Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
Latest @BMGResearch poll for @theipaper. #EURef2 vi: Join 45 (+1); Stay Out 37 (-3). Fwork 28-29.1.25 (ch since 26-27.11.24).
Did they set out the terms of rejoin? I doubt it. Adopt the Euro, no rebate etc
Sweden are Euro-free and it is you Leavers who binned the rebate by Leaving. Any future rejoin agreement will be inferior to what we threw away. Thanks Leavers.
Having fewer opt outs is only inferior if you're sceptical about the EU project.
I suspect both you and I had reservations about the EU, even when we were in our Eurofederalist heydays. The EU was and is far from perfect, it is just leaving was far worse.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
I once ate at a Wetherspoons, in 2018, near Durham railway station.
I haven't been that scared since I visited Baghdad in 2004.
To be fair, 15 years ago, it wasn't that bad. Reasonably priced microwaved fare, but that is pretty standard at loads of those popular chain restaurants of the 2010s (none of which were any good and charged even more money). The sunday lunch they did were pass-able, but they cut that quite a while ago now as clearly it was too expensive for their rock bottom price business model.
The bigger issue with Wetherspoons has always been the clientele it attracts. Often it appears a day centre for those with a range of issues.
The one in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, their clientele often go there before their appearance in court a few minutes away by foot.
TBH, I feel most sorry for the staff. They will have to deal will a lot of difficult individuals and not just at 11pm on Friday / Saturday night.
Walked past the local Trowbridge Wetherspoons at 11 am last weekend and was shocked to see the drinking had long since started.
Whatever happened to the yard-arm?
The sun over the yard-arm metric was only for the wardroom (who were on the quarterdeck - think about it). Lets the rest of them off.
Mind, I have no idea how many of the Spoons clientele are ex-officers.
One or two, from my observations. If you ask nicely and explain, they will happily make a (correct) pink gin, much beloved by a Naval generation!
Elon Musk's mother moved to South Africa in the year Apartheid was created, and she and Elon left the year it ended. The last Apartheid Prime Minister, a man who refused to testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, was a family friend who stayed at their home. This is not a crazy theory.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
It is one of those 'settled PB views'.
It’s the public’s settled view. Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.
And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.
What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.
That's the bit your side keeps missing.
I personally don’t favour a re-entry. The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.
That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.
And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.
There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.
Not right for us then, not now, not ever.
Ideological pro-GM partisans, though, are few in number. More numerous are people who were promised busloads of free money and no more foreigners. Will they be fooled a second time or punish their tormentors.
Several of Elon Musk’s associates installed at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) — including two recent high school graduates — have received unprecedented access to federal human resources databases containing sensitive personal information for millions of federal employees.
I see the pound is closing in on a five year high against the Euro - great news but not sure how much credit the government can take for this?
It's not good it's bad. Our exports are more expensive to our biggest market. Surely we can blame Starmer and Reeves for that?
That market will be looking for cheaper alternatives to tariffed US imports and EU imports will now be cheaper for UK consumers and companies using EU supplies
Several of Elon Musk’s associates installed at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) — including two recent high school graduates — have received unprecedented access to federal human resources databases containing sensitive personal information for millions of federal employees.
Good to see we've moved on the the height of the cost of living crisis, when the question was: "Can you still afford to eat owt?"
I see a genuine change out there. The younger people at the rowing club don't go to the pub casually. It's a planned event, that costs them money they miss. I'm talking about young professionals. They try and avoid eating in the pub - not because the food is bad, but because 15 quid is a massive chunk out of their budgets.
They don't even think about the restaurants along the river.
Yep - I know how lucky I am that I can dine out wherever I want - none of my local friends can do the same.
The ones I see in London are my age so have the similar amount of spare cash to be able to eat out when they want to.
The one thing that really puts off my (younger) friends is the service charge which is written in really small font on the menu.
If Starmer wants a boost in his popularity rating, outlawing this creeping Americanisation would be an easy win. I am off to Trumpistan shortly and am not looking forward to the constant 20-25% service charge on every bloody thing.
Indeed, last year I had a fun experience at Covent Garden restaurant, the food was lovely but the service was terrible, you'd ask for things three or four times before they arrived, sometimes twenty minutes after you asked.
I thought about not paying the service charge but then thought I'm going to look like a real shit if I don't pay the 15% service charge.
The places that charge a 15% service charge tend to be the places that, based on the quality of service, nobody would leave a 15% tip.
Good to see we've moved on the the height of the cost of living crisis, when the question was: "Can you still afford to eat owt?"
I see a genuine change out there. The younger people at the rowing club don't go to the pub casually. It's a planned event, that costs them money they miss. I'm talking about young professionals. They try and avoid eating in the pub - not because the food is bad, but because 15 quid is a massive chunk out of their budgets.
They don't even think about the restaurants along the river.
Yep - I know how lucky I am that I can dine out wherever I want - none of my local friends can do the same.
The ones I see in London are my age so have the similar amount of spare cash to be able to eat out when they want to.
The one thing that really puts off my (younger) friends is the service charge which is written in really small font on the menu.
If Starmer wants a boost in his popularity rating, outlawing this creeping Americanisation would be an easy win. I am off to Trumpistan shortly and am not looking forward to the constant 20-25% service charge on every bloody thing.
Indeed, last year I had a fun experience at Covent Garden restaurant, the food was lovely but the service was terrible, you'd ask for things three or four times before they arrived, sometimes twenty minutes after you asked.
I thought about not paying the service charge but then thought I'm going to look like a real shit if I don't pay the 15% service charge.
The places that charge a 15% service charge tend to be the places that, based on the quality of service, nobody would leave a 15% tip.
I see the MAGA crowd want to stop money going to Ukraine and use it to ameliorate the impact of tariffs.
Putin must be so happy.
Though Trump has told Putin he will also impose high tariffs on Russian imports and further sanctions on Russian funds unless Putin ends the war in Ukraine
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
Latest @BMGResearch poll for @theipaper. #EURef2 vi: Join 45 (+1); Stay Out 37 (-3). Fwork 28-29.1.25 (ch since 26-27.11.24).
Given this 'massive rejection of Brexit' polls supposedly show I would have thought rejoin would be on 65%+ not just 45% ie even less than the 48% for Remain in 2016?
Good to see we've moved on the the height of the cost of living crisis, when the question was: "Can you still afford to eat owt?"
I see a genuine change out there. The younger people at the rowing club don't go to the pub casually. It's a planned event, that costs them money they miss. I'm talking about young professionals. They try and avoid eating in the pub - not because the food is bad, but because 15 quid is a massive chunk out of their budgets.
They don't even think about the restaurants along the river.
Yep - I know how lucky I am that I can dine out wherever I want - none of my local friends can do the same.
The ones I see in London are my age so have the similar amount of spare cash to be able to eat out when they want to.
The one thing that really puts off my (younger) friends is the service charge which is written in really small font on the menu.
If Starmer wants a boost in his popularity rating, outlawing this creeping Americanisation would be an easy win. I am off to Trumpistan shortly and am not looking forward to the constant 20-25% service charge on every bloody thing.
Indeed, last year I had a fun experience at Covent Garden restaurant, the food was lovely but the service was terrible, you'd ask for things three or four times before they arrived, sometimes twenty minutes after you asked.
I thought about not paying the service charge but then thought I'm going to look like a real shit if I don't pay the 15% service charge.
The places that charge a 15% service charge tend to be the places that, based on the quality of service, nobody would leave a 15% tip.
Yes, 10% is plenty in this country.
Last restaurant bill I had was £72.80, rounded to £80 - a smidgen under 10%. That's on the high side for me tbh, but we like the restaurant and the food was excellent. Tips should be tips not a replacement for wages or profits and never expected in this country imo.
I'd have knocked the service charge off with TSE's experience and have done so once.
I was just in a local shop after my swim, and a very young boy in a pushchair was drinking a can of Red Bull. The mother said something like: "Shut up and drink your Red Bull." I reckon the kid was three or four.
My flabber was well and truly ghasted.
I was recently had to endure one of those peasant wagons and it appeared that this was the defacto standard drink of choice for mothers to give to their young kids. Not sure what will be worse the caffeine high or the caffeine crash.....
Three or four years of age obviously too young for vaping, they get their first one when they turn five.
I recall when my ex's youngest found the Red Bull. She drank several. She was a hyperactive child (literally) with a development disorder.
The ensuing couple of hours was entertaining, in kind of "This must never happen again" kind of way. Fortunately the child was fine - just crashed out and had big nap in the end.
My ex made sure no Red Bull ever entered the house again.
I tasted it once.
And poured the rest of the can down the drain.
I was once stuck in a transit lounge for 3 hours. The only drink in the vending machine was Mountain Dew.
Am hearing that US CDC staff forbidden from talking to WHO or sharing info about circulating diseases. Absolute madness and if there is a flu pandemic will cost lives.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
It is one of those 'settled PB views'.
It’s the public’s settled view. Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.
And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.
What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.
That's the bit your side keeps missing.
I personally don’t favour a re-entry. The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.
That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.
And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.
There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.
Not right for us then, not now, not ever.
Britain is a notably weaker power since 2016, since it is longer regarded as able to exert pressure on its European peers. The nimble foreign policy is merely your characterisation, though of course the Uk has repatriated the opportunity to apply trade sanctions.
Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.
Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.
Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.
It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
I suspect we are not well positioned and will discover the truth a few months down the line when we discover we need to make a painful decision on what side we fall
Why would we do anything so stupid? Do you think the EU will put tariffs on us for not joining them in putting them on the US? As far as I know we still have have a trade deficit with the EU so they would stand to lose more than us if they did that.
Or will the US put them on us for not putting them on the EU? Trade is about equal there, so they would stand to gain little.
As I said, fortunately positioned for once, though of course Sir Useless could contrive to bugger it up.
The UK could accidentally benefit from the Labour government being a bunch of do nothing fearties.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
Good to see we've moved on the the height of the cost of living crisis, when the question was: "Can you still afford to eat owt?"
I see a genuine change out there. The younger people at the rowing club don't go to the pub casually. It's a planned event, that costs them money they miss. I'm talking about young professionals. They try and avoid eating in the pub - not because the food is bad, but because 15 quid is a massive chunk out of their budgets.
They don't even think about the restaurants along the river.
Yep - I know how lucky I am that I can dine out wherever I want - none of my local friends can do the same.
The ones I see in London are my age so have the similar amount of spare cash to be able to eat out when they want to.
The one thing that really puts off my (younger) friends is the service charge which is written in really small font on the menu.
If Starmer wants a boost in his popularity rating, outlawing this creeping Americanisation would be an easy win. I am off to Trumpistan shortly and am not looking forward to the constant 20-25% service charge on every bloody thing.
Indeed, last year I had a fun experience at Covent Garden restaurant, the food was lovely but the service was terrible, you'd ask for things three or four times before they arrived, sometimes twenty minutes after you asked.
I thought about not paying the service charge but then thought I'm going to look like a real shit if I don't pay the 15% service charge.
The places that charge a 15% service charge tend to be the places that, based on the quality of service, nobody would leave a 15% tip.
They are usually the places where people would leave no tip. There have been a couple of times recently when I’ve actually wanted to send the twins up and ask if they want a hand.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Wetherspoons is the McDonald’s of pubs. It’s not brilliant, but you know it’s going to be okay and you’ll get good value for money.
In pretty much any town, the cheapest pub is always going to be a focus for those who society has mostly left behind.
The irony here is that Trump is clearly the most Anglophile POTUS since Reagan, at least
That's probably not very useful in practice. If Starmer keeps his mouth shut regarding anything to do with the EU we may escape Trump's tariff hammer for a while, but that's probably it.
Of course, that only works up to the point Trump puts boots on the ground in Greenland or Canada, which he may still do.
Musk is on record as identifying himself as “English” - not South African or American. He deems himself as ethnically English
Vance is an old English surname
We have here the most pro-British presidency in many decades. We should exploit it and bring their revolution home
Though that is largely true for most conservative Republican Presidents, their core allies tend to be us, Israel and Australia, Japan and now post Cold War Poland. Democrats tend to be much more pro EU and Muslim nations and Latin America and (relatively) China and Canada when it has Liberal governments (as it usually does).
Trump however likes strongmen too more than most free market, pro NATO Republican Presidents. Putin and Modi and Malei are also in his orbit and if he sees Starmer's UK getting too close to the EU over his US he would quickly discard us
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
Latest @BMGResearch poll for @theipaper. #EURef2 vi: Join 45 (+1); Stay Out 37 (-3). Fwork 28-29.1.25 (ch since 26-27.11.24).
Given this 'massive rejection of Brexit' polls supposedly show I would have thought rejoin would be on 65%+ not just 45% ie even less than the 48% for Remain in 2016?
I am about as Remainery as they come and I wouldn't be advocating for rejoin. Closer ties and reciprocal freedom of movement would be great.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
I suspect we are not well positioned and will discover the truth a few months down the line when we discover we need to make a painful decision on what side we fall
Why would we do anything so stupid? Do you think the EU will put tariffs on us for not joining them in putting them on the US? As far as I know we still have have a trade deficit with the EU so they would stand to lose more than us if they did that.
Or will the US put them on us for not putting them on the EU? Trade is about equal there, so they would stand to gain little.
As I said, fortunately positioned for once, though of course Sir Useless could contrive to bugger it up.
If only Truss were still PM.
Given that the economy actually grew in her time, and every economic metric is worse under Sir Death, I absolutely wish that.
Ron Johnson: "Tariffs are a tax. When you tax something, you get less of it, so we'll probably get fewer imports, but then with retaliation, fewer experts. Smoot-Hawley was not particularly successful and helped sparked the Depression, so I share the markets' concern."
Good to see we've moved on the the height of the cost of living crisis, when the question was: "Can you still afford to eat owt?"
I see a genuine change out there. The younger people at the rowing club don't go to the pub casually. It's a planned event, that costs them money they miss. I'm talking about young professionals. They try and avoid eating in the pub - not because the food is bad, but because 15 quid is a massive chunk out of their budgets.
They don't even think about the restaurants along the river.
Yep - I know how lucky I am that I can dine out wherever I want - none of my local friends can do the same.
The ones I see in London are my age so have the similar amount of spare cash to be able to eat out when they want to.
The one thing that really puts off my (younger) friends is the service charge which is written in really small font on the menu.
If Starmer wants a boost in his popularity rating, outlawing this creeping Americanisation would be an easy win. I am off to Trumpistan shortly and am not looking forward to the constant 20-25% service charge on every bloody thing.
Indeed, last year I had a fun experience at Covent Garden restaurant, the food was lovely but the service was terrible, you'd ask for things three or four times before they arrived, sometimes twenty minutes after you asked.
I thought about not paying the service charge but then thought I'm going to look like a real shit if I don't pay the 15% service charge.
Service in the U.S. is usually pretty good.
But how much is that tips, how much is that better management, and how much is that a culture which doesn’t look down on “service”?
Try not tipping and see how good the service is next time....although if you aren't American some give you a free pass that you don't understand the quid pro quo.
Not tipping per drink normally will result in you standing at a bar like Billie No Mates for a very long time.
If it were a quid , pro quo it would be fine.
That used to be the standard drink tip pre-COVID, but I haven't been to the US since. Mrs U has and told me to get ready for the shock, perhaps take something to calm yourself before entering any service based situation.
How about coffee shops where they press a button and hand you a drink and expect 20% as a tip?
Am hearing that US CDC staff forbidden from talking to WHO or sharing info about circulating diseases. Absolute madness and if there is a flu pandemic will cost lives.
Imagine if you ordered an English male lawyer's voice for your AI helper, and you got stuck with Starmer's stupefyingly strange staccato strumming on your ear drums
Good to see we've moved on the the height of the cost of living crisis, when the question was: "Can you still afford to eat owt?"
I see a genuine change out there. The younger people at the rowing club don't go to the pub casually. It's a planned event, that costs them money they miss. I'm talking about young professionals. They try and avoid eating in the pub - not because the food is bad, but because 15 quid is a massive chunk out of their budgets.
They don't even think about the restaurants along the river.
Yep - I know how lucky I am that I can dine out wherever I want - none of my local friends can do the same.
The ones I see in London are my age so have the similar amount of spare cash to be able to eat out when they want to.
The one thing that really puts off my (younger) friends is the service charge which is written in really small font on the menu.
If Starmer wants a boost in his popularity rating, outlawing this creeping Americanisation would be an easy win. I am off to Trumpistan shortly and am not looking forward to the constant 20-25% service charge on every bloody thing.
Indeed, last year I had a fun experience at Covent Garden restaurant, the food was lovely but the service was terrible, you'd ask for things three or four times before they arrived, sometimes twenty minutes after you asked.
I thought about not paying the service charge but then thought I'm going to look like a real shit if I don't pay the 15% service charge.
Service in the U.S. is usually pretty good.
But how much is that tips, how much is that better management, and how much is that a culture which doesn’t look down on “service”?
Try not tipping and see how good the service is next time....although if you aren't American some give you a free pass that you don't understand the quid pro quo.
Not tipping per drink normally will result in you standing at a bar like Billie No Mates for a very long time.
If it were a quid , pro quo it would be fine.
That used to be the standard drink tip pre-COVID, but I haven't been to the US since. Mrs U has and told me to get ready for the shock, perhaps take something to calm yourself before entering any service based situation.
How about coffee shops where they press a button and hand you a drink and expect 20% as a tip?
US since COVID has gone absolutely crazy with expansion of tips. It appears to be if you interact with an human at all for any reason in a retail or service setting, tip expected, if you interact with only a computer screen, even those can ask for a tip....
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Wetherspoons is the McDonald’s of pubs. It’s not brilliant, but you know it’s going to be okay and you’ll get good value for money.
In pretty much any town, the cheapest pub is always going to be a focus for those who society has mostly left behind.
In a beer desert, such as many towns in the West of Scotland, spoons is the only place that sells a decent pint.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
I suspect we are not well positioned and will discover the truth a few months down the line when we discover we need to make a painful decision on what side we fall
Why would we do anything so stupid? Do you think the EU will put tariffs on us for not joining them in putting them on the US? As far as I know we still have have a trade deficit with the EU so they would stand to lose more than us if they did that.
Or will the US put them on us for not putting them on the EU? Trade is about equal there, so they would stand to gain little.
As I said, fortunately positioned for once, though of course Sir Useless could contrive to bugger it up.
If only Truss were still PM.
Given that the economy actually grew in her time, and every economic metric is worse under Sir Death, I absolutely wish that.
I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country. We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico. I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a “deal” between our two Countries.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
It is one of those 'settled PB views'.
It’s the public’s settled view. Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.
And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.
What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.
That's the bit your side keeps missing.
I personally don’t favour a re-entry. The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.
That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.
And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.
There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.
Not right for us then, not now, not ever.
Ideological pro-GM partisans, though, are few in number. More numerous are people who were promised busloads of free money and no more foreigners. Will they be fooled a second time or punish their tormentors.
They won't vote for your prospectus, that's for sure.
What's clear from reading this board is that, by and large, your side have learned nothing and forgotten nothing.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
My disdain for Spoons is the sheer amount of violence I see in and about the one in Manchester Piccadilly.
I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country. We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico. I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a “deal” between our two Countries.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
It is one of those 'settled PB views'.
It’s the public’s settled view. Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.
And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.
What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.
That's the bit your side keeps missing.
I personally don’t favour a re-entry. The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.
That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.
And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.
There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.
Not right for us then, not now, not ever.
Ideological pro-GM partisans, though, are few in number. More numerous are people who were promised busloads of free money and no more foreigners. Will they be fooled a second time or punish their tormentors.
They won't vote for your prospectus, that's for sure.
What's clear from reading this board is that, by and large, your side have learned nothing and forgotten nothing.
Your "side" turned the strongest political brand of the last 250 years into a turd.
Elon Musk's mother moved to South Africa in the year Apartheid was created, and she and Elon left the year it ended. The last Apartheid Prime Minister, a man who refused to testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, was a family friend who stayed at their home. This is not a crazy theory.
An article in The Atlantic on Musk's maternal grandfather
There's no doubt that the grandfather, who died when Musk was 2, was a white supremacist antisemitic conspiracy theorist. He also led a (banned) fringe party in Canada that wanted to replace democracy with rule by a tech-savvy elite.
Of course Musk isn't responsible for what his grandfather said and did, but he does seem to be following in his footsteps.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Wetherspoons is the McDonald’s of pubs. It’s not brilliant, but you know it’s going to be okay and you’ll get good value for money.
In pretty much any town, the cheapest pub is always going to be a focus for those who society has mostly left behind.
In a beer desert, such as many towns in the West of Scotland, spoons is the only place that sells a decent pint.
I assume the beer desert extends to the far Northwest. I’m off on my long weekend to Assynt in a few days. Shall stock up on drinks at the supermarket in Inverness rather than relying on the pubs of Lochinver.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
It is one of those 'settled PB views'.
It’s the public’s settled view. Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.
And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.
What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.
That's the bit your side keeps missing.
I personally don’t favour a re-entry. The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.
That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.
And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.
There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.
Not right for us then, not now, not ever.
Britain is a notably weaker power since 2016, since it is longer regarded as able to exert pressure on its European peers. The nimble foreign policy is merely your characterisation, though of course the Uk has repatriated the opportunity to apply trade sanctions.
Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.
Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.
Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.
It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.
But, do you accept that if Brexit can be seen as a failure for the reasons you post in your last two paragraphs that this does not naturally lead to "Rejoin", because it's about our failure to take full advantage of our scope for self-governance?
@JenniferJJacobs Scoop: GOP officials have been quietly saying the Trump admin's so-called buyout program is illegal, but they doubt that Congress will push back, sources told @CBSNews. Another OPM email many federal workers saw 1st thing this morning offered more details of the deferred resignations program. A spokesperson stressed that no federal employees' pay will be guaranteed with the deadline looming.
They pay NGOs to deliver humanitarian assistance, because they are able to do it more cheaply and effectively, using local staff, than the US government is able to do themselves. Cutting this funding means people in crisis situations won't get the help they need, help that is in many cases the difference between life and death.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
I've been taken to a few Wetherspoons and was pleasantly surprised. Nicely refurbished old buildings, very busy, reasonable service and, of course, cheap as chips. The clientele was perfectly respectable. Maybe it's different on a Saturday night but weekday lunchtime absolutely fine. Can see the appeal.
"The beavers saved us 30 million Czech korunas. They built the dams without any project documentation—and for free," said the head of the nature reserve administration.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
My disdain for Spoons is the sheer amount of violence I see in and about the one in Manchester Piccadilly.
Come to the one in Morpeth or Chester-Le-Street. You'll only get love from the Groggers there
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
The young people love Spoons. Once my daughter turned 18 she practically lived at the Brockley Barge.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
Latest @BMGResearch poll for @theipaper. #EURef2 vi: Join 45 (+1); Stay Out 37 (-3). Fwork 28-29.1.25 (ch since 26-27.11.24).
Surprised it's so close. Those numbers, I'm guessing, not so very different from those before the referendum which, of course, Remain was expected to win quite handily.
The food in Spoons is, by and large, crap unless you're starving, on a budget and just need to plug a hole.
I agree the beer is cracking value, though.
McDonald’s on the other hand is the most underrated, value for money fare on the high street.
I actively enjoy the taste and texture of a McDonald’s burger more than the vast majority of alternatives, from Burger King through food van burgers with onions to “gourmet” efforts at restaurants. Only the burgers of Mother Flipper round here or the occasional steak hache in French motorway services match up.
McDonald’s gets so much right. The patties just taste nicely of beef without those weird flavours you get elsewhere. The sauces are just right and Big Mac sauce in particular is excellent. The buns are not sickly sweet like brioche buns nor overly bready like greasy spoon jobs. And the fries, when fresh and crisp, are some of the best fries you’ll find.
I discovered recently that their burger patties have a bit of MSG shaken on top, which stands to reason. .
"The beavers saved us 30 million Czech korunas. They built the dams without any project documentation—and for free," said the head of the nature reserve administration.
Proposal - get the Wuhan lab to genetically modify beavers so they build nuclear reactors, railways, roads.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
I've been taken to a few Wetherspoons and was pleasantly surprised. Nicely refurbished old buildings, very busy, reasonable service and, of course, cheap as chips. The clientele was perfectly respectable. Maybe it's different on a Saturday night but weekday lunchtime absolutely fine. Can see the appeal.
It's a function of location - if there is a lack of er... entertaining clients within easy busy ride of the Spoons in question....
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
My disdain for Spoons is the sheer amount of violence I see in and about the one in Manchester Piccadilly.
Come to the one in Morpeth or Chester-Le-Street. You'll only get love from the Groggers there
As a good Muslim boy I am not sure Spoons is my milieu.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
It is one of those 'settled PB views'.
It’s the public’s settled view. Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.
And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.
What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.
That's the bit your side keeps missing.
I personally don’t favour a re-entry. The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.
That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.
And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.
There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.
Not right for us then, not now, not ever.
Britain is a notably weaker power since 2016, since it is longer regarded as able to exert pressure on its European peers. The nimble foreign policy is merely your characterisation, though of course the Uk has repatriated the opportunity to apply trade sanctions.
Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.
Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.
Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.
It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.
But, do you accept that if Brexit can be seen as a failure for the reasons you post in your last two paragraphs that this does not naturally lead to "Rejoin", because it's about our failure to take full advantage of our scope for self-governance?
Both of those paragraphs refer to activities which could, and indeed should, have been undertaken when we were members of the EU. And yes, I'm a committed Remainer and if another referendum was called I'd do what I could, even in enfeebled state, to support a Rejoin campaign.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
It is one of those 'settled PB views'.
It’s the public’s settled view. Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.
And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.
What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.
That's the bit your side keeps missing.
I personally don’t favour a re-entry. The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.
That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.
And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.
There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.
Not right for us then, not now, not ever.
Britain is a notably weaker power since 2016, since it is longer regarded as able to exert pressure on its European peers. The nimble foreign policy is merely your characterisation, though of course the Uk has repatriated the opportunity to apply trade sanctions.
Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.
Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.
Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.
It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.
But, do you accept that if Brexit can be seen as a failure for the reasons you post in your last two paragraphs that this does not naturally lead to "Rejoin", because it's about our failure to take full advantage of our scope for self-governance?
I’ve already said that I don’t believe it correct to “Rejoin”, at least right now.
Brexit is a failure economically, diplomatically, culturally, and politically. But it is what it is, and my own view is that Britain is best off working on a very close, bespoke partnership.
I thought Max’s post yesterday on joining Schengen was interesting.
Britain does have an opportunity to almost rethink its European position from a blank page, albeit thinking geopolitically doesn’t seem to come naturally to the British political mind since Blair, and his own geopolitical strategy must be regarded a failure.
The food in Spoons is, by and large, crap unless you're starving, on a budget and just need to plug a hole.
I agree the beer is cracking value, though.
I haven't been into a 'spoons for a couple of years, so this might be out of date. However:
It's not the worst pub food, which tends to be rather (ahem) variable if you're in an unfamiliar town.
But best of all, the food tends to arrive quickly. Which is probably not the best sign of freshness and brilliant food, but does mean that you can rely on it if you are in a hurry.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
I've been taken to a few Wetherspoons and was pleasantly surprised. Nicely refurbished old buildings, very busy, reasonable service and, of course, cheap as chips. The clientele was perfectly respectable. Maybe it's different on a Saturday night but weekday lunchtime absolutely fine. Can see the appeal.
Like any pub estate there are some that are a bit rougher round the edges than others but there are as you say some very nicely refurbished ones with a perfectly genial atmosphere.
We often frequent our local one, because if you don’t fancy cooking and don’t want to break the bank there’s some standard, reliable food on the menu and the beer is cheap.
You can bet your boots Trump and Musk have been shorting crypto and have each made a gazillion dollars today in hard cash by the time they were finished. Luvvly Jubbly.
The food in Spoons is, by and large, crap unless you're starving, on a budget and just need to plug a hole.
I agree the beer is cracking value, though.
McDonald’s on the other hand is the most underrated, value for money fare on the high street.
I actively enjoy the taste and texture of a McDonald’s burger more than the vast majority of alternatives, from Burger King through food van burgers with onions to “gourmet” efforts at restaurants. Only the burgers of Mother Flipper round here or the occasional steak hache in French motorway services match up.
McDonald’s gets so much right. The patties just taste nicely of beef without those weird flavours you get elsewhere. The sauces are just right and Big Mac sauce in particular is excellent. The buns are not sickly sweet like brioche buns nor overly bready like greasy spoon jobs. And the fries, when fresh and crisp, are some of the best fries you’ll find.
I discovered recently that their burger patties have a bit of MSG shaken on top, which stands to reason. .
Being a vegetarian I can't comment on their burgers and am probably not their target customer, but on the few occasions I've eaten something from McDonalds I've found it absolutely minging. Chips dry, tasteless and too salty. And the bun spongy and tasteless, inevitably sticking to the top of your mouth. An omelette and chips from a local greasy spoon is always far superior imho.
You can bet your boots Trump and Musk have been shorting crypto and have each made a gazillion dollars today in hard cash by the time they were finished. Luvvly Jubbly.
Actually, I don't think that's true at all.
I doubt Trump has any positions other than in $TRUMP, and that he'll be trying to dump at high speed, and this trade war doesn't help him.
Musk is a true believer in Bitcoin, and a large chunk of Tesla's Q4 earnings came from revaluing its Bitcoin holdings upwards.
I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country. We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico. I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a “deal” between our two Countries.
And what does Claudia say about the conversation? I will believe her version.
You can bet your boots Trump and Musk have been shorting crypto and have each made a gazillion dollars today in hard cash by the time they were finished. Luvvly Jubbly.
Actually, I don't think that's true at all.
I doubt Trump has any positions other than in $TRUMP, and that he'll be trying to dump at high speed, and this trade war doesn't help him.
Musk is a true believer in Bitcoin, and a large chunk of Tesla's Q4 earnings came from revaluing its Bitcoin holdings upwards.
So they've f***** themselves? How did that happen?
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
I've been taken to a few Wetherspoons and was pleasantly surprised. Nicely refurbished old buildings, very busy, reasonable service and, of course, cheap as chips. The clientele was perfectly respectable. Maybe it's different on a Saturday night but weekday lunchtime absolutely fine. Can see the appeal.
Like any pub estate there are some that are a bit rougher round the edges than others but there are as you say some very nicely refurbished ones with a perfectly genial atmosphere.
We often frequent our local one, because if you don’t fancy cooking and don’t want to break the bank there’s some standard, reliable food on the menu and the beer is cheap.
I can’t help thinking that Trump simply woke up, saw the stock market down, and various anti-tariff noises from the business community, and - decided to twist.
I once ate at a Wetherspoons, in 2018, near Durham railway station.
I haven't been that scared since I visited Baghdad in 2004.
To be fair, 15 years ago, it wasn't that bad. Reasonably priced microwaved fare, but that is pretty standard at loads of those popular chain restaurants of the 2010s (none of which were any good and charged even more money). The sunday lunch they did were pass-able, but they cut that quite a while ago now as clearly it was too expensive for their rock bottom price business model.
The bigger issue with Wetherspoons has always been the clientele it attracts. Often it appears a day centre for those with a range of issues.
The one in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, their clientele often go there before their appearance in court a few minutes away by foot.
TBH, I feel most sorry for the staff. They will have to deal will a lot of difficult individuals and not just at 11pm on Friday / Saturday night.
Walked past the local Trowbridge Wetherspoons at 11 am last weekend and was shocked to see the drinking had long since started.
Whatever happened to the yard-arm?
They do a very good breakfast with as much tea brown water as you want. If you don't want the water, you can have a pint or two. You've never lived until you try a Spoons.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
My disdain for Spoons is the sheer amount of violence I see in and about the one in Manchester Piccadilly.
Come to the one in Morpeth or Chester-Le-Street. You'll only get love from the Groggers there
As a good Muslim boy I am not sure Spoons is my milieu.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
I've been taken to a few Wetherspoons and was pleasantly surprised. Nicely refurbished old buildings, very busy, reasonable service and, of course, cheap as chips. The clientele was perfectly respectable. Maybe it's different on a Saturday night but weekday lunchtime absolutely fine. Can see the appeal.
Like any pub estate there are some that are a bit rougher round the edges than others but there are as you say some very nicely refurbished ones with a perfectly genial atmosphere.
We often frequent our local one, because if you don’t fancy cooking and don’t want to break the bank there’s some standard, reliable food on the menu and the beer is cheap.
Musk is on record as identifying himself as “English” - not South African or American. He deems himself as ethnically English
Vance is an old English surname
We have here the most pro-British presidency in many decades. We should exploit it and bring their revolution home
During the Great Financial Crash, some financial bods in the US tried to get the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, then Alistair Darling, to assist. He declined, saying "We don't want to import your cancer". A useful phrase, I find.
The food in Spoons is, by and large, crap unless you're starving, on a budget and just need to plug a hole.
I agree the beer is cracking value, though.
McDonald’s on the other hand is the most underrated, value for money fare on the high street.
I actively enjoy the taste and texture of a McDonald’s burger more than the vast majority of alternatives, from Burger King through food van burgers with onions to “gourmet” efforts at restaurants. Only the burgers of Mother Flipper round here or the occasional steak hache in French motorway services match up.
McDonald’s gets so much right. The patties just taste nicely of beef without those weird flavours you get elsewhere. The sauces are just right and Big Mac sauce in particular is excellent. The buns are not sickly sweet like brioche buns nor overly bready like greasy spoon jobs. And the fries, when fresh and crisp, are some of the best fries you’ll find.
I discovered recently that their burger patties have a bit of MSG shaken on top, which stands to reason. .
I like it at the time but, then, a couple of hours later I don't feel so good.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
Latest @BMGResearch poll for @theipaper. #EURef2 vi: Join 45 (+1); Stay Out 37 (-3). Fwork 28-29.1.25 (ch since 26-27.11.24).
Did they set out the terms of rejoin? I doubt it. Adopt the Euro, no rebate etc
Sweden are Euro-free and it is you Leavers who binned the rebate by leaving. Any future rejoin agreement will be inferior to what we threw away. Thanks Leavers.
I can’t help thinking that Trump simply woke up, saw the stock market down, and various anti-tariff noises from the business community, and - decided to twist.
I wonder how many of the ‘buy the dip’ brigade are out and about today.
I can’t help thinking that Trump simply woke up, saw the stock market down, and various anti-tariff noises from the business community, and - decided to twist.
Yes, best not to overthink him as regards plans and policies and ideology. He's a blustering buffoon and nasty with it.
As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
My disdain for Spoons is the sheer amount of violence I see in and about the one in Manchester Piccadilly.
Come to the one in Morpeth or Chester-Le-Street. You'll only get love from the Groggers there
As a good Muslim boy I am not sure Spoons is my milieu.
You could get a Diet Coke ?
If one can purchase (as has been claimed on this august oracle) a pint of Ruddles County for £1.25 I suspect there is more alcohol in the Diet Coke.
Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.
It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.
Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.
Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.
It is one of those 'settled PB views'.
It’s the public’s settled view. Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.
And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.
What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.
That's the bit your side keeps missing.
I personally don’t favour a re-entry. The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.
That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.
And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.
There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.
Not right for us then, not now, not ever.
Britain is a notably weaker power since 2016, since it is longer regarded as able to exert pressure on its European peers. The nimble foreign policy is merely your characterisation, though of course the Uk has repatriated the opportunity to apply trade sanctions.
Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.
Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.
Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.
It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.
But, do you accept that if Brexit can be seen as a failure for the reasons you post in your last two paragraphs that this does not naturally lead to "Rejoin", because it's about our failure to take full advantage of our scope for self-governance?
I’ve already said that I don’t believe it correct to “Rejoin”, at least right now.
Brexit is a failure economically, diplomatically, culturally, and politically. But it is what it is, and my own view is that Britain is best off working on a very close, bespoke partnership.
I thought Max’s post yesterday on joining Schengen was interesting.
Britain does have an opportunity to almost rethink its European position from a blank page, albeit thinking geopolitically doesn’t seem to come naturally to the British political mind since Blair, and his own geopolitical strategy must be regarded a failure.
Yeah, but it's not, is it?
That's just a list of superlatives the answer to all of which seem to be: full membership of the European Union. That hasn't been and has never been the case.
You massively overstate your case, which is why you don't get the hearing you want.
I agree a model of close (but sovereign) cooperation between the UK and EU that's bespoke for both makes sense. So why not work on that?
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As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.
Elon Musk's mother moved to South Africa in the year Apartheid was created, and she and Elon left the year it ended. The last Apartheid Prime Minister, a man who refused to testify at the Truth and Reconciliation Committee, was a family friend who stayed at their home. This is not a crazy theory.
Judd Legum
@juddlegum.bsky.social
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1. BREAKING
Several of Elon Musk’s associates installed at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) — including two recent high school graduates — have received unprecedented access to federal human resources databases containing sensitive personal information for millions of federal employees.
https://bsky.app/profile/juddlegum.bsky.social/post/3lhbnjiu3fs2n
But think about all the GM crops and AI!
Starmer and Reeves please explain.
Musk is on record as identifying himself as “English” - not South African or American. He deems himself as ethnically English
Vance is an old English surname
We have here the most pro-British presidency in many decades. We should exploit it and bring their revolution home
Unless this is some kind of metaphor…
https://x.com/kanimies59/status/1886417022965232043
I'd have knocked the service charge off with TSE's experience and have done so once.
I managed one sip.
Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.
Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.
Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.
It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.
Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.
In pretty much any town, the cheapest pub is always going to be a focus for those who society has mostly left behind.
Of course, that only works up to the point Trump puts boots on the ground in Greenland or Canada, which he may still do.
Trump however likes strongmen too more than most free market, pro NATO Republican Presidents. Putin and Modi and Malei are also in his orbit and if he sees Starmer's UK getting too close to the EU over his US he would quickly discard us
I regret we left, but we are where we are.
Ron Johnson: "Tariffs are a tax. When you tax something, you get less of it, so we'll probably get fewer imports, but then with retaliation, fewer experts. Smoot-Hawley was not particularly successful and helped sparked the Depression, so I share the markets' concern."
https://x.com/atrupar/status/1886423040449298715
They have a $50bn budget, most of which is paying foreign and domestic NGOs and activist groups.
https://x.com/catchupfeed/status/1886013960178040954
You're linking to Joe Rogan again. It'll rot your brain.
I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country. We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico. I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a “deal” between our two Countries.
What's clear from reading this board is that, by and large, your side have learned nothing and forgotten nothing.
https://archive.is/t1agy
There's no doubt that the grandfather, who died when Musk was 2, was a white supremacist antisemitic conspiracy theorist. He also led a (banned) fringe party in Canada that wanted to replace democracy with rule by a tech-savvy elite.
Of course Musk isn't responsible for what his grandfather said and did, but he does seem to be following in his footsteps.
"Scottish government gives update on reports cats could be banned"
https://news.sky.com/story/cat-ban-could-be-tabled-in-scotland-as-ministers-urged-to-investigate-pets-risk-to-wildlife-13302273
Scoop: GOP officials have been quietly saying the Trump admin's so-called buyout program is illegal, but they doubt that Congress will push back, sources told
@CBSNews. Another OPM email many federal workers saw 1st thing this morning offered more details of the deferred resignations program. A spokesperson stressed that no federal employees' pay will be guaranteed with the deadline looming.
I agree the beer is cracking value, though.
https://english.radio.cz/beavers-build-planned-dams-protected-landscape-area-while-local-officials-still-8841536
"The beavers saved us 30 million Czech korunas. They built the dams without any project documentation—and for free," said the head of the nature reserve administration.
Investors fleeing the cryptocurrency market after President Trump ignited a trade war have wiped more than $500bn off the value of digital assets ⬇️
https://x.com/basileuspi/status/1886410925684781431
I actively enjoy the taste and texture of a McDonald’s burger more than the vast majority of alternatives, from Burger King through food van burgers with onions to “gourmet” efforts at restaurants. Only the burgers of Mother Flipper round here or the occasional steak hache in French motorway services match up.
McDonald’s gets so much right. The patties just taste nicely of beef without those weird flavours you get elsewhere. The sauces are just right and Big Mac sauce in particular is excellent. The buns are not sickly sweet like brioche buns nor overly bready like greasy spoon jobs. And the fries, when fresh and crisp, are some of the best fries you’ll find.
I discovered recently that their burger patties have a bit of MSG shaken on top, which stands to reason.
.
And yes, I'm a committed Remainer and if another referendum was called I'd do what I could, even in enfeebled state, to support a Rejoin campaign.
Brexit is a failure economically, diplomatically, culturally, and politically. But it is what it is, and my own view is that Britain is best off working on a very close, bespoke partnership.
I thought Max’s post yesterday on joining Schengen was interesting.
Britain does have an opportunity to almost rethink its European position from a blank page, albeit thinking geopolitically doesn’t seem to come naturally to the British political mind since Blair, and his own geopolitical strategy must be regarded a failure.
It's not the worst pub food, which tends to be rather (ahem) variable if you're in an unfamiliar town.
But best of all, the food tends to arrive quickly. Which is probably not the best sign of freshness and brilliant food, but does mean that you can rely on it if you are in a hurry.
We often frequent our local one, because if you don’t fancy cooking and don’t want to break the bank there’s some standard, reliable food on the menu and the beer is cheap.
I doubt Trump has any positions other than in $TRUMP, and that he'll be trying to dump at high speed, and this trade war doesn't help him.
Musk is a true believer in Bitcoin, and a large chunk of Tesla's Q4 earnings came from revaluing its Bitcoin holdings upwards.
teabrown water as you want. If you don't want the water, you can have a pint or two. You've never lived until you try a Spoons.Just don't have eye contact.
It’s like saying, “baby food’s pretty good if you like mushy apple”.
However it is clean, reliable, and inexpensive.
That's just a list of superlatives the answer to all of which seem to be: full membership of the European Union. That hasn't been and has never been the case.
You massively overstate your case, which is why you don't get the hearing you want.
I agree a model of close (but sovereign) cooperation between the UK and EU that's bespoke for both makes sense. So why not work on that?
https://x.com/williamshatner/status/1886430870787207284?s=61