Wage restraint is a 'good thing' it offeres the prospect of an inflation free, jobs strong recovery. It realigns us for the future, it should be encouraged
And Tories wonder why they're perceived as not caring about ordinary people.
Mr. Pulpstar, didn't Boris underwhelm during mayoral debates, though?
I agree he's far more affable, likeable and witty, but in a debate format that style might not be to his advantage.
Speaking of debates, once the referendum's out of the way they're going to have to iron out the format, given Cameron wants them spread out a bit more.
The main thing with Boris is that he is affable, likeable and witty and people project whatever onto him. I just don't think he'd be a great PM, if we had a presidential system I think he'd be better suited for that role.
I'm aware that people don't share my view in general, he polls very well and appeals to the slightly disinterested in politics I feel... bit like Farage.
Can we not talk about something interesting like Scotland and referendums.
I read scot goes pop last night... Do you post there too?
Incredible revelations about PB people in the comments
On commentor said that we don't know what we're on about wrt Scot politics because we're (Mainly) English.
Didn't stop a large number of PBers cleaning up in the US elections
I have to agree that the level of knowledge re Scotland on here is not far above zero.
If we were allowed to post about Scottish issues on here today, which we aren't, I would agree with you as far as I, personally, am concerned. I know next to nothing about Scotland, its people and its politics and just about all the little I do know about the last has been gained from this site. I would also say that my knowledge meets my level of interest and concern.
However, as we are not allowed to post about Scotland on here today I won't say that. Perhaps I'll say it tomorrow instead.
Hurst , unfortunately we do not get that choice , we have English news constantly and a few minutes on Scotland tagged on at the end. Sport is the same , we get more English football than Scottish , it is quite incredible.
As has been suggested below (MD?) the yes/no outcome might affect the Nat'l election.
Last time around, Bedford was inundated by Tory billboard adds, Tory coves were seen everywhere canvassing, and Sgt Major (retired) types bussed old ladies to the polling stations, while the Labour campaign seemed to have lost focus & cohesion.
Both parties are paying attention to Bedford this time, and I suspect Labour will do the business. But public perception can be a fickle beast.
And I agree about the electoral importance of stagnating wages. If one has more than enough, then one can be fairly relaxed about it, but if one is close to Mr Micawbers £, then rising prices, even slowly rising ones, are a concern. And slight falls are a relief, not a cause for celebration!
There is something very anti socialist and indeed anti libdem and 'liberal' about complaints about wages and cost of living. There is something that is overwhelmingly selfish which does not fit with what 'labour' and socialism and social democracy is *supposed* to be about. Wage restraint has preserved jobs it has created jobs as has being flexible about work. This is overwhelmingly a good thing and has helped people off the dole and benefits and onto the workm ladder. This selflessness this realism this sacrifice should be applauded by socialists. Instead they lie to us in the name of cheap political opportunism.
Wage restraint is a 'good thing' it offeres the prospect of an inflation free, jobs strong recovery. It realigns us for the future, it should be encouraged and wage rises should be linked to real productivity gains. It offers the prospect of us becoming properly competitive instead of paying ourselves for things we have not earned. Wage restraint is the inevitable payment we are making for all the free lunches we had under 13 years of Labour misrule.
The Tories need to keep toxic supprters like Flightpath out of the way. They are the ones keeping the "brand" contaminated.
I find it frustrating that Labour in particular are more often able to get away with implying that they know more about ordinary people and how to help them because they are Labour.
Its the fact that Labour might think through a plan for govt that worries me. We've seen how they think.
Neither side in British political debate gives the other side the benefit of the doubt by acknowledging that they might want the best for the country, rather than being a pack of mendacious liars intent on trashing the country for partisan gain.
At best you can see this as a sort of Prisoner's Dilemma situation, but it does get a bit tiresome.
Its Labour's record that I find tiresome. Even without the financial crash (wherein I regard them as culpable) they would have gone into the election with a £80 billion deficit. And we would ahve been expected to shrug our shouders and say 'who cares'. The strucural defict reflected a scale of financial mismanagement of monumental proportions. On top of which we should add the figure of the actual surplus that labour should have been running, so the excess of spending over revenues was something like £120 billion. So forgive me if I have little respect for Labour. £120 billion is a massive electoral bribe.
Mr. Toms, it was indeed me that mentioned it. Got to say I suspect No will win, but a Yes triumph is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
Mr. G, to be fair, you do have a very tedious premier league. It used to be a two-horse race, now it's a one horse race. It'd be like if Rosberg's team mate was Luca Badoer instead of Lewis Hamilton.
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Could be a loss-leader by the supermarket itself, or somewhere in the supply chain. And were they identical? (i.e. the same brand and weight) It would also be worth checking the ingredients between the two.
And I agree about the electoral importance of stagnating wages. If one has more than enough, then one can be fairly relaxed about it, but if one is close to Mr Micawbers £, then rising prices, even slowly rising ones, are a concern. And slight falls are a relief, not a cause for celebration!
There is something very anti socialist and indeed anti libdem and 'liberal' about complaints about wages and cost of living. There is something that is overwhelmingly selfish which does not fit with what 'labour' and socialism and social democracy is *supposed* to be about. Wage restraint has preserved jobs it has created jobs as has being flexible about work. This is overwhelmingly a good thing and has helped people off the dole and benefits and onto the workm ladder. This selflessness this realism this sacrifice should be applauded by socialists. Instead they lie to us in the name of cheap political opportunism.
Wage restraint is a 'good thing' it offeres the prospect of an inflation free, jobs strong recovery. It realigns us for the future, it should be encouraged and wage rises should be linked to real productivity gains. It offers the prospect of us becoming properly competitive instead of paying ourselves for things we have not earned. Wage restraint is the inevitable payment we are making for all the free lunches we had under 13 years of Labour misrule.
The Tories need to keep toxic supprters like Flightpath out of the way. They are the ones keeping the "brand" contaminated.
Telling even more lies does not make any difference. Wage restraint is creating jobs, an unprecidented number, making people immeasurably better and with a better future. Socialism was supposed to be about helping your fellow man - not devil take the hindmost.
Voters do not do gratitude and the Conservatives should not expect to be "rewarded" as some posts have suggested. But voters are rational about their own self interest and voting with a nose-peg often happens when self-interest is at stake.
The essence of the Tory case is this: "Look, the economy is on the mend. We know you haven't felt the benefit yet but you will have to hope that you will do before too long. You may not like or identify with us as people, but so what because there's nothing anyone can do about that. But you will for sure feel the pain if you go with Labour and they drive the economy swiftly into the ditch as per last time. Why look into the crystal ball when you can read the book? Look at France instead."
It won't be put like that of course, but there it is. It's the sort of choice no one would make or even consider with enthusiasm - a bit like deciding to go to the dentist. There will be a lot of denial and a lot of resistance right up to the last moment. I've no idea how it will all end up, but I do think polls are pretty well pointless until well after Christmas.
And I agree about the electoral importance of stagnating wages. If one has more than enough, then one can be fairly relaxed about it, but if one is close to Mr Micawbers £, then rising prices, even slowly rising ones, are a concern. And slight falls are a relief, not a cause for celebration!
There is something very anti socialist and indeed anti libdem and 'liberal' about complaints about wages and cost of living. There is something that is overwhelmingly selfish which does not fit with what 'labour' and socialism and social democracy is *supposed* to be about. Wage restraint has preserved jobs it has created jobs as has being flexible about work. This is overwhelmingly a good thing and has helped people off the dole and benefits and onto the workm ladder. This selflessness this realism this sacrifice should be applauded by socialists. Instead they lie to us in the name of cheap political opportunism.
Wage restraint is a 'good thing' it offeres the prospect of an inflation free, jobs strong recovery. It realigns us for the future, it should be encouraged and wage rises should be linked to real productivity gains. It offers the prospect of us becoming properly competitive instead of paying ourselves for things we have not earned. Wage restraint is the inevitable payment we are making for all the free lunches we had under 13 years of Labour misrule.
Mr Flightpath it’s what voters perceive that matters. Many, many voters perception, rightly or wrongly is that free lunches and unearned items are the perogative of those in the banking “industry” who, for example, were responsible, again for example, for PPI scandal. Then there’s the little matter of a much larger proportion of their income going on direct taxation for the office cleaner than for the CEO.
A little wage restraint among those at the top, especially in financial services, would be a Good Thing and would suggest that Cameron and Osborne are truthful when they say that “we’re all in this together."
Economic clouds gathering at just the wrong time for the Tories.
Erm....maybe. Maybe not.
Another crash is coming. It may come before May 2015 or after. But it looks more and more like EICIPM is going to happen and we'll have a lefty wonk in No.10 and a cabinet of empty but politically correct suits. And that's who'll be running the country when the SHTF. A disaster for the country looms - but politically the next one might be a good one to lose.
Tory 5 million seat majority under BoJo in 2017. ;-)
Retail Sales and Industrial Production have taken a hit, that and the record Current Account deficit and rising Government deficit plus the end of globalization all point to difficult times ahead. But I wont call for a recession until the London bubble bursts. As Japan has shown you can still go in recession with 0% interest rates and tons of QE.
Can we not talk about something interesting like Scotland and referendums.
OK Malcolm you asked for it. I have to say the SNP is getting desperate with Salmond willing to give up his job and disband the SNP for YES to win. It's like they are saying "if you hate me vote YES, please!!".
I do not believe that is exactly what was said, misrepresentation as usual. He merely indicated that he would do what was in the best interests of Scotland rather than the usual politicians who put self first on every occasion
What Salmond perceives to be in the interests of Scotland and what actually is are not the same things;
‘Dear Fred, I wanted you to know that I am watching events on the ABN front closely. It is in the Scottish interests(sic) for RBS to be successful, and I would like to offer any assistance my office can provide. Yours for Scotland, Alex’.
His heart may be in the right place but his judgement is dismal.
@Flightpath Are remunerations for those at the top of the pile stagnating as well? You apparently need to pay to get the best, except if you are at the bottom of the tree where all you need is a jolly good kicking.
@Flightpath Are remunerations for those at the top of the pile stagnating as well? You apparently need to pay to get the best, except if you are at the bottom of the tree where all you need is a jolly good kicking.
Archbishop Cranmer @His_Grace 32m As long as Obama spouts the fallacy that the Islamic State "speaks for no religion", we will never kill the root http://bit.ly/1liUTJq
And I agree about the electoral importance of stagnating wages. If one has more than enough, then one can be fairly relaxed about it, but if one is close to Mr Micawbers £, then rising prices, even slowly rising ones, are a concern. And slight falls are a relief, not a cause for celebration!
There is something very anti socialist and indeed anti libdem and 'liberal' about complaints about wages and cost of living. There is something that is overwhelmingly selfish which does not fit with what 'labour' and socialism and social democracy is *supposed* to be about. Wage restraint has preserved jobs it has created jobs as has being flexible about work. This is overwhelmingly a good thing and has helped people off the dole and benefits and onto the workm ladder. This selflessness this realism this sacrifice should be applauded by socialists. Instead they lie to us in the name of cheap political opportunism.
Wage restraint is a 'good thing' it offeres the prospect of an inflation free, jobs strong recovery. It realigns us for the future, it should be encouraged and wage rises should be linked to real productivity gains. It offers the prospect of us becoming properly competitive instead of paying ourselves for things we have not earned. Wage restraint is the inevitable payment we are making for all the free lunches we had under 13 years of Labour misrule.
The Tories need to keep toxic supprters like Flightpath out of the way. They are the ones keeping the "brand" contaminated.
Telling even more lies does not make any difference. Wage restraint is creating jobs, an unprecidented number, making people immeasurably better and with a better future. Socialism was supposed to be about helping your fellow man - not devil take the hindmost.
Yeah, as ever twaddle about wage restraint masks the productivity problem.
Odd to see "conservatives" argue for low wages when their so-called choice is a high wage high productivity economy a la Deutschland.
With clueless Osborne it's not what he says it's what he does that counts. Where's the productivity ?
Just a quick point on the Fisher / swingback models which I think is often missed.
In my view it often mistakes cause and effect.
In the past governments have called elections because they have had poll leads rather than getting poll leads as an election approaches.
The fixed term parliament act changes that.
Of course, that isn't to say there won't be movement towards the governing parties in fact I would say it is likely given the improving economy but it is certainly not inevitable.
I also think Mike's analysis is correct in that the election will be decided primarily by the 'Red Liberals' and the 'Purple Tories'.
I would like to see more in depth polling of these groups. My instinct is that the red liberals will largely stay with labour, but the purple tories are more likely to drift back.
People at the bottom need to suck up falling wages and living standards if they want to keep their jobs.
People at the top need to be handed tax cuts and ever bigger riches if they are to be "incentivised".
Can Tories really not see why they might be regarded as in it for themselves and the rich whilst being, at best, out of touch with ordinary folk and at worst viewing them with outright contempt?
Can we not talk about something interesting like Scotland and referendums.
I read scot goes pop last night... Do you post there too?
Incredible revelations about PB people in the comments
On commentor said that we don't know what we're on about wrt Scot politics because we're (Mainly) English.
Didn't stop a large number of PBers cleaning up in the US elections
I have to agree that the level of knowledge re Scotland on here is not far above zero.
If we were allowed to post about Scottish issues on here today, which we aren't, I would agree with you as far as I, personally, am concerned. I know next to nothing about Scotland, its people and its politics and just about all the little I do know about the last has been gained from this site. I would also say that my knowledge meets my level of interest and concern.
However, as we are not allowed to post about Scotland on here today I won't say that. Perhaps I'll say it tomorrow instead.
Hurst , unfortunately we do not get that choice , we have English news constantly and a few minutes on Scotland tagged on at the end. Sport is the same , we get more English football than Scottish , it is quite incredible.
If its the BBC you will get loads of news about America then loads of other international news, usually involving oppressed arabs, and after that you will get 'national' news - especially if it involves the NHS, a scandal or slagging off the tory party. On a good day for the BBC it will involve all 3. Then you will get your local regional news. On Ch 4 you will get it in Gaelic followed by a gaelic speaker singing and playing the harp. On BBC you will then get Scottish Newsnight. If you live in Wigan or York you will get no 'national' news that is relevant to you.
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Aldi is ridiculous value, esp when they have deals on ie 6 Magners £6.79
Rich tea biscuits are 23p, cat food is less than £2... Great for when you fancy some cat food on a rich tea!
Can only speak for the Upminster branch but the people on the tills are shit hot as well, double speedy
But they don't do Lambrusco so I still have to go to Waitrose for that
The Tories need to keep toxic supprters like Flightpath out of the way. They are the ones keeping the "brand" contaminated.
If voters really think it is 'toxic' to suggest it is better for people to be in employment than unemployed, then God help them. They'll need all the help they can get.
Incidentally, while we're on the subject of wages, it simply isn't true than they have been falling in real terms for average workers. The average wage has been falling, which is a completely different thing. The main reason is that more young (and other formerly unemployed) people are gaining employment (and BTW they are mainly full-time jobs):
People at the bottom need to suck up falling wages and living standards if they want to keep their jobs.
People at the top need to be handed tax cuts and ever bigger riches if they are to be "incentivised".
Can Tories really not see why they might be regarded as in it for themselves and the rich whilst being, at best, out of touch with ordinary folk and at worst viewing them with outright contempt?
Not even a teensy bit?
The top tax rate is considerably higher under the Tories than it was during the 13-year Labour occupation. What's your point?
Well, for once I disagree with Mike. My disagreement is principally with the proposition that nothing much will change in the 9 months leading up to the election. That might be the case - there have been a few elections, such as 2005, where nothing much has happened in that period - but overall it's an unwarranted assumption: frequently, not only in UK elections but in elections in Scotland and in other Western nations, you get significant shifts as the election approaches. Usually these are in favour of the government, for good reason (which I'll explain in a mo').
Now, it may be different this time. As Mike points out, the dynamics of coalition are different to what we are used to. That's a political judgement (and, yes, political betting is all about political judgement). Just don't fool yourself into thinking that it is based on hard evidence.
My secondary disagreement is specifically in relation to a Labour majority. I think there remains a quite large range of possible outcomes in the election - I don't pretend to be able to make predictions of unwarranted precision. But a Labour majority looks the least likely outcome. It's not impossible, but it does require a fairly heroic assumption, namely that nothing much will change as the actual choice comes into focus and - most importantly - as Ed Miliband is forced to give at least some vague outline of a policy platform. The reason that things shift towards the incumbent in many elections is precisely this: as the election approaches, the opposition finds it harder to be all things to all men and is forced to make some decisions. Ed Miliband has done a quite remarkable job of obfuscation so far. I don't think that will survive the scrutiny of an election campaign. As things get clearer, supporters who have projected contradictory things on to him will peel off or lose interest.
And finally - gut feel. This is of course subjective, by I am very struck by something really odd about Labour at the moment: they don't look at all like a party getting ready to govern. The Shadow Cabinet (incidentally one of the weakest of modern times) seem to be going through the motions, but where is the energy and enthusiasm about what they would like to do in office? There isn't any. If you want opposition energy and enthusiasm, you need to look at UKIP, where the leadership and members are all fired up and keen to tell us about what they would do differently. The contrast is stark.
I can't really see either the Conservatives or Labour failing to win 270-310 seats at the next election. The only thing that could produce a Labour majority, IMHO, is if we have a really awful winter and the NHS collapses under the strain.
Well, for once I disagree with Mike. My disagreement is principally with the proposition that nothing much will change in the 9 months leading up to the election. That might be the case - there have been a few elections, such as 2005, where nothing much has happened in that period - but overall it's an unwarranted assumption: frequently, not only in UK elections but in elections in Scotland and in other Western nations, you get significant shifts as the election approaches. Usually these are in favour of the government, for good reason (which I'll explain in a mo').
Now, it may be different this time. As Mike points out, the dynamics of coalition are different to what we are used to. That's a political judgement (and, yes, political betting is all about political judgement). Just don't fool yourself into thinking that it is based on hard evidence.
My secondary disagreement is specifically in relation to a Labour majority. I think there remains a quite large range of possible outcomes in the election - I don't pretend to be able to make predictions of unwarranted precision. But a Labour majority looks the least likely outcome. It's not impossible, but it does require a fairly heroic assumption, namely that nothing much will change as the actual choice comes into focus and - most importantly - as Ed Miliband is forced to give at least some vague outline of a policy platform. The reason that things shift towards the incumbent in many elections is precisely this: as the election approaches, the opposition finds it harder to be all things to all men and is forced to make some decisions. Ed Miliband has done a quite remarkable job of obfuscation so far. I don't think that will survive the scrutiny of an election campaign. As things get clearer, supporters who have projected contradictory things on to him will peel off or lose interest.
And finally - gut feel. This is of course subjective, by I am very struck by something really odd about Labour at the moment: they don't look at all like a party getting ready to govern. The Shadow Cabinet (incidentally one of the weakest of modern times) seem to be going through the motions, but where is the energy and enthusiasm about what they would like to do in office? There isn't any. If you want opposition energy and enthusiasm, you need to look at UKIP, where the leadership and members are all fired up and keen to tell us about what they would do differently. The contrast is stark.
I can't really see either the Conservatives or Labour failing to win 270-310 seats at the next election. The only thing that could produce a Labour majority, IMHO, is if we have a really awful winter and the NHS collapses under the strain.
Voters do not do gratitude and the Conservatives should not expect to be "rewarded" as some posts have suggested. But voters are rational about their own self interest and voting with a nose-peg often happens when self-interest is at stake.
I myself have no mortgage, some gold and some savings. I'd very much like to see interest rates go up (significantly) and will be relatively better off (vs many others) when a bit of chaos comes to the markets. So, bizarrely, Labour might be good for me! I'd never vote for them though because they'll significantly increase the risk of the UK suffering a financial catastrophe. Deficits and debts matter. I wonder how those who vote Labour will react to rising interest rates and a new recession?
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Aldi is ridiculous value, esp when they have deals on ie 6 Magners £6.79
Rich tea biscuits are 23p, cat food is less than £2... Great for when you fancy some cat food on a rich tea!
Can only speak for the Upminster branch but the people on the tills are shit hot as well, double speedy
I love going into Lidl and seeing posh people wandering round like excited tourists, not being sure how the checkouts "work", pointing in wonder at stuff - "look this is amazing, they actually sell real food!"
It will be up to the UAF to deny this poster, and they haven't yet. That's a very poor fake.
The UAF had a demonstration in Tower Hamlets in 2013, same date and time except on Saturday September 7th - and you can clearly see that the "6" in the date on that poster is a poor paste job in a different font.
@MonikerDiCanio If you want to know the point Hugh was making, look at the increase in money those at the top have received. Of course you want to ignore that, so you will just waffle on.
People at the bottom need to suck up falling wages and living standards if they want to keep their jobs.
People at the top need to be handed tax cuts and ever bigger riches if they are to be "incentivised".
Can Tories really not see why they might be regarded as in it for themselves and the rich whilst being, at best, out of touch with ordinary folk and at worst viewing them with outright contempt?
Not even a teensy bit?
Given there are a substantial number of lefties on six plus figure salaries often paid for through the public purse can you show me where they are leading by example ?
Voters do not do gratitude and the Conservatives should not expect to be "rewarded" as some posts have suggested. But voters are rational about their own self interest and voting with a nose-peg often happens when self-interest is at stake.
I myself have no mortgage, some gold and some savings. I'd very much like to see interest rates go up (significantly) and will be relatively better off (vs many others) when a bit of chaos comes to the markets. So, bizarrely, Labour might be good for me! I'd never vote for them though because they'll significantly increase the risk of the UK suffering a financial catastrophe. Deficits and debts matter. I wonder how those who vote Labour will react to rising interest rates and a new recession?
Point taken, Patrick. Some people - not many I would have thought - happen to be well insulated against many adverse economic scenarios. But very few have a positive interest in a serious economic crisis, or even the risk of one.
Well, for once I disagree with Mike. My disagreement is principally with the proposition that nothing much will change in the 9 months leading up to the election. That might be the case - there have been a few elections, such as 2005, where nothing much has happened in that period - but overall it's an unwarranted assumption: frequently, not only in UK elections but in elections in Scotland and in other Western nations, you get significant shifts as the election approaches. Usually these are in favour of the government, for good reason (which I'll explain in a mo').
Now, it may be different this time. As Mike points out, the dynamics of coalition are different to what we are used to. That's a political judgement (and, yes, political betting is all about political judgement). Just don't fool yourself into thinking that it is based on hard evidence.
My secondary disagreement is specifically in relation to a Labour majority. I think there remains a quite large range of possible outcomes in the election - I don't pretend to be able to make predictions of unwarranted precision. But a Labour majority looks the least likely outcome. It's not impossible, but it does require a fairly heroic assumption, namely that nothing much will change as the actual choice comes into focus and - most importantly - as Ed Miliband is forced to give at least some vague outline of a policy platform. The reason that things shift towards the incumbent in many elections is precisely this: as the election approaches, the opposition finds it harder to be all things to all men and is forced to make some decisions. Ed Miliband has done a quite remarkable job of obfuscation so far. I don't think that will survive the scrutiny of an election campaign. As things get clearer, supporters who have projected contradictory things on to him will peel off or lose interest.
I can't really see either the Conservatives or Labour failing to win 270-310 seats at the next election. The only thing that could produce a Labour majority, IMHO, is if we have a really awful winter and the NHS collapses under the strain.
What about another recession?
It would depend if the government was seen as responsible for it.
From next month, there is a mandatory limit on the power (and therefore effectiveness) of vacuum cleaners. You know, for the polar bears.
That is absolutely stark-raving bonkers.
How many hours a week do people run a vacuum cleaner for? Not enough for the power rating of the motor to have a measurable impact on household power consumption, that's for sure.
@MonikerDiCanio If you want to know the point Hugh was making, look at the increase in money those at the top have received. Of course you want to ignore that, so you will just waffle on.
Like the Blairs you mean, or the Milibands, or Mr Rosenfeld or Lord Sugar ?
Why did changing the name from Town Clerk to Chief Executive justify a five fold increase in salary ?
Bedford is a curious seat. Quite distinctive in its way. Traditional public school influence (it amuses me that Alistair Cook and Monty Panesar went to 'hated' rival schools) mixed with a very large immigrant community, largely Italian. I wouldn't be fully confident it would conform to UNS.
What is going on right now? I've read a few things this morning. One an article by Brendan O'Neill in the Telegraph about how it's silly to re-write the miners strike as gay friendly - a new film is out which follows a group of gay and lesbian activists who supported the miners. Another article was about Labour's plans for a post-referendum Scotland and their continuing support for the Barnett formula which is loved in Scotland and hated in Wales. Labour's coalition of support has major fault lines running through it - different celtic groups, metropolitan liberals, socially conservative minorities, the white working class in their broadest sense - but my guess is that these people will put their difference aside and do what is necessary next year to get the Tories out of power. For all Ed Miliband's weaknesses he simply doesn't inspire all the conservative(?) forces in this country to unite together to stop him. A hung parliament may well still be most likely, but 2/1 or better on Labour majority looks unusually generous.
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Could be a loss-leader by the supermarket itself, or somewhere in the supply chain. And were they identical? (i.e. the same brand and weight) It would also be worth checking the ingredients between the two.
Mr. J., they were different brands but in all other respects identical. Someone, somewhere along the line is surely taking the piss.
Wine is my other beef at the moment. Having spent much of my early years in Portugal, I am very partial to Vinho Verde, so called because it is designed to be drunk as a young wine. So we are not talking vintages here; it is plonk, a guzzling wine for warm sunny days and basic food (coarse bread, sardines, cheese and olive oil type stuff). Last Saturday it was £4.99 in my local Tesco. Herself got it in Aldi this morning at just under two quid a bottle. I haven't tried it yet, obviously, but it seems to be pukka stuff from the labels. How can there be such disparity in pricing between two supermarkets a mile apart?
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Aldi is ridiculous value, esp when they have deals on ie 6 Magners £6.79
Rich tea biscuits are 23p, cat food is less than £2... Great for when you fancy some cat food on a rich tea!
Can only speak for the Upminster branch but the people on the tills are shit hot as well, double speedy
I love going into Lidl and seeing posh people wandering round like excited tourists, not being sure how the checkouts "work", pointing in wonder at stuff - "look this is amazing, they actually sell real food!"
Just me then?
There isn't a lidl nr me I've never been in one but aldi is similar I think. The checkouts are the same as anywhere in my experience only quicker
Most of the savings must come as there is less choice (ie one type of each product) and no fancy aisles etc it s'more like a warehouse, but who cares?
You get about 34k a year for being assistant manager there too.
Some snobby girls I know won't go in there but a lot of Essex girls are fake snobs who are all about image
@Alanbrooke More rich "lefties" than "righties"? or are you only allowed to be well off if you are a Tory?
I'm quite happy for lefties to get rich if they've earned it.
What I don't get is why lefties think rich righties are expoliters whereas people on their side aren't. Rich lefties still use tax advisors, keep their bills low much as the others do. So where's the moral high ground in that ?
You simply are calling out the other side for doing exactly what you're doing yourself.
Mr. Anorak, whilst not personally affected it is still bloody stupid.
How about letting people buy what they bloody well like?
Mr. K, if that poster's genuine it's cause for serious concern, but no surprise. Where was the media condemnation of UAF when they burnt an effigy of Nick Griffin when he appeared on Question Time and, if memory serves, had some rather disturbing chants about him as well?
@Alanbrooke More rich "lefties" than "righties"? or are you only allowed to be well off if you are a Tory?
The charges against rich "lefties" are hypocrisy and insincerity. They are at liberty to make voluntary contributions to the exchequer should their consciences prick them.
From next month, there is a mandatory limit on the power (and therefore effectiveness) of vacuum cleaners. You know, for the polar bears.
That is absolutely stark-raving bonkers.
How many hours a week do people run a vacuum cleaner for? Not enough for the power rating of the motor to have a measurable impact on household power consumption, that's for sure.
Almost any idiocy goes unchallenged if it's described as being "for the environment" or "for children."
It will be up to the UAF to deny this poster, and they haven't yet.
That's a very poor fake.
The UAF had a demonstration in Tower Hamlets in 2013, same date and time except on Saturday September 7th - and you can clearly see that the "6" in the date on that poster is a poor paste job in a different font.
@Patrick How would the Tories react to rising interest rates should they remain in power?
I imagine whoever is in power will see a volatile time! Those with mortgages and houses are likely to see costs rise and values drop - that ain't popular. Those with no mortgage and net savings may be quite happy. So...Tory voters/oldies more likely on balance to be OK with a return to 'normal' interest rates than Labour voters/youngies. Tory politicians/all politicians probably quite fearful. Very low interest rates forever blows a bubble. Stop blowing and the bubble bursts.
(and low to zero interest rates are a sign of market/economic failure. It drives bad behaviour, asset misallocation, rewards irresponsibility and exposes the whole economy to systemic risk).
@Alanbrooke More rich "lefties" than "righties"? or are you only allowed to be well off if you are a Tory?
The charges against rich "lefties" are hypocrisy and insincerity. They are at liberty to make voluntary contributions to the exchequer should their consciences prick them.
Maybe HMRC should have a roll of honour for those who do and publicly thank them each year.
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Aldi is ridiculous value, esp when they have deals on ie 6 Magners £6.79
Rich tea biscuits are 23p, cat food is less than £2... Great for when you fancy some cat food on a rich tea!
Can only speak for the Upminster branch but the people on the tills are shit hot as well, double speedy
I love going into Lidl and seeing posh people wandering round like excited tourists, not being sure how the checkouts "work", pointing in wonder at stuff - "look this is amazing, they actually sell real food!"
Just me then?
There isn't a lidl nr me I've never been in one but aldi is similar I think. The checkouts are the same as anywhere in my experience only quicker
Most of the savings must come as there is less choice (ie one type of each product) and no fancy aisles etc it s'more like a warehouse, but who cares?
You get about 34k a year for being assistant manager there too.
Some snobby girls I know won't go in there but a lot of Essex girls are fake snobs who are all about image
I'm a recent Aldi convert myself. The value and quality are amazing. Get your basics at Aldi (save up to 30% without even trying) and posh stuff at Waitrose. Small wonder the middle market is struggling.
From next month, there is a mandatory limit on the power (and therefore effectiveness) of vacuum cleaners. You know, for the polar bears.
That is absolutely stark-raving bonkers.
How many hours a week do people run a vacuum cleaner for? Not enough for the power rating of the motor to have a measurable impact on household power consumption, that's for sure.
I went out and bought a 2400 watt vacuum cleaner a while back for precisely this reason.
@Alanbrooke Anyone who exploits the system deserves contempt if they preach "hard work" and "morality" for those below. And as for hypocrisy? You seem to be well versed in its use when it suits you. Oh look, its a squirrel, could it be Basil?
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Aldi is ridiculous value, esp when they have deals on ie 6 Magners £6.79
Rich tea biscuits are 23p, cat food is less than £2... Great for when you fancy some cat food on a rich tea!
Can only speak for the Upminster branch but the people on the tills are shit hot as well, double speedy
I love going into Lidl and seeing posh people wandering round like excited tourists, not being sure how the checkouts "work", pointing in wonder at stuff - "look this is amazing, they actually sell real food!"
Just me then?
There isn't a lidl nr me I've never been in one but aldi is similar I think. The checkouts are the same as anywhere in my experience only quicker
Most of the savings must come as there is less choice (ie one type of each product) and no fancy aisles etc it s'more like a warehouse, but who cares?
You get about 34k a year for being assistant manager there too.
Some snobby girls I know won't go in there but a lot of Essex girls are fake snobs who are all about image
I'm a recent Aldi convert myself. The value and quality are amazing. Get your basics at Aldi (save up to 30% without even trying) and posh stuff at Waitrose. Small wonder the middle market is struggling.
Yeah that's exactly exactly what I do... They are both less than 5min walk from my house so forced choice but it works well.
Surely they can't undercut Waitrose on £2.99 Lambrusco???
@Alanbrooke Anyone who exploits the system deserves contempt if they preach "hard work" and "morality" for those below. And as for hypocrisy? You seem to be well versed in its use when it suits you. Oh look, its a squirrel, could it be Basil?
chortle
I'll take that as you're arguments are running a little thin.
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Aldi is ridiculous value, esp when they have deals on ie 6 Magners £6.79
Rich tea biscuits are 23p, cat food is less than £2... Great for when you fancy some cat food on a rich tea!
Can only speak for the Upminster branch but the people on the tills are shit hot as well, double speedy
I love going into Lidl and seeing posh people wandering round like excited tourists, not being sure how the checkouts "work", pointing in wonder at stuff - "look this is amazing, they actually sell real food!"
Just me then?
There isn't a lidl nr me I've never been in one but aldi is similar I think. The checkouts are the same as anywhere in my experience only quicker
Most of the savings must come as there is less choice (ie one type of each product) and no fancy aisles etc it s'more like a warehouse, but who cares?
You get about 34k a year for being assistant manager there too.
Some snobby girls I know won't go in there but a lot of Essex girls are fake snobs who are all about image
I'm a recent Aldi convert myself. The value and quality are amazing. Get your basics at Aldi (save up to 30% without even trying) and posh stuff at Waitrose. Small wonder the middle market is struggling.
Yeah that's exactly exactly what I do... They are both less than 5min walk from my house so forced choice but it works well.
Surely they can't undercut Waitrose on £2.99 Lambrusco???
It will be up to the UAF to deny this poster, and they haven't yet.
That's a very poor fake.
The UAF had a demonstration in Tower Hamlets in 2013, same date and time except on Saturday September 7th - and you can clearly see that the "6" in the date on that poster is a poor paste job in a different font.
Pathetic, but you believe it because you want to.
It may well be a fake, but UAF haven't denied it. The obviousness of the fake is there for all to see. Anyone with any hint of critical thinking skills should be able to work it out without UAF needing to go to the trouble of dignifying it with a denial.
The poster for the anti-EDL demo is here. Look at the consistency of font used. Compare it with the pathetic fake who could not even be bothered to match font.
You so desperately want it to be true that you apply no critical thinking at all.
@Alanbrooke Take it any way you want. You are arguing that massive increases for those at the top are fully justified because "some on the other side are doing it" It is hardly a killer argument is it? *chortle* etc,
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Could be a loss-leader by the supermarket itself, or somewhere in the supply chain. And were they identical? (i.e. the same brand and weight) It would also be worth checking the ingredients between the two.
Mr. J., they were different brands but in all other respects identical. Someone, somewhere along the line is surely taking the piss.
Wine is my other beef at the moment. Having spent much of my early years in Portugal, I am very partial to Vinho Verde, so called because it is designed to be drunk as a young wine. So we are not talking vintages here; it is plonk, a guzzling wine for warm sunny days and basic food (coarse bread, sardines, cheese and olive oil type stuff). Last Saturday it was £4.99 in my local Tesco. Herself got it in Aldi this morning at just under two quid a bottle. I haven't tried it yet, obviously, but it seems to be pukka stuff from the labels. How can there be such disparity in pricing between two supermarkets a mile apart?
Two quid a bottle :O ?!
I'll have to have a look in my local Aldi tonight.
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Could be a loss-leader by the supermarket itself, or somewhere in the supply chain. And were they identical? (i.e. the same brand and weight) It would also be worth checking the ingredients between the two.
Mr. J., they were different brands but in all other respects identical. Someone, somewhere along the line is surely taking the piss.
Wine is my other beef at the moment. Having spent much of my early years in Portugal, I am very partial to Vinho Verde, so called because it is designed to be drunk as a young wine. So we are not talking vintages here; it is plonk, a guzzling wine for warm sunny days and basic food (coarse bread, sardines, cheese and olive oil type stuff). Last Saturday it was £4.99 in my local Tesco. Herself got it in Aldi this morning at just under two quid a bottle. I haven't tried it yet, obviously, but it seems to be pukka stuff from the labels. How can there be such disparity in pricing between two supermarkets a mile apart?
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Could be a loss-leader by the supermarket itself, or somewhere in the supply chain. And were they identical? (i.e. the same brand and weight) It would also be worth checking the ingredients between the two.
Mr. J., they were different brands but in all other respects identical. Someone, somewhere along the line is surely taking the piss.
Wine is my other beef at the moment. Having spent much of my early years in Portugal, I am very partial to Vinho Verde, so called because it is designed to be drunk as a young wine. So we are not talking vintages here; it is plonk, a guzzling wine for warm sunny days and basic food (coarse bread, sardines, cheese and olive oil type stuff). Last Saturday it was £4.99 in my local Tesco. Herself got it in Aldi this morning at just under two quid a bottle. I haven't tried it yet, obviously, but it seems to be pukka stuff from the labels. How can there be such disparity in pricing between two supermarkets a mile apart?
Some years ago I recall talking to a friend who was production manager for a firm which filled capules with all sorts of things, mainly for the health food trade ...... vitamins, supplements and such. I was interested in that business at the time. My friend told me that the price difference between diffwernt brands was mainly packaging ........ all the capules were the same, just sold by different outlets. At different prices.
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Could be a loss-leader by the supermarket itself, or somewhere in the supply chain. And were they identical? (i.e. the same brand and weight) It would also be worth checking the ingredients between the two.
Mr. J., they were different brands but in all other respects identical. Someone, somewhere along the line is surely taking the piss.
Wine is my other beef at the moment. Having spent much of my early years in Portugal, I am very partial to Vinho Verde, so called because it is designed to be drunk as a young wine. So we are not talking vintages here; it is plonk, a guzzling wine for warm sunny days and basic food (coarse bread, sardines, cheese and olive oil type stuff). Last Saturday it was £4.99 in my local Tesco. Herself got it in Aldi this morning at just under two quid a bottle. I haven't tried it yet, obviously, but it seems to be pukka stuff from the labels. How can there be such disparity in pricing between two supermarkets a mile apart?
Two quid a bottle :O ?!
I'll have to have a look in my local Aldi tonight.
I'll have tried some by then (put a bottle in the fridge for tea-time as its a nice day). Look back here late afternoon for a test result.
Anybody know how James Burdett formerly of this Parish is doing? Last I heard he was quite ill in hospital with unexplained Jaundice, but that was probably about a year ago?
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Aldi is ridiculous value, esp when they have deals on ie 6 Magners £6.79
Rich tea biscuits are 23p, cat food is less than £2... Great for when you fancy some cat food on a rich tea!
Can only speak for the Upminster branch but the people on the tills are shit hot as well, double speedy
I love going into Lidl and seeing posh people wandering round like excited tourists, not being sure how the checkouts "work", pointing in wonder at stuff - "look this is amazing, they actually sell real food!"
Just me then?
There isn't a lidl nr me I've never been in one but aldi is similar I think. The checkouts are the same as anywhere in my experience only quicker
Most of the savings must come as there is less choice (ie one type of each product) and no fancy aisles etc it s'more like a warehouse, but who cares?
You get about 34k a year for being assistant manager there too.
Some snobby girls I know won't go in there but a lot of Essex girls are fake snobs who are all about image
I'm a recent Aldi convert myself. The value and quality are amazing. Get your basics at Aldi (save up to 30% without even trying) and posh stuff at Waitrose. Small wonder the middle market is struggling.
Yeah that's exactly exactly what I do... They are both less than 5min walk from my house so forced choice but it works well.
Surely they can't undercut Waitrose on £2.99 Lambrusco???
Lidl is good for ordinary meat, ordinary alcohol, ice-cream, fruit juice, most vegetables.
I prefer to get fish, or really good meat, from a fishmonger or butcher respectively. I've got into the habit recently of clubbing together with friends to buy a free range pig, and have it butchered. The meat is outstanding.
@OldKingCole It's the same with most things, take aspirin as an example. There is no difference between branded and unbranded except price, but people will swear the more expensive ones are "better"
@Alanbrooke Take it any way you want. You are arguing that massive increases for those at the top are fully justified because "some on the other side are doing it" It is hardly a killer argument is it? *chortle* etc,
really ?: Where have I argued that ?
I have said that people whether of left or right who have earned their money should keep it and do what they like with it.
I've also said that people running around saying one side bad other side good are idiots.
Personally I see no difference between Cameron's millions and Miliband's millions. Lefties do since apparently it's wrong of Cameron to have money but ok for Ed why is that ?
@Alanbrooke Take it any way you want. You are arguing that massive increases for those at the top are fully justified because "some on the other side are doing it" It is hardly a killer argument is it? *chortle* etc,
really ?: Where have I argued that ?
I have said that people whether of left or right who have earned their money should keep it and do what they like with it.
I've also said that people running around saying one side bad other side good are idiots.
Personally I see no difference between Cameron's millions and Miliband's millions. Lefties do since apparently it's wrong of Cameron to have money but ok for Ed why is that ?
Mr. Toms, it was indeed me that mentioned it. Got to say I suspect No will win, but a Yes triumph is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
Mr. G, to be fair, you do have a very tedious premier league. It used to be a two-horse race, now it's a one horse race. It'd be like if Rosberg's team mate was Luca Badoer instead of Lewis Hamilton.
MD, there is that , however people still support the teams and probably more interested in them than the Arsenal game that was on STV the other night. It does seem bizarre that BBC pay Linekar more per annum than they spend on Scottish football.
@Alanbrooke Take it any way you want. You are arguing that massive increases for those at the top are fully justified because "some on the other side are doing it" It is hardly a killer argument is it? *chortle* etc,
really ?: Where have I argued that ?
I have said that people whether of left or right who have earned their money should keep it and do what they like with it.
I've also said that people running around saying one side bad other side good are idiots.
Personally I see no difference between Cameron's millions and Miliband's millions. Lefties do since apparently it's wrong of Cameron to have money but ok for Ed why is that ?
Cameron being rich isn't the problem.
Cameron governing for the rich is.
So Cameron governing for Miliband, Blair, Jimmy Carr is your issue.
They're always free to give their money away, some like JK Rowling actually do.
@Alanbrooke Take it any way you want. You are arguing that massive increases for those at the top are fully justified because "some on the other side are doing it" It is hardly a killer argument is it? *chortle* etc,
You may recall that a few weeks ago I posted on here the results of some research that showed there was no correlation between the performance of a company and the amount it pays its CEO. I also pointed out that in the US CEO's were on average paid 350 times the salary of the median worker in that company. There were some figures put out in the last few days that showed if memory serves the comparative figure in the UK is 175 times, better but I still don't understand the justification. What I don't understand at all is the massive salaries paid in local government and the public sector generally. Town clerks on £200+K a year? It is absurd.
@Alanbrooke Take it any way you want. You are arguing that massive increases for those at the top are fully justified because "some on the other side are doing it" It is hardly a killer argument is it? *chortle* etc,
really ?: Where have I argued that ?
I have said that people whether of left or right who have earned their money should keep it and do what they like with it.
I've also said that people running around saying one side bad other side good are idiots.
Personally I see no difference between Cameron's millions and Miliband's millions. Lefties do since apparently it's wrong of Cameron to have money but ok for Ed why is that ?
Has Ed got as many millions as Cameron? I knew he was pretty wealthy but not quite that wealthy.
Herself has just got back from shopping. She went to Sainsbury's and Aldi. A smallish packet of Italian made pasta in Sainsbury's was 90p, or two for £1.50. In Aldi for an identical packet (made in Italy etc.) was 45p. Now how does that work? How can a basic product cost twice as much in one shop than it does in another? I suppose those Sainsbury millions have to come from somewhere, but isn't someone taking the piss?
Could be a loss-leader by the supermarket itself, or somewhere in the supply chain. And were they identical? (i.e. the same brand and weight) It would also be worth checking the ingredients between the two.
Mr. J., they were different brands but in all other respects identical. Someone, somewhere along the line is surely taking the piss.
Wine is my other beef at the moment. Having spent much of my early years in Portugal, I am very partial to Vinho Verde, so called because it is designed to be drunk as a young wine. So we are not talking vintages here; it is plonk, a guzzling wine for warm sunny days and basic food (coarse bread, sardines, cheese and olive oil type stuff). Last Saturday it was £4.99 in my local Tesco. Herself got it in Aldi this morning at just under two quid a bottle. I haven't tried it yet, obviously, but it seems to be pukka stuff from the labels. How can there be such disparity in pricing between two supermarkets a mile apart?
Duty on wine is £2.05/bottle.
Aldi is losing money on the wine.
I thought the law was changed recently so that you couldn't sell alcohol at below the tax price? Indeed they have - gov.uk webpage. The floor price is £2.46 for 750ml bottle of wine.
[Of course, they would still be losing money on wine were they to sell at just above the duty price]
Can we not talk about something interesting like Scotland and referendums.
OK Malcolm you asked for it. I have to say the SNP is getting desperate with Salmond willing to give up his job and disband the SNP for YES to win. It's like they are saying "if you hate me vote YES, please!!".
I do not believe that is exactly what was said, misrepresentation as usual. He merely indicated that he would do what was in the best interests of Scotland rather than the usual politicians who put self first on every occasion
What Salmond perceives to be in the interests of Scotland and what actually is are not the same things;
‘Dear Fred, I wanted you to know that I am watching events on the ABN front closely. It is in the Scottish interests(sic) for RBS to be successful, and I would like to offer any assistance my office can provide. Yours for Scotland, Alex’.
His heart may be in the right place but his judgement is dismal.
Dear Fred , please buy that dodgy bank , we cannot be bothered doing due diligence either, and have this knighthood whilst we bankrupt the country. Yours for UK , Alistair and Gordon
@Alanbrooke I was arguing about the rich getting exponentially more wealthy in terms of remuneration, while wanting those below them in the company to take below inflation wage increases. You seem to be wanting to make this into some other unrelated argument. If you earn you earn your money you should be able to keep it, but increasing the pay of a CEO when productivity is flat. or by making everyone else in the company poorer? You class that as "earning"?
@OldKingCole It's the same with most things, take aspirin as an example. There is no difference between branded and unbranded except price, but people will swear the more expensive ones are "better"
They may be slightly better as generics will usually meet minimum standards only.
@OldKingCole It's the same with most things, take aspirin as an example. There is no difference between branded and unbranded except price, but people will swear the more expensive ones are "better"
Quite. Spent years trying to convince GP’s that that was the case!
Mr. Gin, Mr. Burdett was on Twitter a day or two ago, lambasting me [in a silly way] for playing up to stereotypes (I'd stated I'd been very productive, and if I became any more efficient I would transmogrify into a German engineer).
Mr. G, some BBC football wages are crackers. Alan Hansen[sp] was on a bloody fortune.
Mr. J., they were different brands but in all other respects identical. Someone, somewhere along the line is surely taking the piss.
Wine is my other beef at the moment. Having spent much of my early years in Portugal, I am very partial to Vinho Verde, so called because it is designed to be drunk as a young wine. So we are not talking vintages here; it is plonk, a guzzling wine for warm sunny days and basic food (coarse bread, sardines, cheese and olive oil type stuff). Last Saturday it was £4.99 in my local Tesco. Herself got it in Aldi this morning at just under two quid a bottle. I haven't tried it yet, obviously, but it seems to be pukka stuff from the labels. How can there be such disparity in pricing between two supermarkets a mile apart?
They just had a security bod on R5 talking about how the Turks have been quite happy at times to let through lots of western would-be jihadists, because it suited their outlook. Only recently have the Turkish security services started to play ball and nab people who are a jolly to see the border with Syria.
Wonder if Cameron is quite so keen to have Turkey in the EU these days?
Can we not talk about something interesting like Scotland and referendums.
OK Malcolm you asked for it. I have to say the SNP is getting desperate with Salmond willing to give up his job and disband the SNP for YES to win. It's like they are saying "if you hate me vote YES, please!!".
I do not believe that is exactly what was said, misrepresentation as usual. He merely indicated that he would do what was in the best interests of Scotland rather than the usual politicians who put self first on every occasion
What Salmond perceives to be in the interests of Scotland and what actually is are not the same things;
‘Dear Fred, I wanted you to know that I am watching events on the ABN front closely. It is in the Scottish interests(sic) for RBS to be successful, and I would like to offer any assistance my office can provide. Yours for Scotland, Alex’.
His heart may be in the right place but his judgement is dismal.
Dear Fred , please buy that dodgy bank , we cannot be bothered doing due diligence either, and have this knighthood whilst we bankrupt the country. Yours for UK , Alistair and Gordon
Could you please stop denigrating Scots, I find it offensive and unacceptable.
Between April and July government borrowing was £10 billion more than the same period the previous year. There are also signs that some consumer spending is lower. Will the UK economy be slowing down in the run up to the election ? I think this is a real possibility, with other countries experiencing reduced growth.
Comments
And Tories wonder why they're perceived as not caring about ordinary people.
It's nothing to do with class.
I'm aware that people don't share my view in general, he polls very well and appeals to the slightly disinterested in politics I feel... bit like Farage.
Last time around, Bedford was inundated by Tory billboard adds, Tory coves were seen everywhere canvassing, and Sgt Major (retired) types bussed old ladies to the polling stations, while the Labour campaign seemed to have lost focus & cohesion.
Both parties are paying attention to Bedford this time, and I suspect Labour will do the business. But public perception can be a fickle beast.
But the aliens seem to have abducted ALP to keep tim company...
Even without the financial crash (wherein I regard them as culpable) they would have gone into the election with a £80 billion deficit. And we would ahve been expected to shrug our shouders and say 'who cares'.
The strucural defict reflected a scale of financial mismanagement of monumental proportions. On top of which we should add the figure of the actual surplus that labour should have been running, so the excess of spending over revenues was something like £120 billion.
So forgive me if I have little respect for Labour. £120 billion is a massive electoral bribe.
Mr. Toms, it was indeed me that mentioned it. Got to say I suspect No will win, but a Yes triumph is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
Mr. G, to be fair, you do have a very tedious premier league. It used to be a two-horse race, now it's a one horse race. It'd be like if Rosberg's team mate was Luca Badoer instead of Lewis Hamilton.
The essence of the Tory case is this: "Look, the economy is on the mend. We know you haven't felt the benefit yet but you will have to hope that you will do before too long. You may not like or identify with us as people, but so what because there's nothing anyone can do about that. But you will for sure feel the pain if you go with Labour and they drive the economy swiftly into the ditch as per last time. Why look into the crystal ball when you can read the book? Look at France instead."
It won't be put like that of course, but there it is. It's the sort of choice no one would make or even consider with enthusiasm - a bit like deciding to go to the dentist. There will be a lot of denial and a lot of resistance right up to the last moment. I've no idea how it will all end up, but I do think polls are pretty well pointless until well after Christmas.
Many, many voters perception, rightly or wrongly is that free lunches and unearned items are the perogative of those in the banking “industry” who, for example, were responsible, again for example, for PPI scandal.
Then there’s the little matter of a much larger proportion of their income going on direct taxation for the office cleaner than for the CEO.
A little wage restraint among those at the top, especially in financial services, would be a Good Thing and would suggest that Cameron and Osborne are truthful when they say that “we’re all in this together."
It will be up to the UAF to deny this poster, and they haven't yet.
But I wont call for a recession until the London bubble bursts.
As Japan has shown you can still go in recession with 0% interest rates and tons of QE.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-28878432
From next month, there is a mandatory limit on the power (and therefore effectiveness) of vacuum cleaners. You know, for the polar bears.
‘Dear Fred,
I wanted you to know that I am watching events on the ABN front closely. It is in the Scottish interests(sic) for RBS to be successful, and I would like to offer any assistance my office can provide.
Yours for Scotland, Alex’.
His heart may be in the right place but his judgement is dismal.
Are remunerations for those at the top of the pile stagnating as well?
You apparently need to pay to get the best, except if you are at the bottom of the tree where all you need is a jolly good kicking.
The latest subsidy profile has been released for the railway companies. What this shows is the very high subsidy for Northern trains.
If Labour reduce ticket price increases this means higher government spending, or less railway investment.
Archbishop Cranmer @His_Grace 32m
As long as Obama spouts the fallacy that the Islamic State "speaks for no religion", we will never kill the root http://bit.ly/1liUTJq
Odd to see "conservatives" argue for low wages when their so-called choice is a high wage high productivity economy a la Deutschland.
With clueless Osborne it's not what he says it's what he does that counts. Where's the productivity ?
In my view it often mistakes cause and effect.
In the past governments have called elections because they have had poll leads rather than getting poll leads as an election approaches.
The fixed term parliament act changes that.
Of course, that isn't to say there won't be movement towards the governing parties in fact I would say it is likely given the improving economy but it is certainly not inevitable.
I also think Mike's analysis is correct in that the election will be decided primarily by the 'Red Liberals' and the 'Purple Tories'.
I would like to see more in depth polling of these groups. My instinct is that the red liberals will largely stay with labour, but the purple tories are more likely to drift back.
It will be up to the UAF to deny this poster, and they haven't yet.
They don't have it on their website.
http://uaf.org.uk/category/news/
Since it's Tower Hamlets I smell a Lutfur Rahman, better to ask him if he has anything to do with it.
The papers had something about Rahman and islamic preachers this week.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/tower-hamlets-vote-fraud-explosive-high-court-dossier-accuses-lutfur-rahmans-campaign-of-threats-and-bribery-9678861.html
People at the top need to be handed tax cuts and ever bigger riches if they are to be "incentivised".
Can Tories really not see why they might be regarded as in it for themselves and the rich whilst being, at best, out of touch with ordinary folk and at worst viewing them with outright contempt?
Not even a teensy bit?
Then you will get your local regional news. On Ch 4 you will get it in Gaelic followed by a gaelic speaker singing and playing the harp.
On BBC you will then get Scottish Newsnight.
If you live in Wigan or York you will get no 'national' news that is relevant to you.
Rich tea biscuits are 23p, cat food is less than £2... Great for when you fancy some cat food on a rich tea!
Can only speak for the Upminster branch but the people on the tills are shit hot as well, double speedy
But they don't do Lambrusco so I still have to go to Waitrose for that
A good directive. Well done EU.
Incidentally, while we're on the subject of wages, it simply isn't true than they have been falling in real terms for average workers. The average wage has been falling, which is a completely different thing. The main reason is that more young (and other formerly unemployed) people are gaining employment (and BTW they are mainly full-time jobs):
http://www.cityam.com/1408333800/three-reasons-why-it-looks-wages-are-doing-so-badly-bottom-line
Only a Labour supporter could somehow manage to convince himself that falling youth unemployment (reducing the 'average wage') is a bad thing.
What's your point?
Another good Douglas Murray piece.
Just me then?
It will be up to the UAF to deny this poster, and they haven't yet. That's a very poor fake.
The UAF had a demonstration in Tower Hamlets in 2013, same date and time except on Saturday September 7th - and you can clearly see that the "6" in the date on that poster is a poor paste job in a different font.
Pathetic, but you believe it because you want to.
If you want to know the point Hugh was making, look at the increase in money those at the top have received.
Of course you want to ignore that, so you will just waffle on.
How would the Tories react to rising interest rates should they remain in power?
How many hours a week do people run a vacuum cleaner for? Not enough for the power rating of the motor to have a measurable impact on household power consumption, that's for sure.
Why did changing the name from Town Clerk to Chief Executive justify a five fold increase in salary ?
More rich "lefties" than "righties"? or are you only allowed to be well off if you are a Tory?
What is going on right now? I've read a few things this morning. One an article by Brendan O'Neill in the Telegraph about how it's silly to re-write the miners strike as gay friendly - a new film is out which follows a group of gay and lesbian activists who supported the miners. Another article was about Labour's plans for a post-referendum Scotland and their continuing support for the Barnett formula which is loved in Scotland and hated in Wales. Labour's coalition of support has major fault lines running through it - different celtic groups, metropolitan liberals, socially conservative minorities, the white working class in their broadest sense - but my guess is that these people will put their difference aside and do what is necessary next year to get the Tories out of power. For all Ed Miliband's weaknesses he simply doesn't inspire all the conservative(?) forces in this country to unite together to stop him. A hung parliament may well still be most likely, but 2/1 or better on Labour majority looks unusually generous.
Wine is my other beef at the moment. Having spent much of my early years in Portugal, I am very partial to Vinho Verde, so called because it is designed to be drunk as a young wine. So we are not talking vintages here; it is plonk, a guzzling wine for warm sunny days and basic food (coarse bread, sardines, cheese and olive oil type stuff). Last Saturday it was £4.99 in my local Tesco. Herself got it in Aldi this morning at just under two quid a bottle. I haven't tried it yet, obviously, but it seems to be pukka stuff from the labels. How can there be such disparity in pricing between two supermarkets a mile apart?
Most of the savings must come as there is less choice (ie one type of each product) and no fancy aisles etc it s'more like a warehouse, but who cares?
You get about 34k a year for being assistant manager there too.
Some snobby girls I know won't go in there but a lot of Essex girls are fake snobs who are all about image
What I don't get is why lefties think rich righties are expoliters whereas people on their side aren't. Rich lefties still use tax advisors, keep their bills low much as the others do. So where's the moral high ground in that ?
You simply are calling out the other side for doing exactly what you're doing yourself.
Hypocrisy.
How about letting people buy what they bloody well like?
Mr. K, if that poster's genuine it's cause for serious concern, but no surprise. Where was the media condemnation of UAF when they burnt an effigy of Nick Griffin when he appeared on Question Time and, if memory serves, had some rather disturbing chants about him as well?
The UAF had a demonstration in Tower Hamlets in 2013, same date and time except on Saturday September 7th - and you can clearly see that the "6" in the date on that poster is a poor paste job in a different font.
Pathetic, but you believe it because you want to.
It may well be a fake, but UAF haven't denied it.
(and low to zero interest rates are a sign of market/economic failure. It drives bad behaviour, asset misallocation, rewards irresponsibility and exposes the whole economy to systemic risk).
If you're poor and a lefty you're a politics of envy class warrior.
Welcome to the world according to Tories. "why are we seen as out of touch, it's so unfair!"
Might be a short list though.
Anyone who exploits the system deserves contempt if they preach "hard work" and "morality" for those below.
And as for hypocrisy? You seem to be well versed in its use when it suits you.
Oh look, its a squirrel, could it be Basil?
If you're setting out a moral yardstick for society, why shouldn't you be measured by it yourself ?
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-isis-flag-may-be-gone-but-tensions-over-gaza-remain-high-in-tower-hamlets-9662553.html
Surely they can't undercut Waitrose on £2.99 Lambrusco???
I'll take that as you're arguments are running a little thin.
A shining example of how the Tories need to change if they're ever to win a majority again.
The poster for the anti-EDL demo is here. Look at the consistency of font used. Compare it with the pathetic fake who could not even be bothered to match font.
You so desperately want it to be true that you apply no critical thinking at all.
You're embarrassing yourself.
Take it any way you want. You are arguing that massive increases for those at the top are fully justified because "some on the other side are doing it"
It is hardly a killer argument is it?
*chortle* etc,
I'll have to have a look in my local Aldi tonight.
Aldi is losing money on the wine.
Hope he's better.
I prefer to get fish, or really good meat, from a fishmonger or butcher respectively. I've got into the habit recently of clubbing together with friends to buy a free range pig, and have it butchered. The meat is outstanding.
You all sound like a combination of Gordon Gekko and Marie Antoinette.
It's the same with most things, take aspirin as an example. There is no difference between branded and unbranded except price, but people will swear the more expensive ones are "better"
I have said that people whether of left or right who have earned their money should keep it and do what they like with it.
I've also said that people running around saying one side bad other side good are idiots.
Personally I see no difference between Cameron's millions and Miliband's millions. Lefties do since apparently it's wrong of Cameron to have money but ok for Ed why is that ?
Please raise your game.
Europe bans powerful vacuum cleaners and NONE of you say the measure sucks.
tsk.
Cameron governing for the rich is.
They're always free to give their money away, some like JK Rowling actually do.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/mind-pay-gap-uks-top-bosses-earn-143-times-more-their-employees-1461567
They deserve it.
[Of course, they would still be losing money on wine were they to sell at just above the duty price]
Yours for UK , Alistair and Gordon
I was arguing about the rich getting exponentially more wealthy in terms of remuneration, while wanting those below them in the company to take below inflation wage increases.
You seem to be wanting to make this into some other unrelated argument.
If you earn you earn your money you should be able to keep it, but increasing the pay of a CEO when productivity is flat. or by making everyone else in the company poorer?
You class that as "earning"?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2728434/SEBASTIAN-SHAKESPEARE-What-crisis-Blairs-luxury-freebie.html
By the way I am not a Conservative.
Everyone knows that Assad is the West's last hope to defeat ISIS in Syria.
Mr. G, some BBC football wages are crackers. Alan Hansen[sp] was on a bloody fortune.
Vinho Verde
★★★★★
★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars. Read reviews.
each£4.79
75cl, £4.79 per 75c
I can almost guarantee you are an Apple "fan boy".
;-)
Wonder if Cameron is quite so keen to have Turkey in the EU these days?