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Let’s start to think about a post-pandemic PB gathering – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 11,682
edited February 2021 in General
Let’s start to think about a post-pandemic PB gathering – politicalbetting.com

I have been reminded that it is now more than four years since we had a PB gathering. In recent years these had taken place in pubs in central London where Fat Steve had arranged for a specific area to be allocated to us.

Read the full story here

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Comments

  • Options
    FloaterFloater Posts: 14,195
    first
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    tlg86tlg86 Posts: 25,190
    Second like the committee...
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    tlg86tlg86 Posts: 25,190
    What a self-serving grandstanding ****:

    https://twitter.com/agcolehamilton/status/1364855864906178562
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    MattWMattW Posts: 18,548
    edited February 2021
    TOPPING said:

    You're in the Lakes? Surely book out @Cyclefree's daughter's place and spend big!

    I second this, and we are unanimous in that.

    Are many PBers in reach of the Lakes for an event? PB levelling up policy.

    Or is this not doable?
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    QuincelQuincel Posts: 3,949
    MattW said:

    TOPPING said:

    You're in the Lakes? Surely book out @Cyclefree's daughter's place and spend big!

    I second this, and we are unanimous in that.

    Are many PBers in reach of the Lakes? PB levelling up policy.

    Or is this not doable.
    As a Londoner living in exile in the North West, either (or both) of London and the Lakes sounds great.
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,125
    Salmond trying to demonstrate that Scottish Government is not fit for purpose. "Huge issues at stake here."

    The others treating it with all the drama of a planning application for a garden shed in Little Dunny on the Wold Parish Council....
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    MortimerMortimer Posts: 13,942
    Truckles of Pied Bull Yard worked well, once before, and has an outside area.

    That said, I haven't been in those parts for a few months. Has it survived?
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    MattWMattW Posts: 18,548
    I am exactly halfway between the Lakes and the Smoke, but I'll make an effort.
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306
    A few years ago now I attended in Manchester and met @TSE , @bigjohnowls and @NickPalmer along with an interesting chap who's name I have now forgotten (apologies). I remember the night fondly and would love a repeat if time, money and geography allow.
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    TimTTimT Posts: 6,328
    @ MM and OGH: I plan to make it to Cornwall in November - perhaps we could consider a West Country event too.
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,125
    TimT said:

    @ MM and OGH: I plan to make it to Cornwall in November - perhaps we could consider a West Country event too.

    Be very happy to see that!
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    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,125
    DavidL said:

    Have to say, from my dipping in and out, that you are getting a picture of why Salmond was the dominant force in Scottish politics for so long.

    He does seem very sure of his ground.
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    MattWMattW Posts: 18,548
    Encouraging:

    Just over 2% of Spaniards offered a coronavirus vaccine have rejected it, including people who avoided the shot for medical reasons, the health ministry said on Thursday.
    https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/feb/25/coronavirus-live-news-pfizer-vaccine-found-94-effective-in-major-study-eu-states-split-over-vaccine-passports?page=with:block-6037f8818f087933c5fdd385#block-6037f8818f087933c5fdd385
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    HYUFD said:
    They should have added a 'none of the above' option.
  • Options
    FloaterFloater Posts: 14,195
    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306

    HYUFD said:
    They should have added a 'none of the above' option.
    Or Jackie Baillie on a write in!
  • Options
    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    If he has exhausted the provider's complaints process, the energy Ombudsman.

    In the meantime, can you work out their mistake?

    Is the original reading wrong? Did your son take his own when he moved in?
  • Options
    Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,425

    HYUFD said:
    They should have added a 'none of the above' option.
    They should have added a Jackie Baillie option.
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306

    DavidL said:

    Have to say, from my dipping in and out, that you are getting a picture of why Salmond was the dominant force in Scottish politics for so long.

    He does seem very sure of his ground.
    Well he is so far as the judicial review is concerned and also in respect of the trial. Evidence that this was conspiracy rather than incompetence is more inferential but he's certainly spinning it.
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306

    HYUFD said:
    They should have added a 'none of the above' option.
    They should have added a Jackie Baillie option.
    Snap!
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    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,238

    TOPPING said:

    You're in the Lakes? Surely book out @Cyclefree's daughter's place and spend big!

    I may not be able to make it from Devon, but happy to fund a few Hawaiian pizzas for the attendees.....
    The Supreme Court has stripped people of their citizenship for far less.
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306
    ydoethur said:

    TOPPING said:

    You're in the Lakes? Surely book out @Cyclefree's daughter's place and spend big!

    I may not be able to make it from Devon, but happy to fund a few Hawaiian pizzas for the attendees.....
    The Supreme Court has stripped people of their citizenship for far less.
    Do we know what the Home Secretary's view is on the national security implications of Hawaiian pizzas? AIUI we have to give that judgment all due deference.
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    A great idea - London would be fine
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    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    SSE...?
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    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,607
    In for a meet in London or the surrounding areas as far Cambridge, Brighton or Oxford.
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    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,238
    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    It sounds to me as though they've entered too many figures from the reading at their end.

    Either that or if it's a smart meter it might be faulty.
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    LeonLeon Posts: 47,199
    All of those three people in N1 should tell us why the death-cult-joining, beheading-supporting, sex-slavery facilitator Shamima Begum should not be tried in Syria or Iraq. Given that is where the people who suffered from her repulsive actions and beliefs actually live. It is THEIR right to see justice done, because they were the people raped and tortured by Isis, aided by Begum.

    Sure, she’d probably hang, but that’s the legal system there. And Begum was happy to see enemies of Isis blown up, or burned alive, with no trial at all
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    ozymandiasozymandias Posts: 1,503
    edited February 2021
    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    I had this problem. £600 for 2 months back in September/October last year for a two bed flat (long story) which was more than I was paying for my 5 bed house.

    If you have no gas (which I'm assuming) then check the timer on the immersion heater at night. Mine was ignored by the previous tenants and set to run for 8 hours a night (as it was an Economy 7 timer which I'm not on).

    Additionally - and this was unbelievable - the flat had been wired incorrectly when built so my kitchen ring main powered one socket in a neighbours flat (and vice versa) (which they took advantage of by plugging in all sorts of heaters).

    I would turn off your electricity completely at the main box and then see if you can power anything in the flat.

    If nothing suspect then unplug literally everything for 24 hours and see what the meter reports. Someone may have plugged into your supply.
  • Options
    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    How old is the flat and what is the set up for the meters? Could he be paying EVERY flat’s bill in the block/floor? Also, I second the idea to check what was noted down and agreed then he moved in.
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    TimTTimT Posts: 6,328
    Committed my first act of optimism in a while. Bought 4 tickets to see Snow Patrol in the Lincoln Theatre in DC in September. Smallish, very traditional theatre, with seats on about the 20th row from the stage. Hoping it is not cancelled.

    I don't know if it's COVID-related, or a Snow Patrol thing, but the tickets were very reasonable - $75 each for top tier.
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306
    Leon said:

    I see the Guardian says the Begum ruling is “controversial”

    This is one of those special Guardian word-definitions, where “controversial” means “it dismays three people in Islington”

    The view of the court about the respect to be given to the views and judgment of Ministers is something of a throw back and may cause ripples. It is not easy to reconcile that view with the unanimous view of the Court in the Prorogation case, to take an example.
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    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,435
    edited February 2021
    FPT.

    Am I about to break the hearts of so many PBers and the new found love for Lord Reed and SCOTUK when I post how he ruled in say the 2019 prorogation controversy ?
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306
    Leon said:

    All of those three people in N1 should tell us why the death-cult-joining, beheading-supporting, sex-slavery facilitator Shamima Begum should not be tried in Syria or Iraq. Given that is where the people who suffered from her repulsive actions and beliefs actually live. It is THEIR right to see justice done, because they were the people raped and tortured by Isis, aided by Begum.

    Sure, she’d probably hang, but that’s the legal system there. And Begum was happy to see enemies of Isis blown up, or burned alive, with no trial at all

    So... is that a maybe?
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    Some of these MSPs make Richard Burgon look like a world class parliamentarian.
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    SelebianSelebian Posts: 7,442

    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    How old is the flat and what is the set up for the meters? Could he be paying EVERY flat’s bill in the block/floor? Also, I second the idea to check what was noted down and agreed then he moved in.
    As you mention night meters... My wife had a shocking bill early on in a flatshare, which she paid up. I later moved in and discovered that the clock on the night/day meter was slow by several hours (ancient meter kit that didn't synchronise to anything) so they'd had electric heaters on at night thinking it was cheap (on demand, they also had storage heaters but those were linked to meter so only came on when the meter thought it was night, they were fairly useless anyway.

    We figured we didn't need to notice/tell the electricity company and got about 18 months of cheap daytime heating and everything else, which made up for what we'd lost. Eventually meter reader spotted the error and a new meter was fitted. Neither us nor the electricity company asked to adjust earlier bills. I'd say we came out ahead.

    This could be a possible explanation, if manually turning things on at night/setting timers for when it should be cheap, but maybe isn't.
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    MattWMattW Posts: 18,548
    edited February 2021
    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    What approximate number does he get when he runs the current reading through the algorithm for his tariff? What would it have to be to give that bill?

    If it is 3 or 4 times too high, then the current reading may well be below the number on the bill.

    The other one I can think of is if he has a specialist tariff that he is using in precisely the wrong way.

    Or, maybe, if has electric heating running during the day in winter? Does he have those 'magic' direct heaters that they sell as 'better than storage' installed?
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    MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 44,405
    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    MaxPB said:

    Her crimes were commited in Syria, what jurisdiction does a UK court have in this instance. I'm all for her facing justice, though and hope the Syrians get a chance to make her pay for her crimes.

    Oh dear. The law is here https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/terrorism-guidance-relation-prosecution-individuals-involved-terrorism-overseas

    Specifically:
    "10. Any individual who becomes a member or professes to be a member of a proscribed organisation is committing an offence unless one of the defences in section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000 applies.

    11. Under section 4 of the Foreign Enlistment Act 1870, it is an offence for a British subject to enlist in the military of a foreign state at war with another foreign state with which the UK is at peace. That prohibition does not extend, however, to enlistment in a foreign government’s forces which are engaged in a civil war or combatting terrorism or internal uprisings."

    So yes, she absolutely could - and should - be brought to justice. I - the alleged traitor who hates his country - want the full force of the law brought upon her. You - the alleged patriot - are cheering on her getting away with it, albeit with the hope that a failed and broken state will somehow impose justice.
    1. The crime wasn't committed here.

    2. ISIS isn't a foreign state. Robert actually posted about this a few years ago, one of the reasons we struggle to prosecute ISIS combatants is because they aren't recognised as a state and can't be prosecuted under that law.

    If she had committed her crimes and we had a modern treason law already in place beforehand I'd agree with her coming back to face the music. As it stands she has no music to face. One of the core arguments from the government in this ruling was that they would need to keep her under 24/7 surveillance which was impossible and the court agreed.
    Ironically, one of the issues is the failure to follow through on the Hague and Geneva conventions.

    Under those agreements, non-state actors can be considered combatants. ISIS would meet those standards. Which means that she could be tried as a war criminal for actions as part of ISIS.

    Anyone care to answer why war crimes legislation is not used against such groups?
    Isn't there a very high bar to meet for a war crimes prosecution? That could be why that route isn't being taken.
    I've heard it said by a lawyer that it was "unfair" to use war crimes legislation against non-state actors.

    The actual level of proof isn't any higher. The issue the lawyer was referring to is that basically anyone in a freedom fighting organisation* would be guilty.

    The instance I was discussing, at the time, was the PIRA. Under the doctrine of command responsibility, if you proved that the PIRA leadership authorised a pub bombing campaign (which they did), then the entire PIRA leadership are war criminals.

    *One mans... etc etc
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,860
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306

    Some of these MSPs make Richard Burgon look like a world class parliamentarian.

    Indeed. I did like Murdo Fraser's brief contribution which set up the volley into the back of the court re Crown Office beautifully.
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    DavidL said:

    Some of these MSPs make Richard Burgon look like a world class parliamentarian.

    Indeed. I did like Murdo Fraser's brief contribution which set up the volley into the back of the court re Crown Office beautifully.
    Baillie and Murdo to lead No in Indyref2 and No will win a landslide.
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    LeonLeon Posts: 47,199
    DavidL said:

    Leon said:

    I see the Guardian says the Begum ruling is “controversial”

    This is one of those special Guardian word-definitions, where “controversial” means “it dismays three people in Islington”

    The view of the court about the respect to be given to the views and judgment of Ministers is something of a throw back and may cause ripples. It is not easy to reconcile that view with the unanimous view of the Court in the Prorogation case, to take an example.
    The court over-reached with the prorogation case; this time they are exactly right. These difficult executive decisions must be made by people who are democratically accountable
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    BurgessianBurgessian Posts: 2,447
    The SNP members were pretty disgraceful stooges while God knows what the LibDem thought he was doing. Jackie Ballie excellent and Murdo Fraser's one question gave Salmond a good opportunity to highlight what a disgraceful situation the Parliament has found itself in, effectively neutered by Crown Office.

    The impression I get is that the SNP members are attempting to talk the committee out of time, so will be interesting to see if the Convener is independent enough to allow an extension.
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,929
    I've got 30 days holiday this year and likely nothing planned (Factors outside the pandemic might be in play) so anywhere really with some advanced notice would be good.
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    On topic, can we pick a place with a better name than 'Dirty Dicks'.

    I cannot tell you the suggestions on my phone for months afterwards I googled directions to Dirty Dicks.
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    felixfelix Posts: 15,124
    TimT said:

    Committed my first act of optimism in a while. Bought 4 tickets to see Snow Patrol in the Lincoln Theatre in DC in September. Smallish, very traditional theatre, with seats on about the 20th row from the stage. Hoping it is not cancelled.

    I don't know if it's COVID-related, or a Snow Patrol thing, but the tickets were very reasonable - $75 each for top tier.

    You'll be Chasing a lot of Cars to get there methinks...
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GemKqzILV4w
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,860
    HYUFD said:
    or c) SKS should step in and cancel the process like in Liverpool Mayor contest
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    Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,425
    FPT:
    Scott_xP said:

    I will never subscribe to Scottish independence as currently espoused, because I think it's an emotional issue - a 'hole' for want of a better word, that the actual realities of independence cannot ever fill. It's a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, that you never find.

    Those who currently feel second best, powerless, angry, resentful and betrayed, or any combination of the above, would continue to find reasons to feel so, probably magnified.

    Like Brexit...

    Yes, there are parallels with Brexit - it would be wrong to say that there aren't.

    Those fishermen who fought so hard for Brexit against a background of their industry falling apart, have emerged to find - another huge headache for their industry. That's not to say I don't think that it will work out for those fishermen eventually, and that they will prosper, but it does go to show that as a general rule 'I am an unhappy person now, but if X happens I will thenceforth be happy' is just not true. You're the same person with the same demons - or you're still a happy person that things generally work out for before and after.
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306
    Leon said:

    DavidL said:

    Leon said:

    I see the Guardian says the Begum ruling is “controversial”

    This is one of those special Guardian word-definitions, where “controversial” means “it dismays three people in Islington”

    The view of the court about the respect to be given to the views and judgment of Ministers is something of a throw back and may cause ripples. It is not easy to reconcile that view with the unanimous view of the Court in the Prorogation case, to take an example.
    The court over-reached with the prorogation case; this time they are exactly right. These difficult executive decisions must be made by people who are democratically accountable
    I recall being in something of a minority in pointing that out at the time although @AlastairMeeks' summary of "don't take the piss" had merit.
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    One thing I will say after watching Salmond's opening.

    If we do have Indyref2 in the near future, there's going to be two competing Yes campaigns, which should add to the gaiety of the nation.
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    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,607
    Advanced look at the hospital deaths data today, 303 registered which is way higher than expected by the predictor so I had a look into it. Turns out 44 of them are from a single trust and date from late Jan/early Feb. Panic over.
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    MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 44,405
    Selebian said:

    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    How old is the flat and what is the set up for the meters? Could he be paying EVERY flat’s bill in the block/floor? Also, I second the idea to check what was noted down and agreed then he moved in.
    As you mention night meters... My wife had a shocking bill early on in a flatshare, which she paid up. I later moved in and discovered that the clock on the night/day meter was slow by several hours (ancient meter kit that didn't synchronise to anything) so they'd had electric heaters on at night thinking it was cheap (on demand, they also had storage heaters but those were linked to meter so only came on when the meter thought it was night, they were fairly useless anyway.

    We figured we didn't need to notice/tell the electricity company and got about 18 months of cheap daytime heating and everything else, which made up for what we'd lost. Eventually meter reader spotted the error and a new meter was fitted. Neither us nor the electricity company asked to adjust earlier bills. I'd say we came out ahead.

    This could be a possible explanation, if manually turning things on at night/setting timers for when it should be cheap, but maybe isn't.
    One that I came across, living in a flat with electric water heating... It would use economy 7 power to heat the hot water. At various time, flatmates would run out of hot water, switch on the over ride and leave it switched on, heating water in the tank all the time (though with a thermostat, it wasn't continuous, of course).

    Solved it by fitting a timer switch - you push a button and it would run for 1 or 2 hours, then switch back off.
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    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,929
    Leon said:

    DavidL said:

    Leon said:

    I see the Guardian says the Begum ruling is “controversial”

    This is one of those special Guardian word-definitions, where “controversial” means “it dismays three people in Islington”

    The view of the court about the respect to be given to the views and judgment of Ministers is something of a throw back and may cause ripples. It is not easy to reconcile that view with the unanimous view of the Court in the Prorogation case, to take an example.
    The court over-reached with the prorogation case; this time they are exactly right. These difficult executive decisions must be made by people who are democratically accountable
    I don't think they did overreach in the prorogation case, in both this and that case the court finds that Parliament is there to make laws essentially.
    SCOTUK could have had their Marbury moment with Miller but the findings were not the power grab as happened under SCOTUS Chief Justice Marshall.
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    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306

    DavidL said:

    Some of these MSPs make Richard Burgon look like a world class parliamentarian.

    Indeed. I did like Murdo Fraser's brief contribution which set up the volley into the back of the court re Crown Office beautifully.
    Baillie and Murdo to lead No in Indyref2 and No will win a landslide.
    Especially if both Salmond and Sturgeon are sidelined. The rest couldn't sell a blue rosette in Ibrox.
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    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,860
    edited February 2021

    On topic, can we pick a place with a better name than 'Dirty Dicks'.

    I cannot tell you the suggestions on my phone for months afterwards I googled directions to Dirty Dicks.

    The NightClub at Owler Bar called Fannys was I presume on your Radar TSE

    Now Moorlands pub

    A trip would usually be proceeded by a 5 min Beavis and Butthead type conversation including the phrase fancy fannys
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    Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 25,425

    The SNP members were pretty disgraceful stooges while God knows what the LibDem thought he was doing. Jackie Ballie excellent and Murdo Fraser's one question gave Salmond a good opportunity to highlight what a disgraceful situation the Parliament has found itself in, effectively neutered by Crown Office.

    The impression I get is that the SNP members are attempting to talk the committee out of time, so will be interesting to see if the Convener is independent enough to allow an extension.

    Spoiler alert - she won't be.
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    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,304
    Leon said:

    All of those three people in N1 should tell us why the death-cult-joining, beheading-supporting, sex-slavery facilitator Shamima Begum should not be tried in Syria or Iraq. Given that is where the people who suffered from her repulsive actions and beliefs actually live. It is THEIR right to see justice done, because they were the people raped and tortured by Isis, aided by Begum.

    Sure, she’d probably hang, but that’s the legal system there. And Begum was happy to see enemies of Isis blown up, or burned alive, with no trial at all

    1. She is British so we should deal with her (fully, according to applicable laws) here.
    2. She was a child.
    3. This is state overreach; today because you join ISIS and want to blow up your fellow countrymen; tomorrow is that a Hawaiian pizza I see you have there, sir?

    Your welcome.
  • Options
    FloaterFloater Posts: 14,195
    MattW said:

    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    What approximate number does he get when he runs the current reading through the algorithm for his tariff? What would it have to be to give that bill?

    If it is 3 or 4 times too high, then the current reading may well be below the number on the bill.

    The other one I can think of is if he has a specialist tariff that he is using in precisely the wrong way.

    Or, maybe, if has electric heating running during the day in winter? Does he have those 'magic' direct heaters that they sell as 'better than storage' installed?
    It has something to do with night usage - they now say they think its an error and are putting a smart meter in on Monday
  • Options
    OmniumOmnium Posts: 9,779
    Staggering that Poland is just 28%
  • Options
    TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 114,435
    edited February 2021
    Floater said:

    MattW said:

    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    What approximate number does he get when he runs the current reading through the algorithm for his tariff? What would it have to be to give that bill?

    If it is 3 or 4 times too high, then the current reading may well be below the number on the bill.

    The other one I can think of is if he has a specialist tariff that he is using in precisely the wrong way.

    Or, maybe, if has electric heating running during the day in winter? Does he have those 'magic' direct heaters that they sell as 'better than storage' installed?
    It has something to do with night usage - they now say they think its an error and are putting a smart meter in on Monday
    About a decade ago my parents had a similar issue with British Gas, after a new meter was installed my parents' quarterly bill went up from £150 to £4,000.

    British Gas were adamant they were right even though factories didn't use that much gas.

    It took some effort but eventually I sorted it.

    Anyhoo, best thing you can do, put down a formal complaint, I think they have 12 weeks to reply, if it goes to deadlock or you aren't satisfied, take it to the Ombudsman. But put down a formal complaint ASAP.

    I'm happy to help, send me a message.

    One or thing to check, get your son to get his credit report, it is entirely possible that his supplier have reported late payments and trashed his credit score.
  • Options
    ozymandiasozymandias Posts: 1,503
    Floater said:

    MattW said:

    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    What approximate number does he get when he runs the current reading through the algorithm for his tariff? What would it have to be to give that bill?

    If it is 3 or 4 times too high, then the current reading may well be below the number on the bill.

    The other one I can think of is if he has a specialist tariff that he is using in precisely the wrong way.

    Or, maybe, if has electric heating running during the day in winter? Does he have those 'magic' direct heaters that they sell as 'better than storage' installed?
    It has something to do with night usage - they now say they think its an error and are putting a smart meter in on Monday
    Immersion then. Check the timer. Either that or someone's using your sons electricity to heat their water.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,929
    MaxPB said:

    Advanced look at the hospital deaths data today, 303 registered which is way higher than expected by the predictor so I had a look into it. Turns out 44 of them are from a single trust and date from late Jan/early Feb. Panic over.

    Which trust ?
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,304

    TOPPING said:

    Leon said:

    All of those three people in N1 should tell us why the death-cult-joining, beheading-supporting, sex-slavery facilitator Shamima Begum should not be tried in Syria or Iraq. Given that is where the people who suffered from her repulsive actions and beliefs actually live. It is THEIR right to see justice done, because they were the people raped and tortured by Isis, aided by Begum.

    Sure, she’d probably hang, but that’s the legal system there. And Begum was happy to see enemies of Isis blown up, or burned alive, with no trial at all

    1. She is British so we should deal with her (fully, according to applicable laws) here.
    2. She was a child.
    3. This is state overreach; today because you join ISIS and want to blow up your fellow countrymen; tomorrow is that a Hawaiian pizza I see you have there, sir?

    Your welcome.
    No no no no no no no no. How wrong can you be?

    It's You're welcome.
    No its not.
  • Options
    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,607
    Pulpstar said:

    MaxPB said:

    Advanced look at the hospital deaths data today, 303 registered which is way higher than expected by the predictor so I had a look into it. Turns out 44 of them are from a single trust and date from late Jan/early Feb. Panic over.

    Which trust ?
    LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 18,548
    Floater said:

    MattW said:

    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    What approximate number does he get when he runs the current reading through the algorithm for his tariff? What would it have to be to give that bill?

    If it is 3 or 4 times too high, then the current reading may well be below the number on the bill.

    The other one I can think of is if he has a specialist tariff that he is using in precisely the wrong way.

    Or, maybe, if has electric heating running during the day in winter? Does he have those 'magic' direct heaters that they sell as 'better than storage' installed?
    It has something to do with night usage - they now say they think its an error and are putting a smart meter in on Monday
    I keep refusing Smart meters as I am not yet convinced they are secure.

    If I need to track my usage I take a reading weekly, and use a clamp meter plus a power-monitor plug.
  • Options

    On topic, can we pick a place with a better name than 'Dirty Dicks'.

    I cannot tell you the suggestions on my phone for months afterwards I googled directions to Dirty Dicks.

    The NightClub at Owler Bar called Fannys was I presume on your Radar TSE

    Now Moorlands pub

    A trip would usually be proceeded by a 5 min Beavis and Butthead type conversation including the phrase fancy fannys
    The Cock Inn that Matt Hancock frequents is my kinda place.

    Any of you pretty ladies fancy some cock inn action?
  • Options
    CookieCookie Posts: 11,448
    TOPPING said:

    TOPPING said:

    Leon said:

    All of those three people in N1 should tell us why the death-cult-joining, beheading-supporting, sex-slavery facilitator Shamima Begum should not be tried in Syria or Iraq. Given that is where the people who suffered from her repulsive actions and beliefs actually live. It is THEIR right to see justice done, because they were the people raped and tortured by Isis, aided by Begum.

    Sure, she’d probably hang, but that’s the legal system there. And Begum was happy to see enemies of Isis blown up, or burned alive, with no trial at all

    1. She is British so we should deal with her (fully, according to applicable laws) here.
    2. She was a child.
    3. This is state overreach; today because you join ISIS and want to blow up your fellow countrymen; tomorrow is that a Hawaiian pizza I see you have there, sir?

    Your welcome.
    No no no no no no no no. How wrong can you be?

    It's You're welcome.
    No its not.
    It definitely is.
  • Options
    eekeek Posts: 24,981
    edited February 2021

    Floater said:

    MattW said:

    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    What approximate number does he get when he runs the current reading through the algorithm for his tariff? What would it have to be to give that bill?

    If it is 3 or 4 times too high, then the current reading may well be below the number on the bill.

    The other one I can think of is if he has a specialist tariff that he is using in precisely the wrong way.

    Or, maybe, if has electric heating running during the day in winter? Does he have those 'magic' direct heaters that they sell as 'better than storage' installed?
    It has something to do with night usage - they now say they think its an error and are putting a smart meter in on Monday
    About a decade ago my parents had a similar issue with British Gas, after a new meter was installed by parents quarterly bill went up from £150 to £4,000.

    British Gas were adamant they were right even though factories didn't use that much gas.

    It took some effort but eventually I sorted it.

    Anyhoo, best thing you can do, put down a formal complaint, I think they have 12 weeks to reply, if it goes to deadlock or you aren't satisfied, take it to the Ombudsman. But put down a formal complaint ASAP.

    I'm happy to help, send me a message.

    One or thing to check, get your son to get his credit report, it is entirely possible that his supplier have reported late payments and trashed his credit score.
    Getting a credit score isn't difficult either. Start at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/creditclub/ and go from there (it's the Experian service for free).
  • Options
    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,607
    TOPPING said:

    TOPPING said:

    Leon said:

    All of those three people in N1 should tell us why the death-cult-joining, beheading-supporting, sex-slavery facilitator Shamima Begum should not be tried in Syria or Iraq. Given that is where the people who suffered from her repulsive actions and beliefs actually live. It is THEIR right to see justice done, because they were the people raped and tortured by Isis, aided by Begum.

    Sure, she’d probably hang, but that’s the legal system there. And Begum was happy to see enemies of Isis blown up, or burned alive, with no trial at all

    1. She is British so we should deal with her (fully, according to applicable laws) here.
    2. She was a child.
    3. This is state overreach; today because you join ISIS and want to blow up your fellow countrymen; tomorrow is that a Hawaiian pizza I see you have there, sir?

    Your welcome.
    No no no no no no no no. How wrong can you be?

    It's You're welcome.
    No its not.
    No it's not.
  • Options
    Leon said:

    DavidL said:

    Leon said:

    I see the Guardian says the Begum ruling is “controversial”

    This is one of those special Guardian word-definitions, where “controversial” means “it dismays three people in Islington”

    The view of the court about the respect to be given to the views and judgment of Ministers is something of a throw back and may cause ripples. It is not easy to reconcile that view with the unanimous view of the Court in the Prorogation case, to take an example.
    The court over-reached with the prorogation case; this time they are exactly right. These difficult executive decisions must be made by people who are democratically accountable
    These two cases are easily reconciled.

    In both cases the court found it had the power to intervene. It took the view that it should intervene in the prorogation case because the government was taking the piss (which it was): the government's refusal to give any account under oath for its actions may well have proven fatal to its case. You seem to have forgotten that at the time of the purported prorogation Britain had a Prime Minister who had not been elected at a general election, who did not command a majority in Parliament and indeed had not won a vote in Parliament pursuing a policy that had not been put before the British public and using prorogation as a tool to impose that irreversibly.

    In the present case it took the view that the government had acted within the wide latitude granted to governments when taking decisions. Which, given that the Home Secretary was exercising statutory powers given to them in an extreme case, is not all that surprising.

    The main consequence of the prorogation case was political. The public decided, unlike in the USA, that they were AOK with self-coups. As a result Britain now has a government with a light attachment to democracy and an extreme aversion to any form of accountability enthusiastically supported by a self-radicalised posse who are quite willing to overlook anything it does, up to and including the avoidable deaths of tens of thousands.
  • Options
    CookieCookie Posts: 11,448

    Floater said:

    MattW said:

    Floater said:

    son has a bill from an electric power supplier for 3 months adding up to .....1327 ........ his previous bill was nowhere near this.

    This is a 2 bed flat

    They insist the bill is accurate

    however they tried to charge him 912 for his first month - after much debate they agreed it should be 67

    In October they asked for 781 for 3 months - after much debate they said it was actually 71

    Now they asked for 541 - after he read the meter they said he actually owes 1327.....

    the day readings seem ok - the night meter reading shows a tripling of the number shown over the 3 months

    Who the hell do I complain to?

    There seems no way he could have used that much even if he wanted to

    What approximate number does he get when he runs the current reading through the algorithm for his tariff? What would it have to be to give that bill?

    If it is 3 or 4 times too high, then the current reading may well be below the number on the bill.

    The other one I can think of is if he has a specialist tariff that he is using in precisely the wrong way.

    Or, maybe, if has electric heating running during the day in winter? Does he have those 'magic' direct heaters that they sell as 'better than storage' installed?
    It has something to do with night usage - they now say they think its an error and are putting a smart meter in on Monday
    About a decade ago my parents had a similar issue with British Gas, after a new meter was installed by parents quarterly bill went up from £150 to £4,000.

    British Gas were adamant they were right even though factories didn't use that much gas.

    It took some effort but eventually I sorted it.

    Anyhoo, best thing you can do, put down a formal complaint, I think they have 12 weeks to reply, if it goes to deadlock or you aren't satisfied, take it to the Ombudsman. But put down a formal complaint ASAP.

    I'm happy to help, send me a message.

    One or thing to check, get your son to get his credit report, it is entirely possible that his supplier have reported late payments and trashed his credit score.
    There was an anecdote about this sort of thing I always hark back to from about 30 years ago. To cut straight to the punchline: "we have waived the contested amount on your recent bill, which appears to be connected to the gas which was used in the explosion of your house."
  • Options
    CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,756
    HYUFD said:
    That's interesting - and this is also relevant (it is about Scotland's markedly lower covid rate in recent months because of SG policy diverging from England's):

    https://www.ft.com/content/e1eddd2f-cb0b-4c7a-8872-2783810fae8d
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306
    I do think we will see at least a couple of overs of gentle leg side half volleys served up by Fraser in particular for Salmond to put in whatever part of the stand he sees fit.
  • Options
    MattW said:


    I keep refusing Smart meters as I am not yet convinced they are secure..

    You're worried that some nerdy teenager might hack in and figure out that you could save £2.17 by switching to Octopus?
  • Options
    bigjohnowlsbigjohnowls Posts: 21,860
    Nail biting Snooker on ITV4

    So far

    Balls potted 108 Higgins Selby 2
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,125

    The SNP members were pretty disgraceful stooges while God knows what the LibDem thought he was doing. Jackie Ballie excellent and Murdo Fraser's one question gave Salmond a good opportunity to highlight what a disgraceful situation the Parliament has found itself in, effectively neutered by Crown Office.

    The impression I get is that the SNP members are attempting to talk the committee out of time, so will be interesting to see if the Convener is independent enough to allow an extension.

    The LibDem seemed to want to spend his time getting Salmond to admit "Yes, I was a complete c**tish disgrace towards women." Answers on a postcard how that helps with the May elections.

    Can somebody perhaps point him in the direction of getting Nicola Sturgeon standing down in disgrace for having lied as something he instead might want to put on, oh I don't know, his election literature?
  • Options
    TOPPINGTOPPING Posts: 41,304
    MaxPB said:

    TOPPING said:

    TOPPING said:

    Leon said:

    All of those three people in N1 should tell us why the death-cult-joining, beheading-supporting, sex-slavery facilitator Shamima Begum should not be tried in Syria or Iraq. Given that is where the people who suffered from her repulsive actions and beliefs actually live. It is THEIR right to see justice done, because they were the people raped and tortured by Isis, aided by Begum.

    Sure, she’d probably hang, but that’s the legal system there. And Begum was happy to see enemies of Isis blown up, or burned alive, with no trial at all

    1. She is British so we should deal with her (fully, according to applicable laws) here.
    2. She was a child.
    3. This is state overreach; today because you join ISIS and want to blow up your fellow countrymen; tomorrow is that a Hawaiian pizza I see you have there, sir?

    Your welcome.
    No no no no no no no no. How wrong can you be?

    It's You're welcome.
    No its not.
    No it's not.
    Finally someone who agrees with me.
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,125
    Captain Tom's epitaph to read "I told you I was old...."
  • Options
    Well.

    Britain and the European Union are nearing agreement on how to cooperate on financial market rules -- a first, limited step toward working together after Brexit.

    The two sides are proposing a joint forum for discussing regulations and sharing information, though this accord won’t require them to open markets through so-called equivalence decisions, according to a draft memorandum of understanding seen by Bloomberg News.

    The forum would lead to “informal consultations concerning decisions to adopt, suspend or withdraw equivalence,” according to the draft. Each side will keep the power to make and change its own rules.


    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-26/eu-u-k-near-post-brexit-accord-on-finance-regulation-forum
  • Options
    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,125
    Salmond getting into his stride now.

    Compelling.
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306

    Well.

    Britain and the European Union are nearing agreement on how to cooperate on financial market rules -- a first, limited step toward working together after Brexit.

    The two sides are proposing a joint forum for discussing regulations and sharing information, though this accord won’t require them to open markets through so-called equivalence decisions, according to a draft memorandum of understanding seen by Bloomberg News.

    The forum would lead to “informal consultations concerning decisions to adopt, suspend or withdraw equivalence,” according to the draft. Each side will keep the power to make and change its own rules.


    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-26/eu-u-k-near-post-brexit-accord-on-finance-regulation-forum

    The ECB's regulation of Financial Services is designed to make the post Brexit EMA regulation look good. The idea that they are not dependent upon the expertise of the FCA and the Bank is optimistic at best.
  • Options

    Salmond getting into his stride now.

    Compelling.

    Astonishing
  • Options
    Well up for this. Where do we register our interest?
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 18,548
    edited February 2021

    MattW said:


    I keep refusing Smart meters as I am not yet convinced they are secure..

    You're worried that some nerdy teenager might hack in and figure out that you could save £2.17 by switching to Octopus?
    No. Other aspects.

    Also, the error we are currently discussing is 4 figures.

    Plus they can cause problems when switching suppliers.
  • Options
    DavidLDavidL Posts: 51,306

    Salmond getting into his stride now.

    Compelling.

    Astonishing
    I think describing these as leg side half volleys was unfair. More like full tosses. They are working well together.
  • Options

    Well.

    Britain and the European Union are nearing agreement on how to cooperate on financial market rules -- a first, limited step toward working together after Brexit.

    The two sides are proposing a joint forum for discussing regulations and sharing information, though this accord won’t require them to open markets through so-called equivalence decisions, according to a draft memorandum of understanding seen by Bloomberg News.

    The forum would lead to “informal consultations concerning decisions to adopt, suspend or withdraw equivalence,” according to the draft. Each side will keep the power to make and change its own rules.


    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-26/eu-u-k-near-post-brexit-accord-on-finance-regulation-forum

    Sounds good. Sounds like the EU have completely dropped now any notions that we might sign up to their rules.
  • Options
    MattW said:

    MattW said:


    I keep refusing Smart meters as I am not yet convinced they are secure..

    You're worried that some nerdy teenager might hack in and figure out that you could save £2.17 by switching to Octopus?
    No. Other aspects.

    Also, the error we are currently discussing is 4 figures.
    So £12.17?
This discussion has been closed.