I'm sticking with my fairly consistent (so far) line that the Starmer Govt are to date getting the strategic decisions about right and moving carefully as the situation requires, but need some PR Rottweilers.
They are not being driven by short-termist demands on the whole, or the rattling noise the Opposition are occasionally making when they try to escape from the dustbin of history, which is the correct way.
I wonder what the Kemikaze line will be tomorrow?
Turkey is a rubbish meat for Christmas dinner?
Another sound policy announcement, two in a row!
Perhaps Christmas dinner is the meal where she treats herself to a sandwich?
That's a thought. I've had a couple of Christmas Turkey sandwiches, with added cranberry sauce.
And I keep getting Dominos Christmas Pizza adverts thrown at me. Youtube seems to have a famine of "skip" buttons.
There is an attached court judgment for those interested in playing count the lawyers:- Monica Carss-Frisk KC, Jason Pobjoy and Emmeline Plews (instructed by Linklaters LLP) and Zia Bhaloo KC, James Maurici KC, Toby Watkin KC, Mark Sefton KC and Tamsin Cox (instructed by Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP) for the Claimants Sir James Eadie KC, Ivan Hare KC, David Lowe, Tom Cleaver and Daniel Cashman (instructed by Slaughter and May) and Joanne Wicks KC, Philip Rainey KC, Adam Rosenthal KC, Ceri Edmonds and Daniel Petrides (instructed by Forsters LLP) for the Defendant. The Interested Parties did not appear and were not represented. https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Annington-final-judgment_15_05_2023.pdf
It is claimed this privatisation has cost taxpayers £8 billion. That's a third of a gold sale!
Am like a broken record on this, but every conversation with the public shows there is no more slack when it comes to trust in politics. It’s not the usual grumbles, but a sense the whole system is rigged, and the consequence is that people are turning away from the mainstream
The system is not rigged, it is that the system is inevitably shaped by demographics and the public are unwilling to accept the consequences of that so flail around from one snake oil salesman to the next.
What they're, rightly upset about in this case, is the hypocrisy of the politicians who pledged to support them then reneging on that when in power. It is the right decision. PHSO simply caved to a well funded and vocal lobby when their own report admitted the govt had no legal obligation to inform people of changes.
As for the Tories criticising Labour for this decision when they would have done the same they are just as bad, if not worse, for not lancing the boil when in office.
Politicians who speak honestly don't get elected. The inevitable outcome is politicians in charge are at best misleading in their promises.
But that is our choice as voters, and on us, more than it is on politicians. Politicians cannot be honest and get into power unless we voters change first.
Yep. Lots of people say they like politicians who "speak their mind" and "tell it like it is" but woe betide the politician who does this if it's stuff they don't want to hear.
Where are all the conservative defenders of free speech condemning this assault on press freedom ?
Experts are saying Trump's latest lawsuit – against Gannett, the Des Moines Register, and Ann Selzer – is a legal long shot. But is the purpose to win, or to make his perceived opponents suffer? https://x.com/brianstelter/status/1869107675369476588
Who is one left to side with? Those who take a hypocritical stance on free speech or those who don't even pretend to care for it?
I don't particularly see anyone not caring for free speech. It's just that people see the definitions and limits of free speech differently.
Can't see Trump having much chance to win this one with the US' various laws. I'd go pro se and not settle if I was Selzer on this one; I certainly wouldn't be if he raised a libel action here.
The point isn't to win - it's to cost the defenders of the action a lot of money defending it. In his current position, Trump has far deeper pockets than he did only a year ago. And access to effectively unlimited funds.
The discovery will be interesting mind, just how did JB Pritzker know about the poll prior to release ?
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Would England tolerate 'devomax' for Scotland without a substantial reduction in Scottish influence in Westminster?
Not a good idea. Plenty of areas even then where Scottish constituencies have a right to equal representation, remember.
Yeah but the point is how do you handle a situation where there is a completely lopsided settlement? I'm not sure people in England will be happy with 'Scotland's only a small part of the UK so why bother about it.'
I'm sticking with my fairly consistent (so far) line that the Starmer Govt are to date getting the strategic decisions about right and moving carefully as the situation requires, but need some PR Rottweilers.
They are not being driven by short-termist demands on the whole, or the rattling noise the Opposition are occasionally making when they try to escape from the dustbin of history, which is the correct way.
I wonder what the Kemikaze line will be tomorrow?
Turkey is a rubbish meat for Christmas dinner?
I think she'll be getting stung, but if she goes for that one it may steal the SNP thunder. They seem to be making a lot of noise for a group with only slightly more MPs than Reform.
Your conclusion on the Government's unpopularity being down to poor PR is bizarre. They are actively engaged in making people poorer. You can't give not being able to put your heating on in the winter a cuddly public face. The fact that the Government is full of venal authoritarians with the personality of a case of gastroenteritis is merely the icing on a shitty cake.
Though it sounds like he's considerably more suitable for the position than many who pursue a political career, probably why his constituents voted for him over Will Tanner.
Yes. There are several unexpected new MPs who have already begun to make a really positive impact on the House of Commons.
I know it is in the British DNA to quickly condemn anyone showing any kind of skill or leadership, but there are several new MPs that make you proud to be British, and they come from across the political spectrum.
Then there´s Nigel Farage, who hardly ever goes to Parliament for non financial reasons, and who is willing to sell this country to any foreigner he meets... Russian, South African...
Are you against the Czech takeover of Royal Mail?
Against everything starting with privatization ("another LD manifesto promise delivered"). It was a fire sale of the substantial property assets, the delivery service has got far worse, the UDO was always threatened and this takeover is probably solely to obtain the profitable european delivery business, expect it to be separated from the UK business which will be passed on again. In 10 years time, the Govt will be under pressure to buy it back again so that there is still a postal service.
I went out with a friend and had a Christmas dinner last night. I was mildly surprised to see a Yorkshire Pudding was included with the meal.
When did Yorkshire pud's start becoming a "thing" within the traditional Christmas dinner?
I'd say it depends what your dinner is. If it is beef, then you would expect it. Turkey is a modern tradition - bloody Victorians again.
I'm probably on gammon this year, if I don't find another partridge in the freezer.
It could have been broadened by things such as Toby Carvery Christmas Dinners, where their Yorkshires fill a big chunk of your plate with air rather than something that costs them money.
Available in a Toby Carvery for their breakfast cafeteria service. Bacon, eggs, sausages, beans tinned tomatoes, mushrooms, assorted potato and Yorkshire pudding.
No wonder the nation is dead on its arse.
Ew, who wants Yorkshire pudding for breakfast?
If you are having sauages etc why not, its all 'dinner' food.
That said i dont go for it at Toby's.
Well, I like toad-in-the-hole but not really for breakfast...
I have had beef stew for breakfast before, very good on those cold winter mornings.
Weird and pointless over share from me. I could eat breakfast for dinner quite happily (be it eggs, bacon or cereal) but never dinner for breakfast (unless it was sausages...)
Am like a broken record on this, but every conversation with the public shows there is no more slack when it comes to trust in politics. It’s not the usual grumbles, but a sense the whole system is rigged, and the consequence is that people are turning away from the mainstream
The system is not rigged, it is that the system is inevitably shaped by demographics and the public are unwilling to accept the consequences of that so flail around from one snake oil salesman to the next.
What they're, rightly upset about in this case, is the hypocrisy of the politicians who pledged to support them then reneging on that when in power. It is the right decision. PHSO simply caved to a well funded and vocal lobby when their own report admitted the govt had no legal obligation to inform people of changes.
As for the Tories criticising Labour for this decision when they would have done the same they are just as bad, if not worse, for not lancing the boil when in office.
Politicians who speak honestly don't get elected. The inevitable outcome is politicians in charge are at best misleading in their promises.
But that is our choice as voters, and on us, more than it is on politicians. Politicians cannot be honest and get into power unless we voters change first.
Yep. Lots of people say they like politicians who "speak their mind" and "tell it like it is" but woe betide the politician who does this if it's stuff they don't want to hear.
I like it the one about people wanting politicians who have principles. If they are negative principles, from your perspective, it's not necessary a good thing.
Leaving content aside, first time she’s really put in a half decent performance IMHO. The Brexit freedoms thing could have been a clanger, but Starmer didn’t respond to it - she got a bit lucky there.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Devomax would surely just fuel the call for total independence? "We're almost independent now, why not go the whole way..."
Where are all the conservative defenders of free speech condemning this assault on press freedom ?
Experts are saying Trump's latest lawsuit – against Gannett, the Des Moines Register, and Ann Selzer – is a legal long shot. But is the purpose to win, or to make his perceived opponents suffer? https://x.com/brianstelter/status/1869107675369476588
Who is one left to side with? Those who take a hypocritical stance on free speech or those who don't even pretend to care for it?
I don't particularly see anyone not caring for free speech. It's just that people see the definitions and limits of free speech differently.
Can't see Trump having much chance to win this one with the US' various laws. I'd go pro se and not settle if I was Selzer on this one; I certainly wouldn't be if he raised a libel action here.
The point isn't to win - it's to cost the defenders of the action a lot of money defending it. In his current position, Trump has far deeper pockets than he did only a year ago. And access to effectively unlimited funds.
The discovery will be interesting mind, just how did JB Pritzker know about the poll prior to release ?
In this country, polls are commonly released to the media in advance but subject to embargos until the designated publication time. I'd imagine it is the same over there.
I'm sticking with my fairly consistent (so far) line that the Starmer Govt are to date getting the strategic decisions about right and moving carefully as the situation requires, but need some PR Rottweilers.
They are not being driven by short-termist demands on the whole, or the rattling noise the Opposition are occasionally making when they try to escape from the dustbin of history, which is the correct way.
I wonder what the Kemikaze line will be tomorrow?
Turkey is a rubbish meat for Christmas dinner?
I think she'll be getting stung, but if she goes for that one it may steal the SNP thunder. They seem to be making a lot of noise for a group with only slightly more MPs than Reform.
Your conclusion on the Government's unpopularity being down to poor PR is bizarre. They are actively engaged in making people poorer. You can't give not being able to put your heating on in the winter a cuddly public face. The fact that the Government is full of venal authoritarians with the personality of a case of gastroenteritis is merely the icing on a shitty cake.
The last govt that actively made people poorer lasted 14 years, having defeated a govt that presided over an overall improvement in living standards over it's lifetime. The UK electorate has demonstrated a number of times that it will vote to be poorer.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Would England tolerate 'devomax' for Scotland without a substantial reduction in Scottish influence in Westminster?
Not a good idea. Plenty of areas even then where Scottish constituencies have a right to equal representation, remember.
Yeah but the point is how do you handle a situation where there is a completely lopsided settlement? I'm not sure people in England will be happy with 'Scotland's only a small part of the UK so why bother about it.'
Just don't vote on devolved matters. As even HYUFD agrees.
There's no reason why the Scots - or anyone else - should have a reduced vote, head for head, for things like overall UK policy such as defence and fiscal.
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
I'm sticking with my fairly consistent (so far) line that the Starmer Govt are to date getting the strategic decisions about right and moving carefully as the situation requires, but need some PR Rottweilers.
They are not being driven by short-termist demands on the whole, or the rattling noise the Opposition are occasionally making when they try to escape from the dustbin of history, which is the correct way.
I wonder what the Kemikaze line will be tomorrow?
Turkey is a rubbish meat for Christmas dinner?
Agree. Boring meat. We will be having duck, as we did last year. The 3 years before that I made a Beef Wellington. A lot of hassle on Christmas Eve, but easy on the day
Pheasant for us ... probably casseroled in red wine.
@MattW I think the government have made a lot of very ballsy moves. The problem is that politically they are not popular.
They are playing a very risky game.
Inaction is also risky and unpopular. Government is basically making some unpopular decisions and then hoping some pay off and more importantly the next election aligns with a good global economy, which is almost completely outside of their control.
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Would England tolerate 'devomax' for Scotland without a substantial reduction in Scottish influence in Westminster?
Not a good idea. Plenty of areas even then where Scottish constituencies have a right to equal representation, remember.
Yeah but the point is how do you handle a situation where there is a completely lopsided settlement? I'm not sure people in England will be happy with 'Scotland's only a small part of the UK so why bother about it.'
Just don't vote on devolved matters. As even HYUFD agrees.
There's no reason why the Scots - or anyone else - should have a reduced vote, head for head, for things like overall UK policy such as defence and fiscal.
But as people have said that creates two classes of MP. And what would a government reliant on Scottish MPs do if it came to matters of health, education etc? Accept they can't get their agenda through?
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Devomax would surely just fuel the call for total independence? "We're almost independent now, why not go the whole way..."
Nope, Devomax would definitely kill Scottish Nationalism stone dead.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Would England tolerate 'devomax' for Scotland without a substantial reduction in Scottish influence in Westminster?
Not a good idea. Plenty of areas even then where Scottish constituencies have a right to equal representation, remember.
Yeah but the point is how do you handle a situation where there is a completely lopsided settlement? I'm not sure people in England will be happy with 'Scotland's only a small part of the UK so why bother about it.'
Just don't vote on devolved matters. As even HYUFD agrees.
There's no reason why the Scots - or anyone else - should have a reduced vote, head for head, for things like overall UK policy such as defence and fiscal.
But as people have said that creates two classes of MP. And what would a government reliant on Scottish MPs do if it came to matters of health, education etc? Accept they can't get their agenda through?
It was a Westminster parliament that created two classes of MP in the first place, for fear of losing Scotland completely.
And as for your second point - exactly so. Some of their agenda, yes, but not all.
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where are all the conservative defenders of free speech condemning this assault on press freedom ?
Experts are saying Trump's latest lawsuit – against Gannett, the Des Moines Register, and Ann Selzer – is a legal long shot. But is the purpose to win, or to make his perceived opponents suffer? https://x.com/brianstelter/status/1869107675369476588
Who is one left to side with? Those who take a hypocritical stance on free speech or those who don't even pretend to care for it?
I don't particularly see anyone not caring for free speech. It's just that people see the definitions and limits of free speech differently.
Can't see Trump having much chance to win this one with the US' various laws. I'd go pro se and not settle if I was Selzer on this one; I certainly wouldn't be if he raised a libel action here.
The point isn't to win - it's to cost the defenders of the action a lot of money defending it. In his current position, Trump has far deeper pockets than he did only a year ago. And access to effectively unlimited funds.
The discovery will be interesting mind, just how did JB Pritzker know about the poll prior to release ?
I suspect that, as with the ABC case, the aim is to see them forced to settle rather than be embarrased by the discovery process.
As many of us said during the US election campaign, there need to be much tighter standards among pollsters on that side of the Pond.
I'm sticking with my fairly consistent (so far) line that the Starmer Govt are to date getting the strategic decisions about right and moving carefully as the situation requires, but need some PR Rottweilers.
Sue Grey is in need of a job.
Apparently Sir Kier is going to elevate this fine public servant to the house of Lords showing meritocracy is well and truly alive.
I think women do get a harder time in politics than men. Not least because most of the commentary paid or unpaid seems to come from men. However it applies to Tories like Badenoch as well don't forget. And it's pretty obvious that not all abuse directed at Labour women comes from Tories and Reform.
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where do the utterly bereft Tories go from here.
She was better than earlier outings.
She was and I agree with you about her reference to Brexit
Otherwise clear and fair questions which were not answered
Damn. I will never laugh at the Gloucester scene in Lear again.
Just been told I need an eye op to repair a hole in the macula - which involves suctioning out the vile jelly (vitreous humour) behind the lens. Should be fun.
I have disliked her ever since she told Dev Griffin on Celebrity Masterchef she wouldn't feed his food to her dog.
We were hoping someone like Andi Oliver would get it.
She's improved massively (as has the similarly rebarbative Marcus Wareing) in recent years. I used to dislike both quite a lot.
I actually approve, FWIW. And she knows her onions.
A skim read made me think you were talking about Kemi.
I always remember Dent saying she’d gradually came round to truffles after initially thinking they tasted of bum. Raised several questions..
And I skim read this, and assumed you were talking about Susie Dent - the thought of whom uttering that sentence has given me distinctly mixed feelings.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Devomax would surely just fuel the call for total independence? "We're almost independent now, why not go the whole way..."
Nope, Devomax would definitely kill Scottish Nationalism stone dead.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Devomax would surely just fuel the call for total independence? "We're almost independent now, why not go the whole way..."
Nope, Devomax would definitely kill Scottish Nationalism stone dead.
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where do the utterly bereft Tories go from here.
Don’t forget to cancel the scheduled 12:20 post for the next two Wednesdays.
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where do the utterly bereft Tories go from here.
She was better than earlier outings.
She was and I agree with you about her reference to Brexit
Otherwise clear and fair questions which were not answered
The whole shebang is a farce. Every PM since at least May has evaded answering questions. Badenoch is right about Starmer's stance on WASPI women.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Devomax would surely just fuel the call for total independence? "We're almost independent now, why not go the whole way..."
Nope, Devomax would definitely kill Scottish Nationalism stone dead.
Why do you say that? I'm genuinely curious.
I jest..
Darn, and there I was thinking unionists would have a foolproof plan at last.
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where do the utterly bereft Tories go from here.
She was better than earlier outings.
She was and I agree with you about her reference to Brexit
Otherwise clear and fair questions which were not answered
The whole shebang is a farce. Every PM since at least May has evaded answering questions. Badenoch is right about Starmer's stance on WASPI women.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Devomax would surely just fuel the call for total independence? "We're almost independent now, why not go the whole way..."
Nope, Devomax would definitely kill Scottish Nationalism stone dead.
Why do you say that? I'm genuinely curious.
Ironical take on an assertion by Baron-to-be Robertson of Port Ellen, which is famous amongst politically interested Scots of a certain age:
Isnt Ireland meant to be a lot richer than the UK thesedays? On paper at the very least? Presumably that might help shift attitudes in time too.
Quite heavily reliant on foreign direct investment generated by low tax - particularly from US. Election of Trump not good news. And, of course, unlike with Uncle Joe there is no sentimental attachment to the emerald isle.
Trump does own a golf course in County Clare.
Interestingly, someone has recently put up a fair bit of money to have Trump's golf course (and its hotel) heavily advertised on Irish radio, which is a bit unusual.
Because Irish people really like it when Scottish-descended people take a plot of Irish land and put a fence around it?
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where do the utterly bereft Tories go from here.
I think you are really poor and whoever is paying you to post this crap is not getting value for money. It is self evident that like Starmer, Reeves et al you are simply not up to the job
This part puzzled me: School-aged children in reception through to year 11 are also eligible for a free flu vaccine, delivered as a nasal spray in schools or as an injection for those with medical or faith exemptions.
First that we are vaccinating children against flu, second that someone has invented nasal spray vaccinations, but third, which forward-thinking religion centuries ago banned vaccinations up the nose but accepts them through a needle?
This interested me, so I went to look.
Nasal influenza vaccines have been a thing in the UK since 2013.
Children who get the flu vaccine are either clinically at-risk groups, or in households of who are immunocompromised.
The flu vaccine is offered as standard at my kids' school - I assumed universal for kids in that age, doubt the school are paying for it. For adults it's at risk groups (i.e. my pregnant wife has had it, I have not)
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Devomax would surely just fuel the call for total independence? "We're almost independent now, why not go the whole way..."
Nope, Devomax would definitely kill Scottish Nationalism stone dead.
Why do you say that? I'm genuinely curious.
Ironical take on an assertion by Baron-to-be Robertson of Port Ellen, which is famous amongst politically interested Scots of a certain age:
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where do the utterly bereft Tories go from here.
LOL! We're going to have some fun with you over until '29
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where do the utterly bereft Tories go from here.
LOL! We're going to have some fun with you over until '29
Nah - their internship at Labour HQ will only be for three months.
I have disliked her ever since she told Dev Griffin on Celebrity Masterchef she wouldn't feed his food to her dog.
We were hoping someone like Andi Oliver would get it.
She's improved massively (as has the similarly rebarbative Marcus Wareing) in recent years. I used to dislike both quite a lot.
I actually approve, FWIW. And she knows her onions.
Given she is a professional food critic then knowing her "onions" should be a given.
Shame she is just an unpleasant human being. There's no need. As the Peter Capaldi incarnation of the Doctor used to say, "be kind"
Marcus Wareing is fine, but unlike Dent who just eats food and writes for a living, he is actually a chef so knows his onions on the kitchen side as well. I'll not forget that Chef on Great British Menu, Johnnie Fountain IIRC, having a colossal sulk when Marcus gave him a two for a desert.
Yet still the Tories near tied with Labour in current polls
And Theresa May was leading in the polls until March 2019, it didn't mean she was in a good place.
She still won most seats in 2017
Even for you that is a non-sequiter.
The point was that whilst it is true not every polling indicator is bad for the Tories (at least not to the same extent), party polling intention is capable of being misleading, since May was essentially powerless in early 2019 after the vote of no confidence and failed Brexit votes, yet someone in the future without context could pick a date where the Tories inexplicably still led in the polls and suggest they were doing great at that time.
I'm sticking with my fairly consistent (so far) line that the Starmer Govt are to date getting the strategic decisions about right and moving carefully as the situation requires, but need some PR Rottweilers.
They are not being driven by short-termist demands on the whole, or the rattling noise the Opposition are occasionally making when they try to escape from the dustbin of history, which is the correct way.
I wonder what the Kemikaze line will be tomorrow?
Turkey is a rubbish meat for Christmas dinner?
Agree. Boring meat. We will be having duck, as we did last year. The 3 years before that I made a Beef Wellington. A lot of hassle on Christmas Eve, but easy on the day
Good turkey can actually be quite tasty. Ours now comes (when we do turkey, which is not every year) from the daughter of my in-laws' former next door neighbour, who has a small farm and they have a hell of a lot more flavour than the standard supermarket - or even local butcher - ones.
This does however involve me meeting up with the farmer on Christmas eve in a car park with some cash, often under cover of darkness, and looking like I'm doing a drugs transaction
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where do the utterly bereft Tories go from here.
I think you are really poor and whoever is paying you to post this crap is not getting value for money. It is self evident that like Starmer, Reeves et al you are simply not up to the job
After the brazen way they just changed their tune on the WASPI issue in line with the Labour Govt Policy they clearly have little to offer. Not worth engaging with or bothering with. Just a Labour fanboy or fangirl.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Would England tolerate 'devomax' for Scotland without a substantial reduction in Scottish influence in Westminster?
Not a good idea. Plenty of areas even then where Scottish constituencies have a right to equal representation, remember.
Yeah but the point is how do you handle a situation where there is a completely lopsided settlement? I'm not sure people in England will be happy with 'Scotland's only a small part of the UK so why bother about it.'
Just don't vote on devolved matters. As even HYUFD agrees.
There's no reason why the Scots - or anyone else - should have a reduced vote, head for head, for things like overall UK policy such as defence and fiscal.
But as people have said that creates two classes of MP. And what would a government reliant on Scottish MPs do if it came to matters of health, education etc? Accept they can't get their agenda through?
There have been 2 classes of MP ever since Holyrood, the Senedd and Stormont were created. There is no going back now unless you scrap all the devolved governments and return their responsibilities back to Westminster which is not going to happen.
So yes English only laws should only be voted on by English MPs but as I said more English only laws devolved away from Westminster anyway to the new unitary authorities and Mayors and London Assembly
I am LOVING the Chancellor saying her aim is to put money in people's pockets - by not taking it out of them by raising their taxes.
She has some neck, I'll give her that.
I thought she genuinely looked quite uncomfortable in that interview. She knows the lines aren’t landing as they should be. Of course she’s not going to be judged on a single interview but Labour still have work to do on the vision thing.
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Devomax would surely just fuel the call for total independence? "We're almost independent now, why not go the whole way..."
Devomax for Quebec killed independence demands there, even though Quebec nationalists got 49% for independence from Canada in 1995
I wonder if anyone has actually taken the 2025 bet? If so, a very benevolent gesture towards the gambling firm’s next Christmas do.
I mean, the RoI would have to actually want to take the North (in practice rather than in theory) for a start…
I stick with my proposal. The Scots have to take it with them on independence. England and Wales would be a much happier marriage than the current foursome.
No it wouldn't, Welsh nationalists would soon also be seeking independence and there is also the North and South divide in England and London and provinces divide too which would be exacerbated if the UK broke up.
Devomax for Scotland and more devolution within England to come closer to what the Senedd and Stormont have would be better
Devomax would surely just fuel the call for total independence? "We're almost independent now, why not go the whole way..."
Devomax for Quebec killed independence demands there, even though Quebec nationalists got 49% for independence from Canada in 1995
If we're going with Quebec shouldn't that mean Scotland gets a second referendum first?
Yet still the Tories near tied with Labour in current polls
And Theresa May was leading in the polls until March 2019, it didn't mean she was in a good place.
She still won most seats in 2017
Even for you that is a non-sequiter.
The point was that whilst it is true not every polling indicator is bad for the Tories (at least not to the same extent), party polling intention is capable of being misleading, since May was essentially powerless in early 2019 after the vote of no confidence and failed Brexit votes, yet someone in the future without context could pick a date where the Tories inexplicably still led in the polls and suggest they were doing great at that time.
Badenoch winning the same number of seats May won would be an extraordinary triumph for her whereas the same seats was a near disaster for May.
Context is everything, Badenoch is coming off a landslide Tory defeat for Sunak while May inherited a Tory majority from Cameron
Yet still the Tories near tied with Labour in current polls
And Theresa May was leading in the polls until March 2019, it didn't mean she was in a good place.
She still won most seats in 2017
Even for you that is a non-sequiter.
The point was that whilst it is true not every polling indicator is bad for the Tories (at least not to the same extent), party polling intention is capable of being misleading, since May was essentially powerless in early 2019 after the vote of no confidence and failed Brexit votes, yet someone in the future without context could pick a date where the Tories inexplicably still led in the polls and suggest they were doing great at that time.
Badenoch winning the same number of seats May won would be an extraordinary triumph for her whereas the same seats was a near disaster for May.
Context is everything, Badenoch is coming off a landslide Tory defeat for Sunak while May inherited a Tory majority from Cameron
Congratulations with not engaging with my point at all. It wasn't even a criticism for heaven's sake.
Normally the PB regulars strongly disapprove when posters start picking on other posters and making disparaging remarks about them. It would appear, however, that our latest left-wing poster is for some reason seen as fair game. I'm not sure why people can't just ignore comments they don't like, rather than attacking the poster making them.
I am LOVING the Chancellor saying her aim is to put money in people's pockets - by not taking it out of them by raising their taxes.
She has some neck, I'll give her that.
I thought she genuinely looked quite uncomfortable in that interview. She knows the lines aren’t landing as they should be. Of course she’s not going to be judged on a single interview but Labour still have work to do on the vision thing.
I don't feel she is the most natural performer on TV either. She is probably very confident in private but on character, I don't know, she comes over as a little evasive I have always felt. Even when she is trying to directly answer.
Normally the PB regulars strongly disapprove when posters start picking on other posters and making disparaging remarks about them. It would appear, however, that our latest left-wing poster is for some reason seen as fair game. I'm not sure why people can't just ignore comments they don't like, rather than attacking the poster making them.
While simultaneously ascribing it to both Labour London HQ and an Islington PBer.
Normally the PB regulars strongly disapprove when posters start picking on other posters and making disparaging remarks about them. It would appear, however, that our latest left-wing poster is for some reason seen as fair game. I'm not sure why people can't just ignore comments they don't like, rather than attacking the poster making them.
Normally the PB regulars strongly disapprove when posters start picking on other posters and making disparaging remarks about them. It would appear, however, that our latest left-wing poster is for some reason seen as fair game. I'm not sure why people can't just ignore comments they don't like, rather than attacking the poster making them.
Sir Keir hopes the economy will be significantly better by this time next year.
It it is, his figures will improve significantly.
If not, start betting on Mr Streeting.
I think we all agree with Keir on this. We all hope the economy will improve significantly.
I don’t think it will though. Too many global headwinds.
If you want the UK economy to improve then jacking up National Insurance as a tax on jobs was precisely the wrong way to go about it.
We should be rebalancing the taxation system so that unearned and earning incomes are treated the same, which would help fill in black holes, not make the system worse by taxing employment even more while leaving unearned incomes untouched.
The Budget was a horrendous mistake.
Labour seem to think that reorganising local government is more important than reorganising council tax.
Sorting the boundaries out must come first, so core cities can capture the tax base of those for whom they provide services.
I do love the word 'capture'.
The voters are less likely to enjoy having their taxes captured and spent elsewhere.
It’s not “elsewhere” - that’s the point. Parts of Manchester and Newcastle city centre are not under the control of their city council. Nottingham’s boundary is batshit crazy. Places that are part and parcel of the cities are not paying towards it services. This isn’t complicated.
Manchester City Council controls all of Manchester City Centre. I'm guessing the point you are making is that Salford City Centre isn't controlled by Manchester City Council. Which is true, but doesn't seem to be holding either party back.
Ditto Newcastle/Gateshead.
If you have been to Gateshead recently you will know how untrue that is
This pictures shows two city centres according to @Cookie...
No, the first one is a city centre and a town centre. *
The second one is indeed two city centres. I don't see a problem with this. Your position appears to be that municipal boundaries can only be in fields. It's not obvious to me that this should be the case.
*Actually, to be pedantic, Gateshead Town Centre is about half a mile away from Baltic Quay, so not really in that pic. But that changes neither your argument nor mine. I'm happy to concede a little poetic license for the sake of a pretty picture.
MP Brian Leishman tells me’s “appalled” and “horrified” that no redress will be offered.
“It made me think of issues like Grenfell, Hillsborough and Orgreave. I think today is another one of those historic injustices that are a stain on society.
“The WASPI women have my ongoing solidarity. It’s important that many other Labour colleagues who feel in a similar boat show our collective view. That’s a fight I am up for and we have to stand shoulder to shoulder with those affected.”
Rachael Maskell, who also resisted cut to winter fuel allowance for millions of pensioners, also says: “Many of the poorest pensioners are WASPI women. So clearly, I am concerned about the human cost of this policy. Labour must be on the side of the poorest pensioners.”
This government is getting a reputation for harming pensioners. There's even a novelty Christmas record:
Why are the well-off like me, getting a free £10 Xmas Bonus from the DWP - which arrived today. Pointless and expensive to administrate. What am I going to do with it? Pay it back when I do my Self Assessment in January.
A lot of this past detritus which may or not have been sensible at the time, needs culling.
Comments
I’d like to see him up against Farage on that measure. Suspect it would be very close.
And I keep getting Dominos Christmas Pizza adverts thrown at me. Youtube seems to have a famine of "skip" buttons.
I actually approve, FWIW. And she knows her onions.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-buys-back-36347-military-homes-to-improve-housing-for-forces-families-and-save-taxpayers-billions
There is an attached court judgment for those interested in playing count the lawyers:-
Monica Carss-Frisk KC, Jason Pobjoy and Emmeline Plews (instructed by Linklaters LLP)
and Zia Bhaloo KC, James Maurici KC, Toby Watkin KC, Mark Sefton KC and Tamsin
Cox (instructed by Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP) for the Claimants
Sir James Eadie KC, Ivan Hare KC, David Lowe, Tom Cleaver and Daniel Cashman
(instructed by Slaughter and May) and Joanne Wicks KC, Philip Rainey KC, Adam
Rosenthal KC, Ceri Edmonds and Daniel Petrides (instructed by Forsters LLP) for the
Defendant. The Interested Parties did not appear and were not represented.
https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Annington-final-judgment_15_05_2023.pdf
It is claimed this privatisation has cost taxpayers £8 billion. That's a third of a gold sale!
But is it just an artefact of poor data and differential reporting ?
(What do PB's medical stats gurus think ?)
Autism Hotspot Analysis
https://x.com/HarmlessYardDog/status/1869031831229898943
They are playing a very risky game.
The UK electorate has demonstrated a number of times that it will vote to be poorer.
There's no reason why the Scots - or anyone else - should have a reduced vote, head for head, for things like overall UK policy such as defence and fiscal.
If you can't land a blow this week at PMQ it's truly time to go.
The two sides of the Chamber as SKS sat down, Labour cheering and laughing, Tories sat in abject stony silence
A few slaps landed early, easily rebuffed with swift left hooks, her failure to move off script cruelly exposed by the 4th and flat knockout for Starmer in the 6th.
Where do the utterly bereft Tories go from here.
It's the one time of year when we can wish people merriness
I am hankering after some Royal Baerii.
I always remember Dent saying she’d gradually came round to truffles after initially thinking they tasted of bum. Raised several questions..
Starmer in Friday Dinner mode at Wednesday lunchtime.
https://x.com/Tussell_UK/status/1862227807633645853
Bloody Starmer's paying himself a billion quid.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-14205573/Fake-google-reviews-AI-mafia-restaurant.html
And as for your second point - exactly so. Some of their agenda, yes, but not all.
As many of us said during the US election campaign, there need to be much tighter standards among pollsters on that side of the Pond.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/breaking-eddie-stobart-dead-95-34336490
Otherwise clear and fair questions which were not answered
Just been told I need an eye op to repair a hole in the macula - which involves suctioning out the vile jelly (vitreous humour) behind the lens.
Should be fun.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Robertson,_Baron_Robertson_of_Port_Ellen#:~:text=In 1995, Robertson, while he,Scottish National Party (SNP).
But I do quite like her. She was good value of Thronecast too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Robertson,_Baron_Robertson_of_Port_Ellen#Quote_on_devolution
She has some neck, I'll give her that.
🟪 REF 39% (+10)
🟥 LAB 35% (-12)
🟦 CON 16% (+1)
🟩 GRN 6% (+1)
🟧 LD 3% (-)
Reform GAIN from Labour (11.1% swing)
https://x.com/LeftieStats/status/1868995960158011451
Shame she is just an unpleasant human being. There's no need. As the Peter Capaldi incarnation of the Doctor used to say, "be kind"
Marcus Wareing is fine, but unlike Dent who just eats food and writes for a living, he is actually a chef so knows his onions on the kitchen side as well. I'll not forget that Chef on Great British Menu, Johnnie Fountain IIRC, having a colossal sulk when Marcus gave him a two for a desert.
The point was that whilst it is true not every polling indicator is bad for the Tories (at least not to the same extent), party polling intention is capable of being misleading, since May was essentially powerless in early 2019 after the vote of no confidence and failed Brexit votes, yet someone in the future without context could pick a date where the Tories inexplicably still led in the polls and suggest they were doing great at that time.
The world is fucked.
This does however involve me meeting up with the farmer on Christmas eve in a car park with some cash, often under cover of darkness, and looking like I'm doing a drugs transaction
So yes English only laws should only be voted on by English MPs but as I said more English only laws devolved away from Westminster anyway to the new unitary authorities and Mayors and London Assembly
@JohnRentoul
That “lenient” milkshake sentence is a propaganda gift to Nigel Farage. Me for @indypremium
I think the 28-day jail sentence for John Murphy, who egged Jeremy Corbyn in 2019, was two-tier justice"
https://x.com/JohnRentoul/status/1869050969960640750
https://x.com/tykestakeonit/status/1869068682959503717
Context is everything, Badenoch is coming off a landslide Tory defeat for Sunak while May inherited a Tory majority from Cameron
This "two-tier" stuff is just crap.
https://x.com/RLong_Bailey/status/1869040127324098709
https://x.com/owenjonesjourno/status/1869019281486446980/photo/1
The second one is indeed two city centres. I don't see a problem with this.
Your position appears to be that municipal boundaries can only be in fields. It's not obvious to me that this should be the case.
*Actually, to be pedantic, Gateshead Town Centre is about half a mile away from Baltic Quay, so not really in that pic. But that changes neither your argument nor mine. I'm happy to concede a little poetic license for the sake of a pretty picture.
A lot of this past detritus which may or not have been sensible at the time, needs culling.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2024/dec/18/observer-appoints-lucy-rock-as-editor-as-tortoise-media-sale-confirmed