To follow on from my recent posts about the UK/London housing bubble, a policy. It should be the tories, but they seem too weak to confront their own supporter base about buy-to-let. Either party should propose a new wealth tax aimed at second properties, 1% of the value on an annual basis. It heads off the silly idea of a mansion tax on primary residences and it would deflate the housing bubble for buy-to-let. In addition to a punitive tax on non-resident ownership of property it would make the housing market function better for working people and families desperate to.get out of the rental sector. It would also be a new attack on empty properties as they would then lose money for their owners.
A 1% tax on second/non-primary properties. If a Tory bod is reading this then think about it. The party must enhance the lives of working people if it is to win the election. Relying on oldies who are all defecting to UKIP is not going to cut it.
I think it is now possible to charge council tax on empty properties, business units only get 3 months grace if unoccupied, I think, not sure about residential, but Councils have 'empty property officers'.
I grew up in Maida Vale but can no longer afford a family house there. I also think that incomers should contribute to the locality they strip housing stock from. I'd therefore like a wealth tax levied on bastards who are richer than me.
It would also be logical for any property tax to be based on square footage. At the moment a couple living in say Romiley can pass a 6-bedroom house on to their kids free of tax (this place for example: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38361034.html).
A couple living in a similar 6-bedroom house in say Twickenham would find that, being worth about £4 million, it will attract an IHT bill of about £1.5 million. Therefore you can keep your 6-bedroom house in the family if you live oop north, but not if you live in the Conservative-voting part of the country.
It would more rational to say that council, wealth, inheritance and other envy taxes should be levied ad valorem based on square footage. Say, 1% of value per 1,000 square feet over 2,000 square feet.
So if that house in Romiley is 3,000 square feet it might attract a Cable Wealth Tax of 1% of its value, as would the similar one in Twickenham. A £650k house in Twickenham, however, would be maybe 800 square feet and would thus attract no tax at all. Seems fair to me since the majority of the price of the southern house is inflation anyway, not gain, and the point is to penalise people who over-house themselves at other people's expense.
I'm afraid to say I'm one of that almost-half-of-Labour-supporters who think Ed should go. Even though I wasn't exactly impressed with him before, I thought there was probably more downside to him being forced out, but now I'm just convinced he's so hopeless that Labour are going to lose horribly next year with him at the helm. He's completely lost his confidence and judgement, he's an abysmal salesman of Labour's policies in this climate where a politician really needs to be a plain-speaker in order to get through to people, and he is way too cowardly to stand up and impose his will and policies on the Blairite wing of the party.
Will you vote Labour at GE2015 though ?
Yes, but I'm starting to think it would be in their long-term interests if they lost it.
I'm afraid to say I'm one of that almost-half-of-Labour-supporters who think Ed should go. Even though I wasn't exactly impressed with him before, I thought there was probably more downside to him being forced out, but now I'm just convinced he's so hopeless that Labour are going to lose horribly next year with him at the helm. He's completely lost his confidence and judgement, he's an abysmal salesman of Labour's policies in this climate where a politician really needs to be a plain-speaker in order to get through to people, and he is way too cowardly to stand up and impose his will and policies on the Blairite wing of the party.
Will you vote Labour at GE2015 though ?
Yes, but I'm starting to think it would be in their long-term interests if they lost it.
What, you mean they need the Tories in power for 18 years or so to fix the economy, so they can come back in, squander all the money and wreck it again?
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
anyway on the World Cup I don't think anyone has been as 'wrong' as Jonathan Pearce getting his knickers in a twist over the goal line technology used to give France a goal in the Honduras game. He wouldn't let it lie even when it was shown to be the correct decision . Talk about pride!!
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
Fascinating how one race is intolerant of another. The 'morally superior' French, Tutu tribe, WWC, Etonians (to keep it balanced), the world over we have mistrust and hate.
Is it based on fear (of what?), greed, peer group pressure, education or religion?
The global society, if there is such a thing, needs to look in the mirror and work out a way for disparate groups to cohabit harmoniously. It seems to be getting worse not better.
Breitbart has been reporting a Conservative Party attempt to prevent UKIP forming an EU Parliament group, by recruiting former EFD group members to join the Conservatives group instead, so well done UKIP.
Mr. H, reminds me of discussions about war and peace and how we could all live together harmoniously.
Sadly, I think that's denying the human condition, and requiring men to act as angels. There are finite resources and infinite greed, so even without insanity and stupidity (both of which are abundant) it's hard to see a peaceful, or non-racist, world.
Of course, things wax and wane, but we'll never be entirely free of mankind's demons.
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
I wish I'd heeded your warning. I now feel slightly unwell.
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
Fascinating how one race is intolerant of another. The 'morally superior' French, Tutu tribe, WWC, Etonians (to keep it balanced), the world over we have mistrust and hate.
Is it based on fear (of what?), greed, peer group pressure, education or religion?
The global society, if there is such a thing, needs to look in the mirror and work out a way for disparate groups to cohabit harmoniously. It seems to be getting worse not better.
I think we just like being in tribes and being competitive etc
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
Fascinating how one race is intolerant of another. The 'morally superior' French, Tutu tribe, WWC, Etonians (to keep it balanced), the world over we have mistrust and hate.
Is it based on fear (of what?), greed, peer group pressure, education or religion?
The global society, if there is such a thing, needs to look in the mirror and work out a way for disparate groups to cohabit harmoniously. It seems to be getting worse not better.
I think we just like being in tribes and being competitive etc
Hence why sport is good . Get it out of the system by supporting your country at an event that doesn't involve killing anyone
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
I wish I'd heeded your warning. I now feel slightly unwell.
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
I wish I'd heeded your warning. I now feel slightly unwell.
When I was in Serbia a few weeks ago it was abundantly clear that the Roma were despised and unwelcome in the Serbian community I was with.
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
Fascinating how one race is intolerant of another. The 'morally superior' French, Tutu tribe, WWC, Etonians (to keep it balanced), the world over we have mistrust and hate.
Is it based on fear (of what?), greed, peer group pressure, education or religion?
The global society, if there is such a thing, needs to look in the mirror and work out a way for disparate groups to cohabit harmoniously. It seems to be getting worse not better.
I think we just like being in tribes and being competitive etc
Hence why sport is good . Get it out of the system by supporting your country at an event that doesn't involve killing anyone
Hmm. That's a sound point on sport, although it's also not necessary. There's not much nationalism/patriotism when it comes to F1, but I think that's quite rare in sport. Probably because it's like a global stand-alone league.
Speaking of Roma there was a big splash on the local paper (Sheffield Star) regarding them in Park Hill the other day. I can't remember if it was good, bad or indifferent though.
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
Fascinating how one race is intolerant of another. The 'morally superior' French, Tutu tribe, WWC, Etonians (to keep it balanced), the world over we have mistrust and hate.
Is it based on fear (of what?), greed, peer group pressure, education or religion?
The global society, if there is such a thing, needs to look in the mirror and work out a way for disparate groups to cohabit harmoniously. It seems to be getting worse not better.
I think we just like being in tribes and being competitive etc
in a way parliamentary democracies play into this as well. We (more than most on here of course) identify as Labour, Tories , Libs ,UKIP etc and even the most rational of us is a bit tribal . Yet because we have a (reasonably ) fair contest or election every few years about it it never kicks off like it does in North Africa or the Middle East etc
Hmm. That's a sound point on sport, although it's also not necessary. There's not much nationalism/patriotism when it comes to F1, but I think that's quite rare in sport. Probably because it's like a global stand-alone league.
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
Fascinating how one race is intolerant of another. The 'morally superior' French, Tutu tribe, WWC, Etonians (to keep it balanced), the world over we have mistrust and hate.
Is it based on fear (of what?), greed, peer group pressure, education or religion?
The global society, if there is such a thing, needs to look in the mirror and work out a way for disparate groups to cohabit harmoniously. It seems to be getting worse not better.
This is because some people, the spawn of beelzebub and who need to be burnt at the stake, put their milk in before they pour the tea! The horror...
Hmm. That's a sound point on sport, although it's also not necessary. There's not much nationalism/patriotism when it comes to F1, but I think that's quite rare in sport. Probably because it's like a global stand-alone league.
but the tribalism exists in F1 too . I am not a big follower of it but know of the Tifosi for example.
Mr. Jones, that would be rewriting history, but the backlash against the Royal Bank of Scotland and Halifax Bank of Scotland would've been (from his perspective) nice and divisive.
Mr. Patrick, you're quite right. Those who put milk in first are barbarians.
Mr. Pulpstar, that's true, and it's also true that Ferrari have been poor since they got rid of their star German driver, their excellent English engineer and the French team principal. They came close twice, screwing up once due to bad tactics and being unlucky in 2012, but they aren't in F1 to finish second.
It's also unique in that regard in the paddock.
Edited extra bit: Mr. Away, to an extent. I do think tribalism is pretty low in F1, and that the Tifosi seem to be a one-off, in the same way Ferrari's unique as a team.
I see what you are getting at and one of the problems is the gross misuse of cautions that grew up from the late 1990s (anything to keep people out of the courts and the prison system, whilst still allowing the Old Bill to fiddle their figures for detected offences). However, I think I'd take the view that the balance of risk between lives ruined and money stolen (how many young people with "dozens of cautions" would even apply for any job, let alone one in a bank) leans in favour of keeping juvenile cautions confidential.
As an aside, do banks and shops have access to the Criminal Records these days? They never used to and so would not any attempt to find out about a criminal history rely on an abuse of the subject access provisions under the Data Protection Acts?
Banks certainly do for certain types of jobs and that is the area I'm focusing on.
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
I wish I'd heeded your warning. I now feel slightly unwell.
Sorry.
You were quite clear in your warning, and it was an important story. No apology needed.
Edit I'm Dumb, Cats get in with pigeons not Chickens!
Given that ISIS is not much more than a disjointed, poorly armed and poorly trained rabble driving about in converted cars, It would potentially be a turkey shoot for the US air force.
I won't post a link, because some may not want to view the horrendous images, but the Telegraph has an awful story about a vigilante attack on a Roma boy in France. I think it wouldn't be far of the mark to describe it as a lynching. It is doubtful if the kid will pull through but I hope it's not the way things are developing. It's very sad.
Fascinating how one race is intolerant of another. The 'morally superior' French, Tutu tribe, WWC, Etonians (to keep it balanced), the world over we have mistrust and hate.
Is it based on fear (of what?), greed, peer group pressure, education or religion?
The global society, if there is such a thing, needs to look in the mirror and work out a way for disparate groups to cohabit harmoniously. It seems to be getting worse not better.
This is because some people, the spawn of beelzebub and who need to be burnt at the stake, put their milk in before they pour the tea! The horror...
HA! Listen to the slimy words of the Prince of Darkness. Just trying to lure in the ignorant and the hopeful to the rites of satanic practice. It is well known amongst the righteous and those destined for paradise that the milk always goes in first. The witch finder general was really wasting his time with all that familiar and third nipple nonsense, all he had to do was pop round and ask for a cup of tea
Aside from the milk issue anyone who served choccie biscuits before 16:00 was certainly suspect and a woman who served chocolate HobNobs before that time was almost certainly a harlot (17th century definition applies) and a woman who sought unnatural dominion over men.
The Hancock matter could bring to a head the Recall bill. It would seem appropriate to bring something forward and get it enacted quickly with the test being to see if he could actually be recalled under it. Clegg could look very bad if he adds more delay or the wording does not enable Hancock to be recalled. Maybe that is why Clegg has dragged his feet on this?
Edit I'm Dumb, Cats get in with pigeons not Chickens!
Given that ISIS is not much more than a disjointed, poorly armed and poorly trained rabble driving about in converted cars, It would potentially be a turkey shoot for the US air force.
Turkey shoot? More like a disaster. One pickup truck looks like uncannily like another from a B2 cockpit at 30,000 feet.
Don't expect Uncle Sam to risk losing any low flying pilots to ISIS.
Edit I'm Dumb, Cats get in with pigeons not Chickens!
Given that ISIS is not much more than a disjointed, poorly armed and poorly trained rabble driving about in converted cars, It would potentially be a turkey shoot for the US air force.
It's a Sunni rebellion. Isis are just media window dressing.
The Hancock matter could bring to a head the Recall bill. It would seem appropriate to bring something forward and get it enacted quickly with the test being to see if he could actually be recalled under it. Clegg could look very bad if he adds more delay or the wording does not enable Hancock to be recalled. Maybe that is why Clegg has dragged his feet on this?
A sensible Recall Bill is one where your political opponents can be recalled but not members of your own party .
The Hancock matter could bring to a head the Recall bill. It would seem appropriate to bring something forward and get it enacted quickly with the test being to see if he could actually be recalled under it. Clegg could look very bad if he adds more delay or the wording does not enable Hancock to be recalled. Maybe that is why Clegg has dragged his feet on this?
A sensible Recall Bill is one where your political opponents can be recalled but not members of your own party .
I dont quite remember the Lib Dems selling it like that ahead of the 2010 GE.
Was browsing the Daily Mail online and a thought occurs to me: That Duchess of Cambridge is really quite exceptionally QILFy....just saying...
yeah, hot and wholesome combined like Felicity Kendal
Oh dear, now I am going to have to go and bathe my wrists in cold water. Felicity Kendall, oh dear. There was one episode of the GoodLife when she was in her nightie and the light was behind her and, well never mind. That I still remember that scene after what, forty years, is enough. There was a picture of her in the paper a few weeks ago and she still looks drop dead gorgeous.
Was browsing the Daily Mail online and a thought occurs to me: That Duchess of Cambridge is really quite exceptionally QILFy....just saying...
yeah, hot and wholesome combined like Felicity Kendal
Oh dear, now I am going to have to go and bathe my wrists in cold water. Felicity Kendall, oh dear. There was one episode of the GoodLife when she was in her nightie and the light was behind her and, well never mind. That I still remember that scene after what, forty years, is enough. There was a picture of her in the paper a few weeks ago and she still looks drop dead gorgeous.
The Duchess of Cambridge is dull and her clothes are dull. All that beige. Her shoes are a particular disappointment. On the other hand, she's well-behaved and seems grounded.
Probably a good thing to be dull - if you're going to endure that role.
Mr. Llama, I am shocked, shocked and appalled at your heresy.
Milk in first, indeed. The act of heathens and degenerates the world over.
Interesting you should say the, Mr. D.. I have no idea from what part of the world Mr. Patrick comes from, but could the milk in first/last be yet another manifestation of the North/South divide?
I genuinely don't know, or, as far as I can recall, have ever met, any English person who when serving tea from a teapot does not put the milk in first. I have seen it with some Septics, but you have to make allowances for colonials, but even then in the nice places in the Far and Middle East it has always been milk in first.
Mind you, it is all a bit academic considering that the vast majority of us these days make our tea from throwing a tea bag in a mug and then adding hot (not even boiling) water and then milk and sugar to taste.
I guarantee no-one could spot an ante-lact cuppa from a post-lact in a double-blind test.
Then you would lose your money if you were betting on it. Some years ago just such a test was played out live on TV and the tasters were tea blenders from London tea houses. They got it, pretty much, smack on. Not only that if memory serves they could also distinguish between a cup made from tea bag tea and loose tea in a proper tea pot.
I guarantee no-one could spot an ante-lact cuppa from a post-lact in a double-blind test.
Then you would lose your money if you were betting on it. Some years ago just such a test was played out live on TV and the tasters were tea blenders from London tea houses. They got it, pretty much, smack on. Not only that if memory serves they could also distinguish between a cup made from tea bag tea and loose tea in a proper tea pot.
I stand corrected! Fair play to them.
I'd back myself to identify the loose tea however!
Comments
It would also be logical for any property tax to be based on square footage. At the moment a couple living in say Romiley can pass a 6-bedroom house on to their kids free of tax (this place for example: http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38361034.html).
A couple living in a similar 6-bedroom house in say Twickenham would find that, being worth about £4 million, it will attract an IHT bill of about £1.5 million. Therefore you can keep your 6-bedroom house in the family if you live oop north, but not if you live in the Conservative-voting part of the country.
It would more rational to say that council, wealth, inheritance and other envy taxes should be levied ad valorem based on square footage. Say, 1% of value per 1,000 square feet over 2,000 square feet.
So if that house in Romiley is 3,000 square feet it might attract a Cable Wealth Tax of 1% of its value, as would the similar one in Twickenham. A £650k house in Twickenham, however, would be maybe 800 square feet and would thus attract no tax at all. Seems fair to me since the majority of the price of the southern house is inflation anyway, not gain, and the point is to penalise people who over-house themselves at other people's expense.
You couldn't mark Handcock's neck with a blowtorch - he wont be resigning.
Is it based on fear (of what?), greed, peer group pressure, education or religion?
The global society, if there is such a thing, needs to look in the mirror and work out a way for disparate groups to cohabit harmoniously. It seems to be getting worse not better.
Mr. Pulpstar, sounds horrendous. Not a great time to be a gay football fan, given where the next World Cups are due to be held.
http://www.ukip.org/new_efd_group_formed_in_european_parliament_we_will_be_the_peoples_voice_says_ukip_leader_nigel_farage
Breitbart has been reporting a Conservative Party attempt to prevent UKIP forming an EU Parliament group, by recruiting former EFD group members to join the Conservatives group instead, so well done UKIP.
Sadly, I think that's denying the human condition, and requiring men to act as angels. There are finite resources and infinite greed, so even without insanity and stupidity (both of which are abundant) it's hard to see a peaceful, or non-racist, world.
Of course, things wax and wane, but we'll never be entirely free of mankind's demons.
Salmon would have done better imo if he'd made it about the London banks rather than the London politicians.
Great Britain doesn't have a seat on the UN...
Mr. Patrick, you're quite right. Those who put milk in first are barbarians.
Mr. Pulpstar, that's true, and it's also true that Ferrari have been poor since they got rid of their star German driver, their excellent English engineer and the French team principal. They came close twice, screwing up once due to bad tactics and being unlucky in 2012, but they aren't in F1 to finish second.
It's also unique in that regard in the paddock.
Edited extra bit: Mr. Away, to an extent. I do think tribalism is pretty low in F1, and that the Tifosi seem to be a one-off, in the same way Ferrari's unique as a team.
Yeah, that is a winner...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-27905849
Edit I'm Dumb, Cats get in with pigeons not Chickens!
http://politicalbookie.wordpress.com/2014/06/18/who-would-win-a-portsmouth-south-by-election/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2661414/Supercar-nage-Man-crashes-180-000-Ferrari-row-parked-vehicles-force-wheels-fall-off.html
Very poor pedantry.
Given that ISIS is not much more than a disjointed, poorly armed and poorly trained rabble driving about in converted cars, It would potentially be a turkey shoot for the US air force.
Aside from the milk issue anyone who served choccie biscuits before 16:00 was certainly suspect and a woman who served chocolate HobNobs before that time was almost certainly a harlot (17th century definition applies) and a woman who sought unnatural dominion over men.
Don't expect Uncle Sam to risk losing any low flying pilots to ISIS.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup/10907235/World-Cup-2014-Why-are-so-many-goals-being-scored.html
(Central forecast)
Con vote lead 8.0%
Con seat lead 69 seats
(10000 Monte Carlo simulations)
Chance of Tory vote lead: 100.0%
Chance of a Tory seat lead: 99.1%
Chance of a Hung Parliament:48.7%
Chance of a Tory majority: 51.3%
Chance of a Labour majority: 0.0%
Brazil are favourites at 5:
http://www.betfair.com/exchange/football/market?id=1.103163147
Probably a good thing to be dull - if you're going to endure that role.
Milk in first, indeed. The act of heathens and degenerates the world over.
This confirms that my analogy is correct.
I was exercising at that time.
"Anti-paedophile police fight child porn 'epidemic'"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27872401
I genuinely don't know, or, as far as I can recall, have ever met, any English person who when serving tea from a teapot does not put the milk in first. I have seen it with some Septics, but you have to make allowances for colonials, but even then in the nice places in the Far and Middle East it has always been milk in first.
Mind you, it is all a bit academic considering that the vast majority of us these days make our tea from throwing a tea bag in a mug and then adding hot (not even boiling) water and then milk and sugar to taste.
I guarantee no-one could spot an ante-lact cuppa from a post-lact in a double-blind test.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2661278/Think-know-cut-cake-Think-Scientist-reveals-100-year-old-trick-involving-parallel-lines-rubber-bands.html
Some wise fellow did tip the Aussies at 16/1 earlier on today.
To cash out, or not to cash out, that is the question?
Edited extra bit: well, that didn't last long.
Hopefully Mr. Eagles cashed out.
Cahill has more goals than Ronaldo, Messi and Rooney in the World Cup.
The £30 risk free bet with BetBright is free money....
DYOR
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27911081
I'd back myself to identify the loose tea however!