Max Kendix @MaxKendix · 19m EXC: The Lower Thames Crossing has been approved by the government. The £9billion project has been in the pipeline since 2009. £300m spent on the planning application alone.
How the hell can you spend £300m purely on a "planning application" ?
Because Britain, to quote @Gardenwalker has been taken over by Non-accountable Quangos, Non-accountable Lawyers and Non-accountable sub-contractors.
The system for large infra is a mess because of the practically unlimited JR powers the courts have, which even if not used create enormous lawyer make-work for stuff like this.
Sam Dumitru has extensively written about this.
Copilot tells me £98 million was land purchasing, £20 million in technical surveys and £30 million on consultations.
It told me to piss off when I pointed out that doesn't add up.
Well quite
I start every query with "don't be an Americanised over-friendly slimy git". Improves the experience immensely. On a serious note, it does seem very hard to substantiate the £300 million figure. Dunno where it has come from.
I've gone into the settings on ChatGPT and told it to adopt the persona of Eddie, the Shipboard Computer from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxty.
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
So long as it doesn't dent his chances to win a Nobel Peace Prize he won't care.
About time the Nobel Committee issued a press release.
"To the Presdient of the United States:
You are never getting a Peace Prize.
Get over it.
Your chances of one for Economics don't look too rosy either.
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
I’m not even sure it’s an accidental leak
It’s quite convenient for the Trump Admin to get out the idea that they are REALLY done with defending Europe
Yeah of course that is what happened. I can imagine the discussion now:
'Tell you what chaps, these Europeans don't seem to have understood the umpteen references to us not wanting to defend them, why don't we all make ourselves liable for a prison sentence and make ourselves look completely incompetent by leaking in advance our plans to bomb an enemy and even give them the possibility to defend themselves and shoot down our planes/missiles, by sneaking in a reference to not liking Europeans which may never see the light of day. What harm can it cause?'
'Yes. What a great idea. Go for it'
Using my one picture of the day. [although fear it may have already been posted]
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Is that the first poll in recent times where LD+G is in the lead?
It's the first poll this parliament with LD+G ahead of any other single party. The last-but-one YouGov in early March had LD+G tied with Lab (who led) on 24.
Before then, I think you have to go back to July 2019, immediately after Johnson was elected Tory leader, for the last time a combined LD+G share outpolled any other party. In fact, there were a couple of polls then that had the Lib Dems in the lead by themselves (one outright, one tied).
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
I’m not even sure it’s an accidental leak
It’s quite convenient for the Trump Admin to get out the idea that they are REALLY done with defending Europe
It’s not in their interests for Europe to see the hard truth though.
Their interests would be better served by Europe hoping/thinking it’s all for show and the US would step in so not only do Europe keep sucking up, buying US kit and ultimately, when the balloon goes up, Trump can extract a big fat trillion dollar bill for stepping in to help - art of the deal innit.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
Where is she going to find the money for the membership fees?
At leat Trump wouldn't ask for those if we became the 51st State.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Churchill proposed a political union with France in 1940. So actually, yes. Apart from anything else, there is a critical need for Europe (including the UK) to co-operate on developing defence capability to replace the US, and the manufacture of that is going to be done on SM terms - so now is very much the time.
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
So long as it doesn't dent his chances to win a Nobel Peace Prize he won't care.
About time the Nobel Committee issued a press release.
"To the Presdient of the United States:
You are never getting a Peace Prize.
Get over it.
Your chances of one for Economics don't look too rosy either.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
Is that the first poll in recent times where LD+G is in the lead?
It's the first poll this parliament with LD+G ahead of any other single party. The last-but-one YouGov in early March had LD+G tied with Lab (who led) on 24.
Before then, I think you have to go back to July 2019, immediately after Johnson was elected Tory leader, for the last time a combined LD+G share outpolled any other party. In fact, there were a couple of polls then that had the Lib Dems in the lead by themselves (one outright, one tied).
Apart from a similar poll rating late Feb, it must be the highest, or one of such, since the early days of the coalition?
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
I’m not even sure it’s an accidental leak
It’s quite convenient for the Trump Admin to get out the idea that they are REALLY done with defending Europe
Yeah of course that is what happened. I can imagine the discussion now:
'Tell you what chaps, these Europeans don't seem to have understood the umpteen references to us not wanting to defend them, why don't we all make ourselves liable for a prison sentence and make ourselves look completely incompetent by leaking in advance our plans to bomb an enemy and even give them the possibility to defend themselves and shoot down our planes/missiles, by sneaking in a reference to not liking Europeans which may never see the light of day. What harm can it cause?'
'Yes. What a great idea. Go for it'
Using my one picture of the day. [although fear it may have already been posted]
Inadvertently equating the Atlantic with the Völkischer Beobachter...
Don't let the management of Thames Water get hold of that!
"Look, we are better than Chad...."
Interesting list though.
I think “can you drink the tap water” is a litmus test for whether a country can be said to be developed or not. That and whether you’re likely to pick up traveller’s diarrhoea from the food. It still surprises me how many countries that’s the case.
Where would we put the dividing line in this list? Perhaps at around 80%. The biggest surprise is how low Japan is. Contrast with South Korea.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Churchill proposed a political union with France in 1940. So actually, yes. Apart from anything else, there is a critical need for Europe (including the UK) to co-operate on developing defence capability to replace the US, and the manufacture of that is going to be done on SM terms - so now is very much the time.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
Rubbish. There are loads of positive things to say about leaving the EU.
Just off the top of my head:
- saving £20 billion+/year in gross contributions - no idiotic Common Foreign or Security Policy - no likelihood of being forced into the Euro - being able to set our own laws on dozens of policy areas - independent COVID vaccine programme - uncontrolled immigration from Eastern Europe virtually ended - Parliamentary sovereignty and the supremacy of common law reasserted - etc. etc.
Of course there have been problems, though the main disadvantage, that some exporters find it significantly bureaucratic to send goods to the EU, doesn't seem to have caused the 3 million unemployed (or was it 5 million - they were never quite sure) predicted. And personally I miss access to the EU lanes when I occasionally travel to Europe.
And unfortunately we still seem to be stuck with Northern Ireland.
But there are plenty of successes to weigh against the undoubted teething difficulties.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
Max Kendix @MaxKendix · 19m EXC: The Lower Thames Crossing has been approved by the government. The £9billion project has been in the pipeline since 2009. £300m spent on the planning application alone.
How the hell can you spend £300m purely on a "planning application" ?
Because Britain, to quote @Gardenwalker has been taken over by Non-accountable Quangos, Non-accountable Lawyers and Non-accountable sub-contractors.
The system for large infra is a mess because of the practically unlimited JR powers the courts have, which even if not used create enormous lawyer make-work for stuff like this.
Sam Dumitru has extensively written about this.
Copilot tells me £98 million was land purchasing, £20 million in technical surveys and £30 million on consultations.
It told me to piss off when I pointed out that doesn't add up.
Well quite
I start every query with "don't be an Americanised over-friendly slimy git". Improves the experience immensely. On a serious note, it does seem very hard to substantiate the £300 million figure. Dunno where it has come from.
I've gone into the settings on ChatGPT and told it to adopt the persona of Eddie, the Shipboard Computer from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxty.
I can't turn it off
Politicalbetting.com’s far ye can gie yer neb in tae aa the crack aboot politics an tak a flyer on fae’s gan tae land in power. Ye’ll see a puckle o loons an quines arguin aboot fitwey polls are swingin an fae’s lik tae haud the reins. It’s nae jist havin a blether—ye can pit yer siller doon an hae a richt guid bash at winnin somehin. Fit mair div ye wint tae ken, min?
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
Its most ardent boosters can find plenty positive to say about it. including, OTTOMH: independence democracy not being tied up in regulations relating to AI being able to react to foreign policy disasters without having to do so through the prism of the EU delivery of vaccines being able to support industries insulating us from the instability of the Euro insulating us (a bit) from the growing extremist fringe in Europe
You might consider Brexit a negative overall. But don't conclude that everyone does. I was wavering at the Brexit vote; everything I have seen since convinces me that Brexit was the right decision.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
Its most ardent boosters can find plenty positive to say about it. including, OTTOMH: independence democracy not being tied up in regulations relating to AI being able to react to foreign policy disasters without having to do so through the prism of the EU delivery of vaccines being able to support industries insulating us from the instability of the Euro insulating us (a bit) from the growing extremist fringe in Europe
You might consider Brexit a negative overall. But don't conclude that everyone does. I was wavering at the Brexit vote; everything I have seen since convinces me that Brexit was the right decision.
We don’t have to re-join the EU. We can, and should, rejoin the single market (or get as close to that as reasonably possible).
Currently we’re committing an on-going act of economic self-harm for absolutely no good reason. We can maintain all of those qualities you value so highly whilst still having unencumbered trade with the EU. We might even get services equivalence out of it - badgering the EU into opening up their internal services market would be just as good for them as it would be for us.
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
I’m not even sure it’s an accidental leak
It’s quite convenient for the Trump Admin to get out the idea that they are REALLY done with defending Europe
Yeah of course that is what happened. I can imagine the discussion now:
'Tell you what chaps, these Europeans don't seem to have understood the umpteen references to us not wanting to defend them, why don't we all make ourselves liable for a prison sentence and make ourselves look completely incompetent by leaking in advance our plans to bomb an enemy and even give them the possibility to defend themselves and shoot down our planes/missiles, by sneaking in a reference to not liking Europeans which may never see the light of day. What harm can it cause?'
'Yes. What a great idea. Go for it'
Using my one picture of the day. [although fear it may have already been posted]
Inadvertently equating the Atlantic with the Völkischer Beobachter...
Yes, should be the other way round really, with the Nazi leadership and generals discussing, say, the attack on France.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yeah, lets reopen Brexit again! Just what we need! Brilliant idea! 😂
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
I’m not even sure it’s an accidental leak
It’s quite convenient for the Trump Admin to get out the idea that they are REALLY done with defending Europe
Yeah of course that is what happened. I can imagine the discussion now:
'Tell you what chaps, these Europeans don't seem to have understood the umpteen references to us not wanting to defend them, why don't we all make ourselves liable for a prison sentence and make ourselves look completely incompetent by leaking in advance our plans to bomb an enemy and even give them the possibility to defend themselves and shoot down our planes/missiles, by sneaking in a reference to not liking Europeans which may never see the light of day. What harm can it cause?'
'Yes. What a great idea. Go for it'
That would be a telling argument if this was a normal American government. It is not
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
I’m not even sure it’s an accidental leak
It’s quite convenient for the Trump Admin to get out the idea that they are REALLY done with defending Europe
Yeah of course that is what happened. I can imagine the discussion now:
'Tell you what chaps, these Europeans don't seem to have understood the umpteen references to us not wanting to defend them, why don't we all make ourselves liable for a prison sentence and make ourselves look completely incompetent by leaking in advance our plans to bomb an enemy and even give them the possibility to defend themselves and shoot down our planes/missiles, by sneaking in a reference to not liking Europeans which may never see the light of day. What harm can it cause?'
'Yes. What a great idea. Go for it'
Using my one picture of the day. [although fear it may have already been posted]
Inadvertently equating the Atlantic with the Völkischer Beobachter...
If you're quibbling over the details of jokes, you've already lost.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
Round here the Catholic Secondary schools run a Lourdes pilgrimage in Easter week. Which means for the past 30 years Catholic schools have had different holidays to other schools in the same town not even different counties
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
Rubbish. There are loads of positive things to say about leaving the EU.
Just off the top of my head:
- saving £20 billion+/year in gross contributions - no idiotic Common Foreign or Security Policy - no likelihood of being forced into the Euro - being able to set our own laws on dozens of policy areas - independent COVID vaccine programme - uncontrolled immigration from Eastern Europe virtually ended - Parliamentary sovereignty and the supremacy of common law reasserted - etc. etc.
Of course there have been problems, though the main disadvantage, that some exporters find it significantly bureaucratic to send goods to the EU, doesn't seem to have caused the 3 million unemployed (or was it 5 million - they were never quite sure) predicted. And personally I miss access to the EU lanes when I occasionally travel to Europe.
And unfortunately we still seem to be stuck with Northern Ireland.
But there are plenty of successes to weigh against the undoubted teething difficulties.
Our vaccine programme was so good the EU tried to steal them...
One excellent reason for rejoining would be the inevitable extirpation of the tory party. The Fukkers would naturally be the main pole of opposition and the leaversauri herds would flock to the grimy turquoise banner as fast as their Silk Cut induced emphysema would allow.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Churchill proposed a political union with France in 1940. So actually, yes. Apart from anything else, there is a critical need for Europe (including the UK) to co-operate on developing defence capability to replace the US, and the manufacture of that is going to be done on SM terms - so now is very much the time.
You don't need to be in the single market to jointly develop weaponry and to agree how to fight wars.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
Its most ardent boosters can find plenty positive to say about it. including, OTTOMH: independence democracy not being tied up in regulations relating to AI being able to react to foreign policy disasters without having to do so through the prism of the EU delivery of vaccines being able to support industries insulating us from the instability of the Euro insulating us (a bit) from the growing extremist fringe in Europe
You might consider Brexit a negative overall. But don't conclude that everyone does. I was wavering at the Brexit vote; everything I have seen since convinces me that Brexit was the right decision.
We don’t have to re-join the EU. We can, and should, rejoin the single market (or get as close to that as reasonably possible).
Currently we’re committing an on-going act of economic self-harm for absolutely no good reason. We can maintain all of those qualities you value so highly whilst still having unencumbered trade with the EU. We might even get services equivalence out of it - badgering the EU into opening up their internal services market would be just as good for them as it would be for us.
Well ok. But I suspect we would find the price unacceptable. As you point out, if the EU opened up their internal services market it would be good for both parties. But politically, I doubt the EU (and particularly the French) would entertain it, without some punitive clause the price of which was worse than the benefit.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yeah, lets reopen Brexit again! Just what we need! Brilliant idea! 😂
It’s a great idea! Only anti-growth Brexit obsessives will be against it. Besides, the Brexit referendum result will still be respected: there’s no need for us to re-join the EU to gain the majority of the economic benefits.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
Round here the Catholic Secondary schools run a Lourdes pilgrimage in Easter week. Which means for the past 30 years Catholic schools have had different holidays to other schools in the same town not even different counties
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagline.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
Its most ardent boosters can find plenty positive to say about it. including, OTTOMH: independence democracy not being tied up in regulations relating to AI being able to react to foreign policy disasters without having to do so through the prism of the EU delivery of vaccines being able to support industries insulating us from the instability of the Euro insulating us (a bit) from the growing extremist fringe in Europe
You might consider Brexit a negative overall. But don't conclude that everyone does. I was wavering at the Brexit vote; everything I have seen since convinces me that Brexit was the right decision.
We don’t have to re-join the EU. We can, and should, rejoin the single market (or get as close to that as reasonably possible).
Currently we’re committing an on-going act of economic self-harm for absolutely no good reason. We can maintain all of those qualities you value so highly whilst still having unencumbered trade with the EU. We might even get services equivalence out of it - badgering the EU into opening up their internal services market would be just as good for them as it would be for us.
Well ok. But I suspect we would find the price unacceptable. As you point out, if the EU opened up their internal services market it would be good for both parties. But politically, I doubt the EU (and particularly the French) would entertain it, without some punitive clause the price of which was worse than the benefit.
If the EU want to cut their collective noses off to spite their (and our) face, then so be it. But the mood music from the EU has always been that they would love to have the UK back in the fold. There’s room for a positive outcome for all sides that respects the outcome of the Brexit referendum whilst undoing the worst effects on the UK economy of the Boris deal.
Pretty punchy response from Lowe to the Reform investigation I see. It seems to save the vitriol for Farage and Reform leadership whilst seeming exasperated and baffled by the allegations, which is probably more effective tactically than ranting the whole way through.
Curious if Lowe is succeeding in retaining a following at all.
I have just had a "Personal Representative of (mum)" email from Equiniti concerning a share holding, when we wrapped up her estate the best part of 2 years ago. And I thought it was all done.
How does one deal with orphan left over assets that were missed, and what happens? We had major problems with the original solicitor, and had to change midstream, which could be the why. I was also dealing with a Leukemia diagnosis / treatment at the time, which did not help.
(It's Rolls-Royce so it's up about 8x, which is useful and will cover any tax - though it's only a small holding. I expect tax, as there was iHT on the estate.)
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
Its most ardent boosters can find plenty positive to say about it. including, OTTOMH: independence democracy not being tied up in regulations relating to AI being able to react to foreign policy disasters without having to do so through the prism of the EU delivery of vaccines being able to support industries insulating us from the instability of the Euro insulating us (a bit) from the growing extremist fringe in Europe
You might consider Brexit a negative overall. But don't conclude that everyone does. I was wavering at the Brexit vote; everything I have seen since convinces me that Brexit was the right decision.
We don’t have to re-join the EU. We can, and should, rejoin the single market (or get as close to that as reasonably possible).
Currently we’re committing an on-going act of economic self-harm for absolutely no good reason. We can maintain all of those qualities you value so highly whilst still having unencumbered trade with the EU. We might even get services equivalence out of it - badgering the EU into opening up their internal services market would be just as good for them as it would be for us.
Well ok. But I suspect we would find the price unacceptable. As you point out, if the EU opened up their internal services market it would be good for both parties. But politically, I doubt the EU (and particularly the French) would entertain it, without some punitive clause the price of which was worse than the benefit.
If the EU want to cut their collective noses off to spite their (and our) face, then so be it. But the mood music from the EU has always been that they would love to have the UK back in the fold. There’s room for a positive outcome for all sides that respects the outcome of the Brexit referendum whilst undoing the worst effects on the UK economy of the Boris deal.
Well yes 350 million a week is not to be sniffed at, is it.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
No, but there will be another vote in due course. Good on you for accepting that logic.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Churchill proposed a political union with France in 1940. So actually, yes. Apart from anything else, there is a critical need for Europe (including the UK) to co-operate on developing defence capability to replace the US, and the manufacture of that is going to be done on SM terms - so now is very much the time.
You don't need to be in the single market to jointly develop weaponry and to agree how to fight wars.
You don't but it makes it easier and cheaper.
But then that argument applies across the board and the defence case should just be used as an example as to why it's a sensible policy overall.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
Indeed. But you're very much in the minority.
So have Labour put it in a manifesto at a general election then. The last one said no freedom of movement, and that needs to be honoured.
I have just had a "Personal Representative of (mum)" email from Equiniti concerning a share holding, when we wrapped up her estate the best part of 2 years ago. And I thought it was all done.
How does one deal with orphan left over assets that were missed, and what happens? We had major problems with the original solicitor, and had to change midstream, which could be the why. I was also dealing with a Leukemia diagnosis / treatment at the time, which did not help.
(It's Rolls-Royce so it's up about 8x, which is useful and will cover any tax - though it's only a small holding. I expect tax, as there was iHT on the estate.)
Equitini usually charge an arm and a leg to sell shares they hold
Is that the first poll in recent times where LD+G is in the lead?
It's the first poll this parliament with LD+G ahead of any other single party. The last-but-one YouGov in early March had LD+G tied with Lab (who led) on 24.
Before then, I think you have to go back to July 2019, immediately after Johnson was elected Tory leader, for the last time a combined LD+G share outpolled any other party. In fact, there were a couple of polls then that had the Lib Dems in the lead by themselves (one outright, one tied).
Apart from a similar poll rating late Feb, it must be the highest, or one of such, since the early days of the coalition?
There was a period around / after the European elections in 2019 when the Lib Dems were regularly in the low-20s. But apart from that, yes.
Pretty punchy response from Lowe to the Reform investigation I see. It seems to save the vitriol for Farage and Reform leadership whilst seeming exasperated and baffled by the allegations, which is probably more effective tactically than ranting the whole way through.
Curious if Lowe is succeeding in retaining a following at all.
Must admit I'd never heard of Rupert Lowe until he had this bust up with Farage.
If REF eventually throw Nigel overboard and install Lowe (or another complete non-entity) it will be a major boost for Kemi and CON.
Max Kendix @MaxKendix · 19m EXC: The Lower Thames Crossing has been approved by the government. The £9billion project has been in the pipeline since 2009. £300m spent on the planning application alone.
How the hell can you spend £300m purely on a "planning application" ?
Because Britain, to quote @Gardenwalker has been taken over by Non-accountable Quangos, Non-accountable Lawyers and Non-accountable sub-contractors.
The system for large infra is a mess because of the practically unlimited JR powers the courts have, which even if not used create enormous lawyer make-work for stuff like this.
Sam Dumitru has extensively written about this.
Copilot tells me £98 million was land purchasing, £20 million in technical surveys and £30 million on consultations.
It told me to piss off when I pointed out that doesn't add up.
Well quite
I start every query with "don't be an Americanised over-friendly slimy git". Improves the experience immensely. On a serious note, it does seem very hard to substantiate the £300 million figure. Dunno where it has come from.
I've gone into the settings on ChatGPT and told it to adopt the persona of Eddie, the Shipboard Computer from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxty.
I can't turn it off
Politicalbetting.com’s far ye can gie yer neb in tae aa the crack aboot politics an tak a flyer on fae’s gan tae land in power. Ye’ll see a puckle o loons an quines arguin aboot fitwey polls are swingin an fae’s lik tae haud the reins. It’s nae jist havin a blether—ye can pit yer siller doon an hae a richt guid bash at winnin somehin. Fit mair div ye wint tae ken, min?
Could have been worse. You could be stuck with Arnold RImmer.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
Its most ardent boosters can find plenty positive to say about it. including, OTTOMH: independence democracy not being tied up in regulations relating to AI being able to react to foreign policy disasters without having to do so through the prism of the EU delivery of vaccines being able to support industries insulating us from the instability of the Euro insulating us (a bit) from the growing extremist fringe in Europe
You might consider Brexit a negative overall. But don't conclude that everyone does. I was wavering at the Brexit vote; everything I have seen since convinces me that Brexit was the right decision.
We don’t have to re-join the EU. We can, and should, rejoin the single market (or get as close to that as reasonably possible).
Currently we’re committing an on-going act of economic self-harm for absolutely no good reason. We can maintain all of those qualities you value so highly whilst still having unencumbered trade with the EU. We might even get services equivalence out of it - badgering the EU into opening up their internal services market would be just as good for them as it would be for us.
Well ok. But I suspect we would find the price unacceptable. As you point out, if the EU opened up their internal services market it would be good for both parties. But politically, I doubt the EU (and particularly the French) would entertain it, without some punitive clause the price of which was worse than the benefit.
If the EU want to cut their collective noses off to spite their (and our) face, then so be it. But the mood music from the EU has always been that they would love to have the UK back in the fold. There’s room for a positive outcome for all sides that respects the outcome of the Brexit referendum whilst undoing the worst effects on the UK economy of the Boris deal.
Well yes 350 million a week is not to be sniffed at, is it.
No, especially if it gives a boost to our GDP figures.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Churchill proposed a political union with France in 1940. So actually, yes. Apart from anything else, there is a critical need for Europe (including the UK) to co-operate on developing defence capability to replace the US, and the manufacture of that is going to be done on SM terms - so now is very much the time.
You don't need to be in the single market to jointly develop weaponry and to agree how to fight wars.
You don't but it makes it easier and cheaper.
But then that argument applies across the board and the defence case should just be used as an example as to why it's a sensible policy overall.
I've always been in favour of the single market and against political union. That might be seen as cakism by some, but I think its fine to know what you want.
I voted remain but much of what the EU does and did frustrated me. I believe in small government and reduced bureaucracy where possible. The idea of constantly moving between two cities for reasons was anathema to me. And don't get me started on the talking shop that is the European parliament.
I have just had a "Personal Representative of (mum)" email from Equiniti concerning a share holding, when we wrapped up her estate the best part of 2 years ago. And I thought it was all done.
How does one deal with orphan left over assets that were missed, and what happens? We had major problems with the original solicitor, and had to change midstream, which could be the why. I was also dealing with a Leukemia diagnosis / treatment at the time, which did not help.
(It's Rolls-Royce so it's up about 8x, which is useful and will cover any tax - though it's only a small holding. I expect tax, as there was iHT on the estate.)
Equitini usually charge an arm and a leg to sell shares they hold
Hmmm. Looks like £50 charge. The stake is around £1000.
If it avoided fuss and bother, we'd probably give it to charity.
Director Gabbard says there was no classified material on the group chat. Sen. Warner asks why it can’t be shared with the committee then.
"Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty."
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
There are good reasons for the right to want closer relations with the Europe of Meloni and Merz, but it's less clear what's in it for the left.
Director Gabbard says there was no classified material on the group chat. Sen. Warner asks why it can’t be shared with the committee then.
"Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty."
— Hannah Arendt
There are a number of very low IQ individuals round the cabinet table
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
I’m not even sure it’s an accidental leak
Oh, here you go again with your (lab) leaks theories!
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
They have a mandate to deliver within five years. If they don't they are out.
The non-mandatory (advisory) in/out referendum didn't work like that as you well know being as you are a former Eurofederalist who was demanding a second plebicite.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
But we only want a Rejoin ref if it's a slam dunk for yes. It needs to be formalising and executing a decision that the public (evidenced by polls) has already made. So well over 60% stable settled support. What we don't want is another supercharged divisive nailbiter. That would be to repeat the original mistake. It would be crazy.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
But we only want a Rejoin ref if it's a slam dunk for yes. It needs to be formalising and executing a decision that the public (evidenced by polls) has already made. So well over 60% stable settled support. What we don't want is another supercharged passionate nailbiter. That would be to repeat the original mistake. It would be crazy.
We have a grim problem which will preclude us from returning as full members. If every election replaces a pro -EU Government with a Euro sceptic government and vice-versa the EU will tire of our hokey cokey membership terms.
⚡️Russia, Ukraine agree to eliminate 'use of force' in Black Sea, US to help restore Russia's access to markets.
The U.S., Russia and Ukraine have agreed to "eliminate the use of force" and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea following two-day talks in Saudi Arabia, the White House announced on March 25.
Washington also vowed to help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.
@NatashaBertrand Gabbard now says, "I believe there was discussion around targets in general" in the chat, but says "I don't remember" a mention of specific targets and doesn't "recall" mention of specific weapons systems. Ratcliffe also says "I don't recall."
@NatashaBertrand Gabbard now says, "I believe there was discussion around targets in general" in the chat, but says "I don't remember" a mention of specific targets and doesn't "recall" mention of specific weapons systems. Ratcliffe also says "I don't recall."
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
But we only want a Rejoin ref if it's a slam dunk for yes. It needs to be formalising and executing a decision that the public (evidenced by polls) has already made. So well over 60% stable settled support. What we don't want is another supercharged divisive nailbiter. That would be to repeat the original mistake. It would be crazy.
I'd agree with that. And I'd add the rider that any Rejoin campaign needs to be open and honest that there is a political dimension and that co-operation is a good thing; it's not just a Common Market (though it is that too and that's also a good thing). The road to Brexit began with the Maastricht opt-outs and the belief that Britain could exercise influence over the future direction while not being in the room, other than by consistently attempting to apply the brake.
IF PAST IS PROLOGUE, DONALD TRUMP WILL DO SOMETHING INSANE IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS TO CHANGE THE NEWS CYCLE.
I subscribe to the view that Donald Trump’s number one objective is to dominate the news cycle all day and every day. That's a worry when you consider what it will take to do this for four years. I can envisage a time when we come to yearn for the relatively sober early weeks of his tenure when all we had to fret about was him subverting American democracy, ripping up the western alliance, surrendering Ukraine to Vladimir Putin, ethnic cleansing the Palestinians, paralysing world trade, and invading Greenland, Panama and Mexico and Canada.
I return to the question Mark asked earlier, "How long will Trump tolerate his cabinet making him look like an idiot?", and the answer is 'a minimum of 4 years' if he is even aware of it
I don't think he gives a shit about Signalgate. He doesn't know anything about it, the Atlantic is a failing rag, etc. There will definitely be no legal or disciplinary consequences for anyone involved.
What DJT really cares about is his own personal grandeur and authority. Signalgate doesn't affect him in that way.
I’m not even sure it’s an accidental leak
It’s quite convenient for the Trump Admin to get out the idea that they are REALLY done with defending Europe
Yeah of course that is what happened. I can imagine the discussion now:
'Tell you what chaps, these Europeans don't seem to have understood the umpteen references to us not wanting to defend them, why don't we all make ourselves liable for a prison sentence and make ourselves look completely incompetent by leaking in advance our plans to bomb an enemy and even give them the possibility to defend themselves and shoot down our planes/missiles, by sneaking in a reference to not liking Europeans which may never see the light of day. What harm can it cause?'
'Yes. What a great idea. Go for it'
That would be a telling argument if this was a normal American government. It is not
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
But we only want a Rejoin ref if it's a slam dunk for yes. It needs to be formalising and executing a decision that the public (evidenced by polls) has already made. So well over 60% stable settled support. What we don't want is another supercharged passionate nailbiter. That would be to repeat the original mistake. It would be crazy.
We have a grim problem which will preclude us from returning as full members. If every election replaces a pro -EU Government with a Euro sceptic government and vice-versa the EU will tire of our hokey cokey membership terms.
Yes, until support is overwhelming and sustained its not in their interest to entertain a return.
Black sea truce seems to be getting negative reactions from both Kyiv Independent and The_Wrong_Side Telegram groups which are diametrically opposed on their view of the war.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
But we only want a Rejoin ref if it's a slam dunk for yes. It needs to be formalising and executing a decision that the public (evidenced by polls) has already made. So well over 60% stable settled support. What we don't want is another supercharged divisive nailbiter. That would be to repeat the original mistake. It would be crazy.
I'd agree with that. And I'd add the rider that any Rejoin campaign needs to be open and honest that there is a political dimension and that co-operation is a good thing; it's not just a Common Market (though it is that too and that's also a good thing). The road to Brexit began with the Maastricht opt-outs and the belief that Britain could exercise influence over the future direction while not being in the room, other than by consistently attempting to apply the brake.
The road to brexit also had many points where the British voters were denied a vote on changes to our membership of the EEC. When other countries sought democratic approval for changes our powers that be said 'no need for you chaps to worry about that, we've got you covered'.
I think the political dynamics internally in Russia are such that Putin will be under far more pressure on his right flank from the Liberal Democratics than anywhere else even if he comes away from Ukraine with a great chunk of land he didn't have before.
Both Ratcliffe and Gabbard are now saying they would refer questions to @SecDef about whether he declassified information about Houthi operations prior to sharing it in the Signal chat.
Gabbard won't say whether she was using her work phone or her personal phone.
@NatashaBertrand Gabbard now says, "I believe there was discussion around targets in general" in the chat, but says "I don't remember" a mention of specific targets and doesn't "recall" mention of specific weapons systems. Ratcliffe also says "I don't recall."
BREAKING: It appears as though Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe are either playing stupid or just blatantly lying about what the signal conversations included.
The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg said the messages did in fact include specific details about target names and times of attacks.
Think people are slightly misunderstanding what's going on here. Gabbard/Ratcliffe are actually preparing to throw Hegseth under the bus. Line appears to be they think no sensitive material was released because it's what he's told them. When he's shown to be lying they'll pivot.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
But we only want a Rejoin ref if it's a slam dunk for yes. It needs to be formalising and executing a decision that the public (evidenced by polls) has already made. So well over 60% stable settled support. What we don't want is another supercharged divisive nailbiter. That would be to repeat the original mistake. It would be crazy.
I'd agree with that. And I'd add the rider that any Rejoin campaign needs to be open and honest that there is a political dimension and that co-operation is a good thing; it's not just a Common Market (though it is that too and that's also a good thing). The road to Brexit began with the Maastricht opt-outs and the belief that Britain could exercise influence over the future direction while not being in the room, other than by consistently attempting to apply the brake.
The road to brexit also had many points where the British voters were denied a vote on changes to our membership of the EEC. When other countries sought democratic approval for changes our powers that be said 'no need for you chaps to worry about that, we've got you covered'.
It would also pretty well reunite the 44-49% right/centre right vote.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
But we only want a Rejoin ref if it's a slam dunk for yes. It needs to be formalising and executing a decision that the public (evidenced by polls) has already made. So well over 60% stable settled support. What we don't want is another supercharged divisive nailbiter. That would be to repeat the original mistake. It would be crazy.
I'd agree with that. And I'd add the rider that any Rejoin campaign needs to be open and honest that there is a political dimension and that co-operation is a good thing; it's not just a Common Market (though it is that too and that's also a good thing). The road to Brexit began with the Maastricht opt-outs and the belief that Britain could exercise influence over the future direction while not being in the room, other than by consistently attempting to apply the brake.
The road to brexit also had many points where the British voters were denied a vote on changes to our membership of the EEC. When other countries sought democratic approval for changes our powers that be said 'no need for you chaps to worry about that, we've got you covered'.
It would also pretty well reunite the 44-49% right/centre right vote.
I'm not so sure about that. There are a lot of divisions given that there is a direct line from Brexit to the Boriswave (even if the Boriswave might have happened regardless if you compare with Canada and Australia).
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
Indeed. But you're very much in the minority.
So have Labour put it in a manifesto at a general election then. The last one said no freedom of movement, and that needs to be honoured.
The “occult” town of Piriápolis, laid out on sacred energy lines by a mad alchemist. Or maybe he just looked at the beach and thought Wow, great place to live
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
But we only want a Rejoin ref if it's a slam dunk for yes. It needs to be formalising and executing a decision that the public (evidenced by polls) has already made. So well over 60% stable settled support. What we don't want is another supercharged divisive nailbiter. That would be to repeat the original mistake. It would be crazy.
I'd agree with that. And I'd add the rider that any Rejoin campaign needs to be open and honest that there is a political dimension and that co-operation is a good thing; it's not just a Common Market (though it is that too and that's also a good thing). The road to Brexit began with the Maastricht opt-outs and the belief that Britain could exercise influence over the future direction while not being in the room, other than by consistently attempting to apply the brake.
The road to brexit also had many points where the British voters were denied a vote on changes to our membership of the EEC. When other countries sought democratic approval for changes our powers that be said 'no need for you chaps to worry about that, we've got you covered'.
It would also pretty well reunite the 44-49% right/centre right vote.
I am not sure about that. There were/are plenty of us that are politically right of centre that think leaving the SM was completely against Britain's interest. I have always felt that if there had been a three option vote that also offered EEA type option this would have won, and perhaps that is what should be offered now if they would have us.
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagine.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
What Labour are delivering on the economy isn't what they promised, but that doesn't invalidate the election.
Joining the SM doesn't invalidate the Brexit vote either. It's perfectly compatible, indeed promised by some Leave campaigners.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
The Brexit vote is null now anyway. The mandate from it expired as soon as we left. You can't hold an electorate hostage to a decision taken in the past if the will is there to change it. Labour campaigned to leave the EEC in 1983 despite the 1975 vote; we're already past the equivalent point now post-2016.
But we only want a Rejoin ref if it's a slam dunk for yes. It needs to be formalising and executing a decision that the public (evidenced by polls) has already made. So well over 60% stable settled support. What we don't want is another supercharged divisive nailbiter. That would be to repeat the original mistake. It would be crazy.
I'd agree with that. And I'd add the rider that any Rejoin campaign needs to be open and honest that there is a political dimension and that co-operation is a good thing; it's not just a Common Market (though it is that too and that's also a good thing). The road to Brexit began with the Maastricht opt-outs and the belief that Britain could exercise influence over the future direction while not being in the room, other than by consistently attempting to apply the brake.
The road to brexit also had many points where the British voters were denied a vote on changes to our membership of the EEC. When other countries sought democratic approval for changes our powers that be said 'no need for you chaps to worry about that, we've got you covered'.
It would also pretty well reunite the 44-49% right/centre right vote.
I am not sure about that. There were/are plenty of us that are politically right of centre that think leaving the SM was completely against Britain's interest. I have always felt that if there had been a three option vote that also offered EEA type option this would have won, and perhaps that is what should be offered now if they would have us.
Especially as presenting three options is a classic way to nudge people towards picking the middle one :-)
No doubt there would have been big arguments about "pick one" Vs "preference order" voting on it. (I always thought it was a mistake to have only yes/no votes back when MPs were going through that "indicative vote" business, for that matter.)
Best thing Reeves could do for the UK during the Spring statement is to announce that the UK is to enter negotiations with the EU with the aim of rejoining the single market.
Brexit has been an utter failure: not even it’s most ardent boosters can find anything positive to say about it: it’s a self-inflicted wound that we no longer have the luxury of pretending we can afford. It’s time to rejoin.
You really think that now is the time to divide the country and distract our government / Europe with intense negotiations?
Really? I mean really, really?
Yes, really. It would set a positive direction of travel for the economy, confirming that the government is serious about achieving economic growth.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
The government doesn’t have bandwidth right now. You need to stop litigating the past
It's obvious though that the quickest spur to growth would be rejoining the SM.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
And the fundamental difference remains:
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
That wasn't what Leave promised. They would have lost if they had gone with that tagline.
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
And the cost, in the eyes of people who disagree with you, is too high.
Economics is not the only thing that matters in life.
And insulting your fellow country folk achieves nothing except exposure your lack of arguments
The “occult” town of Piriápolis, laid out on sacred energy lines by a mad alchemist. Or maybe he just looked at the beach and thought Wow, great place to live
Maybe temperate South America is the West's best hope. The whole region has so much potential and Milei seems to be succeeding in turning Argentina around. There's no reason why it couldn't be at least as rich as Europe.
@NatashaBertrand Gabbard now says, "I believe there was discussion around targets in general" in the chat, but says "I don't remember" a mention of specific targets and doesn't "recall" mention of specific weapons systems. Ratcliffe also says "I don't recall."
Round here the Catholic Secondary schools run a Lourdes pilgrimage in Easter week. Which means for the past 30 years Catholic schools have had different holidays to other schools in the same town not even different counties
The main purpose of Holy Days of Obligation was to hoy stones at the heathen Proddy kids on their way to school.
⚡️Russia, Ukraine agree to eliminate 'use of force' in Black Sea, US to help restore Russia's access to markets.
The U.S., Russia and Ukraine have agreed to "eliminate the use of force" and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea following two-day talks in Saudi Arabia, the White House announced on March 25.
Washington also vowed to help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.
Given that the only remaining Russian naval forces in most of the Black sea are their recently expanded submarine squadron, none of which seem to be functional, it is really not obvious what is in this deal for Ukraine. Why would they want Russian trade to expand? Why would they want to run the risk of more munitions or drones being sneaked in by "grain ships"? Why would they want to leave such easy targets alone?
Director Gabbard says there was no classified material on the group chat. Sen. Warner asks why it can’t be shared with the committee then.
"Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty."
— Hannah Arendt
There are a number of very low IQ individuals round the cabinet table
In fairness to Musk, he is clearly not invited to the cpnversation that the President is having. So he’s distracting himself and the young lady he is with instead
The “occult” town of Piriápolis, laid out on sacred energy lines by a mad alchemist. Or maybe he just looked at the beach and thought Wow, great place to live
Comments
[although fear it may have already been posted]
Really? I mean really, really?
Before then, I think you have to go back to July 2019, immediately after Johnson was elected Tory leader, for the last time a combined LD+G share outpolled any other party. In fact, there were a couple of polls then that had the Lib Dems in the lead by themselves (one outright, one tied).
https://x.com/TomSharpe134/status/1904478841570996303
Their interests would be better served by Europe hoping/thinking it’s all for show and the US would step in so not only do Europe keep sucking up, buying US kit and ultimately, when the balloon goes up, Trump can extract a big fat trillion dollar bill for stepping in to help - art of the deal innit.
At leat Trump wouldn't ask for those if we became the 51st State.
Probably.
https://bsky.app/profile/davidheniguk.bsky.social/post/3ll7epzs4lc2j
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel,_Ontario#:~:text=Nobel is a village on,the Shawanaga First Nation reserve.
Who cares if a few Brexiteer cry-babies don’t like it? They’ve had their chance to make Brexit work & failed utterly. The US is no longer a reliably partner - the best thing we can do for the UK economy is to cosy up as close as possible to the EU by minimising trade barriers. If we can get services / finance on a equivalency basis then so much the better.
I think “can you drink the tap water” is a litmus test for whether a country can be said to be developed or not. That and whether you’re likely to pick up traveller’s diarrhoea from the food. It still surprises me how many countries that’s the case.
Where would we put the dividing line in this list? Perhaps at around 80%. The biggest surprise is how low Japan is. Contrast with South Korea.
Just off the top of my head:
- saving £20 billion+/year in gross contributions
- no idiotic Common Foreign or Security Policy
- no likelihood of being forced into the Euro
- being able to set our own laws on dozens of policy areas
- independent COVID vaccine programme
- uncontrolled immigration from Eastern Europe virtually ended
- Parliamentary sovereignty and the supremacy of common law reasserted
- etc. etc.
Of course there have been problems, though the main disadvantage, that some exporters find it significantly bureaucratic to send goods to the EU, doesn't seem to have caused the 3 million unemployed (or was it 5 million - they were never quite sure) predicted. And personally I miss access to the EU lanes when I occasionally travel to Europe.
And unfortunately we still seem to be stuck with Northern Ireland.
But there are plenty of successes to weigh against the undoubted teething difficulties.
Politicalbetting.com’s far ye can gie yer neb in tae aa the crack aboot politics an tak a flyer on fae’s gan tae land in power. Ye’ll see a puckle o loons an quines arguin aboot fitwey polls are swingin an fae’s lik tae haud the reins. It’s nae jist havin a blether—ye can pit yer siller doon an hae a richt guid bash at winnin somehin. Fit mair div ye wint tae ken, min?
independence
democracy
not being tied up in regulations relating to AI
being able to react to foreign policy disasters without having to do so through the prism of the EU
delivery of vaccines
being able to support industries
insulating us from the instability of the Euro
insulating us (a bit) from the growing extremist fringe in Europe
You might consider Brexit a negative overall. But don't conclude that everyone does. I was wavering at the Brexit vote; everything I have seen since convinces me that Brexit was the right decision.
Currently we’re committing an on-going act of economic self-harm for absolutely no good reason. We can maintain all of those qualities you value so highly whilst still having unencumbered trade with the EU. We might even get services equivalence out of it - badgering the EU into opening up their internal services market would be just as good for them as it would be for us.
It's only the anti-growth coalition that cannot see that.
Round here the Catholic Secondary schools run a Lourdes pilgrimage in Easter week. Which means for the past 30 years Catholic schools have had different holidays to other schools in the same town not even different counties
As you point out, if the EU opened up their internal services market it would be good for both parties. But politically, I doubt the EU (and particularly the French) would entertain it, without some punitive clause the price of which was worse than the benefit.
Director Gabbard says there was no classified material on the group chat. Sen. Warner asks why it can’t be shared with the committee then.
People like you, who like the politics, present it as an economic argument
People who view it as primarily a political project that isn’t right for the UK don’t care about the economics.
Yes, growth would be faster if we were in the single market. But it’s not worth the freedoms and flexibility that we would give up
There is a simple option to spur growth and fix the national finances, it's just not one that the Blimps like.
Curious if Lowe is succeeding in retaining a following at all.
I have just had a "Personal Representative of (mum)" email from Equiniti concerning a share holding, when we wrapped up her estate the best part of 2 years ago. And I thought it was all done.
How does one deal with orphan left over assets that were missed, and what happens? We had major problems with the original solicitor, and had to change midstream, which could be the why. I was also dealing with a Leukemia diagnosis / treatment at the time, which did not help.
(It's Rolls-Royce so it's up about 8x, which is useful and will cover any tax - though it's only a small holding. I expect tax, as there was iHT on the estate.)
Mass resignations all round - if they had an ounce of honour.
But they don't even have trace elements of it.
Good on you for accepting that logic.
It's clear though that many here prize their flagshagging to economic growth and closer relations with reliable allies.
But then that argument applies across the board and the defence case should just be used as an example as to why it's a sensible policy overall.
If REF eventually throw Nigel overboard and install Lowe (or another complete non-entity) it will be a major boost for Kemi and CON.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-ZiI3iVgpM
I voted remain but much of what the EU does and did frustrated me. I believe in small government and reduced bureaucracy where possible. The idea of constantly moving between two cities for reasons was anathema to me. And don't get me started on the talking shop that is the European parliament.
If it avoided fuss and bother, we'd probably give it to charity.
— Hannah Arendt
Since White House says info in the chat was not classified, seems like @JeffreyGoldberg has the all clear to lay out everything in there....
https://x.com/joshgerstein/status/1904549267336819072
And this guy...
https://x.com/SkyNews/status/1904539770677534947
The non-mandatory (advisory) in/out referendum didn't work like that as you well know being as you are a former Eurofederalist who was demanding a second plebicite.
⚡️Russia, Ukraine agree to eliminate 'use of force' in Black Sea, US to help restore Russia's access to markets.
The U.S., Russia and Ukraine have agreed to "eliminate the use of force" and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea following two-day talks in Saudi Arabia, the White House announced on March 25.
Washington also vowed to help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.
https://t.me/KyivIndependent_official/43367
@NatashaBertrand
Gabbard now says, "I believe there was discussion around targets in general" in the chat, but says "I don't remember" a mention of specific targets and doesn't "recall" mention of specific weapons systems. Ratcliffe also says "I don't recall."
https://x.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1904560047796998581
A shame such senior people were involved, slightly less and even US political polarization would admit it was a problem.
Both Ratcliffe and Gabbard are now saying they would refer questions to
@SecDef about whether he declassified information about Houthi operations prior to sharing it in the Signal chat.
Gabbard won't say whether she was using her work phone or her personal phone.
https://x.com/NatashaBertrand/status/1904563968619720927
BREAKING: It appears as though Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe are either playing stupid or just blatantly lying about what the signal conversations included.
The Atlantic's editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg said the messages did in fact include specific details about target names and times of attacks.
We need a full-blown investigation now!
https://x.com/EdKrassen/status/1904555485312737791
@DPJHodges
Think people are slightly misunderstanding what's going on here. Gabbard/Ratcliffe are actually preparing to throw Hegseth under the bus. Line appears to be they think no sensitive material was released because it's what he's told them. When he's shown to be lying they'll pivot.
https://x.com/DPJHodges/status/1904565312273408089
Question: Were you using your private phone or public phone for the signal discussions?
Gabbard: I won't speak to this because it's under review
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1904564598369657048
@bpolitics
Elon Musk’s demand for federal workers to submit five bullet points detailing their week’s work has hit a new snag: the inbox is full
https://x.com/bpolitics/status/1904569309411627315
The “occult” town of Piriápolis, laid out on sacred energy lines by a mad alchemist. Or maybe he just looked at the beach and thought Wow, great place to live
No doubt there would have been big arguments about "pick one" Vs "preference order" voting on it. (I always thought it was a mistake to have only yes/no votes back when MPs were going through that "indicative vote" business, for that matter.)
Economics is not the only thing that matters in life.
And insulting your fellow country folk achieves nothing except exposure your lack of arguments