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An update on my 100/1 tip on Ed Miliband succeeding Sir Keir Starmer – politicalbetting.com

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  • FossFoss Posts: 1,993

    Foss said:

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Mahmood’s last election was quite close. She may need to invest all her fight in retaining her seat rather than retaining the country.
    It’s not entirely implausible that Starmer faces difficulties in Holborn and St Pancras if still PM, if the Greens are still surging.
    I don’t really see how you can have an organised national campaign if all your big beasts are scrapping to retain their home turf. And the multifaceted nature of the insurrection will make it so much harder to come up with Britain-wide policies that are net attractors.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 131,298
    edited November 5

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Against Farage and Badenoch though Miliband would get more LD tactical votes than he did against Cameron, Farage was never a threat in 2015 as he is now and he would also squeeze the Green vote back more than Starmer
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 8,342
    HYUFD said:

    Foss said:

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Mahmood’s last election was quite close. She may need to invest all her fight in retaining her seat rather than retaining the country.
    It’s not entirely implausible that Starmer faces difficulties in Holborn and St Pancras if still PM, if the Greens are still surging.
    Only if the Greens have actually overtaken Labour in most polls, Starmer was 38% ahead of the Green candidate in his constituency last year
    A lot has happened since then, and it’s hard not to see that the capital could be pretty fertile ground for the left.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 20,488

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Why are all you Tories picking t***s like Streeting and Milliband?
    Name recognition.

    It's not easy to name the not-great-office members of the Cabinet. At this stage, that's where Starmer's sucessor is likely to be found.

    Though even that is an order of magnitude easier than naming their shadows.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 46,307

    HYUFD said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    kinabalu said:

    And my tip is Wes Streeting. He'll replace Starmer if Starmer goes before the election. Current price is value imo.

    He will then lose his seat to a Gaza loon in 2029.
    Wes will be fine, he’s a Cambridge man, the best of the best.
    Is he a lawyer too ?
    A mere historian.
    We could do with a good historian as PM, last one was Brown who wasn't that good, though Portillo got close in 2001 to getting a shot at it
    George Osborne could make a comeback.
    Michael Foot.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 131,298

    HYUFD said:

    Foss said:

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Mahmood’s last election was quite close. She may need to invest all her fight in retaining her seat rather than retaining the country.
    It’s not entirely implausible that Starmer faces difficulties in Holborn and St Pancras if still PM, if the Greens are still surging.
    Only if the Greens have actually overtaken Labour in most polls, Starmer was 38% ahead of the Green candidate in his constituency last year
    A lot has happened since then, and it’s hard not to see that the capital could be pretty fertile ground for the left.
    It could but as I said unless the Greens actually overtake Labour in the polls consistently zero chance Starmer loses his seat as the Labour and Green gap there was bigger than it was UK wide in 2024
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 56,347
    rcs1000 said:

    HYUFD said:

    Ratters said:

    HYUFD said:

    Ratters said:

    rcs1000 said:

    Ratters said:

    To contextualise how badly Republicans did yesterday versus expectations:


    I think this is a simple function of motivation. The party not in power is motivated to get out and be heard. Supporters of the party in power are much less enthused (and some will -no doubt- be unhappy about something the administration has done, and wish to make their displeasure known).

    What it does mean is that redistricting is fraught for the Republicans. It's all too easy to try and ensure you win a bunch of districts by 55-45, based on 2024 results, and then find that you've lost 48-52 in the midterms due to differential turnout. (This is a particular risk to the Republicans in TX, where they did particularly well with Hispanics in 2024, and where recent surveys now show -30 net approval ratings.) My (bold) forecast is that the Republicans could well end up losing seats in Texas as a result of redistrcting.
    Agreed, but the same logic applies in the midterms proper next year.

    So we should rebase expectations there. The Democrats will win the House, potentially by lot if they reach the redistricting tipping point you mention.

    The Republicans will most likely retain the Senate but with fewer seats that make them vulnerable in 2028.

    Given that elections are run by the states, I struggle to see how voter suppression can be large enough to stop this.
    Not impossible the Democrats could win the Senate too next year, they currently lead in polls in Maine, Ohio and North Carolina, all of which are GOP held now and if Ken Paxton beats more moderate incumbent John Cornyn in the GOP primaries polls show the Democrats could win Texas as well.

    The Democrats need 4 net gains for majority control of the Senate
    Agreed but putting that in "more likely not to happen than to happen" camp..

    Suspect it requires another leg down in Trump's popularity over the next year.
    Probably but even on current Senate race polls the Dems are just 1 seat short, so if Paxton gets the GOP nomination for Texas Senator and ousts Cornyn as GOP candidate that could be enough
    If Paxton gets the Texas nomination, and redistricting fires up the Dems, then I do believe the Democrats could win the seat.

    Add North Carolina, Maine and the return of Sherrod Brown in Ohio, and it's possible (if unlikely) that the Dems regain the Senate.
    It's a decent bet this far out. Anybody really think Trump is going to stumble upon the way to make the economy fly in the next year? Far more likely it is a haphazrd shit show.
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 8,342

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Why are all you Tories picking t***s like Streeting and Milliband?
    Am I a Tory? I guess I’ve voted for them more often than not; though I did vote for Starmer.

    It’s not impossible I would vote for Labour next time with the right candidate. It’s difficult for me to see it right this moment, but one of the reasons I’m quite so critical of them is how much I feel they’ve naffed up a pretty decent opportunity to get some meaningful change in place.

  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 131,298
    edited November 5
    Carnyx said:

    HYUFD said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    kinabalu said:

    And my tip is Wes Streeting. He'll replace Starmer if Starmer goes before the election. Current price is value imo.

    He will then lose his seat to a Gaza loon in 2029.
    Wes will be fine, he’s a Cambridge man, the best of the best.
    Is he a lawyer too ?
    A mere historian.
    We could do with a good historian as PM, last one was Brown who wasn't that good, though Portillo got close in 2001 to getting a shot at it
    George Osborne could make a comeback.
    Michael Foot.
    Foot studied PPE not History
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 40,826

    Funny day. Two different business phone calls. And I had two different ladies both say unprompted that I was "well spoken".

    The English are odd.

    Things 1 and 2 both sound more convincingly Estuary than I do. After all, they were born in Romford, not near the Solent.

    Shortly after the start of our temporary sojourn in Yorkshire, someone said to us, "make sure they don't lose their lovely accents". I still don't know what to make of that.
    People love talking about how other people speak. It's been a while since anyone has told my wife (born in Margate to Sri Lankan parents) what nice English she has, people seem to have got over that now. But if people ask me where I'm from the "you don't sound very Scottish" is almost inevitable. I've given up trying to explain the 32 years since I left Scotland, the English parents, the six years childhood sojourn in Newastle, the growing up in the most English place in Scotland... I just shrug. Sorry to disappoint you, I want to say.
    Kevin Bridges on the Scottish accent

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYnbBOQj1H8
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,993
    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foss said:

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Mahmood’s last election was quite close. She may need to invest all her fight in retaining her seat rather than retaining the country.
    It’s not entirely implausible that Starmer faces difficulties in Holborn and St Pancras if still PM, if the Greens are still surging.
    Only if the Greens have actually overtaken Labour in most polls, Starmer was 38% ahead of the Green candidate in his constituency last year
    A lot has happened since then, and it’s hard not to see that the capital could be pretty fertile ground for the left.
    It could but as I said unless the Greens actually overtake Labour in the polls consistently zero chance Starmer loses his seat as the Labour and Green gap there was bigger than it was UK wide in 2024
    That was before Starmer proved himself to be useless, though. I assume there is a negative incumbency factor as well as a positive incumbency factor.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,859

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 8,342

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foss said:

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Mahmood’s last election was quite close. She may need to invest all her fight in retaining her seat rather than retaining the country.
    It’s not entirely implausible that Starmer faces difficulties in Holborn and St Pancras if still PM, if the Greens are still surging.
    Only if the Greens have actually overtaken Labour in most polls, Starmer was 38% ahead of the Green candidate in his constituency last year
    A lot has happened since then, and it’s hard not to see that the capital could be pretty fertile ground for the left.
    It could but as I said unless the Greens actually overtake Labour in the polls consistently zero chance Starmer loses his seat as the Labour and Green gap there was bigger than it was UK wide in 2024
    That was before Starmer proved himself to be useless, though. I assume there is a negative incumbency factor as well as a positive incumbency factor.
    … and a good chunk of those Labour voters are very persuadable to vote Green, IMHO.

    In 2024 you’re voting for a candidate of the mainstream party “of the left” who is about to defeat the Tories and re-enter government. How Starmer was seen in 2024 is hugely different to how he is seen now.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 53,849

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Why are all you Tories picking t***s like Streeting and Milliband?
    Name recognition.

    It's not easy to name the not-great-office members of the Cabinet. At this stage, that's where Starmer's sucessor is likely to be found.

    Though even that is an order of magnitude easier than naming their shadows.
    Yes, the next PM is one of the current Cabinet, or the past and present Deputy Leaders on the backbenches. Its hard to think of any other back bencher with the support required in rhe PLP.

    I suppose both Burnham or Khan is possible but no easy path to that hospital pass.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560
    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    kinabalu said:

    And my tip is Wes Streeting. He'll replace Starmer if Starmer goes before the election. Current price is value imo.

    He will then lose his seat to a Gaza loon in 2029.
    Wes will be fine, he’s a Cambridge man, the best of the best.
    Is he a lawyer too ?
    A mere historian.
    We could do with a good historian as PM, last one was Brown who wasn't that good, though Portillo got close in 2001 to getting a shot at it
    George Osborne could make a comeback.
    He needs to get back in Parliament first
    I assume he is still busy with half a dozen different jobs that rich, well-connected people always seem to fall into?
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 21,021
    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560

    Funny day. Two different business phone calls. And I had two different ladies both say unprompted that I was "well spoken".

    Bit gauche to even comment upon it, I'd say.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 11,648

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    you/tu/vous
    You/lamb/ram
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    Which is why if people want to do it, fine, but I'd hope no organisation/employer would insist upon it.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560
    edited November 5

    boulay said:

    Scott_xP said:

    FIFA have invented a peace prize so they can give it to the Mad King

    Infantino makes Sepp Blatter look like a great leader of FIFA. He’s so far up Trump’s arse he comes out of his mouth and back round so he can get up it again.

    His vanity and Trump’s are a marriage made in hell.
    FIFA funded an entire film, complete with Hollywood A listers, to praise themselves....

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Passions

    "In the United States, the film grossed $918 in its opening weekend, was lambasted by critics as propaganda, and is considered to be one of the worst films ever made."
    I thought that was "The Rise of Palpatine"?
    I love the real Palpatine, they did my man so wrong with that film, he deserved better.
  • FossFoss Posts: 1,993

    HYUFD said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foss said:

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Mahmood’s last election was quite close. She may need to invest all her fight in retaining her seat rather than retaining the country.
    It’s not entirely implausible that Starmer faces difficulties in Holborn and St Pancras if still PM, if the Greens are still surging.
    Only if the Greens have actually overtaken Labour in most polls, Starmer was 38% ahead of the Green candidate in his constituency last year
    A lot has happened since then, and it’s hard not to see that the capital could be pretty fertile ground for the left.
    It could but as I said unless the Greens actually overtake Labour in the polls consistently zero chance Starmer loses his seat as the Labour and Green gap there was bigger than it was UK wide in 2024
    That was before Starmer proved himself to be useless, though. I assume there is a negative incumbency factor as well as a positive incumbency factor.
    If I remember correctly Truss had a bigger swing against her than the average.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560
    rcs1000 said:

    Ratters said:

    To contextualise how badly Republicans did yesterday versus expectations:


    I think this is a simple function of motivation. The party not in power is motivated to get out and be heard. Supporters of the party in power are much less enthused (and some will -no doubt- be unhappy about something the administration has done, and wish to make their displeasure known).

    What it does mean is that redistricting is fraught for the Republicans. It's all too easy to try and ensure you win a bunch of districts by 55-45, based on 2024 results, and then find that you've lost 48-52 in the midterms due to differential turnout. (This is a particular risk to the Republicans in TX, where they did particularly well with Hispanics in 2024, and where recent surveys now show -30 net approval ratings.) My (bold) forecast is that the Republicans could well end up losing seats in Texas as a result of redistrcting.
    I'd like to think the latest moves towards even more obvious gerrymandering, from whichever group, would be a step too far even for most americans, and it will move the dial a few more points to counter the intended effect.

    But I'm not confident that will be the case.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,859

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    I have constantly had my name mispronounced, misspelt and it assumed that I was a man. Or sometimes that I was the secretary to the man they thought my name was. Couldn't care less. If it's necessary, Mr, Mrs, Miss or Miss (in brackets) clears up any confusion.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 53,849

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 11,648

    https://bsky.app/profile/adambienkov.bsky.social/post/3m4vbaskdb22p

    Conservative Councillor says "young black males" are "flooding" the UK

    Contacted by Byline, she defended her comments, saying “we cannot sustain the volume of.. black males” that “jeopardises [our] security"

    Asked why their skin colour matters, she replied “because they are [black], aren’t they?"

    Is it cos dey is black??
    Remember folks - all those young black men are sexually voracious and are after your wives and daughters...

    (Are we not past this yet?)
    Fixed it for you…
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 11,648
    Andy_JS said:

    "Go home or we will deport you, Germany tells Syrians
    Friedrich Merz insists war-torn country is safe despite opposition from his own foreign minister" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/11/04/go-home-or-we-will-deport-you-germany-tells-syrians

    It’s not really war torn anymore?

    Obviously not as peaceful as surbiton, but somewhere between that and the back streets of Chicago
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 17,207
    Scott_xP said:

    Funny day. Two different business phone calls. And I had two different ladies both say unprompted that I was "well spoken".

    The English are odd.

    Things 1 and 2 both sound more convincingly Estuary than I do. After all, they were born in Romford, not near the Solent.

    Shortly after the start of our temporary sojourn in Yorkshire, someone said to us, "make sure they don't lose their lovely accents". I still don't know what to make of that.
    People love talking about how other people speak. It's been a while since anyone has told my wife (born in Margate to Sri Lankan parents) what nice English she has, people seem to have got over that now. But if people ask me where I'm from the "you don't sound very Scottish" is almost inevitable. I've given up trying to explain the 32 years since I left Scotland, the English parents, the six years childhood sojourn in Newastle, the growing up in the most English place in Scotland... I just shrug. Sorry to disappoint you, I want to say.
    Kevin Bridges on the Scottish accent

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYnbBOQj1H8
    Kevin Bridges is brilliant. Probably the funniest Glaswegian comic since Billy Connolly, IMHO.
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,784
    Scott_xP said:

    @annmarie

    Bloomberg: New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch is willing to remain in her post under Zohran Mamdani as long as the progressive mayor-elect allows her to keep pursuing her agenda, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

    https://x.com/annmarie/status/1986153619662528691

    What is her agenda?
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 46,307
    HYUFD said:

    Carnyx said:

    HYUFD said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    kinabalu said:

    And my tip is Wes Streeting. He'll replace Starmer if Starmer goes before the election. Current price is value imo.

    He will then lose his seat to a Gaza loon in 2029.
    Wes will be fine, he’s a Cambridge man, the best of the best.
    Is he a lawyer too ?
    A mere historian.
    We could do with a good historian as PM, last one was Brown who wasn't that good, though Portillo got close in 2001 to getting a shot at it
    George Osborne could make a comeback.
    Michael Foot.
    Foot studied PPE not History
    So? He still had a serious interest in history.
  • TimSTimS Posts: 16,345
    edited November 5

    Funny day. Two different business phone calls. And I had two different ladies both say unprompted that I was "well spoken".

    The English are odd.

    Things 1 and 2 both sound more convincingly Estuary than I do. After all, they were born in Romford, not near the Solent.

    Shortly after the start of our temporary sojourn in Yorkshire, someone said to us, "make sure they don't lose their lovely accents". I still don't know what to make of that.
    People love talking about how other people speak. It's been a while since anyone has told my wife (born in Margate to Sri Lankan parents) what nice English she has, people seem to have got over that now. But if people ask me where I'm from the "you don't sound very Scottish" is almost inevitable. I've given up trying to explain the 32 years since I left Scotland, the English parents, the six years childhood sojourn in Newastle, the growing up in the most English place in Scotland... I just shrug. Sorry to disappoint you, I want to say.
    My wife has long since entirely lost her Yorkshire accent, because she intensely dislikes her home county and wants nothing to do with it. Born again Londoner, with the zeal of the convert.

    I was just prepping my immaculate BBC English for the Houston airport immigration counter, only to sail through in the most ludicrously quick manner of any airport in recent memory. Zero queue, it was like arriving during a pandemic. Cursory question about whether I have food in my bag, and waved through. Weird. Federal shutdown putting people off flying here?
  • berberian_knowsberberian_knows Posts: 131
    edited November 5

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    you/tu/vous
    You/lamb/ram
    I/me/my - works great when they attack "I am a transphobe! cancel me!"
  • Scott_xP said:

    @annmarie

    Bloomberg: New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch is willing to remain in her post under Zohran Mamdani as long as the progressive mayor-elect allows her to keep pursuing her agenda, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

    https://x.com/annmarie/status/1986153619662528691

    What is her agenda?
    A quick google suggests shes the kind of police chief who wants to catch criminals especially on the street, and hunt out departmental corruption. A series of policies that would only seem controversial in the strangest of places. NY is a strange place.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 46,307

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/05/company-linked-to-michelle-mone-owes-39m-in-unpaid-taxes

    That's on top of the court settlement.

    'The total debts of the company are put at £188m, comprising the £148m owed to the DHSC, the £39m in unpaid tax, £207,000 owed to Grosvenor Law, the company’s lawyers in the recent court battle with the DHSC, and £1m owed to the Isle of Man entity linked to Barrowman that put the company into administration.

    The administrators have not provided details about PPE Medpro’s government contracts or where its profits have gone, but the document states: “A review of the company’s bank statements reflects a small number of entities that have received the vast majority of funds from the company’s bank accounts.”'
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,477
    TimS said:



    My wife has long since entirely lost her Yorkshire accent, because she intensely dislikes her home county and wants nothing to do with it. Born again Londoner, with the zeal of the convert.

    I think that's the most disgraceful thing I've ever heard.
  • Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    I dont know your actual name, is it warranted?

    I know someone called Brian a white bald man, who declares his pronouns. Dont be like Brian.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 46,307

    Scott_xP said:

    @annmarie

    Bloomberg: New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch is willing to remain in her post under Zohran Mamdani as long as the progressive mayor-elect allows her to keep pursuing her agenda, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

    https://x.com/annmarie/status/1986153619662528691

    What is her agenda?
    A quick google suggests shes the kind of police chief who wants to catch criminals especially on the street, and hunt out departmental corruption. A series of policies that would only seem controversial in the strangest of places. NY is a strange place.
    Was anyone actually questioning that, as opposed to whether she would have to be part of the usual Usonian turnover, right down to dog-catcher, when a mayor changes?
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 40,826
    edited November 5
    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.
  • FossFoss Posts: 1,993
    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    A new incentive to jailbreak your car - wind back the digital odometer in time for the next mot!
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 56,491

    HYUFD said:

    Unless and until Burnham returns as an MP then I agree Ed Miliband is perhaps now the likeliest candidate from the left of Labour to challenge Starmer for the leadership, after Rayner's resignation he has probably leapfrogged her as the main candidate of the left. After Lammy's performance today Streeting is probably the likeliest candidate from the Starmer loyalist camp in the Cabinet for the leadership, in the event Starmer ever resigns

    Milliband as PM would be all your Christmases coming at once. He has LOSER tattooed across his forehead.

    You are right, Lammy was underwhelming today.

    Why are you promoting all these drongos, and there are lots of them? There are one or two decent options like Darren Jones. Not beyond making errors, but he gets all the big calls right.
    Darren Jones is going to be forever reminded of that “women and children” gaffe re the small boats. If it’d have been on a less-prominent area of policy, he’d have gotten away with it. But it wasn’t.

    Truth be told it’s slim pickings for Labour. Streeting probably the best of a bad bunch, but I can’t see him getting it. Mahmood seems OK, she comes across quite well. But there’s very little vision in any of them.
    Why are all you Tories picking t***s like Streeting and Milliband?
    Streeting's my MP!
  • Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    The cost/saving ratio for EVs drops dramatically with this, the road tax rate and this extra charge makes it most likely that i will switch back to a normal car, possibly a hybrid in a couple of years time.
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,477
    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
  • isamisam Posts: 42,945
    Gianni Infantino will present the inaugural ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ at the draw for the 2026 World Cup, football’s world governing body has announced.

    The award is designed to acknowledge “individuals who have helped to unite people all over the world in peace” with the winner to be crowned at the draw in Washington DC on December 5.

    More from @Dan_KP

    🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/67804…


    https://x.com/theathleticfc/status/1986105497263513895?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 68,707
    Looking into the detail of Dem win last night.

    Virginia House of Delegates.


    Dave Wasserman
    @Redistrict
    If Dems win 63+ HoD seats, it would be consistent w/ a lot of strong overperformances we've seen for Dems in downballot races so far in '25 and indicate that Dems should be considered favorites for House control in '26.

    https://x.com/Redistrict/status/1985846321220104422


    They won 64.
  • Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    There's a lot of fuel duty catch up opportunity in the budget...
  • FossFoss Posts: 1,993

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    There's a lot of fuel duty catch up opportunity in the budget...
    Only if they want a recession AND single digit polling.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 20,488

    Looking into the detail of Dem win last night.

    Virginia House of Delegates.


    Dave Wasserman
    @Redistrict
    If Dems win 63+ HoD seats, it would be consistent w/ a lot of strong overperformances we've seen for Dems in downballot races so far in '25 and indicate that Dems should be considered favorites for House control in '26.

    https://x.com/Redistrict/status/1985846321220104422


    They won 64.

    So, imagine that you are a member of the current administration.

    And you are sure that orange simply isn't your colour. Possibly because your skin tone means that you would effectively look nude.

    What do you do?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 30,570
    edited November 5
    Recently I mentioned a problem at The Restorationist, which is a right-ish, obsessed with English history, trying-to-sound-intellectual, magazine of sorts, and an abuse problem identified with a man called Michael Reiners. They publish things such as Great Repeal Bills, and dream about how society could be re-ordered to their design, steamrollering everything they do not like.

    A far more detailed account has been published, which is an example of how these things overlap, between individuals and also organisations, and how it bleeds into more semi-established people and groups. Rabbit hole warning !

    https://restorationist.org.uk/how-long-did-the-restorationist-tolerate-the-drepr-of-michael-reiners/
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 27,399

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    Labour might be sub 10% in the polls!

    Farage keeps saying there's going to be an election in 2027. Is this why? Is 2028 when a whole load of bad stuff is going to come in?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 68,707
    isam said:

    Gianni Infantino will present the inaugural ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ at the draw for the 2026 World Cup, football’s world governing body has announced.

    The award is designed to acknowledge “individuals who have helped to unite people all over the world in peace” with the winner to be crowned at the draw in Washington DC on December 5.

    More from @Dan_KP

    🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/67804…


    https://x.com/theathleticfc/status/1986105497263513895?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Can't think who is going to get that.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 7,644
    edited November 5
    Carnyx said:


    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/05/company-linked-to-michelle-mone-owes-39m-in-unpaid-taxes

    That's on top of the court settlement.

    'The total debts of the company are put at £188m, comprising the £148m owed to the DHSC, the £39m in unpaid tax, £207,000 owed to Grosvenor Law, the company’s lawyers in the recent court battle with the DHSC, and £1m owed to the Isle of Man entity linked to Barrowman that put the company into administration.

    The administrators have not provided details about PPE Medpro’s government contracts or where its profits have gone, but the document states: “A review of the company’s bank statements reflects a small number of entities that have received the vast majority of funds from the company’s bank accounts.”'

    Well, that's not unexpected. The supplier of the PPE, and the directors through dividends would be a "small number of entities". That would be true even if the stuff were up to scratch.

    The question is, did they know it was substandard when they supplied it? If the dividends were paid before the investigation started, and it can't be proved they knew the stuff was substandard they're off the hook as individuals.

    If they took dividends after the investigation started, maybe not....
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 68,707

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    "each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage."

    Eh?

  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,477

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    There's a lot of fuel duty catch up opportunity in the budget...
    There is, but do we think the excuses will stop the protests?
  • Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,477

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    "each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage."

    Eh?

    That sounds like total nonsense, doesn't it. And Hybrids? Why? Especially if they aren't plug-in.
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 8,342

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    This + income tax is going to lead to a … fun… post budget fallout.

    I mean I have some admiration that they might actually be finally doing it and ripping the bandaid off… but…
  • nico67nico67 Posts: 6,592

    isam said:

    Gianni Infantino will present the inaugural ‘FIFA Peace Prize’ at the draw for the 2026 World Cup, football’s world governing body has announced.

    The award is designed to acknowledge “individuals who have helped to unite people all over the world in peace” with the winner to be crowned at the draw in Washington DC on December 5.

    More from @Dan_KP

    🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/67804…


    https://x.com/theathleticfc/status/1986105497263513895?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Can't think who is going to get that.
    OMG pass me the sick bucket !
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 40,826
    @chadbourn.bsky.social‬

    US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to announce a 10% reduction in scheduled flights at 40 major high-traffic airports starting on Friday.

    This shutdown is about to start biting into the economy.

    https://bsky.app/profile/chadbourn.bsky.social/post/3m4vxfin5ks2i
  • isamisam Posts: 42,945
    Exclusive from @oliver_wright

    Liberal Democrat and Green voters would flock back to Labour to prevent Nigel Farage from entering Downing Street at the next election, YouGov polling for The Times suggests

    An analysis by YouGov found tactical voting is likely to be a critical feature of the next election, with supporters of all parties prepared to switch their vote to influence the overall result

    It found that more than half, or 57 per cent, of all Liberal Democrat voters and 46 per cent of Green voters would give up their first preference and back Labour if they were in a seat where Reform UK looked likely to win

    Significantly it found that Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green voters were also prepared to back the Tories in seats that were vulnerable to Nigel Farage’s party

    A third, or 34 per cent, of current Labour voters would back Kemi Badenoch’s party to stop Reform, as would 39 per cent of current Lib Dem voters and even 19 per cent of Green voters


    https://x.com/steven_swinford/status/1986099131845161361?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 8,342
    tlg86 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    Labour might be sub 10% in the polls!

    Farage keeps saying there's going to be an election in 2027. Is this why? Is 2028 when a whole load of bad stuff is going to come in?
    They will only, plausibly, have a narrow window to land this if they’re able to couple this with meaningful spending reductions/reform/deregulation and which might, with a fair economic wind, give them a very narrow window to make some tax cuts in 2028/2029. But it’s extremely high risk.
  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,859
    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,477

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    This + income tax is going to lead to a … fun… post budget fallout.

    I mean I have some admiration that they might actually be finally doing it and ripping the bandaid off… but…
    I honestly think they could get away with income tax, especially with an NI cut. We all know it is needed.

    But bumping up transport costs at the same time? No. Not in a million years. Definitely heading for 10%.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 7,644
    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 7,644
    carnforth said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
    Perhaps we should go German with Herr Dr etc.
  • eekeek Posts: 31,826
    carnforth said:

    Carnyx said:


    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/nov/05/company-linked-to-michelle-mone-owes-39m-in-unpaid-taxes

    That's on top of the court settlement.

    'The total debts of the company are put at £188m, comprising the £148m owed to the DHSC, the £39m in unpaid tax, £207,000 owed to Grosvenor Law, the company’s lawyers in the recent court battle with the DHSC, and £1m owed to the Isle of Man entity linked to Barrowman that put the company into administration.

    The administrators have not provided details about PPE Medpro’s government contracts or where its profits have gone, but the document states: “A review of the company’s bank statements reflects a small number of entities that have received the vast majority of funds from the company’s bank accounts.”'

    Well, that's not unexpected. The supplier of the PPE, and the directors through dividends would be a "small number of entities". That would be true even if the stuff were up to scratch.

    The question is, did they know it was substandard when they supplied it? If the dividends were paid before the investigation started, and it can't be proved they knew the stuff was substandard they're off the hook as individuals.

    If they took dividends after the investigation started, maybe not....
    Questions to which the answer is YES....
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 68,707

    Jordan Weissmann
    @JHWeissmann
    ·
    9h
    Looking at the numbers this morning, the worst news for Republicans wasn’t Virginia.

    VA was a unique situation: An anti-DOGE rebellion and a horrendous GOP candidate topping the ticket.

    Sherrill winning by 13 in NJ (Harris +6 in ‘24) is the real canary.

    https://x.com/JHWeissmann/status/1986043778570834189
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 16,801
    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    But isn't Foxy a Dr. Calling himself Mr would imply he was a surgeon.
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,477
    edited November 5
    carnforth said:

    carnforth said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
    Perhaps we should go German with Herr Dr etc.
    I don't think Foxy would qualify for Herr Doktor without a PhD.

    We should definitely use Herr Doktor Ingenieur though - and not for someone fixing washing machines.

  • CyclefreeCyclefree Posts: 25,859
    carnforth said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
    I would have thought that Dr Foxy Negligence (Mr) would do the job.

    Obviously the name is made up because I have just been discussing a medical negligence issue with some friends.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 30,570
    I'd be quite interested in a header by someone about what a Democrat controlled House of Representatives could do in the second half of a Trump term to slow him down.

    (AFAIK asserting - how effective? - control over money bills, starting impeachments, and being a large sheet anchor.)
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 16,801
    edited November 5
    Cyclefree said:

    carnforth said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
    I would have thought that Dr Foxy Negligence (Mr) would do the job.

    Obviously the name is made up because I have just been discussing a medical negligence issue with some friends.
    So, why is "Dr Foxy Brilliant (Mr)" OK, but "Dr Foxy Brilliant (he)" some terrible aberration?

    (And "Dr Foxy Brilliant (Mr)" could be taken to imply he's a surgeon.)
  • MattWMattW Posts: 30,570

    Cyclefree said:

    carnforth said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
    I would have thought that Dr Foxy Negligence (Mr) would do the job.

    Obviously the name is made up because I have just been discussing a medical negligence issue with some friends.
    So, why is "Dr Foxy Brilliant (Mr)" OK, but "Dr Foxy Brilliant (he)" some terrible aberration?

    (And "Dr Foxy Brilliant (Mr)" could be taken to imply he's a surgeon.)
    What's up, Doc?


  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,993

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    I hear that alcohol tax is going to abolished and replaced with a non-alcoholic drink tax.
  • Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    I hear that alcohol tax is going to abolished and replaced with a non-alcoholic drink tax.
    Hah, Labour win every seat in Scotland though.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560


    Jordan Weissmann
    @JHWeissmann
    ·
    9h
    Looking at the numbers this morning, the worst news for Republicans wasn’t Virginia.

    VA was a unique situation: An anti-DOGE rebellion and a horrendous GOP candidate topping the ticket.

    Sherrill winning by 13 in NJ (Harris +6 in ‘24) is the real canary.

    https://x.com/JHWeissmann/status/1986043778570834189

    What counts as a horrendous GOP candidate?

    I say in part in jest, but in fairness there have been several Trump wannabes in gubernatorial and senate races in the past who have discovered that only Trump can get away with the stuff he does, and it has handed some winnable races to the Democrats.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560
    isam said:

    Exclusive from @oliver_wright

    Liberal Democrat and Green voters would flock back to Labour to prevent Nigel Farage from entering Downing Street at the next election, YouGov polling for The Times suggests

    An analysis by YouGov found tactical voting is likely to be a critical feature of the next election, with supporters of all parties prepared to switch their vote to influence the overall result

    It found that more than half, or 57 per cent, of all Liberal Democrat voters and 46 per cent of Green voters would give up their first preference and back Labour if they were in a seat where Reform UK looked likely to win

    Significantly it found that Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green voters were also prepared to back the Tories in seats that were vulnerable to Nigel Farage’s party

    A third, or 34 per cent, of current Labour voters would back Kemi Badenoch’s party to stop Reform, as would 39 per cent of current Lib Dem voters and even 19 per cent of Green voters


    https://x.com/steven_swinford/status/1986099131845161361?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Sounds like the Tories are screwed.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    People buying £700 shoes don't need taxing any more, they clearly cannot be trusted to even dress themselves in the morning.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 16,801
    French police launch investigation into Al Fayed sex-trafficking allegations

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpv17g0e72ko
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 7,644
    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    People buying £700 shoes don't need taxing any more, they clearly cannot be trusted to even dress themselves in the morning.
    Sadly standard Church's black oxfords are now £940:

    https://www.church-footwear.com/gb/en/p/calfskin-oxford/EEC412_9WF_F0AAB_F_000000
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 53,849

    carnforth said:

    carnforth said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
    Perhaps we should go German with Herr Dr etc.
    I don't think Foxy would qualify for Herr Doktor without a PhD.

    We should definitely use Herr Doktor Ingenieur though - and not for someone fixing washing machines.

    In India it is quite common to double up on titles such as "Dr Mrs Mistry" though the assumption is that "Dr Mistry" is a man otherwise, with "Dr Mr Mistry" only used when in the same practice as "Dr Mrs Mistry".
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,767

    carnforth said:

    carnforth said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
    Perhaps we should go German with Herr Dr etc.
    I don't think Foxy would qualify for Herr Doktor without a PhD.

    We should definitely use Herr Doktor Ingenieur though - and not for someone fixing washing machines.

    I'm always suspicious of engineers with a PhD. It suggests that nobody wanted to employ them when they finished their first degree.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560
    edited November 5
    carnforth said:

    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    People buying £700 shoes don't need taxing any more, they clearly cannot be trusted to even dress themselves in the morning.
    Sadly standard Church's black oxfords are now £940:

    https://www.church-footwear.com/gb/en/p/calfskin-oxford/EEC412_9WF_F0AAB_F_000000
    They look like they cost £30. Why are rich people so bad at buying expensive stuff?

    It's like those houses on sale for tens of millions which have really uncomfortable looking chairs throughout, as though the need to buy something unique requires buying awful furniture.
  • FossFoss Posts: 1,993
    kle4 said:

    carnforth said:

    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    People buying £700 shoes don't need taxing any more, they clearly cannot be trusted to even dress themselves in the morning.
    Sadly standard Church's black oxfords are now £940:

    https://www.church-footwear.com/gb/en/p/calfskin-oxford/EEC412_9WF_F0AAB_F_000000
    They look like they cost £30. Why are rich people so bad at buying expensive stuff?

    It's like those houses on sale for tens of millions which have really uncomfortable looking chairs throughout, as though the need to buy something unique requires buying awful furniture.
    They look like something a recruitment consultant would wear.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560
    Foss said:

    kle4 said:

    carnforth said:

    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    People buying £700 shoes don't need taxing any more, they clearly cannot be trusted to even dress themselves in the morning.
    Sadly standard Church's black oxfords are now £940:

    https://www.church-footwear.com/gb/en/p/calfskin-oxford/EEC412_9WF_F0AAB_F_000000
    They look like they cost £30. Why are rich people so bad at buying expensive stuff?

    It's like those houses on sale for tens of millions which have really uncomfortable looking chairs throughout, as though the need to buy something unique requires buying awful furniture.
    They look like something a recruitment consultant would wear.
    There aren't many worse insults than that.
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 7,644
    kle4 said:

    carnforth said:

    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    People buying £700 shoes don't need taxing any more, they clearly cannot be trusted to even dress themselves in the morning.
    Sadly standard Church's black oxfords are now £940:

    https://www.church-footwear.com/gb/en/p/calfskin-oxford/EEC412_9WF_F0AAB_F_000000
    They look like they cost £30. Why are rich people so bad at buying expensive stuff?

    It's like those houses on sale for tens of millions which have really uncomfortable looking chairs throughout, as though the need to buy something unique requires buying awful furniture.
    Nah, these are quite expensive to make in Northampton. Here's the more basic version at £399:

    https://www.loake.com/product/hanover-onyx-black/
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 20,488
    kle4 said:

    isam said:

    Exclusive from @oliver_wright

    Liberal Democrat and Green voters would flock back to Labour to prevent Nigel Farage from entering Downing Street at the next election, YouGov polling for The Times suggests

    An analysis by YouGov found tactical voting is likely to be a critical feature of the next election, with supporters of all parties prepared to switch their vote to influence the overall result

    It found that more than half, or 57 per cent, of all Liberal Democrat voters and 46 per cent of Green voters would give up their first preference and back Labour if they were in a seat where Reform UK looked likely to win

    Significantly it found that Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green voters were also prepared to back the Tories in seats that were vulnerable to Nigel Farage’s party

    A third, or 34 per cent, of current Labour voters would back Kemi Badenoch’s party to stop Reform, as would 39 per cent of current Lib Dem voters and even 19 per cent of Green voters


    https://x.com/steven_swinford/status/1986099131845161361?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Sounds like the Tories are screwed.
    Quite possibly. After all, what is the bit of political space that the Conservatives might want to occupy, that someone else isn't doing better?
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,477

    carnforth said:

    carnforth said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
    Perhaps we should go German with Herr Dr etc.
    I don't think Foxy would qualify for Herr Doktor without a PhD.

    We should definitely use Herr Doktor Ingenieur though - and not for someone fixing washing machines.

    I'm always suspicious of engineers with a PhD. It suggests that nobody wanted to employ them when they finished their first degree.
    I'm not sure you'd say that of a biochemist, so why an engineer?

    Depends on the field.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 99,560
    carnforth said:

    kle4 said:

    carnforth said:

    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    People buying £700 shoes don't need taxing any more, they clearly cannot be trusted to even dress themselves in the morning.
    Sadly standard Church's black oxfords are now £940:

    https://www.church-footwear.com/gb/en/p/calfskin-oxford/EEC412_9WF_F0AAB_F_000000
    They look like they cost £30. Why are rich people so bad at buying expensive stuff?

    It's like those houses on sale for tens of millions which have really uncomfortable looking chairs throughout, as though the need to buy something unique requires buying awful furniture.
    Nah, these are quite expensive to make in Northampton. Here's the more basic version at £399:

    https://www.loake.com/product/hanover-onyx-black/
    The product descriptions on these things are so overdone and overwrought it is hilarious. I get it, they're meant to be good shoes, but there's only so many ways to describe the 'features' before you start getting overly flowerly.
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 17,207

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    Perhaps a tax on modesty?
  • FishingFishing Posts: 5,940

    tlg86 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    I can't seem them doing that without bumping up fuel tax.
    Labour might be sub 10% in the polls!

    Farage keeps saying there's going to be an election in 2027. Is this why? Is 2028 when a whole load of bad stuff is going to come in?
    They will only, plausibly, have a narrow window to land this if they’re able to couple this with meaningful spending reductions/reform/deregulation and which might, with a fair economic wind, give them a very narrow window to make some tax cuts in 2028/2029. But it’s extremely high risk.
    Not an extremely high risk, totally deluded.

    Anybody who thinks this government will have a fair economic wind is mad. It is staggeringly obvious to me that repeatedly shafting the wealth-generating part of the economy isn't the way to generate economic growth but for some reason the collected brains of the Labour Party doesn't seem to grasp this most simple fact of applied economics. You have to create wealth, that's the difficult part. Distributing it is easy.

    And turkeys don't vote for Christmas.

    So I'm afraid Nigel's thinking is highly wishful. Unless something amazing happens, we're stuck with this shower until mi-2028 at least I'm afraid, and likely for another year.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 45,749
    Foss said:

    kle4 said:

    carnforth said:

    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    People buying £700 shoes don't need taxing any more, they clearly cannot be trusted to even dress themselves in the morning.
    Sadly standard Church's black oxfords are now £940:

    https://www.church-footwear.com/gb/en/p/calfskin-oxford/EEC412_9WF_F0AAB_F_000000
    They look like they cost £30. Why are rich people so bad at buying expensive stuff?

    It's like those houses on sale for tens of millions which have really uncomfortable looking chairs throughout, as though the need to buy something unique requires buying awful furniture.
    They look like something a recruitment consultant would wear.
    Boris Johnson’s favourites apparently, though like everything else he didn’t take care of them.

    https://www.shutterstock.com/editorial/image-editorial/boris-johnson's-shoes-1274711e?dd_referrer=https://www.google.com/

  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 26,542

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    I dont know your actual name, is it warranted?

    I know someone called Brian a white bald man, who declares his pronouns. Dont be like Brian.
    In my previous job I interacted at least weekly with people from India - not Indian-descended people in the UK, Indian people in actual India. Their naming conventions aren't obviously gendered so I was endlessly googling their first names to see if, say, "Gunpreet" was a boy programmer or a girl programmer
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 16,801
    MP Chris d’Entremont defects from CON to LIB!

    (in Canada)
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,767

    carnforth said:

    carnforth said:

    Cyclefree said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    Mr does the job perfectly adequately.
    Perhaps Dr doesn't. I don't know Foxy's rank.
    Perhaps we should go German with Herr Dr etc.
    I don't think Foxy would qualify for Herr Doktor without a PhD.

    We should definitely use Herr Doktor Ingenieur though - and not for someone fixing washing machines.

    I'm always suspicious of engineers with a PhD. It suggests that nobody wanted to employ them when they finished their first degree.
    I'm not sure you'd say that of a biochemist, so why an engineer?

    Depends on the field.
    Because you don't need a PhD to get a good engineering job, and achieving CEng status is much more important than a doctorate in advancing your career.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,993

    Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    Perhaps a tax on modesty?
    Attacking the self-employed self effacing.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 56,491
    viewcode said:

    Foxy said:

    Cyclefree said:

    rcs1000 said:

    I see pronouns in emails are back.

    I say keep 'em guessing, and go with something like: she/him/they

    It also allows you to tut-tut people who don't get it right.

    My emails make it quite clear that I am to be addressed as 'Your Excellency'.

    In the event anyone dares ask me, mine are "Ah/Do/Fuck/Off". Anyone offering me theirs will be asked if they want or need remedial English grammar lessons and, if not, classed as a Tedious Narcissist.
    Random example of confusion over gender- my wife’s names is also a common boys name, although usually spelt with a y rather than an i. Many years ago when booking a b and b the owner was rather frosty on the phone taking our names, until I explained she was a she.

    So if can see a point sometimes.

    But mostly it’s just performative shit.
    In Leicester it is quite handy as we have many names from other parts of the world for which the gender is not obvious. So as a reciprocal courtesy I append mine to emails.
    I dont know your actual name, is it warranted?

    I know someone called Brian a white bald man, who declares his pronouns. Dont be like Brian.
    In my previous job I interacted at least weekly with people from India - not Indian-descended people in the UK, Indian people in actual India. Their naming conventions aren't obviously gendered so I was endlessly googling their first names to see if, say, "Gunpreet" was a boy programmer or a girl programmer
    Gunpreet is a Sikh name, young viewcode, and most Sikh names are gender-neutral :)
  • Scott_xP said:

    @benrileysmith
    🚘 EXCLUSIVE 🚘

    A new pay-per-mile tax will be unveiled in the Budget for electric cars which will kick in from 2028

    It will cost the average eco driver £250 a year and longer-distance travellers much more than that

    It will be levied at 3p per mile on current Treasury plans. (The equivalent of £12 for an EV drive from London to Edinburgh.)

    The measure will be framed as one of fairness. Fuel duty - which doesn’t affect electric cars - costs 6p a mile on average

    It’s also needed to fill a growing black hole in the Treasury numbers from plummeting fuel duty revenues as people switch from petrol to electric

    The Treasury will likely play down the pay per mile element. It is being dubbed ‘VED+’ and is an annual charge to be paid alongside Vehicle Excise Duty. No journey monitoring by cameras or anything.

    But each year drivers of EVs and hybrids will need to estimate how many miles they will travel that year and pay a price directly linked to mileage.

    It is the start of a huge potential change in the taxation of cars, from at the pump to by the mile.

    It’s been long debated. Now Rachel Reeves will grasp the nettle by announcing a consultation at the Budget.

    Up to 6 million people will be driving EVs when the new charge starts in 2028.

    It opens the door in the future to all cars eventually being taxed per mile. And what about enforcement? Could drivers one day be made to prove miles traveled?

    The Treasury declined to comment on Budget speculation.

    This government really hates me, every tax increase seems to target me personally.

    I am fully expecting a luxury tax on Apple products and shoes over £700.
    Perhaps a tax on modesty?
    I'd approve of that as I'd be getting a huge tax rebate.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 26,542
    MattW said:

    Recently I mentioned a problem at The Restorationist, which is a right-ish, obsessed with English history, trying-to-sound-intellectual, magazine of sorts, and an abuse problem identified with a man called Michael Reiners. They publish things such as Great Repeal Bills, and dream about how society could be re-ordered to their design, steamrollering everything they do not like.

    A far more detailed account has been published, which is an example of how these things overlap, between individuals and also organisations, and how it bleeds into more semi-established people and groups. Rabbit hole warning !

    https://restorationist.org.uk/how-long-did-the-restorationist-tolerate-the-drepr-of-michael-reiners/

    Jeez-Louise, that is a bad man :(
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