Water *might* be cheaper over an extended period of time, if only because outright fraud is less likely.
Why anyone imagines electricity would be is frankly bizarre. Government is already responsible for much of what determines the pricing.
A freer market in electricity, which drove prices down over time, is entirely possible to bring about.
So what “outright fraud” has occurred in the water industry? That’s quite a serious allegation and I am sure you have public sources you can link to to explain your reasoning
I understood him to mean that stealing water is far harder than stealing electricity.
That you can still be unmetered into your property allows a kind of fraud. If my neighbours are not on a meter what incentive do they have to use water responsibly? I’m on a meter so I only wash once every two weeks, or when I need it, whichever is longer.
On train tickets, as we all know, if you can book a particular train a month in advance, you can find some very reasonable fares. Mrs Stodge and I did first class from Derby back to London last week on one of the new EMR Aurora trains - very comfortable and they kept coming by with free refreshments and my first thought was it would be rude not to...
The problem was electricity is the supply is effectively a cartel which, while not a monopoly, functions like one and is the end result of private provision in many instances. This is the argument for and against competition - yes, you can get competition but market forces often dictate a small cartel ends up with complete control. Could we forcibly break up EDF, British Gas and the others?
As for water, someone can tell me I'm wrong but you still have no choice - I have Thames Water, even if I thought Severn Trent were better, I couldn't move to Severn Trent to supply my water in London - now water isn't like electricity or gas, I know, it's more liquid for a start, but we don't really have competition and a market for all the claims from some.
There is no reason whatsoever for electricity generation to be publicly owned. If I want to build a gas fired power station, or build some solar panels or whatver, then I should be allowed to, and I should be competing to sell to the grid like anyone else.
Now, there is a good case for some government oversight in this market to ensure diversity of supply, because the free market solution today might be -say- 100% natural gas, but that introduces unacceptable risks to total UK electricity production in the case of (say) war in the Middle East. But -by and large- if someone wants to build a power generation plant and to compete to sell electricity to the grid, they should be free to do so.
Where there is less obviously room for competition is in the ownership of the wires that deliver water, gas and electricity to your home. That doesn't mean they need to be publicly owned. But it does mean there is a need for regulation to ensure that services are delivered to standard and at a reasonable rate.
I'm NOT advocating for public ownership of utilites by any stretch but the current arrangement does not encourage competition and the pricing structure does not deliver value for either domestic or commercial customers.
The cartelisation and the driving out of the market of most of the smaller cheaper suppliers has been extremely disadvantageous to those wanting fairer prices and proper competition. We need to encourage the smaller suppliers back into the market and that means challenging EDF, British Gas, Scottish & Southern and the other big suppliers and if necessary forcing them to get out of parts of the residential market if they cannot or will no offer power at fair prices.
I appreciate water is more difficult to manage but we see the likes of Thames Water allegedly pumping raw sewage into rivers and you wonder why people get angry. Thirty years and more ago, I campaigned alongside a group called Surfers Against Sewage and one of their number stood as an LD candidate in a Cornwall County Council election (1993 I think) and he thrashed the local Tory incumbent who stood up at a public meeting and tried to tell a sceptical audience how wonderful South West Water were.
MY experience is you can advance all the theories you like about the failures and inadequacies of nationalisation and public ownership but if people see private companies doing no better and charging higher prices you can understand why returning these activities to public ownership will have support.
The sewage is a big issue. It’s partly because of an increase in wild swimming, or swimming as it used to be called. It’s partly because of far better monitoring than before hence we have a better idea of what’s going on. It’s partly down to old infrastructure with new housing and heavy rain. So it’s complex. But I’d wager it would be happening under British Water, or waterver a nationalised water utility would be called.
Water *might* be cheaper over an extended period of time, if only because outright fraud is less likely.
Why anyone imagines electricity would be is frankly bizarre. Government is already responsible for much of what determines the pricing.
A freer market in electricity, which drove prices down over time, is entirely possible to bring about.
So what “outright fraud” has occurred in the water industry? That’s quite a serious allegation and I am sure you have public sources you can link to to explain your reasoning
I understood him to mean that stealing water is far harder than stealing electricity.
That you can still be unmetered into your property allows a kind of fraud. If my neighbours are not on a meter what incentive do they have to use water responsibly? I’m on a meter so I only wash once every two weeks, or when I need it, whichever is longer.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infallible.
But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Altitude will be an issue and a couple of days is not good preparation
I have noticed a couple of local pubs asking clients if they will attend the match and whether it is worth opening
It is fine for Starmer to announce relaxed pub laws, but has anyone thought how the pubs get the staff and what happens when the drinkers roll out at 4.00am ish ?
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
Pathetic. To be fair to him he is not alone in promising this intergenerational gluttony to buy votes but as a man who is willing to face our real problems and offer real solutions it is a poor start.
This pub furniture on the Thames path in Strand-on-the-Green is a story that could go on a bit, as it is culture war plus local councillors who really do not like each other, and local politics in Chiswick is quite vigorous anyway. I lived on Park Road down there for about 3 years in the early 2000s, in a slightly expensive but very enjoyable one bedroom flat.
(One note: take care not to confuse your Hiltons. I think the protagonist is Alistair Hilton, who is claiming the Green Councillor set the police on him and to my eye overegging his pudding a little - it could go legal, with Adrian Hilton, who is in the debate but is I think the former "Archbishop Cranmer" blogger.)
The basic issue is about unlawful obstructions (the pub outdoor tables and chairs) on a public highway - the Thames Path, which here is either a Public Footpath, or an Adopted Highway in the relevant places. Two pubs, as 'landowners', seem to feel that that, and that they have been doing it for some years, means they should be able to continue to do it without a pavement license.
The local Conservative Councillor (and the Telegraph and the Standard and GB News) have weighed in in support of the pubs (and their customers who like sitting on the Thames Path), and it was a Green Councillor who made a report to ask that it be looked at, around accessibility for less mobile pedestrians to Pass and Repass along the Thames Path unobstructed.
Given my penchant for removing obstructions from public highways so mobility aids can use them, it will be clear where I stand - as long as the path is fully accessible (and there are endless technicalities about how wide it is, and what type of highway it is in each place) and easily useable, they can put their tables there provided there is a license and no obstruction. IMO here the clear path should be 4m wide.
The Council Officers were abrupt in their demands for removal, and after a word from the local councillor have now backed down to say "you can keep your tables whilst we thin about it), which is how it should have been in the first place.
The various bits of media are trying to make this about authoritarian Councils and Councillors banning outside drinking (which is afaics a lie, not that that will stop them), and police vs freedom of speech (around Hilton's twitter comments).
This could run and run.
All the pubs are recommended. I used to go on riverside dates down there.
In addition, during COVID, pavement seating was encouraged.
None of the pubs along there are blocking the path either.
Is the pub in question, I *think*
Seems to be a different pub but the issues are the same. There is a confusion between RoW, licencing and outright ownership of the strip of land. It'll be an expensive issue if it goes to court. Councils have very deep pockets if they want to take the issue further.
I suggest that there is very little confusion and no ambiguity. If this is a ROW (meaning public footpath) there is someone ignorantly or with knowledge breaking the law by putting obstructions on a public highway without a license, and then arguing that having committed the offence for a long time, they should be allowed to continue.
It is no different in law to setting up chairs and tables in the middle of Acacia Gardens or the A38. There is a long history of law, most recently Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980, that says wilfully (=intending to put whatever it was where you put it) obstructing a public highway is an offence. Plus there is recent precedent setting case law that applies to the public having a right to use the full extent of a ROW - this is an important legal concept.
Such installations require a licence, just as you need one when you put a skip outside your house, or close your street for a Coronation Party or a fete.
If it is a ROW, ownership is largely irrelevant, other than obligations to maintain etc. There are hundreds of thousands of places in the UK where the house owner owns the land up to the middle of the public road, but the ROW over the public highway is a superior right - the language in England is "dominant" user and "servient" landowner.
There may be ambiguity around the exact extent of the ROW is eg does it go right up to the wall of the pub or is it say 12 inches in front. But that is in the detail of the records of the Highways Authority.
GBN are in my view just enjoying an opportunity to stir the pot.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
Pathetic. To be fair to him he is not alone in promising this intergenerational gluttony to buy votes but as a man who is willing to face our real problems and offer real solutions it is a poor start.
If you want someone stern-faced who can stare down the gluttons who vote...
a) you certainly don't want Burnham b) you probably need a stony gnome in somewhere like Frankfurt...
Water *might* be cheaper over an extended period of time, if only because outright fraud is less likely.
Why anyone imagines electricity would be is frankly bizarre. Government is already responsible for much of what determines the pricing.
A freer market in electricity, which drove prices down over time, is entirely possible to bring about.
So what “outright fraud” has occurred in the water industry? That’s quite a serious allegation and I am sure you have public sources you can link to to explain your reasoning
I understood him to mean that stealing water is far harder than stealing electricity.
That you can still be unmetered into your property allows a kind of fraud. If my neighbours are not on a meter what incentive do they have to use water responsibly? I’m on a meter so I only wash once every two weeks, or when I need it, whichever is longer.
Sadly the saying is unsourced and unverified that QEI (but not of course QEII) :
“hath built herself a bath, where she doth bathe herself once a month, whether she require it or no.”.
I was taught it in school. A careful debunking is here:
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Ideally Sunday nights match will go to both extra time and penalties as its ups the likely hood that a couple of my tedious Monday morning meetings will be cancelled.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
On train tickets, as we all know, if you can book a particular train a month in advance, you can find some very reasonable fares. Mrs Stodge and I did first class from Derby back to London last week on one of the new EMR Aurora trains - very comfortable and they kept coming by with free refreshments and my first thought was it would be rude not to...
The problem was electricity is the supply is effectively a cartel which, while not a monopoly, functions like one and is the end result of private provision in many instances. This is the argument for and against competition - yes, you can get competition but market forces often dictate a small cartel ends up with complete control. Could we forcibly break up EDF, British Gas and the others?
As for water, someone can tell me I'm wrong but you still have no choice - I have Thames Water, even if I thought Severn Trent were better, I couldn't move to Severn Trent to supply my water in London - now water isn't like electricity or gas, I know, it's more liquid for a start, but we don't really have competition and a market for all the claims from some.
There is no reason whatsoever for electricity generation to be publicly owned. If I want to build a gas fired power station, or build some solar panels or whatver, then I should be allowed to, and I should be competing to sell to the grid like anyone else.
Now, there is a good case for some government oversight in this market to ensure diversity of supply, because the free market solution today might be -say- 100% natural gas, but that introduces unacceptable risks to total UK electricity production in the case of (say) war in the Middle East. But -by and large- if someone wants to build a power generation plant and to compete to sell electricity to the grid, they should be free to do so.
Where there is less obviously room for competition is in the ownership of the wires that deliver water, gas and electricity to your home. That doesn't mean they need to be publicly owned. But it does mean there is a need for regulation to ensure that services are delivered to standard and at a reasonable rate.
I'm NOT advocating for public ownership of utilites by any stretch but the current arrangement does not encourage competition and the pricing structure does not deliver value for either domestic or commercial customers.
The cartelisation and the driving out of the market of most of the smaller cheaper suppliers has been extremely disadvantageous to those wanting fairer prices and proper competition. We need to encourage the smaller suppliers back into the market and that means challenging EDF, British Gas, Scottish & Southern and the other big suppliers and if necessary forcing them to get out of parts of the residential market if they cannot or will no offer power at fair prices.
I appreciate water is more difficult to manage but we see the likes of Thames Water allegedly pumping raw sewage into rivers and you wonder why people get angry. Thirty years and more ago, I campaigned alongside a group called Surfers Against Sewage and one of their number stood as an LD candidate in a Cornwall County Council election (1993 I think) and he thrashed the local Tory incumbent who stood up at a public meeting and tried to tell a sceptical audience how wonderful South West Water were.
MY experience is you can advance all the theories you like about the failures and inadequacies of nationalisation and public ownership but if people see private companies doing no better and charging higher prices you can understand why returning these activities to public ownership will have support.
The sewage is a big issue. It’s partly because of an increase in wild swimming, or swimming as it used to be called. It’s partly because of far better monitoring than before hence we have a better idea of what’s going on. It’s partly down to old infrastructure with new housing and heavy rain. So it’s complex. But I’d wager it would be happening under British Water, or waterver a nationalised water utility would be called.
Water *might* be cheaper over an extended period of time, if only because outright fraud is less likely.
Why anyone imagines electricity would be is frankly bizarre. Government is already responsible for much of what determines the pricing.
A freer market in electricity, which drove prices down over time, is entirely possible to bring about.
So what “outright fraud” has occurred in the water industry? That’s quite a serious allegation and I am sure you have public sources you can link to to explain your reasoning
I understood him to mean that stealing water is far harder than stealing electricity.
That you can still be unmetered into your property allows a kind of fraud. If my neighbours are not on a meter what incentive do they have to use water responsibly? I’m on a meter so I only wash once every two weeks, or when I need it, whichever is longer.
My counter-heatwave measure was to sit with my feet in a bowl of water, occasionally adding ice, so my feet are nice and clean at least.
I gather one way people run up their bills is having a previously unsuspected leak outside the house, but on their side of the meter rather than the water board's.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
This pub furniture on the Thames path in Strand-on-the-Green is a story that could go on a bit, as it is culture war plus local councillors who really do not like each other, and local politics in Chiswick is quite vigorous anyway. I lived on Park Road down there for about 3 years in the early 2000s, in a slightly expensive but very enjoyable one bedroom flat.
(One note: take care not to confuse your Hiltons. I think the protagonist is Alistair Hilton, who is claiming the Green Councillor set the police on him and to my eye overegging his pudding a little - it could go legal, with Adrian Hilton, who is in the debate but is I think the former "Archbishop Cranmer" blogger.)
The basic issue is about unlawful obstructions (the pub outdoor tables and chairs) on a public highway - the Thames Path, which here is either a Public Footpath, or an Adopted Highway in the relevant places. Two pubs, as 'landowners', seem to feel that that, and that they have been doing it for some years, means they should be able to continue to do it without a pavement license.
The local Conservative Councillor (and the Telegraph and the Standard and GB News) have weighed in in support of the pubs (and their customers who like sitting on the Thames Path), and it was a Green Councillor who made a report to ask that it be looked at, around accessibility for less mobile pedestrians to Pass and Repass along the Thames Path unobstructed.
Given my penchant for removing obstructions from public highways so mobility aids can use them, it will be clear where I stand - as long as the path is fully accessible (and there are endless technicalities about how wide it is, and what type of highway it is in each place) and easily useable, they can put their tables there provided there is a license and no obstruction. IMO here the clear path should be 4m wide.
The Council Officers were abrupt in their demands for removal, and after a word from the local councillor have now backed down to say "you can keep your tables whilst we thin about it), which is how it should have been in the first place.
The various bits of media are trying to make this about authoritarian Councils and Councillors banning outside drinking (which is afaics a lie, not that that will stop them), and police vs freedom of speech (around Hilton's twitter comments).
This could run and run.
All the pubs are recommended. I used to go on riverside dates down there.
In addition, during COVID, pavement seating was encouraged.
None of the pubs along there are blocking the path either.
Is the pub in question, I *think*
Seems to be a different pub but the issues are the same. There is a confusion between RoW, licencing and outright ownership of the strip of land. It'll be an expensive issue if it goes to court. Councils have very deep pockets if they want to take the issue further.
I suggest that there is very little confusion and no ambiguity. If this is a ROW (meaning public footpath) there is someone ignorantly or with knowledge breaking the law by putting obstructions on a public highway without a license, and then arguing that having committed the offence for a long time, they should be allowed to continue.
It is no different in law to setting up chairs and tables in the middle of Acacia Gardens or the A38. There is a long history of law, most recently Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980, that says wilfully (=intending to put whatever it was where you put it) obstructing a public highway is an offence. Plus there is recent precedent setting case law that applies to the public having a right to use the full extent of a ROW - this is an important legal concept.
Such installations require a licence, just as you need one when you put a skip outside your house, or close your street for a Coronation Party or a fete.
If it is a ROW, ownership is largely irrelevant, other than obligations to maintain etc. There are hundreds of thousands of places in the UK where the house owner owns the land up to the middle of the public road, but the ROW over the public highway is a superior right - the language in England is "dominant" user and "servient" landowner.
There may be ambiguity around the exact extent of the ROW is eg does it go right up to the wall of the pub or is it say 12 inches in front. But that is in the detail of the records of the Highways Authority.
GBN are in my view just enjoying an opportunity to stir the pot.
Water *might* be cheaper over an extended period of time, if only because outright fraud is less likely.
Why anyone imagines electricity would be is frankly bizarre. Government is already responsible for much of what determines the pricing.
A freer market in electricity, which drove prices down over time, is entirely possible to bring about.
So what “outright fraud” has occurred in the water industry? That’s quite a serious allegation and I am sure you have public sources you can link to to explain your reasoning
I understood him to mean that stealing water is far harder than stealing electricity.
That you can still be unmetered into your property allows a kind of fraud. If my neighbours are not on a meter what incentive do they have to use water responsibly? I’m on a meter so I only wash once every two weeks, or when I need it, whichever is longer.
My counter-heatwave measure was to sit with my feet in a bowl of water, occasionally adding ice, so my feet are nice and clean at least.
I gather one way people run up their bills is having a previously unsuspected leak outside the house, but on their side of the meter rather than the water board's.
We had a leak under our house a couple of years ago. Showed up as a much larger than expected bill, which was notified by Wessex Water. We got it fixed by bypassing the underground pipe (all replaced now as part of our extension) and Wessex Water wrote off the ‘extra’ by comparing to previous bills. Which was nice of them. We saw no evidence of the water under the house, so I assume it just added to the ground water.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
Not FFS at all. Retaining the triple lock was in the 2024 manifesto on which this government was elected.
As I understand it Burnham is going to be appointed with no contest so I don’t get why he acts as if he is campaigning.
If Burnham were to repudiate the 2024 manifesto, he would split the party but unite the opposition in calls for a fresh election. What Burnham has said about the triple lock is the same as him having said he'd follow the taxation pledges.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
The poll quoted yesterday showed support for raising money from tax, but a massive negative on touching the triple lock. Which points the way.
1) Merge income tax and employee NI 2) create a new tax rate for pensioners on the basic rate - the same as the old income tax rate. 3) the new higher rate applies to pensioners.
So pensioners with £50k income pay more tax. As do the “consultants” - tons of misuse of self employment as a tax dodge.
Look out for the squealing among the #NU10K - permanent jobs as “consultancy” is a favourite of theirs.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
Ah.
Which would make a tough night horrendous. I can conceive of staying awake for a 1 am kick off, but not if it’s later.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
Not FFS at all. Retaining the triple lock was in the 2024 manifesto on which this government was elected.
As I understand it Burnham is going to be appointed with no contest so I don’t get why he acts as if he is campaigning.
Several reasons: He has to justify being PM when not elected as such. He has to make his mark, be clearly in charge and clearly not Starmer. He has to reverse two years of terrible narrative and visionless leadership. He has a difficult political and economic climate to negotiate. He has to show the left that he can't do unconstrained spending while keeping them from permanent rebellion. He has to knock sense into some rather dim MPs. He has an election to win, perhaps in two years, against some pretty bad people with extreme and populist views
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
Ah.
Which would make a tough night horrendous. I can conceive of staying awake for a 1 am kick off, but not if it’s later.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
Not FFS at all. Retaining the triple lock was in the 2024 manifesto on which this government was elected.
As I understand it Burnham is going to be appointed with no contest so I don’t get why he acts as if he is campaigning.
If Burnham were to repudiate the 2024 manifesto, he would split the party but unite the opposition in calls for a fresh election. What Burnham has said about the triple lock is the same as him having said he'd follow the taxation pledges.
Oppositions call for elections at any change of PM. PMs are free to ignore such calls.
Changing PM gives an opportunity to take a hard look and make serious decisions, but sadly Burnham is already showing he does not want to do that.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
Ah.
Which would make a tough night horrendous. I can conceive of staying awake for a 1 am kick off, but not if it’s later.
[sigh] Just treat like yet another Election Night!
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
Ah.
Which would make a tough night horrendous. I can conceive of staying awake for a 1 am kick off, but not if it’s later.
This is why I scheduled annual leave.
I’m on a day off too but with a three year old every day off is a day of daddy DIY with the helper at preschool. I’m scheduled to be removing coving, prepping and painting the landing. May not be at my best.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
Ah.
Which would make a tough night horrendous. I can conceive of staying awake for a 1 am kick off, but not if it’s later.
This is why I scheduled annual leave.
I’m on a day off too but with a three year old every day off is a day of daddy DIY with the helper at preschool. I’m scheduled to be removing coving, prepping and painting the landing. May not be at my best.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
Not FFS at all. Retaining the triple lock was in the 2024 manifesto on which this government was elected.
As I understand it Burnham is going to be appointed with no contest so I don’t get why he acts as if he is campaigning.
Several reasons: He has to justify being PM when not elected as such. He has to make his mark, be clearly in charge and clearly not Starmer. He has to reverse two years of terrible narrative and visionless leadership. He has a difficult political and economic climate to negotiate. He has to show the left that he can't do unconstrained spending while keeping them from permanent rebellion. He has to knock sense into some rather dim MPs. He has an election to win, perhaps in two years, against some pretty bad people with extreme and populist views
That was well covered in the New Statesman podcast I linked this morning.
Burnham did not know what Starmer would do, so he had a campaigning team and a "preparing for Goverment" team, and that organisation has more or less survived.
They said he had been caught out by the avalanche of people coming to him and doing a Yosser Hughes.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
On train tickets, as we all know, if you can book a particular train a month in advance, you can find some very reasonable fares. Mrs Stodge and I did first class from Derby back to London last week on one of the new EMR Aurora trains - very comfortable and they kept coming by with free refreshments and my first thought was it would be rude not to...
The problem was electricity is the supply is effectively a cartel which, while not a monopoly, functions like one and is the end result of private provision in many instances. This is the argument for and against competition - yes, you can get competition but market forces often dictate a small cartel ends up with complete control. Could we forcibly break up EDF, British Gas and the others?
As for water, someone can tell me I'm wrong but you still have no choice - I have Thames Water, even if I thought Severn Trent were better, I couldn't move to Severn Trent to supply my water in London - now water isn't like electricity or gas, I know, it's more liquid for a start, but we don't really have competition and a market for all the claims from some.
"East Midlands Railway's (EMR) new Class 810 Aurora trains are facing rolling delays, cancellations, and overcrowding. Built by Hitachi Rail, the fleet is hampered by slow delivery rates, technical issues with brakes and doors, unreliable toilets, and "hissing" air-conditioning dampers."
And one ran into the back of another killing the driver.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
As an aside for @TSE -- Speccie this weekend reports that Cameron has been helping school Kemi for PMQs.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
As an aside for @TSE -- Speccie this weekend reports that Cameron has been helping school Kemi for PMQs.
Yup, Dave has my levels of self confidence and modesty.
Kemi Badenoch takes advice from Tory leaders to boost PMQs performance
The Tory leader has spoken to all her living predecessors — except one.
Boris Johnson made the case that Nigel Farage comes with the ‘whiff of sulphur’
Kemi Badenoch has taken advice from every former living Conservative leader, except Liz Truss, as she attempts to rebuild trust in the party.
Badenoch has held meetings with her predecessors including Sir John Major, Lord Hague of Richmond, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, Baroness May of Maidenhead, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
She is understood to have taken the most advice from Duncan Smith and Cameron, who is said to have told her: “There are only three living people who have gone from being leader of the opposition to being prime minister. I am the only one who wants to help you.”
The Spectator reported that Johnson spoke at the opening of the party’s new headquarters in London and has been in touch with Badenoch about how best to take on Nigel Farage.
He said: “Is it not wonderful, poetic, beautiful to see Reform being devoured, haemorrhaging votes on the right to this party called Restore, which sounds like a sort of hair-loss potion or something?”
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
Ah.
Which would make a tough night horrendous. I can conceive of staying awake for a 1 am kick off, but not if it’s later.
This is why I scheduled annual leave.
I’m on a day off too but with a three year old every day off is a day of daddy DIY with the helper at preschool. I’m scheduled to be removing coving, prepping and painting the landing. May not be at my best.
Wait. Have i got this right? Starmer just finally at the last minute allowed pubs to stay open from 1am until 5am and now there may be a storm so that the game has barely started when the pubs close??
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
I think he did.
The format was that he would go into a location - say a small factory - and the workers there would get to ask him questions.
One interesting reaction to the Cameron Directs was from the media - who refused to cover them, unless *they* controlled the audience. Salted with activists with "interesting questions", was the main demand. Apparently, the questions and answers from normal people were too bland for the broadcasters taste.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
Ah.
Which would make a tough night horrendous. I can conceive of staying awake for a 1 am kick off, but not if it’s later.
This is why I scheduled annual leave.
I’m on a day off too but with a three year old every day off is a day of daddy DIY with the helper at preschool. I’m scheduled to be removing coving, prepping and painting the landing. May not be at my best.
What's your daddy DIY sick leave policy like?
V. Poor. Will be annoyed if I don’t get the job done as the new bathroom is coming in August. I did the old one 20 years ago so it’s due.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Please don’t go. He’s a moron with a weird obsession. Most of us value your insight and wisdom, and it’s great to have a confident female voice.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
@Roger owes you a fulsome apology for his unacceptable attacks on you
May I say your contributions are greatly respected and please do not go, as doing so let's him win
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
As an aside for @TSE -- Speccie this weekend reports that Cameron has been helping school Kemi for PMQs.
Yup, Dave has my levels of self confidence and modesty.
Kemi Badenoch takes advice from Tory leaders to boost PMQs performance
The Tory leader has spoken to all her living predecessors — except one.
Boris Johnson made the case that Nigel Farage comes with the ‘whiff of sulphur’
Kemi Badenoch has taken advice from every former living Conservative leader, except Liz Truss, as she attempts to rebuild trust in the party.
Badenoch has held meetings with her predecessors including Sir John Major, Lord Hague of Richmond, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, Baroness May of Maidenhead, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
She is understood to have taken the most advice from Duncan Smith and Cameron, who is said to have told her: “There are only three living people who have gone from being leader of the opposition to being prime minister. I am the only one who wants to help you.”
The Spectator reported that Johnson spoke at the opening of the party’s new headquarters in London and has been in touch with Badenoch about how best to take on Nigel Farage.
He said: “Is it not wonderful, poetic, beautiful to see Reform being devoured, haemorrhaging votes on the right to this party called Restore, which sounds like a sort of hair-loss potion or something?”
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Please don’t go. He’s a moron with a weird obsession. Most of us value your insight and wisdom, and it’s great to have a confident female voice.
@Cyclefree adds greatly to debate and is the anthithesis of @Roger who needs to apologise to her
No politician lacking an ambition to become as popular as piles is going to abolish the triple lock. The triple lock is an integral part of what we were talking about yesterday evening - British Culture.
On the more important issue of the WC, it's clear we aren't good enough to win it. But the good news is we don't have to be good enough to win it in order to win it. We just have to win 4 games in a row from here, inc shootouts if necessary. We're certainly good enough, if things go our way, to do that.
My bladder gets me up at 5 so I'll be watching the Mex game 'as live' from then. As always I'm hoping for a drama free, controlled one niller (to England, Ann) but I'll take any form of progression. I'm cautiously confident.
'Andy Burnham has vowed to bring in proportional representation in Labour’s next manifesto.
The commitment would allow smaller parties like the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK to form part of the government.
He made the pledge in an online Q&A in which he also vowed to keep the triple lock and said he would strike returns agreements for foreign criminals with Afghanistan.'
This pub furniture on the Thames path in Strand-on-the-Green is a story that could go on a bit, as it is culture war plus local councillors who really do not like each other, and local politics in Chiswick is quite vigorous anyway. I lived on Park Road down there for about 3 years in the early 2000s, in a slightly expensive but very enjoyable one bedroom flat.
(One note: take care not to confuse your Hiltons. I think the protagonist is Alistair Hilton, who is claiming the Green Councillor set the police on him and to my eye overegging his pudding a little - it could go legal, with Adrian Hilton, who is in the debate but is I think the former "Archbishop Cranmer" blogger.)
The basic issue is about unlawful obstructions (the pub outdoor tables and chairs) on a public highway - the Thames Path, which here is either a Public Footpath, or an Adopted Highway in the relevant places. Two pubs, as 'landowners', seem to feel that that, and that they have been doing it for some years, means they should be able to continue to do it without a pavement license.
The local Conservative Councillor (and the Telegraph and the Standard and GB News) have weighed in in support of the pubs (and their customers who like sitting on the Thames Path), and it was a Green Councillor who made a report to ask that it be looked at, around accessibility for less mobile pedestrians to Pass and Repass along the Thames Path unobstructed.
Given my penchant for removing obstructions from public highways so mobility aids can use them, it will be clear where I stand - as long as the path is fully accessible (and there are endless technicalities about how wide it is, and what type of highway it is in each place) and easily useable, they can put their tables there provided there is a license and no obstruction. IMO here the clear path should be 4m wide.
The Council Officers were abrupt in their demands for removal, and after a word from the local councillor have now backed down to say "you can keep your tables whilst we thin about it), which is how it should have been in the first place.
The various bits of media are trying to make this about authoritarian Councils and Councillors banning outside drinking (which is afaics a lie, not that that will stop them), and police vs freedom of speech (around Hilton's twitter comments).
This could run and run. My prediction is that the pubs will cathc up to what the law requires, and then the seating will continue with appropriate adjustments.
All the pubs are recommended. I used to go on riverside dates down there.
4m wide seems very wide for a pathway. Presumably that to allow (for example) two wheelchair users to pass each other, but wouldn’t it be better to have passing bays? Otherwise I doubt that any riverside path in the country will be compliant with your demands
I promise not to take you down a rabbit hole but I'll put a bit of information on the bone !
We have a disease in this country of taking pedestrian space down to the absolute minimum, which makes using footpaths unpleasant when there is a fair amount of foot traffic, and that causes conflict which no one wants. The attitude is nasty, and small minded, and I hate it.
But we have several different recommended widths (Inclusive Mobility, LTN 1/20 and others), depending on volume, transport mode, and purpose. As a matter of principle, the space on a public highway belongs to the public, not to a private business who want to put their stuff on it for their own benefit. Landowners are always trying to do that, and they need to be less selfish. 4m is roughly where it is for a high foot fall environment, and I am making it slightly wider than minimum because using a footpath includes stopping to take in the view, to sit on a bench for a rest, and so on, which I think are common in Strand-on-the-Green.
The required width for a mobility aid to travel safely and comfortably is 1.5m width unobstructed, since the things themselves are up to about 1.0m, sometimes 1.2m, and extra width is required simple eg wheelchairs require width for hands outside to do wheeling. For two way that is 3.0m, minimum. And I don't accept lamp posts, sign posts, pedestrian cages, litter bins, cross pathway advertising hoardings where phone boxes used to be, Horse's f*cking Brobdingnagian phone masts, and all the rest as not being obstructions; they should be off the clear footway - but that is a slightly different tack !
On passing places, I reject the idea out of hand - except for special circumstances such as a pre-existing constraint. We build our normal carriageways for vehicles to be 5.5m width, so two can pass, except where eg we need traffic calming because many drivers cannot control themselves. The principle is precisely the same for footpaths and footways - imo if we think it through, that is a very basic, unarguable implication of Equality Law. Why should we make wheelchair users use passing spaces in everyday travel, when we do not do so for people who are less marginalised, and the facilities for pedestrians cost such little money?
We had an interesting debate the other week about Delivery Robots, which I have been feeding back as "expect serious resistance if you try to prevent these without a very carefully argued case". The association has a new Chairman, who did a very interesting presentation about developing values and a strategy for their centenary, here - provocative, but not especially radical:
But just to focus on the passing places. Let’s say that you have a riverside path that is 5m wide. I’m guessing you need about 2.5m to accommodate a table and two chairs.
But under your approach that is unacceptable in case there is a scenario where two wheelchair users need to pass each other. So the vast majority of people don’t get to enjoy the path.
My approach represents a reasonable accommodation; create a passing place so wheelchairs don’t lose the ability to pass each other, but also enable to space to be shared by others. But apparently that is so unacceptable as to be “rejected out of hand”
Thanks for elaborating. I disagree with your suggestion, but finding an accommodation is why we have local licenses, laws, and committees and councillors to consider needs and the law, and to come up with such an accommodation - which can then be appealed (i think) or challenged in court by either side if it is thought problematic.
The primary value I try and think from in this is equality. We do no allow pubs to spread their tables and chairs across the public highway ie the carriageway on your road or my road, and make all the cars wait in a passing place to wait and squeeze through one by one. Why should we impose that on mobility aid users of the public highway? I see no difference in principle.
Practically a passing place will not work - outside a pub it will have half-drunk people standing in it much of the time. There will be some who think it funny to poke, prod, throw beer, call them a spaz or similar, or do other things. And even sober people are fairly often abusive or threatening or even violent when asked to accommodate. Try asking some selfish parents parking on the yellow zigzag lines outside a primary school to drop off children, putting the other children at risk, to stop doing it (school staff will be abused if they try to act), or ask someone blocking a Zebra zig-zags or a drop kerb to move, and see what the response is. Mobility aid users will not often do that, because they have been verbally abused before and cannot run away - they are vulnerable.
Yes - 4.5m is ambitious, albeit arguable from national guidelines, but one always gets less than asked for so it is good to start thinking from the actual recommendations for good practice. Often much more is possible by being innovative than one expects.
In the case of the City Barge in @Malmesbury 's photo there is 4.25m from the face of the pub wall to the railing on the river edge. The tables take up ~2m perhaps with an extra chair on the end, and I think a shelf on the railing, which would have 0.6-0.8m of people leaning on it. That leaves about 1.5m.
I'd say a practical answer here could be French style 0.8m round cafe tables against the pub wall, taking up 1.2m max, a clear 3m path marked with a line, no shelf on the railing, and moveable chairs and tables if wanted placed on the concrete (?) tidal apron when the tide is out - which in that part of Chiswick is a lot of the time.
'Andy Burnham has vowed to bring in proportional representation in Labour’s next manifesto.
The commitment would allow smaller parties like the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK to form part of the government.
He made the pledge in an online Q&A in which he also vowed to keep the triple lock and said he would strike returns agreements for foreign criminals with Afghanistan.'
'Andy Burnham has vowed to bring in proportional representation in Labour’s next manifesto.
The commitment would allow smaller parties like the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK to form part of the government.
He made the pledge in an online Q&A in which he also vowed to keep the triple lock and said he would strike returns agreements for foreign criminals with Afghanistan.'
I mean if you were to be pedantic you would say that smaller parties can form part of the government under the existing system. It's not really the defining point of PR.
And under PR they wouldn't really be "smaller" parties anyway.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
I think he did.
The format was that he would go into a location - say a small factory - and the workers there would get to ask him questions.
One interesting reaction to the Cameron Directs was from the media - who refused to cover them, unless *they* controlled the audience. Salted with activists with "interesting questions", was the main demand. Apparently, the questions and answers from normal people were too bland for the broadcasters taste.
This, ultimately, is why things like YouTube are good and why the traditional broadcasters hate it for weakening their power and control.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
That’s a shame, and I hope you stay as your contribution is one I value highly.
But have we not been here before.
Not as many departures as that Horse idiot. But all the same.
Hang around and relish the fact most people here value your contribution and insight.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
These days politicians talking direct to the public is probably a good approach. Will be novel for UK to have a PM do so, and could ensure that his actual message gets through rather than whatever filter newspapers want to add. That said - its a high risk approach!
Right, I know that there is a collective of left leaning shed TV leaning Dads on this site that are absolute doomsayers when it comes to Kemi Badenoch, keep on underestimating her now regular cut through on the doorsteps while the Scottish Conservatives in Aberdeen South certainly experienced it on the doorsteps. As Douglas Lumsden pointed out on the Holyrood Sources podcast it was refreshing to have a Westminster leader who was cutting through and was popular on the doorsteps in Aberdeen!
Some regulars on here who know sod all about regional Scottish politics even patronisingly suggested that the Scottish Conservatives would only manage to hang onto their deposits in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry based on their brief glance and dismissive view of the overall performance of the party in Scotland back in May, especially on the List vote without taking into account their strong performance in the constituency votes in their strongest areas outside the borders like the North East of Scotland back in May...
Well the Scottish Conservatives went from third place in 2024 to win comfortable in Aberdeen South, and they came from literally no where in third place to come second in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry as well! Kemi you go girl despite the doubters on here! I would bet now that Kemi Badenoch will still be there as Conservative leader at the next GE while Nigel Farage will not be leader of Reform.
Now we know that Andy Burnham is going to be crowned the new Labour Leader and PM in a few weeks despite being out of Westminster Politics for years and with a pi** poor back record and political platform and a rumoured Cabinet that is going to see the House of Lords doing the heavy lifting while he brings back the Blair/Brown boys overiding the 400+ Labour MPs already sitting in this Parliament.
So here is a thought, who now is no longer on resignation watch in the current Labour Government under Keir Starmer but who now maybe becomes a suprise Conservative defector from the Labour backbenches under Andy Burnham before the next GE if their seat was a previous surprise win in a Conservative safe seat, especially a rural one?! Something tells me that the same doomsayers on here will still dismiss a Labour or Libdem defector to the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch's leadership as a flash in the pan....
Its not Reform or Restore defectors that will make the future news for Kemi Badenoch, they will continue to do her spring cleaning for her, no, its going to be defections from the left that will help her build her centre right party and make the Conservatives electable again in key seats where it matters in the UK.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
As an aside for @TSE -- Speccie this weekend reports that Cameron has been helping school Kemi for PMQs.
Yup, Dave has my levels of self confidence and modesty.
Kemi Badenoch takes advice from Tory leaders to boost PMQs performance
The Tory leader has spoken to all her living predecessors — except one.
Boris Johnson made the case that Nigel Farage comes with the ‘whiff of sulphur’
Kemi Badenoch has taken advice from every former living Conservative leader, except Liz Truss, as she attempts to rebuild trust in the party.
Badenoch has held meetings with her predecessors including Sir John Major, Lord Hague of Richmond, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, Baroness May of Maidenhead, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
She is understood to have taken the most advice from Duncan Smith and Cameron, who is said to have told her: “There are only three living people who have gone from being leader of the opposition to being prime minister. I am the only one who wants to help you.”
The Spectator reported that Johnson spoke at the opening of the party’s new headquarters in London and has been in touch with Badenoch about how best to take on Nigel Farage.
He said: “Is it not wonderful, poetic, beautiful to see Reform being devoured, haemorrhaging votes on the right to this party called Restore, which sounds like a sort of hair-loss potion or something?”
Speccie also saying that Boris is gearing up to return to the front line fray having put sufficient "hay in the loft" for the family.
One of the things that differentiates Tories from Reformers is in their attitude to Ukraine. And one thing about Boris is his absolute commitment to Ukraine and anger at anyone who backslides on this. No Reformer he.
I think this goes some way to explaining the antagonism between him and Farage, a long-time repeater of Kremlin lines, and who has said he won't commit UK troops to Ukraine when the war ends. Will be interesting, not to say entertaining, if Boris returns to the fray.
'Andy Burnham has vowed to bring in proportional representation in Labour’s next manifesto.
The commitment would allow smaller parties like the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK to form part of the government.
He made the pledge in an online Q&A in which he also vowed to keep the triple lock and said he would strike returns agreements for foreign criminals with Afghanistan.'
"bring in proportional representation in Labour’s next manifesto."
Eh?
He means he will put a change to PR in the manifesto and then see if they win power.
No manifesto brings anything in without a majority in HoC.
Also I think he will be totally bogged down in 2029 campaign unless he says there will be a referendum rather than just legislation.
Nothing about a referendum, so if Labour win a majority on most seats at the next GE with a manifesto commitment for PR then PR will come in, either via a Labour majority in the former scenario or with LD and Green support in the latter
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Fully agree with @turbotubbs. I called out @Roger years ago when he expressed the view that “Me Too” was a director’s perk.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
As an aside for @TSE -- Speccie this weekend reports that Cameron has been helping school Kemi for PMQs.
Yup, Dave has my levels of self confidence and modesty.
Kemi Badenoch takes advice from Tory leaders to boost PMQs performance
The Tory leader has spoken to all her living predecessors — except one.
Boris Johnson made the case that Nigel Farage comes with the ‘whiff of sulphur’
Kemi Badenoch has taken advice from every former living Conservative leader, except Liz Truss, as she attempts to rebuild trust in the party.
Badenoch has held meetings with her predecessors including Sir John Major, Lord Hague of Richmond, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, Baroness May of Maidenhead, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
She is understood to have taken the most advice from Duncan Smith and Cameron, who is said to have told her: “There are only three living people who have gone from being leader of the opposition to being prime minister. I am the only one who wants to help you.”
The Spectator reported that Johnson spoke at the opening of the party’s new headquarters in London and has been in touch with Badenoch about how best to take on Nigel Farage.
He said: “Is it not wonderful, poetic, beautiful to see Reform being devoured, haemorrhaging votes on the right to this party called Restore, which sounds like a sort of hair-loss potion or something?”
Speccie also saying that Boris is gearing up to return to the front line fray having put sufficient "hay in the loft" for the family.
One of the things that differentiates Tories from Reformers is in their attitude to Ukraine. And one thing about Boris is his absolute commitment to Ukraine and anger at anyone who backslides on this. No Reformer he.
I think this goes some way to explaining the antagonism between him and Farage, a long-time repeater of Kremlin lines, and who has said he won't commit UK troops to Ukraine when the war ends. Will be interesting, not to say entertaining, if Boris returns to the fray.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup? What are the odds on an England win?
Let's be honest, we all know the answer to the first question in the heading above. Anyone who watched their borderline magical dismantling of Sweden will be in little doubt as to France's status as World Cup favourites.
Yes, their midfield is arguable not among the best in the competition and their defence is certainly not infalli But the simple presence of five attacking players in their squad who many count among the top 10 on the planet means that opposing teams will likely have to do something special if they are to overcome Didier Deschamps' side.
Well, the bookies certainly agree, with Polymarket placing their chances of clinching the trophy for a third time at 33%, with SkyBet offering odds of 15/8.
Next is Argentina, with a 19% shot and 4/1 odds, followed by Spain on 13% and 11/2.
Fourth favourites are England, with an estimated 7% chance and odds of 10/1. Brazil are also given a 7% shout, but with odds of 11/1.
Of the remaining viable options, Portugal are at 6%, Mexico (England's next opponents) on 3% along with the USA and Morocco.
Colombia and Norway are given a 2% chance, Belgium and Switzerland both 1%, with the remaining teams all considered to have a less-than-1% prospect of an unlikely triumph.
I fear that Mexico will end England's dreams on Monday morning but as soon as they leave their fortress at the Azteca they will be toast.
Judging by the forecast for Mexico City I think kick off is going to be around 3:30 AM UK time, & they'll be playing on a very wet pitch. What this means for the match I'm not sure. Temperature wise at least will feel like a slightly muggy September evening in Stoke.
Kick off is 1am UK time.
Not if there are storms, which I assume is the implication.
Ah.
Which would make a tough night horrendous. I can conceive of staying awake for a 1 am kick off, but not if it’s later.
This is why I scheduled annual leave.
My business manager is planning an all nighter so he is not going to be telling off the staff for being tired and slow in clinic Monday morning.
Fortunately we have enough staff from other countries to keep the wheels turning...
'Andy Burnham has vowed to bring in proportional representation in Labour’s next manifesto.
The commitment would allow smaller parties like the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK to form part of the government.
He made the pledge in an online Q&A in which he also vowed to keep the triple lock and said he would strike returns agreements for foreign criminals with Afghanistan.'
This pub furniture on the Thames path in Strand-on-the-Green is a story that could go on a bit, as it is culture war plus local councillors who really do not like each other, and local politics in Chiswick is quite vigorous anyway. I lived on Park Road down there for about 3 years in the early 2000s, in a slightly expensive but very enjoyable one bedroom flat.
(One note: take care not to confuse your Hiltons. I think the protagonist is Alistair Hilton, who is claiming the Green Councillor set the police on him and to my eye overegging his pudding a little - it could go legal, with Adrian Hilton, who is in the debate but is I think the former "Archbishop Cranmer" blogger.)
The basic issue is about unlawful obstructions (the pub outdoor tables and chairs) on a public highway - the Thames Path, which here is either a Public Footpath, or an Adopted Highway in the relevant places. Two pubs, as 'landowners', seem to feel that that, and that they have been doing it for some years, means they should be able to continue to do it without a pavement license.
The local Conservative Councillor (and the Telegraph and the Standard and GB News) have weighed in in support of the pubs (and their customers who like sitting on the Thames Path), and it was a Green Councillor who made a report to ask that it be looked at, around accessibility for less mobile pedestrians to Pass and Repass along the Thames Path unobstructed.
Given my penchant for removing obstructions from public highways so mobility aids can use them, it will be clear where I stand - as long as the path is fully accessible (and there are endless technicalities about how wide it is, and what type of highway it is in each place) and easily useable, they can put their tables there provided there is a license and no obstruction. IMO here the clear path should be 4m wide.
The Council Officers were abrupt in their demands for removal, and after a word from the local councillor have now backed down to say "you can keep your tables whilst we thin about it), which is how it should have been in the first place.
The various bits of media are trying to make this about authoritarian Councils and Councillors banning outside drinking (which is afaics a lie, not that that will stop them), and police vs freedom of speech (around Hilton's twitter comments).
This could run and run. My prediction is that the pubs will cathc up to what the law requires, and then the seating will continue with appropriate adjustments.
All the pubs are recommended. I used to go on riverside dates down there.
4m wide seems very wide for a pathway. Presumably that to allow (for example) two wheelchair users to pass each other, but wouldn’t it be better to have passing bays? Otherwise I doubt that any riverside path in the country will be compliant with your demands
I promise not to take you down a rabbit hole but I'll put a bit of information on the bone !
We have a disease in this country of taking pedestrian space down to the absolute minimum, which makes using footpaths unpleasant when there is a fair amount of foot traffic, and that causes conflict which no one wants. The attitude is nasty, and small minded, and I hate it.
But we have several different recommended widths (Inclusive Mobility, LTN 1/20 and others), depending on volume, transport mode, and purpose. As a matter of principle, the space on a public highway belongs to the public, not to a private business who want to put their stuff on it for their own benefit. Landowners are always trying to do that, and they need to be less selfish. 4m is roughly where it is for a high foot fall environment, and I am making it slightly wider than minimum because using a footpath includes stopping to take in the view, to sit on a bench for a rest, and so on, which I think are common in Strand-on-the-Green.
The required width for a mobility aid to travel safely and comfortably is 1.5m width unobstructed, since the things themselves are up to about 1.0m, sometimes 1.2m, and extra width is required simple eg wheelchairs require width for hands outside to do wheeling. For two way that is 3.0m, minimum. And I don't accept lamp posts, sign posts, pedestrian cages, litter bins, cross pathway advertising hoardings where phone boxes used to be, Horse's f*cking Brobdingnagian phone masts, and all the rest as not being obstructions; they should be off the clear footway - but that is a slightly different tack !
On passing places, I reject the idea out of hand - except for special circumstances such as a pre-existing constraint. We build our normal carriageways for vehicles to be 5.5m width, so two can pass, except where eg we need traffic calming because many drivers cannot control themselves. The principle is precisely the same for footpaths and footways - imo if we think it through, that is a very basic, unarguable implication of Equality Law. Why should we make wheelchair users use passing spaces in everyday travel, when we do not do so for people who are less marginalised, and the facilities for pedestrians cost such little money?
We had an interesting debate the other week about Delivery Robots, which I have been feeding back as "expect serious resistance if you try to prevent these without a very carefully argued case". The association has a new Chairman, who did a very interesting presentation about developing values and a strategy for their centenary, here - provocative, but not especially radical:
But just to focus on the passing places. Let’s say that you have a riverside path that is 5m wide. I’m guessing you need about 2.5m to accommodate a table and two chairs.
But under your approach that is unacceptable in case there is a scenario where two wheelchair users need to pass each other. So the vast majority of people don’t get to enjoy the path.
My approach represents a reasonable accommodation; create a passing place so wheelchairs don’t lose the ability to pass each other, but also enable to space to be shared by others. But apparently that is so unacceptable as to be “rejected out of hand”
Thanks for elaborating. I disagree with your suggestion, but finding an accommodation is why we have local licenses, laws, and committees and councillors to consider needs and the law, and to come up with such an accommodation - which can then be appealed (i think) or challenged in court by either side if it is thought problematic.
The primary value I try and think from in this is equality. We do no allow pubs to spread their tables and chairs across the public highway ie the carriageway on your road or my road, and make all the cars wait in a passing place to wait and squeeze through one by one. Why should we impose that on mobility aid users of the public highway? I see no difference in principle.
Practically a passing place will not work - outside a pub it will have half-drunk people standing in it much of the time. There will be some who think it funny to poke, prod, throw beer, call them a spaz or similar, or do other things. And even sober people are fairly often abusive or threatening or even violent when asked to accommodate. Try asking some selfish parents parking on the yellow zigzag lines outside a primary school to drop off children, putting the other children at risk, to stop doing it (school staff will be abused if they try to act), or ask someone blocking a Zebra zig-zags or a drop kerb to move, and see what the response is. Mobility aid users will not often do that, because they have been verbally abused before and cannot run away - they are vulnerable.
Yes - 4.5m is ambitious, albeit arguable from national guidelines, but one always gets less than asked for so it is good to start thinking from the actual recommendations for good practice. Often much more is possible by being innovative than one expects.
In the case of the City Barge in @Malmesbury 's photo there is 4.25m from the face of the pub wall to the railing on the river edge. The tables take up ~2m perhaps with an extra chair on the end, and I think a shelf on the railing, which would have 0.6-0.8m of people leaning on it. That leaves about 1.5m.
I'd say a practical answer here could be French style 0.8m round cafe tables against the pub wall, taking up 1.2m max, a clear 3m path marked with a line, no shelf on the railing, and moveable chairs and tables if wanted placed on the concrete (?) tidal apron when the tide is out - which in that part of Chiswick is a lot of the time.
But that’s exactly the point. On narrow roads we *do* use passing points for cars.
It’s simply a question of utility. Your suggestion is not a compromise. It’s an insistence on an outcome that gives you all you want and prevents anyone else sharing the space in a reasonable manner.
I was proposing a 4.5m pathway with 2.5m for the table and chairs and 2m to allow full mobility. The only constraint there is when two full width mobility devices need to pass each other. In reality how often does that happen?
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Don't let the buggers get you down.
This is the same individual who thinks Putin is justified in invading Ukraine as he has a claim over Ukraine.
He has an utterly broken moral compass. Being the antithesis of roger is a badge of honour.
The U.S. death rate fell to the lowest point on record last year, while flu and pneumonia rose to be one of the top 10 leading causes of death, according to provisional data released Thursday from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The estimated age-adjusted death rate last year was 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people, a 4.6 percent decline from 722.1 in 2024. The change comes as overdose deaths, which had soared to staggering levels, are on the decline.
Right, I know that there is a collective of left leaning shed TV leaning Dads on this site that are absolute doomsayers when it comes to Kemi Badenoch, keep on underestimating her now regular cut through on the doorsteps while the Scottish Conservatives in Aberdeen South certainly experienced it on the doorsteps. As Douglas Lumsden pointed out on the Holyrood Sources podcast it was refreshing to have a Westminster leader who was cutting through and was popular on the doorsteps in Aberdeen!
Some regulars on here who know sod all about regional Scottish politics even patronisingly suggested that the Scottish Conservatives would only manage to hang onto their deposits in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry based on their brief glance and dismissive view of the overall performance of the party in Scotland back in May, especially on the List vote without taking into account their strong performance in the constituency votes in their strongest areas outside the borders like the North East of Scotland back in May...
Well the Scottish Conservatives went from third place in 2024 to win comfortable in Aberdeen South, and they came from literally no where in third place to come second in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry as well! Kemi you go girl despite the doubters on here! I would bet now that Kemi Badenoch will still be there as Conservative leader at the next GE while Nigel Farage will not be leader of Reform.
Now we know that Andy Burnham is going to be crowned the new Labour Leader and PM in a few weeks despite being out of Westminster Politics for years and with a pi** poor back record and political platform and a rumoured Cabinet that is going to see the House of Lords doing the heavy lifting while he brings back the Blair/Brown boys overiding the 400+ Labour MPs already sitting in this Parliament.
So here is a thought, who now is no longer on resignation watch in the current Labour Government under Keir Starmer but who now maybe becomes a suprise Conservative defector from the Labour backbenches under Andy Burnham before the next GE if their seat was a previous surprise win in a Conservative safe seat, especially a rural one?! Something tells me that the same doomsayers on here will still dismiss a Labour or Libdem defector to the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch's leadership as a flash in the pan....
Its not Reform or Restore defectors that will make the future news for Kemi Badenoch, they will continue to do her spring cleaning for her, no, its going to be defections from the left that will help her build her centre right party and make the Conservatives electable again in key seats where it matters in the UK.
I have some sympathy for this, but the Tories, and Kemi, still have a very long way to go, as the recent slew of council by-elections confirm.
This, from Giles Dilnot, the editor of ConHome, seems a reasonable take:
"The end of the beginning is beginning to end and there’s a weird lull in the air.
"The Conservative party’s story for the last two years may have had a different trajectory than that of our departing Prime Minister but it has been equally turbulent and difficult.
"The future is impossible to accurately predict, but the theory is that Kemi Badenoch and her team are in a trilogy cycle the first part of which has just ended. I’m sure the wags and the satirists could have fun with titles but the basic premise, as far as it goes is the story divides into: Fight for Survival. The Graft. The Return.
"It’s a classic story arc, but ask anyone involved, friend of the party or foe and they’ll tell you the latter is still not ensured by any means, we’ll have to see how the middle part pans out, but the first part seems to have closed. Even Reform commentators grudgingly accept, and with caveats aplenty, that the Conservative party has survived and it neither dead, nor quitting the field."
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
I think he did.
The format was that he would go into a location - say a small factory - and the workers there would get to ask him questions.
One interesting reaction to the Cameron Directs was from the media - who refused to cover them, unless *they* controlled the audience. Salted with activists with "interesting questions", was the main demand. Apparently, the questions and answers from normal people were too bland for the broadcasters taste.
This, ultimately, is why things like YouTube are good and why the traditional broadcasters hate it for weakening their power and control.
I was more interested in the way they said the quiet bit out loud.
That ordinary people are too polite and sensible to make “proper” political broadcasts.
They wanted angry attacks, applauded by an audience. Not people asking “what would you do about X?”, and then listening to the answer. And then asking a polite follow up.
They wanted division, strife, attacks.
The echo of what we have now, with social media, is very strong.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Don't let the buggers get you down.
This is the same individual who thinks Putin is justified in invading Ukraine as he has a claim over Ukraine.
He has an utterly broken moral compass. Being the antithesis of roger is a badge of honour.
You’re misrepresenting him. It was a claim over Crimea not Ukraine.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Don't let the buggers get you down.
This is the same individual who thinks Putin is justified in invading Ukraine as he has a claim over Ukraine.
He has an utterly broken moral compass. Being the antithesis of roger is a badge of honour.
@Cyclefree. If you leave because of that buffoon @Roger, I hope the mods ban him so that you can come back. You are an asset to the site. Roger isn’t.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Don't let the buggers get you down.
This is the same individual who thinks Putin is justified in invading Ukraine as he has a claim over Ukraine.
He has an utterly broken moral compass. Being the antithesis of roger is a badge of honour.
You’re misrepresenting him. It was a claim over Crimea not Ukraine.
No, he literally said a few days ago that Russia has a claim over Ukraine, and that is why we should not worry as they don't have one over UK.
Right, I know that there is a collective of left leaning shed TV leaning Dads on this site that are absolute doomsayers when it comes to Kemi Badenoch, keep on underestimating her now regular cut through on the doorsteps while the Scottish Conservatives in Aberdeen South certainly experienced it on the doorsteps. As Douglas Lumsden pointed out on the Holyrood Sources podcast it was refreshing to have a Westminster leader who was cutting through and was popular on the doorsteps in Aberdeen!
Some regulars on here who know sod all about regional Scottish politics even patronisingly suggested that the Scottish Conservatives would only manage to hang onto their deposits in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry based on their brief glance and dismissive view of the overall performance of the party in Scotland back in May, especially on the List vote without taking into account their strong performance in the constituency votes in their strongest areas outside the borders like the North East of Scotland back in May...
Well the Scottish Conservatives went from third place in 2024 to win comfortable in Aberdeen South, and they came from literally no where in third place to come second in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry as well! Kemi you go girl despite the doubters on here! I would bet now that Kemi Badenoch will still be there as Conservative leader at the next GE while Nigel Farage will not be leader of Reform.
Now we know that Andy Burnham is going to be crowned the new Labour Leader and PM in a few weeks despite being out of Westminster Politics for years and with a pi** poor back record and political platform and a rumoured Cabinet that is going to see the House of Lords doing the heavy lifting while he brings back the Blair/Brown boys overiding the 400+ Labour MPs already sitting in this Parliament.
So here is a thought, who now is no longer on resignation watch in the current Labour Government under Keir Starmer but who now maybe becomes a suprise Conservative defector from the Labour backbenches under Andy Burnham before the next GE if their seat was a previous surprise win in a Conservative safe seat, especially a rural one?! Something tells me that the same doomsayers on here will still dismiss a Labour or Libdem defector to the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch's leadership as a flash in the pan....
Its not Reform or Restore defectors that will make the future news for Kemi Badenoch, they will continue to do her spring cleaning for her, no, its going to be defections from the left that will help her build her centre right party and make the Conservatives electable again in key seats where it matters in the UK.
As you probably know, I am a Scottish nationalist. However, I have money on Kemi Badenoch being PM after the next election, despite Burnham.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Don't let the buggers get you down.
This is the same individual who thinks Putin is justified in invading Ukraine as he has a claim over Ukraine.
He has an utterly broken moral compass. Being the antithesis of roger is a badge of honour.
You’re misrepresenting him. It was a claim over Crimea not Ukraine.
No, he literally said a few days ago that Russia has a claim over Ukraine, and that is why we should not worry as they don't have one over UK.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Don't let the buggers get you down.
This is the same individual who thinks Putin is justified in invading Ukraine as he has a claim over Ukraine.
He has an utterly broken moral compass. Being the antithesis of roger is a badge of honour.
You’re misrepresenting him. It was a claim over Crimea not Ukraine.
No, he literally said a few days ago that Russia has a claim over Ukraine, and that is why we should not worry as they don't have one over UK.
He said it was Crimea.
FAKE NEWS from the RADICAL LEFT LUNATIC Taz!
Roger Posts: 23,228 June 30 Does anyone else wonder whether these Colonel Blimps know what they're talking about when they say we'll be invaded by Russia in 2030? It's bonkers! Can't they make the leap that Ukraine was invaded because Russia has a claim on it? I don't think even that batty soldier who's spent too long under the sun lamp can think they have a similar claim to the UK.
I would just like to say @Cyclefree leaving us because of unjustified accusations by @Roger is a real low, and I appeal to this forum to show wholeheartedly support for her to reconsider and stay and for @Roger to apologise
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
Fully agree with @turbotubbs. I called out @Roger years ago when he expressed the view that “Me Too” was a director’s perk.
Nice, Beeb saying the England match is being moved to 7pm Sunday night UK time.
That's great news, I will be able to watch it.
Starmer is a political genius.
@TheScreamingEagles - where should I put the keys to the CIA weather control satellite, now I’m finished with it?
Starmer was being prescient in delaying his decision on pubs extended licences. I wonder, if the kick off time is changed, how many people will be upset to find that pubs decide not to open to 5am after all. I doubt the publicans will be upset.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
As an aside for @TSE -- Speccie this weekend reports that Cameron has been helping school Kemi for PMQs.
Yup, Dave has my levels of self confidence and modesty.
Kemi Badenoch takes advice from Tory leaders to boost PMQs performance
The Tory leader has spoken to all her living predecessors — except one.
Boris Johnson made the case that Nigel Farage comes with the ‘whiff of sulphur’
Kemi Badenoch has taken advice from every former living Conservative leader, except Liz Truss, as she attempts to rebuild trust in the party.
Badenoch has held meetings with her predecessors including Sir John Major, Lord Hague of Richmond, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, Baroness May of Maidenhead, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
She is understood to have taken the most advice from Duncan Smith and Cameron, who is said to have told her: “There are only three living people who have gone from being leader of the opposition to being prime minister. I am the only one who wants to help you.”
The Spectator reported that Johnson spoke at the opening of the party’s new headquarters in London and has been in touch with Badenoch about how best to take on Nigel Farage.
He said: “Is it not wonderful, poetic, beautiful to see Reform being devoured, haemorrhaging votes on the right to this party called Restore, which sounds like a sort of hair-loss potion or something?”
Speccie also saying that Boris is gearing up to return to the front line fray having put sufficient "hay in the loft" for the family.
One of the things that differentiates Tories from Reformers is in their attitude to Ukraine. And one thing about Boris is his absolute commitment to Ukraine and anger at anyone who backslides on this. No Reformer he.
I think this goes some way to explaining the antagonism between him and Farage, a long-time repeater of Kremlin lines, and who has said he won't commit UK troops to Ukraine when the war ends. Will be interesting, not to say entertaining, if Boris returns to the fray.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
As an aside for @TSE -- Speccie this weekend reports that Cameron has been helping school Kemi for PMQs.
Yup, Dave has my levels of self confidence and modesty.
Kemi Badenoch takes advice from Tory leaders to boost PMQs performance
The Tory leader has spoken to all her living predecessors — except one.
Boris Johnson made the case that Nigel Farage comes with the ‘whiff of sulphur’
Kemi Badenoch has taken advice from every former living Conservative leader, except Liz Truss, as she attempts to rebuild trust in the party.
Badenoch has held meetings with her predecessors including Sir John Major, Lord Hague of Richmond, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, Baroness May of Maidenhead, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
She is understood to have taken the most advice from Duncan Smith and Cameron, who is said to have told her: “There are only three living people who have gone from being leader of the opposition to being prime minister. I am the only one who wants to help you.”
The Spectator reported that Johnson spoke at the opening of the party’s new headquarters in London and has been in touch with Badenoch about how best to take on Nigel Farage.
He said: “Is it not wonderful, poetic, beautiful to see Reform being devoured, haemorrhaging votes on the right to this party called Restore, which sounds like a sort of hair-loss potion or something?”
Speccie also saying that Boris is gearing up to return to the front line fray having put sufficient "hay in the loft" for the family.
One of the things that differentiates Tories from Reformers is in their attitude to Ukraine. And one thing about Boris is his absolute commitment to Ukraine and anger at anyone who backslides on this. No Reformer he.
I think this goes some way to explaining the antagonism between him and Farage, a long-time repeater of Kremlin lines, and who has said he won't commit UK troops to Ukraine when the war ends. Will be interesting, not to say entertaining, if Boris returns to the fray.
JRM came on board with Kemi this week apparently
Oh dear. She can't win at everything.
As @TSE has said Kemi involvement with all past conservative leaders and PMs, excluding Truss, is impressive and if they publically endorse her and campaign for her it will be quite a win
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
As an aside for @TSE -- Speccie this weekend reports that Cameron has been helping school Kemi for PMQs.
Yup, Dave has my levels of self confidence and modesty.
Kemi Badenoch takes advice from Tory leaders to boost PMQs performance
The Tory leader has spoken to all her living predecessors — except one.
Boris Johnson made the case that Nigel Farage comes with the ‘whiff of sulphur’
Kemi Badenoch has taken advice from every former living Conservative leader, except Liz Truss, as she attempts to rebuild trust in the party.
Badenoch has held meetings with her predecessors including Sir John Major, Lord Hague of Richmond, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, Baroness May of Maidenhead, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
She is understood to have taken the most advice from Duncan Smith and Cameron, who is said to have told her: “There are only three living people who have gone from being leader of the opposition to being prime minister. I am the only one who wants to help you.”
The Spectator reported that Johnson spoke at the opening of the party’s new headquarters in London and has been in touch with Badenoch about how best to take on Nigel Farage.
He said: “Is it not wonderful, poetic, beautiful to see Reform being devoured, haemorrhaging votes on the right to this party called Restore, which sounds like a sort of hair-loss potion or something?”
Speccie also saying that Boris is gearing up to return to the front line fray having put sufficient "hay in the loft" for the family.
One of the things that differentiates Tories from Reformers is in their attitude to Ukraine. And one thing about Boris is his absolute commitment to Ukraine and anger at anyone who backslides on this. No Reformer he.
I think this goes some way to explaining the antagonism between him and Farage, a long-time repeater of Kremlin lines, and who has said he won't commit UK troops to Ukraine when the war ends. Will be interesting, not to say entertaining, if Boris returns to the fray.
JRM came on board with Kemi this week apparently
Oh dear. She can't win at everything.
I sometimes wonder whether JRM applied to join Reform, but was knocked back because of the negative effect on their red wall voters.
Cyclefree is great. I hope she continues to post. But the idea that it's 'her or Roger' is a bit silly. Roger posts, Cyclefree posts, we all post. Until we don't. That's what this is.
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
See - better at politics already. That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
One distinctive Burnham approach in Manchester is that he has regularly done radio phone ins. Unfortunately for him, a favourite subject has been the Manchester ULEZ, which he changed to a different strategy to meet the targets.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
Sounds like Cameron Direct that David Cameron did, hardly an unheard of concept.
Did Dave keep doing them once he was in Downing Street? (Genuinely, I don't know.)
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
As an aside for @TSE -- Speccie this weekend reports that Cameron has been helping school Kemi for PMQs.
Yup, Dave has my levels of self confidence and modesty.
Kemi Badenoch takes advice from Tory leaders to boost PMQs performance
The Tory leader has spoken to all her living predecessors — except one.
Boris Johnson made the case that Nigel Farage comes with the ‘whiff of sulphur’
Kemi Badenoch has taken advice from every former living Conservative leader, except Liz Truss, as she attempts to rebuild trust in the party.
Badenoch has held meetings with her predecessors including Sir John Major, Lord Hague of Richmond, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, Baroness May of Maidenhead, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
She is understood to have taken the most advice from Duncan Smith and Cameron, who is said to have told her: “There are only three living people who have gone from being leader of the opposition to being prime minister. I am the only one who wants to help you.”
The Spectator reported that Johnson spoke at the opening of the party’s new headquarters in London and has been in touch with Badenoch about how best to take on Nigel Farage.
He said: “Is it not wonderful, poetic, beautiful to see Reform being devoured, haemorrhaging votes on the right to this party called Restore, which sounds like a sort of hair-loss potion or something?”
Speccie also saying that Boris is gearing up to return to the front line fray having put sufficient "hay in the loft" for the family.
One of the things that differentiates Tories from Reformers is in their attitude to Ukraine. And one thing about Boris is his absolute commitment to Ukraine and anger at anyone who backslides on this. No Reformer he.
I think this goes some way to explaining the antagonism between him and Farage, a long-time repeater of Kremlin lines, and who has said he won't commit UK troops to Ukraine when the war ends. Will be interesting, not to say entertaining, if Boris returns to the fray.
JRM came on board with Kemi this week apparently
Oh dear. She can't win at everything.
I sometimes wonder whether JRM applied to join Reform, but was knocked back because of the negative effect on their red wall voters.
A site where people like @Roger tells lies about me is not for me any more.
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
You're one of our best, and he isn't. Stick around.
Comments
I have noticed a couple of local pubs asking clients if they will attend the match and whether it is worth opening
It is fine for Starmer to announce relaxed pub laws, but has anyone thought how the pubs get the staff and what happens when the drinkers roll out at 4.00am ish ?
Steven Swinford
@Steven_Swinford
BREAKING
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
Steven Swinford
@Steven_Swinford
BREAKING
Andy Burnham announces that he will keep the triple lock
Senior advisers to the prime minister-in-waiting have raised repeated concerns about the cost of the policy and suggested it should be scrapped
Burnham has used an 'Ask Me Anything' session on Reddit to confirm that he will retain the triple lock, which is expected to reach £15billion by 2030
I suspect it didn't quite achieve what was intended, given she insulted the audience: https://www.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics/comments/1uls1lw/comment/ovc0qnl/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=2&utm_content=share_button
I suggest that there is very little confusion and no ambiguity. If this is a ROW (meaning public footpath) there is someone ignorantly or with knowledge breaking the law by putting obstructions on a public highway without a license, and then arguing that having committed the offence for a long time, they should be allowed to continue.
It is no different in law to setting up chairs and tables in the middle of Acacia Gardens or the A38. There is a long history of law, most recently Section 137 of the Highways Act 1980, that says wilfully (=intending to put whatever it was where you put it) obstructing a public highway is an offence. Plus there is recent precedent setting case law that applies to the public having a right to use the full extent of a ROW - this is an important legal concept.
Such installations require a licence, just as you need one when you put a skip outside your house, or close your street for a Coronation Party or a fete.
If it is a ROW, ownership is largely irrelevant, other than obligations to maintain etc. There are hundreds of thousands of places in the UK where the house owner owns the land up to the middle of the public road, but the ROW over the public highway is a superior right - the language in England is "dominant" user and "servient" landowner.
There may be ambiguity around the exact extent of the ROW is eg does it go right up to the wall of the pub or is it say 12 inches in front. But that is in the detail of the records of the Highways Authority.
GBN are in my view just enjoying an opportunity to stir the pot.
a) you certainly don't want Burnham
b) you probably need a stony gnome in somewhere like Frankfurt...
“hath built herself a bath, where she doth bathe herself once a month, whether she require it or no.”.
I was taught it in school. A careful debunking is here:
https://fakehistoryhunter.net/2022/01/14/the-curious-claims-about-elizabeth-is-bathing-habits/
That's what we all wanted right?
More seriously triple lock is not a top priority to address.
If Burnham can use political capital on land tax/council tax reform as is being briefed, that is a much bigger prize.
Edit i need to read the full post.
I gather one way people run up their bills is having a previously unsuspected leak outside the house, but on their side of the meter rather than the water board's.
1) Merge income tax and employee NI
2) create a new tax rate for pensioners on the basic rate - the same as the old income tax rate.
3) the new higher rate applies to pensioners.
So pensioners with £50k income pay more tax. As do the “consultants” - tons of misuse of self employment as a tax dodge.
Look out for the squealing among the #NU10K - permanent jobs as “consultancy” is a favourite of theirs.
He has to justify being PM when not elected as such.
He has to make his mark, be clearly in charge and clearly not Starmer.
He has to reverse two years of terrible narrative and visionless leadership.
He has a difficult political and economic climate to negotiate.
He has to show the left that he can't do unconstrained spending while keeping them from permanent rebellion.
He has to knock sense into some rather dim MPs.
He has an election to win, perhaps in two years, against some pretty bad people with extreme and populist views
Changing PM gives an opportunity to take a hard look and make serious decisions, but sadly Burnham is already showing he does not want to do that.
Burnham did not know what Starmer would do, so he had a campaigning team and a "preparing for Goverment" team, and that organisation has more or less survived.
They said he had been caught out by the avalanche of people coming to him and doing a Yosser Hughes.
He'll be looking for something to keep in more direct touch with the public than a normal PM. Expect longish podcast interviews / conversations.
Reporters and Andrew Neil will have kittens, but that is probably a feature not a bug.
The driver ran a red signal, and he was in fact driving a 2000s vintage Class 360, NOT a Class 810.
There are many things that seem like good politics until the "questions that nobody else can resolve" hosepipe is pointed at you 24/7.
Kemi Badenoch takes advice from Tory leaders to boost PMQs performance
The Tory leader has spoken to all her living predecessors — except one.
Boris Johnson made the case that Nigel Farage comes with the ‘whiff of sulphur’
Kemi Badenoch has taken advice from every former living Conservative leader, except Liz Truss, as she attempts to rebuild trust in the party.
Badenoch has held meetings with her predecessors including Sir John Major, Lord Hague of Richmond, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton, Baroness May of Maidenhead, Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak.
She is understood to have taken the most advice from Duncan Smith and Cameron, who is said to have told her: “There are only three living people who have gone from being leader of the opposition to being prime minister. I am the only one who wants to help you.”
The Spectator reported that Johnson spoke at the opening of the party’s new headquarters in London and has been in touch with Badenoch about how best to take on Nigel Farage.
He said: “Is it not wonderful, poetic, beautiful to see Reform being devoured, haemorrhaging votes on the right to this party called Restore, which sounds like a sort of hair-loss potion or something?”
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/kemi-badenoch-advice-conservative-leaders-jft355pm5
Only Sir K.
The format was that he would go into a location - say a small factory - and the workers there would get to ask him questions.
One interesting reaction to the Cameron Directs was from the media - who refused to cover them, unless *they* controlled the audience. Salted with activists with "interesting questions", was the main demand. Apparently, the questions and answers from normal people were too bland for the broadcasters taste.
England's World Cup last-16 tie with Mexico could be moved to earlier on Sunday because of the threat of storms.
Fifa is considering bringing forward the game at Azteca, Mexico City, which is due to kick off at 01:00 BST on Monday.
Forecasts suggest there could be thunderstorms and heavy rain around this time.
One suggestion is the game could be brought forward six hours to 19:00 BST on Sunday.
However no final decision has been made and it is possible that original kick-off time remains.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cvgmz3jyq9qo
I responded to a poster saying that no-one gave a fuck about Gaza by saying that some people do care a lot and then went on to say that the death of civilians was a tragedy. As well as being one of this site's worst misogynists with a penchant for targeting me in particular (though I imagine any woman with opinions is a problem for him) he also has a problem with English comprehension.
I have no time or energy for people like him. And his presence makes the forum more unpleasant than it should be.
So bye.
The time for that is once England's adventure has concluded, and no matter what happens, I expect he will receive that honour in due course
A storm could boost the GDP of England by 2% in July.
May I say your contributions are greatly respected and please do not go, as doing so let's him win
On the more important issue of the WC, it's clear we aren't good enough to win it. But the good news is we don't have to be good enough to win it in order to win it. We just have to win 4 games in a row from here, inc shootouts if necessary. We're certainly good enough, if things go our way, to do that.
My bladder gets me up at 5 so I'll be watching the Mex game 'as live' from then. As always I'm hoping for a drama free, controlled one niller (to England, Ann) but I'll take any form of progression. I'm cautiously confident.
The commitment would allow smaller parties like the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Reform UK to form part of the government.
He made the pledge in an online Q&A in which he also vowed to keep the triple lock and said he would strike returns agreements for foreign criminals with Afghanistan.'
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15951429/Andy-Burnham-says-bring-proportional-representation-allow-smaller-parties-govern.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=social-twitter_mailonline
The primary value I try and think from in this is equality. We do no allow pubs to spread their tables and chairs across the public highway ie the carriageway on your road or my road, and make all the cars wait in a passing place to wait and squeeze through one by one. Why should we impose that on mobility aid users of the public highway? I see no difference in principle.
Practically a passing place will not work - outside a pub it will have half-drunk people standing in it much of the time. There will be some who think it funny to poke, prod, throw beer, call them a spaz or similar, or do other things. And even sober people are fairly often abusive or threatening or even violent when asked to accommodate. Try asking some selfish parents parking on the yellow zigzag lines outside a primary school to drop off children, putting the other children at risk, to stop doing it (school staff will be abused if they try to act), or ask someone blocking a Zebra zig-zags or a drop kerb to move, and see what the response is. Mobility aid users will not often do that, because they have been verbally abused before and cannot run away - they are vulnerable.
Yes - 4.5m is ambitious, albeit arguable from national guidelines, but one always gets less than asked for so it is good to start thinking from the actual recommendations for good practice. Often much more is possible by being innovative than one expects.
In the case of the City Barge in @Malmesbury 's photo there is 4.25m from the face of the pub wall to the railing on the river edge. The tables take up ~2m perhaps with an extra chair on the end, and I think a shelf on the railing, which would have 0.6-0.8m of people leaning on it. That leaves about 1.5m.
I'd say a practical answer here could be French style 0.8m round cafe tables against the pub wall, taking up 1.2m max, a clear 3m path marked with a line, no shelf on the railing, and moveable chairs and tables if wanted placed on the concrete (?) tidal apron when the tide is out - which in that part of Chiswick is a lot of the time.
Eh?
He means he will put a change to PR in the manifesto and then see if they win power.
No manifesto brings anything in without a majority in HoC.
Also I think he will be totally bogged down in 2029 campaign unless he says there will be a referendum rather than just legislation.
And under PR they wouldn't really be "smaller" parties anyway.
But have we not been here before.
Not as many departures as that Horse idiot. But all the same.
Hang around and relish the fact most people here value your contribution and insight.
Some regulars on here who know sod all about regional Scottish politics even patronisingly suggested that the Scottish Conservatives would only manage to hang onto their deposits in Aberdeen South and Arbroath and Broughty Ferry based on their brief glance and dismissive view of the overall performance of the party in Scotland back in May, especially on the List vote without taking into account their strong performance in the constituency votes in their strongest areas outside the borders like the North East of Scotland back in May...
Well the Scottish Conservatives went from third place in 2024 to win comfortable in Aberdeen South, and they came from literally no where in third place to come second in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry as well! Kemi you go girl despite the doubters on here! I would bet now that Kemi Badenoch will still be there as Conservative leader at the next GE while Nigel Farage will not be leader of Reform.
Now we know that Andy Burnham is going to be crowned the new Labour Leader and PM in a few weeks despite being out of Westminster Politics for years and with a pi** poor back record and political platform and a rumoured Cabinet that is going to see the House of Lords doing the heavy lifting while he brings back the Blair/Brown boys overiding the 400+ Labour MPs already sitting in this Parliament.
So here is a thought, who now is no longer on resignation watch in the current Labour Government under Keir Starmer but who now maybe becomes a suprise Conservative defector from the Labour backbenches under Andy Burnham before the next GE if their seat was a previous surprise win in a Conservative safe seat, especially a rural one?! Something tells me that the same doomsayers on here will still dismiss a Labour or Libdem defector to the Conservatives under Kemi Badenoch's leadership as a flash in the pan....
Its not Reform or Restore defectors that will make the future news for Kemi Badenoch, they will continue to do her spring cleaning for her, no, its going to be defections from the left that will help her build her centre right party and make the Conservatives electable again in key seats where it matters in the UK.
Currently it’s all ‘Could be brought forward”
I think this goes some way to explaining the antagonism between him and Farage, a long-time repeater of Kremlin lines, and who has said he won't commit UK troops to Ukraine when the war ends. Will be interesting, not to say entertaining, if Boris returns to the fray.
The site will be poorer without you @Cyclefree
“ Headteacher from TV's Educating Cardiff is banned from the profession after changing term times to fit her luxury cruise holidays‘
https://x.com/dailymail/status/2072996408613880192?s=61
Fortunately we have enough staff from other countries to keep the wheels turning...
How will he be totally bogged down?
It’s simply a question of utility. Your suggestion is not a compromise. It’s an insistence on an outcome that gives you all you want and prevents anyone else sharing the space in a reasonable manner.
I was proposing a 4.5m pathway with 2.5m for the table and chairs and 2m to allow full mobility. The only constraint there is when two full width mobility devices need to pass each other. In reality how often does that happen?
This is the same individual who thinks Putin is justified in invading Ukraine as he has a claim over Ukraine.
He has an utterly broken moral compass. Being the antithesis of roger is a badge of honour.
Some background: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_United_States
This, from Giles Dilnot, the editor of ConHome, seems a reasonable take:
"The end of the beginning is beginning to end and there’s a weird lull in the air.
"The Conservative party’s story for the last two years may have had a different trajectory than that of our departing Prime Minister but it has been equally turbulent and difficult.
"The future is impossible to accurately predict, but the theory is that Kemi Badenoch and her team are in a trilogy cycle the first part of which has just ended. I’m sure the wags and the satirists could have fun with titles but the basic premise, as far as it goes is the story divides into: Fight for Survival. The Graft. The Return.
"It’s a classic story arc, but ask anyone involved, friend of the party or foe and they’ll tell you the latter is still not ensured by any means, we’ll have to see how the middle part pans out, but the first part seems to have closed. Even Reform commentators grudgingly accept, and with caveats aplenty, that the Conservative party has survived and it neither dead, nor quitting the field."
https://conservativehome.com/2026/07/03/there-is-an-end-of-term-feeling-in-the-political-air-a-weird-calm-but-what-comes-next-will-be-wild/
That ordinary people are too polite and sensible to make “proper” political broadcasts.
They wanted angry attacks, applauded by an audience. Not people asking “what would you do about X?”, and then listening to the answer. And then asking a polite follow up.
They wanted division, strife, attacks.
The echo of what we have now, with social media, is very strong.
Roger
Posts: 23,228
June 30
Does anyone else wonder whether these Colonel Blimps know what they're talking about when they say we'll be invaded by Russia in 2030? It's bonkers! Can't they make the leap that Ukraine was invaded because Russia has a claim on it? I don't think even that batty soldier who's spent too long under the sun lamp can think they have a similar claim to the UK.
https://vf.politicalbetting.com/discussion/comment/5589505/#Comment_5589505