Trident issues could have implications within Labour too. Brings the issue into the spotlight again, so can't bury it. And a big shot in the arm for the abolitionists. Harder to get them to keep their traps shut.
Not good news for May either, but I wonder how much will ultimately come out about all this.
All complex weapons systems have to undergo regular testing. There will occasionally be bugs which need sorting. It appears that the sub and the crew were certified as having passed the test. Perhaps the US designed missile had the bug. Nothing will come of this non story.
From the last thread....
At the risk of introducing facts.. as far as I can tell, since the beginning of the TRident II program, there have been 157 successful flight tests and 6 failures (including partial successes).
The classic method for estimating the maximum probability of failure is a very simple equation :
This is considered a harsh maximum estimate, since most of the failures occurred in the early days of the program - which then conformed to the classic "bathtub" curve of early failures followed by massive increase in reliability.
This enables us to say that Trident II is reliable at delivering it's warheads to target as a *lower bound* (i.e. it is almost certainly better than this) of 96.3%
Which in historical terms makes it one of the most reliable weapons in human history....
Haven't you heard we are now in the post-truth / post-fact era....
The political implications aren't going to depend on facts and figures over failure rates. I can't see this being an issue that Tory rebels would find it politically convenient or timely to hang an attack on May on. But I think we could be in for a couple of years of "May misled parliament over nuclear failure" on Twitter.
Mr. Observer, I'm intrigued that leaving the EU is portrayed as an act of self-harm, but Scotland leaving the UK as an act of freedom.
A decade ago, we had a Scottish PM and Scottish Chancellor. When did we have both leading positions in the EU? And the impact of the UK leaving the EU single market is less than the impact of Scotland leaving the UK single market.
So, why's one tomfoolery and the other breaking the shackles of, er, a democratic country which Scotland recently voted to remain within?
GIN sounds about maximum, any sense she would walk next election and get out after 12 to 18 months. Though there is always the chance of a disaster and a Labour comeback.
Mr. Observer, I'm intrigued that leaving the EU is portrayed as an act of self-harm, but Scotland leaving the UK as an act of freedom.
A decade ago, we had a Scottish PM and Scottish Chancellor. When did we have both leading positions in the EU? And the impact of the UK leaving the EU single market is less than the impact of Scotland leaving the UK single market.
So, why's one tomfoolery and the other breaking the shackles of, er, a democratic country which Scotland recently voted to remain within?
Mr. Surbiton, the point of testing is to find any potential problems with a system.
As for the carriers/aircraft: remind me which wise man signed a contract that made it cheaper to build two aircraft carriers than it was to cancel one of them?
Mr. Observer, I'm intrigued that leaving the EU is portrayed as an act of self-harm, but Scotland leaving the UK as an act of freedom.
A decade ago, we had a Scottish PM and Scottish Chancellor. When did we have both leading positions in the EU? And the impact of the UK leaving the EU single market is less than the impact of Scotland leaving the UK single market.
So, why's one tomfoolery and the other breaking the shackles of, er, a democratic country which Scotland recently voted to remain within?
Agree, it's a pretty naff cartoon.
Where is your sense of humour or appreciation of reality
Mr. Observer, I'm intrigued that leaving the EU is portrayed as an act of self-harm, but Scotland leaving the UK as an act of freedom.
A decade ago, we had a Scottish PM and Scottish Chancellor. When did we have both leading positions in the EU? And the impact of the UK leaving the EU single market is less than the impact of Scotland leaving the UK single market.
So, why's one tomfoolery and the other breaking the shackles of, er, a democratic country which Scotland recently voted to remain within?
It's a good cartoon. It can mean many things. One might be that in leaving the EU Britannia is harming itself because it will cease to exist.
Mr. Surbiton, the point of testing is to find any potential problems with a system.
As for the carriers/aircraft: remind me which wise man signed a contract that made it cheaper to build two aircraft carriers than it was to cancel one of them?
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
Mr. Observer, I'm intrigued that leaving the EU is portrayed as an act of self-harm, but Scotland leaving the UK as an act of freedom.
A decade ago, we had a Scottish PM and Scottish Chancellor. When did we have both leading positions in the EU? And the impact of the UK leaving the EU single market is less than the impact of Scotland leaving the UK single market.
So, why's one tomfoolery and the other breaking the shackles of, er, a democratic country which Scotland recently voted to remain within?
Agree, it's a pretty naff cartoon.
Where is your sense of humour or appreciation of reality
KNIFE IN THE HEART OF TSE, PTII ==================== I am not locking money up for over 11 yrs to get 10/1, and 1/25 is too short for the alternative.
That's not a knife in the heart, because I've said both bets are unappealing so no bets for me.
Wasn't it Spooner who wrote a note which at the bottom had a postscript saying "ignore this note"?
My favorite is signs that say "Don't read this sign"
There was a "Please don't throw stones at this sign".
- and let's not forget the label on the top of a ketchup bottle - "Do not buy if this label is missing".
Or the classic sign at railway crossings "Beware of trains going both ways at once."
Please inform us if you do not receive this mail.
When I was about 12 I used to get up early during summer holidays and help my Dad with his milk-round. One morning I picked up an empty bottle on a doorstep containing a note. It read:
"No milk today. By today, I mean tomorrow, because I wrote this yesterday.
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
I may be wrong, but that looks like the worst Photoshop ever. I'm assuming it's a joke.
From having a quick look at the associated Twitter account I don't think it's meant as a joke, follows a lot of accounts that have Ibrox in the background of the profile picture.
Mr. Surbiton, Cameron was weak on Defence. But he didn't joyride it nearly as hard as Labour, nor did he starve it out funds whilst splurging on every other department.
If that isn't a photoshop then I am the Queen of Sheeba.
It is for sure. I meant to write Classy stuff from Scotland about some Celtic fans here ... , but doing it on my phone meant fat fingers got in the way. I can't edit it now because the time limits done.
Mr. Surbiton, Cameron was weak on Defence. But he didn't joyride it nearly as hard as Labour, nor did he starve it out funds whilst splurging on every other department.
Mr. Glenn, could you explain what you mean?
Defence spending was cut by the Conservatives under Thatcher and Major, then increased by Labour under Blair and Brown, then cut by the Conservative-led coalition under Cameron.
Funny, but based on a falsehood. If one nation is chained to make escape difficult, it is the UK, not Scotland.
The characters should be the other way around. But then it wouldn't have been "funny".
My wife always thanks her ex for reminding her why she left him. If this is what Finland, ostensibly a UK ally within the EU, thinks of us, then we should thank them for reminding us ...
If that isn't a photoshop then I am the Queen of Sheeba.
It is for sure. I meant to write Classy stuff from Scotland about some Celtic fans here ... , but doing it on my phone meant fat fingers got in the way. I can't edit it now because the time limits done.
Always worth checking the number of RFC, WATP, 'Sturgeons treachery' types who follow these accounts.
Funny, but based on a falsehood. If one nation is chained to make escape difficult, it is the UK, not Scotland.
The characters should be the other way around. But then it wouldn't have been "funny".
My wife always thanks her ex for reminding her why she left him. If this is what Finland, ostensibly a UK ally within the EU, thinks of us, then we should thank them for reminding us ...
If that isn't a photoshop then I am the Queen of Sheeba.
It is for sure. I meant to write Classy stuff from Scotland about some Celtic fans here ... , but doing it on my phone meant fat fingers got in the way. I can't edit it now because the time limits done.
Always worth checking the number of RFC, WATP, 'Sturgeons treachery' types who follow these accounts.
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
Mr. Surbiton, Cameron was weak on Defence. But he didn't joyride it nearly as hard as Labour, nor did he starve it out funds whilst splurging on every other department.
Mr. Glenn, could you explain what you mean?
Defence spending was cut by the Conservatives under Thatcher and Major, then increased by Labour under Blair and Brown, then cut by the Conservative-led coalition under Cameron.
Just like in the US, Republican Presidents increase the deficit and then Democrat Presidents reduce it.
Mr. Observer, I'm intrigued that leaving the EU is portrayed as an act of self-harm, but Scotland leaving the UK as an act of freedom.
A decade ago, we had a Scottish PM and Scottish Chancellor. When did we have both leading positions in the EU? And the impact of the UK leaving the EU single market is less than the impact of Scotland leaving the UK single market.
So, why's one tomfoolery and the other breaking the shackles of, er, a democratic country which Scotland recently voted to remain within?
Agree, it's a pretty naff cartoon.
Where is your sense of humour or appreciation of reality
If that isn't a photoshop then I am the Queen of Sheeba.
It is for sure. I meant to write Classy stuff from Scotland about some Celtic fans here ... , but doing it on my phone meant fat fingers got in the way. I can't edit it now because the time limits done.
Always worth checking the number of RFC, WATP, 'Sturgeons treachery' types who follow these accounts.
If that isn't a photoshop then I am the Queen of Sheeba.
It is for sure. I meant to write Classy stuff from Scotland about some Celtic fans here ... , but doing it on my phone meant fat fingers got in the way. I can't edit it now because the time limits done.
Always worth checking the number of RFC, WATP, 'Sturgeons treachery' types who follow these accounts.
Note to self: don't go near Scottish football.
This tweet from Coral during the recent Old Firm match and the replies therein are a thing of beauty.
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
Only one person is showing their ignorance here and that is you. The Sea Harriers- the ones that actually fly from aircraft carriers were withdrawn from service in 2006 exactly as GLW stated. The GR9 Harriers flown by the RAF until 2011 were not suitable for either carrier operations or air defence as they were primarily ground attack aircraft.
Funny, but based on a falsehood. If one nation is chained to make escape difficult, it is the UK, not Scotland.
The characters should be the other way around. But then it wouldn't have been "funny".
My wife always thanks her ex for reminding her why she left him. If this is what Finland, ostensibly a UK ally within the EU, thinks of us, then we should thank them for reminding us ...
They think the UK leaving the EU is an act of self-harm. Why do you think that's an insult?
If that isn't a photoshop then I am the Queen of Sheeba.
It is for sure. I meant to write Classy stuff from Scotland about some Celtic fans here ... , but doing it on my phone meant fat fingers got in the way. I can't edit it now because the time limits done.
Always worth checking the number of RFC, WATP, 'Sturgeons treachery' types who follow these accounts.
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
Mr. L, leaving aside Blair's penchant for military adventures, spending in other departments rose far more rapidly. Defence was very much a poor relation.
I agree Cameron was weak on Defence as well. However, he inherited a terrible economic position, whereas Blair and Brown had a golden economic inheritance.
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
Mr. Surbiton, the point of testing is to find any potential problems with a system.
As for the carriers/aircraft: remind me which wise man signed a contract that made it cheaper to build two aircraft carriers than it was to cancel one of them?
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
Lordy, do we have to go over this again? The mistake was Hoon creating Joint Force Harrier in 2000. This put the Harriers (the RAF's GR7/GR9s and the RN's Sea Harriers) under a joint command. Now, the RAF and RN are uneasy bedfellows at best, and what happened next was widely predicted. The RAF nicked the planes, and in 2006 the Sea Harriers were scrapped, partly because they were of little use to the RAF.
Since the Sea Harriers were the only ones with radars, and our Invincible-class carriers had no airborne radars, it made Harriers virtually useless for combat off them. Therefore the army used the GR7/9's more, and the RN had to allow Spanish planes to land on our operating carriers to keep aircrews current. (*)
To make matters worse, the Labour government kept on lying that we had three Invincible-class carriers. In the mid-2000's HMS Invincible was put in a low state of readiness. This meant, apparently, it could got ready to go back to see in a few months. In reality, it had been heavily striped o provide spares for its sisters, and had no engines.
Labour lies.
Oh, and happy birthday Malc.
(*) This, it should be noted, is very similar to the fact that the US will initially operate F35's off our new carriers, which some in Labour circles have got het up about.
Mr. Surbiton, the point of testing is to find any potential problems with a system.
As for the carriers/aircraft: remind me which wise man signed a contract that made it cheaper to build two aircraft carriers than it was to cancel one of them?
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
Lordy, do we have to go over this again? The mistake was Hoon creating Joint Force Harrier in 2000. This put the Harriers (the RAF's GR7/GR9s and the RN's Sea Harriers) under a joint command. Now, the RAF and RN are uneasy bedfellows at best, and what happened next was widely predicted. The RAF nicked the planes, and in 2006 the Sea Harriers were scrapped, partly because they were of little use to the RAF.
Since the Sea Harriers were the only ones with radars, and our Invincible-class carriers had no airborne radars, it made Harriers virtually useless for combat off them. Therefore the army used the GR7/9's more, and the RN had to allow Spanish planes to land on our operating carriers to keep aircrews current. (*)
To make matters worse, the Labour government kept on lying that we had three Invincible-class carriers. In the mid-2000's HMS Invincible was put in a low state of readiness. This meant, apparently, it could got ready to go back to see in a few months. In reality, it had been heavily striped o provide spares for its sisters, and had no engines.
Labour lies.
Oh, and happy birthday Malc.
(*) This, it should be noted, is very similar to the fact that the US will initially operate F35's off our new carriers, which some in Labour circles have got het up about.
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
THe dismantling of the Harriers far too early was one of Cam's early decisions. Of course, he was right ! Britain did not need an aircraft carrier for 6 years. Does it ever ?
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
KNIFE IN THE HEART OF TSE, PTII ==================== I am not locking money up for over 11 yrs to get 10/1, and 1/25 is too short for the alternative.
That's not a knife in the heart, because I've said both bets are unappealing so no bets for me.
Wasn't it Spooner who wrote a note which at the bottom had a postscript saying "ignore this note"?
My favorite is signs that say "Don't read this sign"
There was a "Please don't throw stones at this sign".
- and let's not forget the label on the top of a ketchup bottle - "Do not buy if this label is missing".
Or the classic sign at railway crossings "Beware of trains going both ways at once."
Please inform us if you do not receive this mail.
When I was about 12 I used to get up early during summer holidays and help my Dad with his milk-round. One morning I picked up an empty bottle on a doorstep containing a note. It read:
"No milk today. By today, I mean tomorrow, because I wrote this yesterday.
True sign on some MoD equipment:
'For safety reasons, this equipment should be stored with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top. To avoid confusion, the top is marked 'bottom' and the bottom is marked 'top'.'
Edit - and happy birthday @malcolmg. May your natal whisky taste sweet and all turnips be confounded!
KNIFE IN THE HEART OF TSE, PTII ==================== I am not locking money up for over 11 yrs to get 10/1, and 1/25 is too short for the alternative.
That's not a knife in the heart, because I've said both bets are unappealing so no bets for me.
Wasn't it Spooner who wrote a note which at the bottom had a postscript saying "ignore this note"?
My favorite is signs that say "Don't read this sign"
There was a "Please don't throw stones at this sign".
- and let's not forget the label on the top of a ketchup bottle - "Do not buy if this label is missing".
Or the classic sign at railway crossings "Beware of trains going both ways at once."
Please inform us if you do not receive this mail.
When I was about 12 I used to get up early during summer holidays and help my Dad with his milk-round. One morning I picked up an empty bottle on a doorstep containing a note. It read:
"No milk today. By today, I mean tomorrow, because I wrote this yesterday.
True sign on some MoD equipment:
'For safety reasons, this equipment should be stored with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top. To avoid confusion, the top is marked 'bottom' and the bottom is marked 'top'.'
Edit - and happy birthday @malcolmg. May your natal whisky taste sweet and all turnips be confounded!
Thanks ydoethur, turnips will be in big demand this week.
KNIFE IN THE HEART OF TSE, PTII ==================== I am not locking money up for over 11 yrs to get 10/1, and 1/25 is too short for the alternative.
That's not a knife in the heart, because I've said both bets are unappealing so no bets for me.
Wasn't it Spooner who wrote a note which at the bottom had a postscript saying "ignore this note"?
My favorite is signs that say "Don't read this sign"
There was a "Please don't throw stones at this sign".
- and let's not forget the label on the top of a ketchup bottle - "Do not buy if this label is missing".
Or the classic sign at railway crossings "Beware of trains going both ways at once."
Please inform us if you do not receive this mail.
When I was about 12 I used to get up early during summer holidays and help my Dad with his milk-round. One morning I picked up an empty bottle on a doorstep containing a note. It read:
"No milk today. By today, I mean tomorrow, because I wrote this yesterday.
True sign on some MoD equipment:
'For safety reasons, this equipment should be stored with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top. To avoid confusion, the top is marked 'bottom' and the bottom is marked 'top'.'
Edit - and happy birthday @malcolmg. May your natal whisky taste sweet and all turnips be confounded!
Mr. Surbiton, Cameron was weak on Defence. But he didn't joyride it nearly as hard as Labour, nor did he starve it out funds whilst splurging on every other department.
Mr. Glenn, could you explain what you mean?
Defence spending was cut by the Conservatives under Thatcher and Major, then increased by Labour under Blair and Brown, then cut by the Conservative-led coalition under Cameron.
Defence spending under Labour no doubt increased to pay for wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Even then our lads were not initially equipped to do the jobs that they were asked to do.
Just heard about the one about the nuke which flew in the wrong direction. In these strange times where a lunatic has been handed a button which can destroy the world it's good to have something to laugh about.
Just watched Diane Abbott's interview with Andrew Neil this morning and you have to ask how on earth anyone as incompetent as she is has managed to be in a shadow cabinet at all let alone shadow home secretary.
KNIFE IN THE HEART OF TSE, PTII ==================== I am not locking money up for over 11 yrs to get 10/1, and 1/25 is too short for the alternative.
That's not a knife in the heart, because I've said both bets are unappealing so no bets for me.
Wasn't it Spooner who wrote a note which at the bottom had a postscript saying "ignore this note"?
My favorite is signs that say "Don't read this sign"
There was a "Please don't throw stones at this sign".
- and let's not forget the label on the top of a ketchup bottle - "Do not buy if this label is missing".
Or the classic sign at railway crossings "Beware of trains going both ways at once."
Please inform us if you do not receive this mail.
When I was about 12 I used to get up early during summer holidays and help my Dad with his milk-round. One morning I picked up an empty bottle on a doorstep containing a note. It read:
"No milk today. By today, I mean tomorrow, because I wrote this yesterday.
True sign on some MoD equipment:
'For safety reasons, this equipment should be stored with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top. To avoid confusion, the top is marked 'bottom' and the bottom is marked 'top'.'
Edit - and happy birthday @malcolmg. May your natal whisky taste sweet and all turnips be confounded!
If large passenger jets are to be without their engines for some time, they are apparently replaced with large blocks of concrete hanging off the pylons (I presume so the wings remain stressed correctly).
On one picture I've seen, the large concrete blocks are painted bright yellow. Stencilled in black on each block is : "Remove before flight."
I wish I could find the pictures again ...
(This is where someone tells me it was an early Internet spoof)
Just watched Diane Abbott's interview with Andrew Neil this morning and you have to ask how on earth anyone as incompetent as she is has managed to be in a shadow cabinet at all let alone shadow home secretary.
She and Thornberry fronted up by Corbyn himself must be the weakest leading trio since Joseph Chamberlain found himself in acting charge of a shadow cabinet consisting of his son, the Marquess of Lansdowne and Walter Long.
At least Lansbury had Bevin and Attlee to fall back on - talented and relatively youthful politicians with big careers ahead of them - rather than geriatric has-beens one of whose chief claim to fame is that she had sex with the leader 30 years ago.
KNIFE IN THE HEART OF TSE, PTII ==================== I am not locking money up for over 11 yrs to get 10/1, and 1/25 is too short for the alternative.
That's not a knife in the heart, because I've said both bets are unappealing so no bets for me.
Wasn't it Spooner who wrote a note which at the bottom had a postscript saying "ignore this note"?
My favorite is signs that say "Don't read this sign"
There was a "Please don't throw stones at this sign".
- and let's not forget the label on the top of a ketchup bottle - "Do not buy if this label is missing".
Or the classic sign at railway crossings "Beware of trains going both ways at once."
Please inform us if you do not receive this mail.
When I was about 12 I used to get up early during summer holidays and help my Dad with his milk-round. One morning I picked up an empty bottle on a doorstep containing a note. It read:
"No milk today. By today, I mean tomorrow, because I wrote this yesterday.
True sign on some MoD equipment:
'For safety reasons, this equipment should be stored with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top. To avoid confusion, the top is marked 'bottom' and the bottom is marked 'top'.'
Edit - and happy birthday @malcolmg. May your natal whisky taste sweet and all turnips be confounded!
If large passenger jets are to be without their engines for some time, they are apparently replaced with large blocks of concrete hanging off the pylons (I presume so the wings remain stressed correctly).
On one picture I've seen, the large concrete blocks are painted bright yellow. Stencilled in black on each block is : "Remove before flight."
I wish I could find the pictures again ...
(This is where someone tells me it was an early Internet spoof)
The proposed US ambassador to the EU said on Andrew Neil this morning that Trump blames Germany for sucking all the wealth away from the southern nation states and that he is against large blocks and will only deal with Nation States. Apparently he has not spoken to Merkel yet and if he confirms his views, as is likely, it will sew the seed of dissent against Merkel and Germany.
The proposed US ambassador to the EU said on Andrew Neil this morning that Trump blames Germany for sucking all the wealth away from the southern nation states and that he is against large blocks and will only deal with Nation States. Apparently he has not spoken to Merkel yet and if he confirms his views, as is likely, it will sew the seed of dissent against Merkel and Germany.
Things are not going to get any easier for the EU
I always find you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
The proposed US ambassador to the EU said on Andrew Neil this morning that Trump blames Germany for sucking all the wealth away from the southern nation states and that he is against large blocks and will only deal with Nation States. Apparently he has not spoken to Merkel yet and if he confirms his views, as is likely, it will sew the seed of dissent against Merkel and Germany.
Things are not going to get any easier for the EU
I always find you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
The proposed US ambassador to the EU said on Andrew Neil this morning that Trump blames Germany for sucking all the wealth away from the southern nation states and that he is against large blocks and will only deal with Nation States. Apparently he has not spoken to Merkel yet and if he confirms his views, as is likely, it will sew the seed of dissent against Merkel and Germany.
Things are not going to get any easier for the EU
That may provide exactly the impetus the EU was lacking to become a single nation state.
The proposed US ambassador to the EU said on Andrew Neil this morning that Trump blames Germany for sucking all the wealth away from the southern nation states and that he is against large blocks and will only deal with Nation States. Apparently he has not spoken to Merkel yet and if he confirms his views, as is likely, it will sew the seed of dissent against Merkel and Germany.
Things are not going to get any easier for the EU
Of course the US will prefer to do trade deals with single countries. It gives it more opportunity to dictate terms. A trade war with Germany will effectively be a trade war with the EU. That will run directly contrary to our interests - we need open markets, not protectionist ways. The policies of Trump's White House really are the most antithetical to the UK's interests we have seen for many a long year.
The proposed US ambassador to the EU said on Andrew Neil this morning that Trump blames Germany for sucking all the wealth away from the southern nation states and that he is against large blocks and will only deal with Nation States. Apparently he has not spoken to Merkel yet and if he confirms his views, as is likely, it will sew the seed of dissent against Merkel and Germany.
Things are not going to get any easier for the EU
Of course the US will prefer to do trade deals with single countries. It gives it more opportunity to dictate terms. A trade war with Germany will effectively be a trade war with the EU. That will run directly contrary to our interests - we need open markets, not protectionist ways. The policies of Trump's White House really are the most antithetical to the UK's interests we have seen for many a long year.
There will inevitably be some protectionism from the EU to the UK post Brexit and visa versa, a potential trade deal with the U.S. at least strengthens May's hand in the Brexit talks
The proposed US ambassador to the EU said on Andrew Neil this morning that Trump blames Germany for sucking all the wealth away from the southern nation states and that he is against large blocks and will only deal with Nation States. Apparently he has not spoken to Merkel yet and if he confirms his views, as is likely, it will sew the seed of dissent against Merkel and Germany.
Things are not going to get any easier for the EU
Presumably as Ambassador to a large block, he has the ultimate sinecure then! everyday off!
The proposed US ambassador to the EU said on Andrew Neil this morning that Trump blames Germany for sucking all the wealth away from the southern nation states and that he is against large blocks and will only deal with Nation States. Apparently he has not spoken to Merkel yet and if he confirms his views, as is likely, it will sew the seed of dissent against Merkel and Germany.
Things are not going to get any easier for the EU
I always find you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
But you catch even more flies with manure.
Just saying.
Well technically, there's this blue-light thing that goes "zzzip"...
The proposed US ambassador to the EU said on Andrew Neil this morning that Trump blames Germany for sucking all the wealth away from the southern nation states and that he is against large blocks and will only deal with Nation States. Apparently he has not spoken to Merkel yet and if he confirms his views, as is likely, it will sew the seed of dissent against Merkel and Germany.
Things are not going to get any easier for the EU
That may provide exactly the impetus the EU was lacking to become a single nation state.
I have no doubt that many in the EU will see this as an opportunity to grow closer but equally there will be many who do not. I believe that as the EU has grown to 27 countries agreements become horribly difficult and usually agreements are at the the lowest common denominator.
I do not want to see the EU fail, indeed it would be a disaster, but it needs to embrace change in a positive way and rid itself of its malign thinking.
And it needs to start by accepting Brexit and make positive noises for a mutually beneficial trade deal recognising that the UK will be out altogther but will be it's best friend and a conduit to the US
Comments
https://twitter.com/iainmartin1/status/823190536135831552
It is forbidden to throw stones at this sign.
Or the classic sign at railway crossings "Beware of trains going both ways at once."
A decade ago, we had a Scottish PM and Scottish Chancellor. When did we have both leading positions in the EU? And the impact of the UK leaving the EU single market is less than the impact of Scotland leaving the UK single market.
So, why's one tomfoolery and the other breaking the shackles of, er, a democratic country which Scotland recently voted to remain within?
As for the carriers/aircraft: remind me which wise man signed a contract that made it cheaper to build two aircraft carriers than it was to cancel one of them?
https://twitter.com/theweerovers/status/823207867155152896
Missile technology has been around for decades. I think the Americans sold us duds.
Thanks for that link............
That is what my wife has to put up with every morning when I wake up and start the day reading the papers.......
"No milk today. By today, I mean tomorrow, because I wrote this yesterday.
Mr. Glenn, could you explain what you mean?
The characters should be the other way around. But then it wouldn't have been "funny".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLG9g7BcjKs
There is no anti-e.u party in the Finnish government is there?
Take this you biased ignoramus person.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8158639/Scrapping-of-Harrier-jump-jet-is-short-sighted.html
https://twitter.com/Coral/status/815173793954009092
Learn some basic facts before you attack others.
Why do you think that's an insult?
https://twitter.com/Coral/status/823219107285925890
Apart from being a horrendous tautology...
I agree Cameron was weak on Defence as well. However, he inherited a terrible economic position, whereas Blair and Brown had a golden economic inheritance.
Since the Sea Harriers were the only ones with radars, and our Invincible-class carriers had no airborne radars, it made Harriers virtually useless for combat off them. Therefore the army used the GR7/9's more, and the RN had to allow Spanish planes to land on our operating carriers to keep aircrews current. (*)
To make matters worse, the Labour government kept on lying that we had three Invincible-class carriers. In the mid-2000's HMS Invincible was put in a low state of readiness. This meant, apparently, it could got ready to go back to see in a few months. In reality, it had been heavily striped o provide spares for its sisters, and had no engines.
Labour lies.
Oh, and happy birthday Malc.
(*) This, it should be noted, is very similar to the fact that the US will initially operate F35's off our new carriers, which some in Labour circles have got het up about.
https://www.cairnstoon.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/safer-together.png
'For safety reasons, this equipment should be stored with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top. To avoid confusion, the top is marked 'bottom' and the bottom is marked 'top'.'
Edit - and happy birthday @malcolmg. May your natal whisky taste sweet and all turnips be confounded!
And hope you have a good one Malc!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BPk33c4A6kv/?taken-by=theshaderoom
On one picture I've seen, the large concrete blocks are painted bright yellow. Stencilled in black on each block is : "Remove before flight."
I wish I could find the pictures again ...
(This is where someone tells me it was an early Internet spoof)
At least Lansbury had Bevin and Attlee to fall back on - talented and relatively youthful politicians with big careers ahead of them - rather than geriatric has-beens one of whose chief claim to fame is that she had sex with the leader 30 years ago.
Things are not going to get any easier for the EU
Just saying.
Can't we just call it a lie... Isnt that the kind of straight talking people want?
I do not want to see the EU fail, indeed it would be a disaster, but it needs to embrace change in a positive way and rid itself of its malign thinking.
And it needs to start by accepting Brexit and make positive noises for a mutually beneficial trade deal recognising that the UK will be out altogther but will be it's best friend and a conduit to the US