no more money and no bright ideas and nothing will improve quickly, if at all
And in some ways - Wokeness - he will be even worse than the Tories and will immediately annoy lots of people
Only if you work for a multi national company with a vacant place in an office in a city in sunnier climes can you work full time abroad.
Most UK based companies require you to be based in the UK still even if you wfh half the time
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
No - Labour will be riding high for a year or two at least, the every fact the we have a government which is actually doing some governing and acting in what it believes to be the national interest will lead to a huge sigh of relief at all levels and I would expect a short-term increase in investment as business reacted to the return of a stable policy environment.
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
Nah, they won’t
Nobody likes Labour and nobody likes starmer
They’re just desperate to get rid of the Tories and starmer is a boring blank slate on to which they can project ANYTHING
It’s a clever way to get elected but then when Starmer has to do something - eg immigration and the boats - it will become clear he has no idea very fast. And the backlash will follow that
Immigration is not very high on Labour voters' list of concerns. But even so I think you may find that the French will be more amenable to find solutions with a Labour government that co-operates with them rather than the Tories who merely shout at them and blame them for not resolving problems which the UK itself created by leaving the Dublin convention with Brexit.
From the French perspective the boats are a solution. They don't need to look for another.
But they want to be rid of the squalid camps around Calais, the costs of policing etc etc. We need to engage with them sensibly on this with the thought that there is a better way - that is what the energy and enthusiasm of a new government can bring, away with the tired old certainties, we can do it better (we hope!)
Ahahahahahaha
Do you honestly believe this utter shite??
Starmer will be dealing with a lame duck macron menaced by a surging Le Pen (about to thrash him in the Euro elections)
He will have absolutely zero political room to be nice to Britain on migrants legal and illegal. None at all. Nil. Nada. Absolutement fuck all
There won’t be any new arrangement that will leave one more extra migrant in France than would otherwise be the case. Unless we give them one billion per person etc
Who on earth would bet on Patel at a price of under 500?
Of the names of those "contenders", if Mordaunt and Cleverly were to lose their seats, but she didn't, she would be (relatively) the most "centrist" candidate.
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
No - Labour will be riding high for a year or two at least, the every fact the we have a government which is actually doing some governing and acting in what it believes to be the national interest will lead to a huge sigh of relief at all levels and I would expect a short-term increase in investment as business reacted to the return of a stable policy environment.
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
Nah, they won’t
Nobody likes Labour and nobody likes starmer
They’re just desperate to get rid of the Tories and starmer is a boring blank slate on to which they can project ANYTHING
It’s a clever way to get elected but then when Starmer has to do something - eg immigration and the boats - it will become clear he has no idea very fast. And the backlash will follow that
Immigration is not very high on Labour voters' list of concerns. But even so I think you may find that the French will be more amenable to find solutions with a Labour government that co-operates with them rather than the Tories who merely shout at them and blame them for not resolving problems which the UK itself created by leaving the Dublin convention with Brexit.
Until about 2018 there weren't any boats, because until then a returns agreement for illegal arrivals was in place within the EU and still applied to the UK. Those trying to arrive on boats knew that they would be caught on arrival or earlier and sent back.
Labour is evidently the much tougher party on immigration. The evidence is there for all to see. We have two governments both which have lasted almost the same time - only under one has immigration got completely out of control. And this is having LEFT the EU, which apparently was the problem.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
And what have Hackney Council licensing decisions got to do with the London Mayor? You'd be as well to blame it on Rishi Sunak. Neither of them are in charge of Borough level local government. Hackney has gentrified massively in recent years and also seen a lot of new housing built in areas that used to be home to a vibrant (ie noisy and messy) night time culture. It's not surprising that there's pressure from residents to cool it down. The best nightlife is south of the river now. If Leon wants to stay out late he should go out in Peckham, he can easily find places where he can dance and drink until dawn.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
The thing is if you are going to live in a declining chaotic country you might as well live in one with good weather. And there are plenty of such countries around.
Unfortunately this is exactly right
And Cambodia has 0% tax, amazing food, safe streets, and - far from declining - is brimming with optimism. It will be the fastest growing country in south east asia this year (as it was in many years before Covid)
The emotional difference between a country with zero growth (or worse, like Britain, declining income per capita) and a country with 6-7% growth like Cambodia - is quite profound
People are obviously happier in the growing country
Yes the atmosphere is gray and heavy in england. It wears people down. I see it in the workers round here they are working slower and less enthusiastically and dont chat like they used to.
I don't normally have any sympathy for Trump. The finding against him doesn't surprise me in this case, but the fine seems excessive. The sheer size of the fine presumably prevents him posting bail and appealing the conviction.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
Taxes on high incomes are not that high, especially for those marginal few making millions a year. And for those people, yes they can go abroad if they wish, but they almost certainly won't wish because they work here and London is the cultural capital of the English speaking world.
As well as that we could do some innovative wealth taxes - land value taxes, taxes on second and third homes, taxes on certain trading practices that magic money out of 1s and 0s, etc. At the end of the day money needs to move more efficiently than it currently is, and rich people are sitting on money and assets rather than spending it in the economy. If you give poorer people money, they'll spend - which in many instances will grow the economy without causing inflation (the recent bout of inflation being caused by supply chain issues rather than too much cash being in the economy). Manage that, and you'll get what every capitalist should supposedly want - happy workers and a good market. It will just lower some top level profits somewhat.
You don’t realise how mobile people have become. People have worked out that, not only can they work from home, they can work from somewhere really sunny
And is London still that buzzing global capital? I’d like to think so, it’s my home and I own property there. I’m just not sure any more
Btw you’ll be displeased to know I agree with you on starmer. He will get a massive majority but the mood will fiercely turn against him when it becomes obvious he has no more money and no bright ideas and nothing will improve quickly, if at all
And in some ways - Wokeness - he will be even worse than the Tories and will immediately annoy lots of people
Only if you work for a multi national company with a vacant place in an office in a city in sunnier climes can you work full time abroad.
Most UK based companies require you to be based in the UK still even if you wfh half the time
Not so much office space in country X as the tax/work permit rules about bringing an employee into the county to work there.
Most countries have rules for people coming to visit their own company for x weeks - no tax or work permits required. After that, they have to make a defined arrangement with the tax/immigration authorities.
And even then, there are data security rules to be considered. Just because a company has offices all over the place doesn't mean that you can export data to just anywhere.
"There comes a moment in time in the electoral cycle where you effectively put on your best suit, you stand up and you march towards the sound of the guns and you get on with it."
And that's meant to be helpful to Sunak?
"Tory MPs, Rishi is asking you to lay down your seats. We need a futile gesture at this stage. It will raise the whole tone of the election."
Why is Wallace saying anything? He won't even be standing in the election.
Exactly. That's why it reminded me of the Peter Cook sketch. He wasn't going to be the one "popping up in a crate and taking a shufty".
Bad news for that Sean T who used tell us about his exploits with hookers.
Our recent survey showed the extent of stigma against sex workers, but what about those who have paid for sex?
61% of Britons say they would be unwilling to date someone they knew had paid for sex - 74% had said they would not date a former prostitute
Britons are also very reluctant to date someone who is a subscriber of sexual content on platforms like OnlyFans (64%), particularly if they interact with the creator (74%) - in marked contrast to the 42% who would be bothered by a partner watching porn
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
Cos he's owned by Islamists?
Kinabalu how could you of all people imply such a thing about the wonderful mayor of London.
On the topic of Putins "popularity" russian gdp per head is up 11 fold between 1999 and 2024. Thats a massive increase in standard of living at a time when the uk has stagnated.
per annum per capita growth for a quarter of a century. Impressive.
Do you get double the pay for using two logins at once?
I was joking! It's obvious that standards of living in Russia haven't increased by 10% each year for 25 years.
It's almost like Russia benefited massively from the commodities boom of the last quarter century.
With that said, Outside Moscow and St.Petersburg, there's very little evidence of prosperity in Russia. Most of rural, and small city, Russia is dirt poor, with little commerce, and few prospects. Much of the country still has dirt tracks rather than paved roads.
Hmmmm
Not sure that’s completely true
Russia is vast and varied. There are definitely huge regions which are shockingly poor
But also unexpected areas of prosperity - the commodity rich north or the pacific coast or down south around the Black Sea - they can be rather nice
Sure, there are little islands of prosperity. But most of Russia makes Albania look prosperous.
One of the fascinating things I learned early on in the Ukraine war, was that many Russian conscripts were shocked at how wealthy Ukraine felt, and how that was completely at odds with what they'd been told.
The looting of white goods etc would support that observation. It shows what is concealed by mean GDP stats, and also how greedy the Russian kleptocracy is.
Ive just read this on reddit. This guy says rural russia and ukraine dont really differ in prosperity.
I've been to Russia and Ukraine every year until 2014 and they don't really differ in prosperity or lack thereof.
Speaking from my own experience and my relatives (Kalmykia is a rural place with infrastructure that is lacking 😅): Most people in rural Russia own an own house (they bought or built it back during the Soviet Union times). The people don't starve because they have their own gardens and kettle that cover their basic needs. Kids have toys (cheap Chinese products are available even in rural areas). All people I know have a washing machine (it may not be the newest model but who cares if it's still functioning?). Every household I know has at least one car (it's rather a Lada than a Mercedes, but Mercedes cars aren't built for the Russian "outback" anyway, not even the SUVs 😅, the "richer" people have a Toyota). All people I know have at least one smartphone and tablet/laptop per household (usually every family member has a smartphone), including internet connection. Nutella is a tricky one (rural villages are probably not profitable for them, but there's coca cola, sprite, fanta, etc.). There are several supermarket (franchise) and some local stores. Most people have a flat TV (some have an old fashioned TV. DVD/blue-ray player, music player, etc.
Based on my experience, I'd say, those news reports about Russian soldiers stealing daily goods are either propaganda or some nasty individuals (in large groups?). There's also a chance that the army is recruiting former criminals (that wouldn't be a new thing in Russian history?).
If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating).
And the band played believe if you like.
He’s completely right
My guess is @truman might be that very rare and precious thing. A mildly pro-Putin Russian possibly living in the west - maybe even in the UK (dunno) - and real, and apparently sane
Let’s not scare him away, he’s interesting. Compare him to the wibbling, infantile gibberish of @BatteryCorrectHorse for instance
His description of provincial Russia exactly matches my experiences. Some regions are almost African-poor in appearance - dirt roads, very basic infra. Others are more like poorer bits of Eastern Europe - Romania or Bulgaria. A few bigger cities could be in Poland or Hungary
Moscow and st Petersburg sometimes look like london or Paris but with less crime
'If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating). '
Comrade
You will experience exactly the same abrupt change in driving from Worcestershire into Gloucestershire.
I am not exaggerating.
Infrastructure borders are great fun as little amusing diversions on one's travels. A few notable intra-developed world examples:
- Ontario : Quebec - from smooth road to potholed death trap (at least when I was there) - France : Switzerland - completely different road sign fonts and colour scheme - Germany : Denmark - from no speed limit to strict limits and speed cameras everywhere - France : Spain - old stone farmhouses to crumbling concrete tower blocks - Tennessee : Alabama - neat white houses with picket fences, immaculate lawns, churches and horses to down at heel trailers and cotton farms
Bad news for that Sean T who used tell us about his exploits with hookers.
Our recent survey showed the extent of stigma against sex workers, but what about those who have paid for sex?
61% of Britons say they would be unwilling to date someone they knew had paid for sex - 74% had said they would not date a former prostitute
Britons are also very reluctant to date someone who is a subscriber of sexual content on platforms like OnlyFans (64%), particularly if they interact with the creator (74%) - in marked contrast to the 42% who would be bothered by a partner watching porn
I agree. I just think people won't give Starmer very long before they expect things to be less shit, and nothing Starmer is currently proposing seems to be aimed at making life less shit - so I expect both a Labour landslide in the next GE and then mass dissatisfaction with them in a year or so.
The PB Tory-Lefties seem to swing daily from:
• SKS is a Red Tory who will change nothing at all • SKS is a closet socialist revolutionary who has a secret plan to launch a state-mandated kleptocracy after two years in power • SKS an incompetent but lucky general who will preside over chaos and be hated within 12 months of power
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
Cos he's owned by Islamists?
Is that the Jewish Islamaphobic Islamists, the Jewish Antisemitic Islamists, or the Opus Dei Masonic Islamists?
Bad news for that Sean T who used tell us about his exploits with hookers.
Our recent survey showed the extent of stigma against sex workers, but what about those who have paid for sex?
61% of Britons say they would be unwilling to date someone they knew had paid for sex - 74% had said they would not date a former prostitute
Britons are also very reluctant to date someone who is a subscriber of sexual content on platforms like OnlyFans (64%), particularly if they interact with the creator (74%) - in marked contrast to the 42% who would be bothered by a partner watching porn
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
Why on earth would anyone choose to enter the second pub?
Bad news for that Sean T who used tell us about his exploits with hookers.
Our recent survey showed the extent of stigma against sex workers, but what about those who have paid for sex?
61% of Britons say they would be unwilling to date someone they knew had paid for sex - 74% had said they would not date a former prostitute
Britons are also very reluctant to date someone who is a subscriber of sexual content on platforms like OnlyFans (64%), particularly if they interact with the creator (74%) - in marked contrast to the 42% who would be bothered by a partner watching porn
Note Starmer will have a far more difficult economic situation to deal with if he becomes PM than Blair did in 1997.
'An analysis of economic and polling data by the political consultancy Public First shows the country has lower wage growth, higher levels of debt and less affordable housing than it did when Labour last ousted the Conservatives from power..The economy grew 4.9% in 1997, following nearly five years where it did not shrink in a single quarter. This year, the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts it will grow just 0.6%.
Wage growth had been strong for years before the 1997 election and was 2.6% in the election year. This year, the OBR thinks it will be just 0.1%.
However SKS won't be burdened with the hopes and dreams of a nation as Blair was. It will be easier for him to overdeliver against expectations.
A very political stance. Low expectations are not the same as improving the national outlook.
Lets put this in perspective
We have low growth We have massive debts We need about 5 millions dwellings and the commensurate infrastructure We have a migration problem and the much larger problem of workforce participation We need productivity and investment We have a war in Ukraine
And Starmer is just the man for the job because he sacked Corbyn, The equivalent of reorganising the filing in Labour HQ,
Your hope is based on all of us accepting decline is good enough.
Personally I dont.
On housing, one factor has been the growth of older people splitting up and living on their own. What the nations needs is an oldies dating programme. Get all those selfish old folk out of their three bed houses and coupled up once again. More sex for the elderly, more houses for the young...
On the other hand there's Joe and Jill Biden at it like a couple in a french brothel and they still wont let go of that big white house in the middle of Washington. I dread to think what the Blairs do in their 9 houses.
Biden at the Gridiron.
“ One candidate is too old, mentally unfit to be president: The other’s me. You know he ain’t the same guy that I beat in 2020…But don’t tell him. He thinks he’s running against Barack Obama. ...And another big difference between us — I know what I value most; I'm Jill Biden's husband. And I know her name. ”
The senile and too old argument is really being taken apart. If they can bring home the message of what they have achieved on the economy it should be easier than 2020.
He is too old. So is Trump.
The USA should not be having this choice.
True. But Biden is certainly not senile. (Nor is Trump, for that matter, although he is increasingly living in an echo chamber of his own paranoia and delusions - but that's a different mental condition).
Oh right so Biden will just be getting fitter over the next 4 years, Will he be doing the 100m at the Olympics in Paris ?
Who am I to believe, you or the evidence of my own eyes ? Tough call.
I never said anything about either man's physical fitness. FWIW, I think there's a probability that whichever is elected won't see out his term. Trump is obese, stressed and with an awful diet; Biden looks frail.
Feel free to believe whatever you want. I'm just calling it as I see it.
DJT has good genetics. His revolting father lived to a right old age. Biden's father was from the pre-pottery Palaeolithic before the advent of written language so we don't know how old he was.
That's as may be. But you can only take so many risks with your health in your late 70s (or indeed, early 80s, by the end of the 2025-29 term) before the dice land the wrong way.
Bad news for that Sean T who used tell us about his exploits with hookers.
Our recent survey showed the extent of stigma against sex workers, but what about those who have paid for sex?
61% of Britons say they would be unwilling to date someone they knew had paid for sex - 74% had said they would not date a former prostitute
Britons are also very reluctant to date someone who is a subscriber of sexual content on platforms like OnlyFans (64%), particularly if they interact with the creator (74%) - in marked contrast to the 42% who would be bothered by a partner watching porn
Jesus fecking Christ. It’s still shit isn’t it? March is basically another month of winter in Britain
16 degrees, not too hot!
In southern england summer is june july and the first half of august in northern england summer is june and the first half of july In scotland summer is 2 weeks in June. In Wick summer is 1 day in June.
I don't normally have any sympathy for Trump. The finding against him doesn't surprise me in this case, but the fine seems excessive. The sheer size of the fine presumably prevents him posting bail and appealing the conviction.
Bad news for that Sean T who used tell us about his exploits with hookers.
Our recent survey showed the extent of stigma against sex workers, but what about those who have paid for sex?
61% of Britons say they would be unwilling to date someone they knew had paid for sex - 74% had said they would not date a former prostitute
Britons are also very reluctant to date someone who is a subscriber of sexual content on platforms like OnlyFans (64%), particularly if they interact with the creator (74%) - in marked contrast to the 42% who would be bothered by a partner watching porn
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
And what have Hackney Council licensing decisions got to do with the London Mayor? You'd be as well to blame it on Rishi Sunak. Neither of them are in charge of Borough level local government. Hackney has gentrified massively in recent years and also seen a lot of new housing built in areas that used to be home to a vibrant (ie noisy and messy) night time culture. It's not surprising that there's pressure from residents to cool it down. The best nightlife is south of the river now. If Leon wants to stay out late he should go out in Peckham, he can easily find places where he can dance and drink until dawn.
Twas ever thus - people move into a cheap area, gentrifying it. Then they want the vibrant nightlife moved on.
Typically, when you get to people buying properties, they campaign effectively with the council to have such restrictions put in. The squeaky wheel etc.
My word the Guardian has realised exclusive clubs attract the elites.
The full membership list of the men-only Garrick Club reveals its central position as a bulwark of the British establishment, featuring scores of leading lawyers, heads of publicly funded arts institutions, the chief of MI6, the head of the civil service, and King Charles.
Members also include the deputy prime minister, the secretary of state for levelling up, the chief executive of the Royal Opera House as well as Richard Moore, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service, and Simon Case, who as cabinet secretary is the prime minister’s most senior policy adviser and the leader of nearly half a million civil servants.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
Going the way of your other famous predictions:
• Self-driving cars • Chinese GDP • Truss surprising on the upside
(P.S. Licensing in Hackney has nothing to do with Sadiq Khan)
Chinese GDP
Nor is this a statistical illusion, as the FT data crunchers (probably the best in the biz) have noted:
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
Going the way of your other famous predictions:
• Self-driving cars • Chinese GDP • Truss surprising on the upside
(P.S. Licensing in Hackney has nothing to do with Sadiq Khan)
Chinese GDP
Nor is this a statistical illusion, as the FT data crunchers (probably the best in the biz) have noted:
That's GDP (PPP), not GDP. It also depends on the Chinese figures, which are (ahem) interesting.
Why does a large amount of Twitter / X believe that Chaz has kicked the bucket? Is this wishful thinking on the poetry of him dying on St Paddy's day; or is this an outcome of the continued palace silence after the weirdness around Kate and Chaz's illness leading to more conspiratorial thinking?
You must be new to twitter.
TBF twitter was ahead of the "official" curve when Lizzy popped her clogs. I know it has got much worse since then, and recent Windsor conspiracies have been abound - but still, we know Charles is ill and I wouldn't be surprised to learn he's popped it.
The King will be at Trooping the Colour but in a carriage while his cancer treatment continues rather than riding a horse, he certainly is not dead
What is the poetry of him dying on St. Patrick's Day?
Fairly sure Charles isn't dead. The lags between queen's death and internet rumours of queen's death, and between queen's death and actual announcement of queen's death, were about 2 hours and 7 hours respectively. It was hardly hushed up.
The Kate stuff is weirder by far. Not least because it's hard to see who gains by it.
+1. The Kate thing is weird. I don't understand the point of any of it. If she is seriously unwell, then just say, and expect privacy. Health issues happen. If its something else? Divorce? Seems unlikely. Is she dead? Even more unlikely. At this point its classic Streissand.
It's not Streisand. Their comms managers may not get their jobs by being the best in the business, but they're not that stupid.
The mistake is to assume that if she had a health issue they would necessarily be OK with its nature and cause and circumstances coming out. It's easy to think of scenarios where that wouldn't be so - ones that don't involve the anti-Christ or bad people believing what they read on the internet.
You believe the story about the photograph? I certainly have my doubts, and I am not one to go into conspiracy theories.
Of course it may just be health issues, but if she currently looks as good as she did in the photo, then why isn't she back at work? She looked amazing.
My guess is that she has something - like a stoma - that she is embarrassed by. In an ideal world she might be like Charles and cancer and use it as a “teachable moment” but you can’t force her to
The mistake was faking a photo.
I stress this is just speculation
IBD and stoma is the logical answer for the non conspiracy minded. Post op treatment by steroids causing puffiness so refusal to give a brief video thanking well wishers. But it doesn’t explain the very odd press management and behaviour of William. Reportedly visiting the hospital only once, the last min ducking out from that funeral. Nor the sudden attention by sections of the global press on an apparently ordinary British aristo mother of three.
There’s plenty of other things that would be embarrassing for both the patient AND the institution of the monarchy and you only need to look at the public comments of MM and Lady Di to hazard a guess as to what.
If the foreign press reports about the true nature of Charles condition are accurate, you can see how the two combined represent a genuine crisis. The last Prince of Wales had three decades for his image to recover from “caddish” behaviour before taking the top job. The current PoW may not have that luxury.
True nature of the Kings condition from foreign press? Do tell!
'If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating). '
Comrade
You will experience exactly the same abrupt change in driving from Worcestershire into Gloucestershire.
I am not exaggerating.
Infrastructure borders are great fun as little amusing diversions on one's travels. A few notable intra-developed world examples:
- Ontario : Quebec - from smooth road to potholed death trap (at least when I was there) - France : Switzerland - completely different road sign fonts and colour scheme - Germany : Denmark - from no speed limit to strict limits and speed cameras everywhere - France : Spain - old stone farmhouses to crumbling concrete tower blocks - Tennessee : Alabama - neat white houses with picket fences, immaculate lawns, churches and horses to down at heel trailers and cotton farms
Yes borders and frontiers fascinate me as well
Mexico America is pretty stark, in places. From obvious wealth to violent edginess - via a huge concrete wall
I imagine (I’ve not been) the most extreme must be Haiti/dominican republic - on the right side of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic, you have almost European levels of affluence, order, infrastructure. On the Haitian side you have dire poverty, total violent anarchy and people filming themselves eating human corpses
Managed to strim and cut our rear lawn today just 6 weeks after my pacemaker operation
The pulse rate was excellent throughout but not able to take any liberties as my good lady watches ready to swoop if she thinks i am pushing it ( not the mower)
Hope to do the front lawn in the next few days
Now I feel bad for not doing mine!
Isn’t it a bit wet for mowing the lawn this week? At least the at was my excuse to Mrs Biggles this weekend…..
Is the weather STILL SHIT in Blighty? I’m meant to be coming home this week but it’s really hard when it is so gorgeous out here and dull and miserable in the YUK
In a word? Mizzle. The weather is like Rishi Sunak personified.
Note Starmer will have a far more difficult economic situation to deal with if he becomes PM than Blair did in 1997.
'An analysis of economic and polling data by the political consultancy Public First shows the country has lower wage growth, higher levels of debt and less affordable housing than it did when Labour last ousted the Conservatives from power..The economy grew 4.9% in 1997, following nearly five years where it did not shrink in a single quarter. This year, the Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts it will grow just 0.6%.
Wage growth had been strong for years before the 1997 election and was 2.6% in the election year. This year, the OBR thinks it will be just 0.1%.
However SKS won't be burdened with the hopes and dreams of a nation as Blair was. It will be easier for him to overdeliver against expectations.
A very political stance. Low expectations are not the same as improving the national outlook.
Lets put this in perspective
We have low growth We have massive debts We need about 5 millions dwellings and the commensurate infrastructure We have a migration problem and the much larger problem of workforce participation We need productivity and investment We have a war in Ukraine
And Starmer is just the man for the job because he sacked Corbyn, The equivalent of reorganising the filing in Labour HQ,
Your hope is based on all of us accepting decline is good enough.
Personally I dont.
On housing, one factor has been the growth of older people splitting up and living on their own. What the nations needs is an oldies dating programme. Get all those selfish old folk out of their three bed houses and coupled up once again. More sex for the elderly, more houses for the young...
On the other hand there's Joe and Jill Biden at it like a couple in a french brothel and they still wont let go of that big white house in the middle of Washington. I dread to think what the Blairs do in their 9 houses.
Biden at the Gridiron.
“ One candidate is too old, mentally unfit to be president: The other’s me. You know he ain’t the same guy that I beat in 2020…But don’t tell him. He thinks he’s running against Barack Obama. ...And another big difference between us — I know what I value most; I'm Jill Biden's husband. And I know her name. ”
The senile and too old argument is really being taken apart. If they can bring home the message of what they have achieved on the economy it should be easier than 2020.
He is too old. So is Trump.
The USA should not be having this choice.
True. But Biden is certainly not senile. (Nor is Trump, for that matter, although he is increasingly living in an echo chamber of his own paranoia and delusions - but that's a different mental condition).
Oh right so Biden will just be getting fitter over the next 4 years, Will he be doing the 100m at the Olympics in Paris ?
Who am I to believe, you or the evidence of my own eyes ? Tough call.
I never said anything about either man's physical fitness. FWIW, I think there's a probability that whichever is elected won't see out his term. Trump is obese, stressed and with an awful diet; Biden looks frail.
Feel free to believe whatever you want. I'm just calling it as I see it.
DJT has good genetics. His revolting father lived to a right old age. Biden's father was from the pre-pottery Palaeolithic before the advent of written language so we don't know how old he was.
That's as may be. But you can only take so many risks with your health in your late 70s (or indeed, early 80s, by the end of the 2025-29 term) before the dice land the wrong way.
Trump does (sadly) look robust. Also a lifelong teetotaller and non-smoker. I'd put up a spread of something like 125/140 on remaining lifespan (months) if I was making a market.
Opinion | Even Rishi’s ring-binder can’t stop the Tory death spiral
Emotional intelligence is the missing ingredient in the Sunak mix and it is coming to dominate everything, as both voters and MPs ask whether the PM really gets it, writes @KateEMcCann
I don't even put this down to emotional intelligence. If he was willing to propose and enact policies that would actually help people, still being the feckless wet hen he is, I think people would cut him more slack. The issue is that no politician seems up for proposing things people like and know will help them - which would be more government spending on services and increased taxes on those with high levels of wealth and income, alongside sensible regulation to counter the inflation we have seen in the last 6 months. People aren't stupid - they see their electric and gas bills increase at the same time headlines cry how much profit these companies are making. People see their Council Tax go up and local services and roads crumble. They just want things to be less shit.
Trouble is, taxes are already high
If you increase taxes on the wealthy they will just fuck off abroad - like me. So many jobs can now be done remotely - and thanks to digital nomad visas other countries are making it highly feasible to move to sunnier climes with much lower tax rates. Ok these new places will have less fascinating cultural diversity and fewer menacing pro Palestinian rallies and you’ve got to put up with nightlife that actually goes on after 11pm but nothing is perfect
I was in Hackney on Saturday. The pub we were in closed at 12pm, so we walked up the road (ten minutes) to another pub that was playing pounding music until 2am.
You are out of touch.
No I’m not. The Times - today
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
Again, you are projecting. The venues in Hackney were OPEN on Saturday. I was THERE.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
The closing of London’s nightlife is not an illusion. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Sadly
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
Going the way of your other famous predictions:
• Self-driving cars • Chinese GDP • Truss surprising on the upside
(P.S. Licensing in Hackney has nothing to do with Sadiq Khan)
Chinese GDP
Nor is this a statistical illusion, as the FT data crunchers (probably the best in the biz) have noted:
That's GDP (PPP), not GDP. It also depends on the Chinese figures, which are (ahem) interesting.
And yet Man City continue to get away with repeated flouting of the rules over many years. If I were a Forest or Everton fan I would be fuming at this.
And the new Premier League rules coming in next season will favour the big clubs even more.
The Conservative track record is one of complete lack of regulation of football over 14 years. Now we have a vague promise to bring in a football regulator some time in the near future. That won't cut it when there will be an election between then and now, for they appear to have deliberately missed the opportunity to act. And in any case a Conservative football regulator would be about as effective as OFWAT.
Arguably its not the Government's job to regulate football - that's The Premier League and Football Association in this country, and UEFA/FIFA abroad - assuming complying with any legal measures.
I am not fully up to speed on why Man City's case is still dragging along, yet others are completed and docked points, but clearly there must be some point of difference.
Unless its the old big vs small again (in my day Swindon relegated two divisions vs Spurs fined some money).
'If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating). '
Comrade
You will experience exactly the same abrupt change in driving from Worcestershire into Gloucestershire.
I am not exaggerating.
Infrastructure borders are great fun as little amusing diversions on one's travels. A few notable intra-developed world examples:
- Ontario : Quebec - from smooth road to potholed death trap (at least when I was there) - France : Switzerland - completely different road sign fonts and colour scheme - Germany : Denmark - from no speed limit to strict limits and speed cameras everywhere - France : Spain - old stone farmhouses to crumbling concrete tower blocks - Tennessee : Alabama - neat white houses with picket fences, immaculate lawns, churches and horses to down at heel trailers and cotton farms
You are (still) right about Ontario/Quebec. For some unaccountable reason public services declined in the latter once the French took over, and have never recovered.
Managed to strim and cut our rear lawn today just 6 weeks after my pacemaker operation
The pulse rate was excellent throughout but not able to take any liberties as my good lady watches ready to swoop if she thinks i am pushing it ( not the mower)
Hope to do the front lawn in the next few days
Now I feel bad for not doing mine!
Isn’t it a bit wet for mowing the lawn this week? At least the at was my excuse to Mrs Biggles this weekend…..
Is the weather STILL SHIT in Blighty? I’m meant to be coming home this week but it’s really hard when it is so gorgeous out here and dull and miserable in the YUK
In a word? Mizzle. The weather is like Rishi Sunak personified.
Lovely sunny morning in Scotland. Was watching mating toads and courting dippers this morning.
Who on earth would bet on Patel at a price of under 500?
Of the names of those "contenders", if Mordaunt and Cleverly were to lose their seats, but she didn't, she would be (relatively) the most "centrist" candidate.
If it was down to members yes but I think most of those top 10 are overrated, in a members vote it would likely be Mordaunt v Badenoch/Braverman. However it is Tory MPs who pick the last two and none of those 3 made the last 2 when they stood for leader in 2022 and Mordaunt only came 3rd.
I suspect Barclay will pick up most Sunak supporting MPs from 2022, it would be Chalk but he likely loses his seat and I think a few Sunak backing MPs and Truss MPs will switch to Tugendhat, who let us remember got more Tory MPs backing him in 2022 than Braverman
Who on earth would bet on Patel at a price of under 500?
And what is the mechanism for Farage? Who are these idiots betting on him, and would they like to just give me their money now rather than leave it with Betfair for a year?
And yet Man City continue to get away with repeated flouting of the rules over many years. If I were a Forest or Everton fan I would be fuming at this.
And the new Premier League rules coming in next season will favour the big clubs even more.
The Conservative track record is one of complete lack of regulation of football over 14 years. Now we have a vague promise to bring in a football regulator some time in the near future. That won't cut it when there will be an election between then and now, for they appear to have deliberately missed the opportunity to act. And in any case a Conservative football regulator would be about as effective as OFWAT.
Arguably its not the Government's job to regulate football - that's The Premier League and Football Association in this country, and UEFA/FIFA abroad - assuming complying with any legal measures.
I am not fully up to speed on why Man City's case is still dragging along, yet others are completed and docked points, but clearly there must be some point of difference.
Unless its the old big vs small again (in my day Swindon relegated two divisions vs Spurs fined some money).
What Wulfrun_Phil and others miss is that government interference in football can lead to the country being suspended by UEFA/FIFA from international and club action.
The government regulator has a very fine line to tread.
'If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating). '
Comrade
You will experience exactly the same abrupt change in driving from Worcestershire into Gloucestershire.
I am not exaggerating.
Infrastructure borders are great fun as little amusing diversions on one's travels. A few notable intra-developed world examples:
- Ontario : Quebec - from smooth road to potholed death trap (at least when I was there) - France : Switzerland - completely different road sign fonts and colour scheme - Germany : Denmark - from no speed limit to strict limits and speed cameras everywhere - France : Spain - old stone farmhouses to crumbling concrete tower blocks - Tennessee : Alabama - neat white houses with picket fences, immaculate lawns, churches and horses to down at heel trailers and cotton farms
You are (still) right about Ontario/Quebec. For unaccountable reason public services declined in the latter once the French took over, and have never recovered.
Didn’t a ton of businesses flee Montreal for Toronto because of the Quebecois indyrefs? AIUI Montreal used to be the Canadian biz capital - or equal with Tronna - but the Indy stuff scared them all away. Reducing the tax base which has never recovered
The same will happen to Edinburgh is there is ever another Sindyref
Comments
A prescient Spectator article from 2022
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-work-from-home-when-you-can-work-from-paradise/
And is London still that buzzing global capital? I’d like to think so, it’s my home and I own property there. I’m just not sure any more
Btw you’ll be displeased to know I agree with you on starmer. He will get a massive majority but the mood will fiercely turn against him when it becomes obvious he has no more money and no bright ideas and nothing will improve quickly, if at all
And in some ways - Wokeness - he will be even worse than the Tories and will immediately annoy lots of people
I can understand just how depressing it must be if you are a natural conservative. The government have the name but none of the policies, and appear to doing all they can to not just remove themselves from power but do so for a long time.
Sometimes we need to drop the party label nonsense as positions have shifted so much. Even if you are a natural conservative you have to ask - is what we're doing now good for the country or even just for our kind of politics? And as it isn't then the conclusion surely is The Ben Wallace Gambit:
"It's too late, right. Get on with it."
I would expect Labour to hold an early budget which will begin to shift the burden of taxation away from the incomes of poorer people toward the assets of richer people - this will result in a jump in growth as the poorer people will be spending money which the richer would have saved. Then of course there will be investment in public service, though it will take time for this to produce visible results. And attempts to reduce trade barriers with the EU.
People understand that it has taken the Tories 14 years to create the mess the UK is in - it won't all be resolved overnight but as long as things appear to be moving in the right direction I suspect Labour will retain the benefit of the doubt for quite some time.
And those Hackney venues are doomed. Hackney council have just passed laws closing everything at 11 or 12 at most. It only applies to new places now but it will be extended. That’s Khan’s new joyless London and it will only get worse
“In Hackney, all new venues must close by 11PM Mon-Fri and 12PM at the weekend. No new venues can operate later than this.
Over time the existing venues will need new licenses and therefore the venues that are open after 11/12 will slowly erode until there is literally none left.”
https://x.com/lukerobertblack/status/1764372293357048228?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/18/nottingham-forest-docked-four-points-premier-league-financial-rules-breach-profitability-and-sustainability
Nobody likes Labour and nobody likes starmer
They’re just desperate to get rid of the Tories and starmer is a boring blank slate on to which they can project ANYTHING
It’s a clever way to get elected but then when Starmer has to do something - eg immigration and the boats - it will become clear he has no idea very fast. And the backlash will follow that
Land is immobile yet it's barely taxed.
Wage earnings can be dodged or fudged. Land ownership can't be.
We should reduce wages on working and increase taxes on land.
It’s too late to replace Sunak so Tories must ‘march towards the sound of the guns’, Ben Wallace says
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2024/mar/18/kemi-badenoch-appeal-tory-unity-rishi-sunak-might-call-general-election-conservatives-labour-uk-politics-latest-updates
Almost Boris level courage there.
Putins support is mostly in these rural areas I think. The peasants love their czar, and the smack of firm government.
As for this Times clickbait nonsense, two-seconds on Google Maps shows you how many bars in Soho are open top 12am, 1am, later... (TLDR – the answer is LOTS). I had 'breakfast' at Balans with a cocktail at 3am very recently. On a Thursday. It does close early on a Thursday admittedly – at 5am rather than 6am.
And the Hackney changes are only coming in now: read my comment. It will take a few years for khan to close it down completely. But he will
A4 folded twice to 6 separate sections. Of these:
- 3 sections all about Gaza/Palestine
- 1 section about all about being governed by bankers in London and "ending Labour Party corruption"
- 1 section about Brexit and rejoining the EU
- 1 section about a melange of 6 other Green Party claimed policies, just one of which is about a genuine green issue (reducing prices using clean energy), and the only one within the gift of the local authority would encourage car usage (opposing increases in car parking charges).
Hardly a "local election" leaflet. And just 3% of it is promoting a genuine environmental policy, countered by another 3% promoting a policy that would accelerate climate change. 3%-3%=0%. So that's a net zero (irony!)
Says it all really. No, the Green Party candidate isn't "green" in any meaningful sense of the word, just an angry far left crank Corbynite who bailed out to them having been a Labour member until 2 years ago.
• Self-driving cars
• Chinese GDP
• Truss surprising on the upside
(P.S. Licensing in Hackney has nothing to do with Sadiq Khan)
"There comes a moment in time in the electoral cycle where you effectively put on your best suit, you stand up and you march towards the sound of the guns and you get on with it."
But... four points dedicated, who gives a fuck? The Reds are staying up.
There’s plenty of other things that would be embarrassing for both the patient AND the
institution of the monarchy and you only need to look at the public comments of MM and Lady Di to hazard a guess as to what.
If the foreign press reports about the true nature of Charles condition are accurate, you can see how the two combined represent a genuine crisis. The last Prince of Wales had three decades for his image to recover from “caddish” behaviour before taking the top job. The current PoW may not have that luxury.
Starmer 1.3
Mordaunt 9
Badenoch 30
Farage 38
Cameron 85
Braverman 90
Next Tory leader, Betfair
Badenoch 4.5
Mordaunt 5.5
Braverman 11
Cleverly 12
Patel 15.5
Jenrick 24
Cameron 26
Farage 28
Johnson 34
Who on earth would bet on Patel at a price of under 500?
I've been to Russia and Ukraine every year until 2014 and they don't really differ in prosperity or lack thereof.
Speaking from my own experience and my relatives (Kalmykia is a rural place with infrastructure that is lacking 😅): Most people in rural Russia own an own house (they bought or built it back during the Soviet Union times). The people don't starve because they have their own gardens and kettle that cover their basic needs. Kids have toys (cheap Chinese products are available even in rural areas). All people I know have a washing machine (it may not be the newest model but who cares if it's still functioning?). Every household I know has at least one car (it's rather a Lada than a Mercedes, but Mercedes cars aren't built for the Russian "outback" anyway, not even the SUVs 😅, the "richer" people have a Toyota). All people I know have at least one smartphone and tablet/laptop per household (usually every family member has a smartphone), including internet connection. Nutella is a tricky one (rural villages are probably not profitable for them, but there's coca cola, sprite, fanta, etc.). There are several supermarket (franchise) and some local stores. Most people have a flat TV (some have an old fashioned TV. DVD/blue-ray player, music player, etc.
Based on my experience, I'd say, those news reports about Russian soldiers stealing daily goods are either propaganda or some nasty individuals (in large groups?). There's also a chance that the army is recruiting former criminals (that wouldn't be a new thing in Russian history?).
If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating).
"Tory MPs, Rishi is asking you to lay down your seats. We need a futile gesture at this stage. It will raise the whole tone of the election."
The Conservative track record is one of complete lack of regulation of football over 14 years. Now we have a vague promise to bring in a football regulator some time in the near future. That won't cut it when there will be an election between then and now, for they appear to have deliberately missed the opportunity to act. And in any case a Conservative football regulator would be about as effective as OFWAT.
https://twitter.com/KlasfeldReports/status/1769730440380748067
And Cambodia has 0% tax, amazing food, safe streets, and - far from declining - is brimming with optimism. It will be the fastest growing country in south east asia this year (as it was in many years before Covid)
The emotional difference between a country with zero growth (or worse, like Britain, declining income per capita) and a country with 6-7% growth like Cambodia - is quite profound
People are obviously happier in the growing country
I see the person who said Liz Truss would surprise on the upside is back telling us what the public thinks.
Spoiler: it won’t work
And the idea these new Labour voters “don’t care about immigration” is, I suggest, about to be severely tested. And found wanting
You've been found out for knowing nothing about AI and are now back to bullshitting. It is exhausting.
If anyone is interested, my ignore script is ready for prime time - feel free to use it against me if you wish but I will post the link to GreasyFork
'If my area would steal something it would be asphalt (don't drive to Elista at night, and only drive slowly during daytime 😂). I've been to number of Oblasts in Russia (all in Europe), but Kalmykian roads are by far the worst. You don't need signs to tell that you've left Rostovskaya Oblast and have entered Kalmykia, because there's literally a clear cut difference in road quality. It goes from a normal street where you can drive 100 km/h to watch out, there are holes, don't go faster than 30 km/h! in less than 10 m 😂 (I'm not exaggerating). '
Comrade
You will experience exactly the same abrupt change in driving from Worcestershire into Gloucestershire.
I am not exaggerating.
Most UK based companies require you to be based in the UK still even if you wfh half the time
Do you honestly believe this utter shite??
Starmer will be dealing with a lame duck macron menaced by a surging Le Pen (about to thrash him in the Euro elections)
He will have absolutely zero political room to be nice to Britain on migrants legal and illegal. None at all. Nil. Nada. Absolutement fuck all
There won’t be any new arrangement that will leave one more extra migrant in France than would otherwise be the case. Unless we give them one billion per person etc
Hackney has gentrified massively in recent years and also seen a lot of new housing built in areas that used to be home to a vibrant (ie noisy and messy) night time culture. It's not surprising that there's pressure from residents to cool it down. The best nightlife is south of the river now. If Leon wants to stay out late he should go out in Peckham, he can easily find places where he can dance and drink until dawn.
Most countries have rules for people coming to visit their own company for x weeks - no tax or work permits required. After that, they have to make a defined arrangement with the tax/immigration authorities.
And even then, there are data security rules to be considered. Just because a company has offices all over the place doesn't mean that you can export data to just anywhere.
Our recent survey showed the extent of stigma against sex workers, but what about those who have paid for sex?
61% of Britons say they would be unwilling to date someone they knew had paid for sex - 74% had said they would not date a former prostitute
Britons are also very reluctant to date someone who is a subscriber of sexual content on platforms like OnlyFans (64%), particularly if they interact with the creator (74%) - in marked contrast to the 42% who would be bothered by a partner watching porn
https://x.com/yougov/status/1769674580845563913?s=61&t=c6bcp0cjChLfQN5Tc8A_6g
My guess is @truman might be that very rare and precious thing. A mildly pro-Putin Russian possibly living in the west - maybe even in the UK (dunno) - and real, and apparently sane
Let’s not scare him away, he’s interesting. Compare him to the wibbling, infantile gibberish of @BatteryCorrectHorse for instance
His description of provincial Russia exactly matches my experiences. Some regions are almost African-poor in appearance - dirt roads, very basic infra. Others are more like poorer bits of Eastern Europe - Romania or Bulgaria. A few bigger cities could be in Poland or Hungary
Moscow and st Petersburg sometimes look like london or Paris but with less crime
- Ontario : Quebec - from smooth road to potholed death trap (at least when I was there)
- France : Switzerland - completely different road sign fonts and colour scheme
- Germany : Denmark - from no speed limit to strict limits and speed cameras everywhere
- France : Spain - old stone farmhouses to crumbling concrete tower blocks
- Tennessee : Alabama - neat white houses with picket fences, immaculate lawns, churches and horses to down at heel trailers and cotton farms
“I wouldn’t want to fuck a woman who is so uptight she gets upset that I’ve fucked 300 hookers”
He’s a known libertine, isn’t he? Writes about his drug taking and other sordid experiences around the world? He’s not gonna get on with a nun
and if you think about it the 40% who say they would must be having all the fun.
@Leon doesn't know what he's walking about, as ever...
in northern england summer is june and the first half of july
In scotland summer is 2 weeks in June.
In Wick summer is 1 day in June.
Typically, when you get to people buying properties, they campaign effectively with the council to have such restrictions put in. The squeaky wheel etc.
The full membership list of the men-only Garrick Club reveals its central position as a bulwark of the British establishment, featuring scores of leading lawyers, heads of publicly funded arts institutions, the chief of MI6, the head of the civil service, and King Charles.
Members also include the deputy prime minister, the secretary of state for levelling up, the chief executive of the Royal Opera House as well as Richard Moore, the head of the Secret Intelligence Service, and Simon Case, who as cabinet secretary is the prime minister’s most senior policy adviser and the leader of nearly half a million civil servants.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/mar/18/garrick-club-men-only-members-list-roll-call-british-establishment
Nor is this a statistical illusion, as the FT data crunchers (probably the best in the biz) have noted:
https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/regional-economist/second-quarter-2017/chinas-economic-data-an-accurate-reflection-or-just-smoke-and-mirrors
Mexico America is pretty stark, in places. From obvious wealth to violent edginess - via a huge concrete wall
I imagine (I’ve not been) the most extreme must be Haiti/dominican republic - on the right side of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic, you have almost European levels of affluence, order, infrastructure. On the Haitian side you have dire poverty, total violent anarchy and people filming themselves eating human corpses
Read the FT article. It explains why, and details the corroborating evidence which shows that China now has the bigger economy
I am not fully up to speed on why Man City's case is still dragging along, yet others are completed and docked points, but clearly there must be some point of difference.
Unless its the old big vs small again (in my day Swindon relegated two divisions vs Spurs fined some money).
I suspect Barclay will pick up most Sunak supporting MPs from 2022, it would be Chalk but he likely loses his seat and I think a few Sunak backing MPs and Truss MPs will switch to Tugendhat, who let us remember got more Tory MPs backing him in 2022 than Braverman
The government regulator has a very fine line to tread.
The same will happen to Edinburgh is there is ever another Sindyref