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Two very different General Election outcomes from this week’s polls – politicalbetting.com

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  • Options
    alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518

    Pulpstar said:

    alex_ said:

    Pulpstar said:

    The public haven't had it explained why it is a bad idea. It is a national digital id trojan horse. We will never be rid of it and it will be expanded.

    Not that Starmer would be up to that.
    It's instant herd immunity in crowded venues.
    Whatever else one thinks of Macron, his past statements on vaccines, or even the questions on vaxports (which I think are a different issue in U.K. to France - we are far more likely to build a whole massive digital infrastructure behind them), I was very impressed by the simple way he sold them today with just a single, powerful sentence, that probably sums up ultimately what millions are thinking.
    The infrastructure is already built for our vaxports. They're out, it's the NHS backend. And yes after a bit of a faulty (AZ) start, I think Macron has done well on vaccines/vaxports in France.
    Am I the only one who thinks that 'vaxports' sounds like a futuristic form of transportation?
    Does two months count as the future?
  • Options
    MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 44,582
    alex_ said:

    ydoethur said:

    MattW said:

    I may even write again to Mr Anderson (it's like The Matix), since he gave me a straight-down-the-line Govt line when I wrote about the nurses pay rise last time.


    It was suggested on here yesterday (by @bigjohnowls i think) that SKS had asked for 2.1%: anyone know if that was right?
    Will there be a 95% tax on those GPs who have been AWOL during the pandemic to pay for it?
    I know it’s popular to have a go at GPs but (and i’m declaring a family interest) they always get a lot of stick for what is often wildly differing levels of performance. Just like teachers. The ones who have really sat a lot of Covid out (ironically often through no desire or fault of their own) are all the specialists in hospitals etc who have literally not been allowed to take referrals for their mountains of patients. And if the GPS aren’t allowed to make referrals...?

    I suppose the nurses in the South west are finally having to earn their keep as well.
    My GP needs a medal.....

    The GP on practise over vanished during the epidemic - uncontactable by phone, email...... He *did* pop up on social media to complain about the picture someone took of the glass front door to his surgery with a tidal wave of uncollected mail behind it.
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060

    Pulpstar said:

    alex_ said:

    Pulpstar said:

    The public haven't had it explained why it is a bad idea. It is a national digital id trojan horse. We will never be rid of it and it will be expanded.

    Not that Starmer would be up to that.
    It's instant herd immunity in crowded venues.
    Whatever else one thinks of Macron, his past statements on vaccines, or even the questions on vaxports (which I think are a different issue in U.K. to France - we are far more likely to build a whole massive digital infrastructure behind them), I was very impressed by the simple way he sold them today with just a single, powerful sentence, that probably sums up ultimately what millions are thinking.
    The infrastructure is already built for our vaxports. They're out, it's the NHS backend. And yes after a bit of a faulty (AZ) start, I think Macron has done well on vaccines/vaxports in France.
    Am I the only one who thinks that 'vaxports' sounds like a futuristic form of transportation?
    Or even a good name for a station on one of these:
    http://www.ikbrunel.org.uk/atmospheric-railway

    So not even that futuristic.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,001
    How short is that boundary. Like an under 15s game or something.
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 18,715

    MattW said:

    I may even write again to Mr Anderson (it's like The Matix), since he gave me a straight-down-the-line Govt line when I wrote about the nurses pay rise last time.


    It was suggested on here yesterday (by @bigjohnowls i think) that SKS had asked for 2.1%: anyone know if that was right?
    Was 2.1% the amount budgeted for in the OBR (?) document that came to light? If so it would make sense.

    Today's 3% was the Pay Review Body recommendation (says the Telegraph).
  • Options
    GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,094
    What's Macron been saying? Is he in the running to be Labour Party leader?
  • Options
    solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,623

    Pulpstar said:

    alex_ said:

    Pulpstar said:

    The public haven't had it explained why it is a bad idea. It is a national digital id trojan horse. We will never be rid of it and it will be expanded.

    Not that Starmer would be up to that.
    It's instant herd immunity in crowded venues.
    Whatever else one thinks of Macron, his past statements on vaccines, or even the questions on vaxports (which I think are a different issue in U.K. to France - we are far more likely to build a whole massive digital infrastructure behind them), I was very impressed by the simple way he sold them today with just a single, powerful sentence, that probably sums up ultimately what millions are thinking.
    The infrastructure is already built for our vaxports. They're out, it's the NHS backend. And yes after a bit of a faulty (AZ) start, I think Macron has done well on vaccines/vaxports in France.
    Am I the only one who thinks that 'vaxports' sounds like a futuristic form of transportation?
    Yes, sounds like something from a Philip K. Dick short story where the character needs to vaxport to Venus for a Monday morning business meeting at the Guild Laboratory.
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060
    Pulpstar said:

    How short is that boundary. Like an under 15s game or something.

    I once umpired an U-13 game where if I stood at the normal position for square leg I was off the field of play (only on one side though: it was miles to the far boundary).
  • Options
    alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    edited July 2021
    MattW said:

    alex_ said:

    Pulpstar said:

    The public haven't had it explained why it is a bad idea. It is a national digital id trojan horse. We will never be rid of it and it will be expanded.

    Not that Starmer would be up to that.
    It's instant herd immunity in crowded venues.
    Whatever else one thinks of Macron, his past statements on vaccines, or even the questions on vaxports (which I think are a different issue in U.K. to France - we are far more likely to build a whole massive digital infrastructure behind them), I was very impressed by the simple way he sold them today with just a single, powerful sentence, that probably sums up ultimately what millions are thinking.
    Can you quote it.

    I think the one Scott tweeted was not actually in his speech.
    I don’t know where he did (or didn’t!) say it. It was the line about basically saying he was damned if he was going to continue to lockdown, to deny his children an education etc etc for the sake of people who refused to get the vaccine. And that they can bl**dy well be the ones to stay at home from now on.

    Probably the sort of thing that Johnson would get into trouble for if he said it off the record to Cummings.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,001
    Absolute state of this batting lol
  • Options
    Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 18,715
    FF43 said:

    The vaccine success story which BoJo is always eager to remind us has nothing like the potency it had now that other neighbours in Europe have almost caught up or surpassed the UK.

    A brave comment considering the possibility of how European countries may be hammered by Delta.

    And which European countries are you expecting to surpass the UK on vaccinations ?

    Also everyone targeted their most vulnerable population first.

    ...

    The EU peak was lower than the UK one anyway.
    Are those actually true?

    Certainly certain European countries went for "health professionals first", but I'd acccept that as relatively marginal. Good summary here:
    https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/overview-implementation-covid-19-vaccination-strategies-and-deployment-plans

    There were EU peaks above and below the UK. There were far too many UK vs EU average graphs in the media, which did not recognise diversity amongst the EU 27.

    And quite a few countries partly o fully caught up the UK on deaths etc because they did not suppress the 2nd wave ever. Belgium is an example.
  • Options
    SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,713

    For my tea, I have had a homemade pizza* followed by a Chorley Cake.

    It then dawned on me that a Chorley Cake would make a perfect base for a mini pizza.



    *Chorizo, cheddar and sun dried tomato. No fruit.

    No fruit?
    Oh no! I've started up a whole new front of debate.

    Perhaps not as interesting as how many letters in copulate, but close.
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060
    edited July 2021

    Pulpstar said:

    alex_ said:

    Pulpstar said:

    The public haven't had it explained why it is a bad idea. It is a national digital id trojan horse. We will never be rid of it and it will be expanded.

    Not that Starmer would be up to that.
    It's instant herd immunity in crowded venues.
    Whatever else one thinks of Macron, his past statements on vaccines, or even the questions on vaxports (which I think are a different issue in U.K. to France - we are far more likely to build a whole massive digital infrastructure behind them), I was very impressed by the simple way he sold them today with just a single, powerful sentence, that probably sums up ultimately what millions are thinking.
    The infrastructure is already built for our vaxports. They're out, it's the NHS backend. And yes after a bit of a faulty (AZ) start, I think Macron has done well on vaccines/vaxports in France.
    Am I the only one who thinks that 'vaxports' sounds like a futuristic form of transportation?
    Yes, sounds like something from a Philip K. Dick short story where the character needs to vaxport to Venus for a Monday morning business meeting at the Guild Laboratory.
    Some sort of Portal technology (if anyone here hasn’t played Portal, what are you doing with your life?) would be on my literal wish list (I.e. what I would use an actual wish for).

    It would break physics, but I wouldn’t care as I would have retired from teaching on the patent proceeds.

    Also: don’t point one end at the Moon.
  • Options
    alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    MattW said:

    FF43 said:

    The vaccine success story which BoJo is always eager to remind us has nothing like the potency it had now that other neighbours in Europe have almost caught up or surpassed the UK.

    A brave comment considering the possibility of how European countries may be hammered by Delta.

    And which European countries are you expecting to surpass the UK on vaccinations ?

    Also everyone targeted their most vulnerable population first.

    ...

    The EU peak was lower than the UK one anyway.
    Are those actually true?

    Certainly certain European countries went for "health professionals first", but I'd acccept that as relatively marginal. Good summary here:
    https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/overview-implementation-covid-19-vaccination-strategies-and-deployment-plans

    There were EU peaks above and below the UK. There were far too many UK vs EU average graphs in the media, which did not recognise diversity amongst the EU 27.

    And quite a few countries partly o fully caught up the UK on deaths etc because they did not suppress the 2nd wave ever. Belgium is an example.
    Not disagreeing, but I think Belgium was the one country always ahead of us on prorate (reported) deaths.
  • Options
    MattWMattW Posts: 18,715

    For my tea, I have had a homemade pizza* followed by a Chorley Cake.

    It then dawned on me that a Chorley Cake would make a perfect base for a mini pizza.

    *Chorizo, cheddar and sun dried tomato. No fruit.

    Er... is the tomato not a fruit?

    Edit: Chorley cake as a base for a pizza?!
    I use pikelets sometimes.

    A Chorley Cake with currants? Urgh.
  • Options
    tlg86tlg86 Posts: 25,205
    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060

    For my tea, I have had a homemade pizza* followed by a Chorley Cake.

    It then dawned on me that a Chorley Cake would make a perfect base for a mini pizza.



    *Chorizo, cheddar and sun dried tomato. No fruit.

    No fruit?
    Oh no! I've started up a whole new front of debate.

    Perhaps not as interesting as how many letters in copulate, but close.
    Copulate is a four-letter word. Everyone knows that.
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    I see Bolton passed its May peak.
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060
    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.

    The thing is, if you actually want to watch cricket most counties are now streaming their games on YouTube.
  • Options
    RogerRoger Posts: 18,898


    Julia Hartley-Brewer
    @JuliaHB1
    ·
    8m
    Attention ⁦@UKLabour
    ⁩. This is what a backbone looks like.

    https://twitter.com/JuliaHB1/status/1417894296192225282

    She just gets stupider.
  • Options
    geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,176
    If I see a cricket match in whites when passing by I'll stop and watch for a while. This 100 thing ... nah.
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060
    Roger said:


    Julia Hartley-Brewer
    @JuliaHB1
    ·
    8m
    Attention ⁦@UKLabour
    ⁩. This is what a backbone looks like.

    https://twitter.com/JuliaHB1/status/1417894296192225282

    She just gets stupider.
    What do you think Labour should have done?
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,001
    edited July 2021
    alex_ said:

    MattW said:

    alex_ said:

    Pulpstar said:

    The public haven't had it explained why it is a bad idea. It is a national digital id trojan horse. We will never be rid of it and it will be expanded.

    Not that Starmer would be up to that.
    It's instant herd immunity in crowded venues.
    Whatever else one thinks of Macron, his past statements on vaccines, or even the questions on vaxports (which I think are a different issue in U.K. to France - we are far more likely to build a whole massive digital infrastructure behind them), I was very impressed by the simple way he sold them today with just a single, powerful sentence, that probably sums up ultimately what millions are thinking.
    Can you quote it.

    I think the one Scott tweeted was not actually in his speech.
    I don’t know where he did (or didn’t!) say it. It was the line about basically saying he was damned if he was going to continue to lockdown, to deny his children an education etc etc for the sake of people who refused to get the vaccine. And that they can bl**dy well stay at home from now on.
    It was actually a fake quote, here's his real address

    https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210712-follow-live-france-s-macron-addresses-the-nation-as-covid-19-delta-variant-surges

    Key takeaway - Health pass will operate for everyone over 12, restrictions for the non vaccinated & compulsory vaccination for those working with the elderly.
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301
    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060
    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Anybody not employed by the BBC who g the hunks it’s a good idea?

    I’m not watching because it’s a bit warm to be inside at the moment.
  • Options
    alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    Pulpstar said:

    alex_ said:

    MattW said:

    alex_ said:

    Pulpstar said:

    The public haven't had it explained why it is a bad idea. It is a national digital id trojan horse. We will never be rid of it and it will be expanded.

    Not that Starmer would be up to that.
    It's instant herd immunity in crowded venues.
    Whatever else one thinks of Macron, his past statements on vaccines, or even the questions on vaxports (which I think are a different issue in U.K. to France - we are far more likely to build a whole massive digital infrastructure behind them), I was very impressed by the simple way he sold them today with just a single, powerful sentence, that probably sums up ultimately what millions are thinking.
    Can you quote it.

    I think the one Scott tweeted was not actually in his speech.
    I don’t know where he did (or didn’t!) say it. It was the line about basically saying he was damned if he was going to continue to lockdown, to deny his children an education etc etc for the sake of people who refused to get the vaccine. And that they can bl**dy well stay at home from now on.
    It was actually a fake quote, here's his real address

    https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210712-follow-live-france-s-macron-addresses-the-nation-as-covid-19-delta-variant-surges

    Key takeaway - Health pass will operate for everyone over 12, restrictions for the non vaccinated & compulsory vaccination for those working with the elderly.
    Shame. What was somebody making it up trying to achieve? Make him look bad or good?
  • Options
    Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,996

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
  • Options
    turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 15,313
    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    Really interesting listening to Jonathon Agnew on radio 5 around 6 pm. Clearly not impressed, and thus from the bbc cricket correspondent. I think they’ve tried too hard, and probably shouldn’t have started with the ladies, especially after watching Livingston go ballistic at the weekend.
  • Options
    Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Anybody not employed by the BBC who g the hunks it’s a good idea?

    I’m not watching because it’s a bit warm to be inside at the moment.
    One good thing I like about The Hundred is that they're putting the women's game on an equal footing with the men's. Women's cricket can be really good but doesn't get much attention, if this helps get it more then that's a good thing.

    Other than that? Its a really kitsch T20.
  • Options
    alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    They’re trying to say that it was brilliant and it was all due to the format. When really any “success” will have nothing to do with the format (which is actually more complicated than T20) and everything to do with it being on terrestrial TV. Then they claim that it’s only on terrestrial TV because of the format. To which you respond that the BBC signed up to a T20 competition and everything else is in the imagination...
  • Options
    RogerRoger Posts: 18,898
    Nigelb said:

    A thread of brilliant Express predictions.
    https://twitter.com/TOABBOfficial/status/1415963774167797762

    That's a keeper! Does the Trades Descriptions Act still exist? I think they'd struggle to get away with calling themselves a newspaper.
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Anybody not employed by the BBC who g the hunks it’s a good idea?

    I’m not watching because it’s a bit warm to be inside at the moment.
    One good thing I like about The Hundred is that they're putting the women's game on an equal footing with the men's. Women's cricket can be really good but doesn't get much attention, if this helps get it more then that's a good thing.

    Other than that? Its a really kitsch T20.
    That’s probably the only redeeming feature. I’ve a lot of time for both women’s rugby and cricket and would like to see it gain more prominence.
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301
    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    It reminds me of that gif on twitter of Steve Buscemi in a baseball cap holding a skateboard saying ‘hello young people’
  • Options
    turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 15,313
    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Anybody not employed by the BBC who g the hunks it’s a good idea?

    I’m not watching because it’s a bit warm to be inside at the moment.
    One good thing I like about The Hundred is that they're putting the women's game on an equal footing with the men's. Women's cricket can be really good but doesn't get much attention, if this helps get it more then that's a good thing.

    Other than that? Its a really kitsch T20.
    That’s probably the only redeeming feature. I’ve a lot of time for both women’s rugby and cricket and would like to see it gain more prominence.
    Me too, just don’t think the launch game was the right one.
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Anybody not employed by the BBC who g the hunks it’s a good idea?

    I’m not watching because it’s a bit warm to be inside at the moment.
    Not sure what happened there: I’m blaming my phone…
  • Options
    Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,996
    One of the best articles I've read recently.

    https://unherd.com/2021/07/the-wests-cultural-revolution-is-over/

    "The West’s cultural revolution is over
    The return of censorship, speech codes and taboos suggests society returning to normal
    By Ed West"
  • Options
    alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518

    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    Really interesting listening to Jonathon Agnew on radio 5 around 6 pm. Clearly not impressed, and thus from the bbc cricket correspondent. I think they’ve tried too hard, and probably shouldn’t have started with the ladies, especially after watching Livingston go ballistic at the weekend.
    Probably be sacked by the morning. Failed to read the zeitgeist of the BBC now being in the marketing game.
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301
    edited July 2021

    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    Really interesting listening to Jonathon Agnew on radio 5 around 6 pm. Clearly not impressed, and thus from the bbc cricket correspondent. I think they’ve tried too hard, and probably shouldn’t have started with the ladies, especially after watching Livingston go ballistic at the weekend.
    Hardly packed to the rafters either.

    I wonder if they will start giving tickets away just to get a crowd In
  • Options
    eekeek Posts: 25,020
    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Graphics are fixable, the format isn't
  • Options
    turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 15,313
    alex_ said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    Really interesting listening to Jonathon Agnew on radio 5 around 6 pm. Clearly not impressed, and thus from the bbc cricket correspondent. I think they’ve tried too hard, and probably shouldn’t have started with the ladies, especially after watching Livingston go ballistic at the weekend.
    Probably be sacked by the morning. Failed to read the zeitgeist of the BBC now being in the marketing game.
    Nah, he’s bulletproof. Even escaped the pottymouth incident with that journalist...
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301
    eek said:

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Graphics are fixable, the format isn't
    Good point, well made.
  • Options
    solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,623
    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.
  • Options
    eekeek Posts: 25,020

    Pulpstar said:

    alex_ said:

    Pulpstar said:

    The public haven't had it explained why it is a bad idea. It is a national digital id trojan horse. We will never be rid of it and it will be expanded.

    Not that Starmer would be up to that.
    It's instant herd immunity in crowded venues.
    Whatever else one thinks of Macron, his past statements on vaccines, or even the questions on vaxports (which I think are a different issue in U.K. to France - we are far more likely to build a whole massive digital infrastructure behind them), I was very impressed by the simple way he sold them today with just a single, powerful sentence, that probably sums up ultimately what millions are thinking.
    The infrastructure is already built for our vaxports. They're out, it's the NHS backend. And yes after a bit of a faulty (AZ) start, I think Macron has done well on vaccines/vaxports in France.
    Am I the only one who thinks that 'vaxports' sounds like a futuristic form of transportation?
    No vaxport, no exiting your house.
  • Options
    Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    eek said:

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Graphics are fixable, the format isn't
    I'm not that bothered by the format, its basically a T20 and T20 is a good format.

    I just don't get what the point is of not going with T20. And then making it cartoonish.
  • Options
    MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 44,582
    Andy_JS said:

    One of the best articles I've read recently.

    https://unherd.com/2021/07/the-wests-cultural-revolution-is-over/

    "The West’s cultural revolution is over
    The return of censorship, speech codes and taboos suggests society returning to normal
    By Ed West"

    Those of us who have found the equalitarianism of some so wearing are glad to see the view of the Marquis De Maynes are returning.....

    De Maynes: Liberty must be rationed among the few with the talent to use it. There's no such thing as equality. Most men are born with the gutter and are only at home there. As for fraternity, a De Maynes is nobody's brother. We stand alone at the head of the table......

    Just sold, this time, as the views of Proper People.
  • Options
    alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518
    I
    eek said:

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Graphics are fixable, the format isn't
    All these people claiming that the BBC is time limited in what it can show on it’s TV channels needs to take a closer look at its schedules... If it can basically block book 2 weeks for Wimbledon, it can find time for a few mid week 3 hour cricket matches!
  • Options
    turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 15,313

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
  • Options
    alex_alex_ Posts: 7,518

    alex_ said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    Really interesting listening to Jonathon Agnew on radio 5 around 6 pm. Clearly not impressed, and thus from the bbc cricket correspondent. I think they’ve tried too hard, and probably shouldn’t have started with the ladies, especially after watching Livingston go ballistic at the weekend.
    Probably be sacked by the morning. Failed to read the zeitgeist of the BBC now being in the marketing game.
    Nah, he’s bulletproof. Even escaped the pottymouth incident with that journalist...
    It’s a new audience now...
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    Where did they get the players from?
  • Options
    turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 15,313

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    Where did they get the players from?
    Anywhere, like the IPL etc
  • Options
    GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,094

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    And why can't I watch a match at Chester Le Street?
  • Options
    MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 44,582
    alex_ said:

    I

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Graphics are fixable, the format isn't
    All these people claiming that the BBC is time limited in what it can show on it’s TV channels needs to take a closer look at its schedules... If it can basically block book 2 weeks for Wimbledon, it can find time for a few mid week 3 hour cricket matches!
    I am reminded of the anguish when the BBC first lost the rights to cricket. Trembling lip"But we have a *right* to cricket, to fill the afternoons. Unless we need to interrupt it for a special announcement about nothing in particular"
  • Options
    squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 6,368
    Ignore all the polls until Sept. Families are away and poll results are unreliable...
  • Options
    turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 15,313

    alex_ said:

    I

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Graphics are fixable, the format isn't
    All these people claiming that the BBC is time limited in what it can show on it’s TV channels needs to take a closer look at its schedules... If it can basically block book 2 weeks for Wimbledon, it can find time for a few mid week 3 hour cricket matches!
    I am reminded of the anguish when the BBC first lost the rights to cricket. Trembling lip"But we have a *right* to cricket, to fill the afternoons. Unless we need to interrupt it for a special announcement about nothing in particular"
    Or indeed sodding horse racing.
  • Options
    BigRichBigRich Posts: 3,489
    Gosh, I have just seen the numbers form the island of Man,

    Cases have resin by close to 1,000% week on week,

    https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/isle-of-man/

    From 96 ceases last week, to
    To 1,017 in the last 7 days,

    Which is over 1% of the population and about a 1/3 of the total cases they have had all pandemic.

    they are the 9th most vaccinated place in the would according to Bloomberg:

    https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=content&utm_content=covidtracker2021&fbclid=IwAR106hsY9pDIO17b3-Dr-0qd9MJu80vs-F6i7JMfkaCUW6IaZJM_cn5cWVY
  • Options
    Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,996
    edited July 2021
    "Central London will never return to normal, says NatWest chairman
    Sir Howard Davies says era of thousands of workers walking into its Bishopsgate office at 8.30am and out at 6pm are over" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/07/21/central-london-will-never-return-normal-says-natwest-chairman
    https://twitter.com/HowardJDavies/status/1417809729938759683
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,001
    Kapp and Niekerk seem to be better than the rest of their team combined at both bowling AND batting.
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301
    On the face of it this is appalling. If this was David Warner or Rohit Sharma I cannot see the ECB allowing this to happen

    https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-hundred-sandeep-lamichhane-asks-ecb-for-clear-answer-after-visa-issues-rule-him-out-1270527
  • Options
    Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Anybody not employed by the BBC who g the hunks it’s a good idea?

    I’m not watching because it’s a bit warm to be inside at the moment.
    One good thing I like about The Hundred is that they're putting the women's game on an equal footing with the men's. Women's cricket can be really good but doesn't get much attention, if this helps get it more then that's a good thing.

    Other than that? Its a really kitsch T20.
    That’s probably the only redeeming feature. I’ve a lot of time for both women’s rugby and cricket and would like to see it gain more prominence.
    Indeed. I took my wife (South African) a few years ago to an England v South Africa T20 at Old Trafford. Annoyingly it pretty much got rained off, even more annoyingly we had about 7 overs of batting and that was deemed exactly enough to not need to issue a refund under the small print of the rain policy.

    But we ended up having a good day, before the game was a women's T20 and that was great fun. It was the first time I'd seen the England women's game and I was really, really impressed by it. Watched it quite a few times since and if the Hundred does get more attention brought to the women's game then that can only be a good thing - but it will be because of the way its been arranged and not due to the new format.
  • Options
    solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,623
    edited July 2021
    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Anybody not employed by the BBC who g the hunks it’s a good idea?

    I’m not watching because it’s a bit warm to be inside at the moment.
    One good thing I like about The Hundred is that they're putting the women's game on an equal footing with the men's. Women's cricket can be really good but doesn't get much attention, if this helps get it more then that's a good thing.

    Other than that? Its a really kitsch T20.
    That’s probably the only redeeming feature. I’ve a lot of time for both women’s rugby and cricket and would like to see it gain more prominence.
    The Zambia 3 - 10 Netherlands women's football match at the Olympics sounds like it was an interesting one!
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301
    Andy_JS said:

    "Central London will never return to normal, says NatWest chairman
    Sir Howard Davies says era of thousands of workers walking into its Bishopsgate office at 8.30am and out at 6pm are over" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/07/21/central-london-will-never-return-normal-says-natwest-chairman

    I’m not central London, I’m a factory In Newton Aycliffe, but we have been told We will be 3 days in the office and 2 days out of the office when back to normal.

    I won’t miss that journey, it’s hell especially as the A1 is mostly 2 lane.
  • Options
    MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 44,582

    UK cases by specimen date

    {snip}

    Did Birmingham go so high it broke your conditional formatting in some way?!
    Yes. Was going to re-write it to use the highest value as the darkest rather than a fixed range, but life intervened.
  • Options
    Fysics_TeacherFysics_Teacher Posts: 6,060
    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Central London will never return to normal, says NatWest chairman
    Sir Howard Davies says era of thousands of workers walking into its Bishopsgate office at 8.30am and out at 6pm are over" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/07/21/central-london-will-never-return-normal-says-natwest-chairman

    I’m not central London, I’m a factory In Newton Aycliffe, but we have been told We will be 3 days in the office and 2 days out of the office when back to normal.

    I won’t miss that journey, it’s hell especially as the A1 is mostly 2 lane.
    Working from home not an option I’ve been offered. From my experience of it over the last year and a half I wouldn’t take it if I could possibly avoid it: teaching is best done in person.
  • Options
    Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,996
    Andy_JS said:

    "Central London will never return to normal, says NatWest chairman
    Sir Howard Davies says era of thousands of workers walking into its Bishopsgate office at 8.30am and out at 6pm are over" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/07/21/central-london-will-never-return-normal-says-natwest-chairman
    https://twitter.com/HowardJDavies/status/1417809729938759683

    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-21/natwest-s-davies-says-covid-has-permanently-changed-office-life
  • Options
    Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,996
    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Central London will never return to normal, says NatWest chairman
    Sir Howard Davies says era of thousands of workers walking into its Bishopsgate office at 8.30am and out at 6pm are over" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/07/21/central-london-will-never-return-normal-says-natwest-chairman

    I’m not central London, I’m a factory In Newton Aycliffe, but we have been told We will be 3 days in the office and 2 days out of the office when back to normal.

    I won’t miss that journey, it’s hell especially as the A1 is mostly 2 lane.
    I read somewhere that one of the Tories' big plans for the north-east is to upgrade most of the main roads in that area to dual carriageway in each direction.
  • Options
    DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 24,539

    What governments (and opposition political parties) need to do when developing policy is to privately subject all short listed proposals to extreme multiple "grillings" (including equivalent of Andrew Neill in his prime, on steroids). If you cannot defend a policy or do not feel comfortable defending a policy under aggressive interrogation then drop it. As I have got older I have got much better at spotting the problems with any proposal, it is a sort of negative creativity so I am available for hire.

    Sounds like you are "not a team player". :wink:
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,385
    alex_ said:

    ydoethur said:

    MattW said:

    I may even write again to Mr Anderson (it's like The Matix), since he gave me a straight-down-the-line Govt line when I wrote about the nurses pay rise last time.


    It was suggested on here yesterday (by @bigjohnowls i think) that SKS had asked for 2.1%: anyone know if that was right?
    Will there be a 95% tax on those GPs who have been AWOL during the pandemic to pay for it?
    I know it’s popular to have a go at GPs but (and i’m declaring a family interest) they always get a lot of stick for what is often wildly differing levels of performance. Just like teachers. The ones who have really sat a lot of Covid out (ironically often through no desire or fault of their own) are all the specialists in hospitals etc who have literally not been allowed to take referrals for their mountains of patients. And if the GPS aren’t allowed to make referrals...?

    I suppose the nurses in the South west are finally having to earn their keep as well.
    That’s why I was suggesting only taxing those who went AWOL.
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,825

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    Where did they get the players from?
    Anywhere, like the IPL etc
    It astonishes me that fans get enthusiastic about teams formed of random temporary mercenaries, but they seem to in the IPL.

    Not my cup of tea.
  • Options
    londonpubmanlondonpubman Posts: 3,222
    Has anyone been to a pub without a mask yet?
  • Options
    CookieCookie Posts: 11,505

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    And why can't I watch a match at Chester Le Street?
    If the need was to give the game more prominence, why not just show the county T20 tournament - which is perfect as it is - on terrestrial TV?
  • Options
    GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,094
    edited July 2021
    Andy_JS said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Central London will never return to normal, says NatWest chairman
    Sir Howard Davies says era of thousands of workers walking into its Bishopsgate office at 8.30am and out at 6pm are over" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/07/21/central-london-will-never-return-normal-says-natwest-chairman

    I’m not central London, I’m a factory In Newton Aycliffe, but we have been told We will be 3 days in the office and 2 days out of the office when back to normal.

    I won’t miss that journey, it’s hell especially as the A1 is mostly 2 lane.
    I read somewhere that one of the Tories' big plans for the north-east is to upgrade most of the main roads in that area to dual carriageway in each direction.
    I'll believe it when I see it.

    We've been promised a duelled A1 to the Scottish Border for nigh on 50 years.
  • Options
    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,825
    edited July 2021
    ydoethur said:

    alex_ said:

    ydoethur said:

    MattW said:

    I may even write again to Mr Anderson (it's like The Matix), since he gave me a straight-down-the-line Govt line when I wrote about the nurses pay rise last time.


    It was suggested on here yesterday (by @bigjohnowls i think) that SKS had asked for 2.1%: anyone know if that was right?
    Will there be a 95% tax on those GPs who have been AWOL during the pandemic to pay for it?
    I know it’s popular to have a go at GPs but (and i’m declaring a family interest) they always get a lot of stick for what is often wildly differing levels of performance. Just like teachers. The ones who have really sat a lot of Covid out (ironically often through no desire or fault of their own) are all the specialists in hospitals etc who have literally not been allowed to take referrals for their mountains of patients. And if the GPS aren’t allowed to make referrals...?

    I suppose the nurses in the South west are finally having to earn their keep as well.
    That’s why I was suggesting only taxing those who went AWOL.
    There are skivers in every line of work. It is for management to sort them out, the CCGs in the case of GPs. Not the Inland Revenue.
  • Options
    Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 26,996
    Did the wicketkeeper go in front of the stumps there before the ball had passed the wickets?
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,385

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    tlg86 said:

    Company man:

    https://mobile.twitter.com/richardosman/status/1417914636444311555

    Richard Osman
    @richardosman
    Really enjoying #TheHundred. This is going to do great business for the BBC, and great long-term business for cricket. Formatable live sport is so vital for terrestrial TV, and vice-versa.


    The graphics are pretty poor.
    Anybody not employed by the BBC who g the hunks it’s a good idea?

    I’m not watching because it’s a bit warm to be inside at the moment.
    One good thing I like about The Hundred is that they're putting the women's game on an equal footing with the men's. Women's cricket can be really good but doesn't get much attention, if this helps get it more then that's a good thing.

    Other than that? Its a really kitsch T20.
    That’s probably the only redeeming feature. I’ve a lot of time for both women’s rugby and cricket and would like to see it gain more prominence.
    Indeed. I took my wife (South African) a few years ago to an England v South Africa T20 at Old Trafford. Annoyingly it pretty much got rained off, even more annoyingly we had about 7 overs of batting and that was deemed exactly enough to not need to issue a refund under the small print of the rain policy.

    But we ended up having a good day, before the game was a women's T20 and that was great fun. It was the first time I'd seen the England women's game and I was really, really impressed by it. Watched it quite a few times since and if the Hundred does get more attention brought to the women's game then that can only be a good thing - but it will be because of the way its been arranged and not due to the new format.
    I’d have a lot more sympathy with this argument if the Kia Super League - which as you note had been doing a pretty good job in that way - hadn’t been cancelled in 2019.

    Almost as though the ECB needed an excuse for a new competition or something...
  • Options
    CookieCookie Posts: 11,505
    edited July 2021
    alex_ said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    They’re trying to say that it was brilliant and it was all due to the format. When really any “success” will have nothing to do with the format (which is actually more complicated than T20) and everything to do with it being on terrestrial TV. Then they claim that it’s only on terrestrial TV because of the format. To which you respond that the BBC signed up to a T20 competition and everything else is in the imagination...
    Yes, there's nothing wrong with the hundred that 20 more balls an innings and 10 more teams in the tournament wouldn't fix.

    It's so nearly T20. But it's not T20.
  • Options
    PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 76,001
    Superb wicket keeping there.
  • Options
    GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 19,094
    Cookie said:

    alex_ said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    They’re trying to say that it was brilliant and it was all due to the format. When really any “success” will have nothing to do with the format (which is actually more complicated than T20) and everything to do with it being on terrestrial TV. Then they claim that it’s only on terrestrial TV because of the format. To which you respond that the BBC signed up to a T20 competition and everything else is in the imagination...
    Yes, there's nothing wrong with the hundred that 20 more balls a team and 10 more teams in the tournament wouldn't fix.

    It's so nearly T20. But it's not T20.
    T20 is quite a well-known brand now in itself. It could easily have been sexed up even further.
  • Options
    AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    Andy_JS said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Central London will never return to normal, says NatWest chairman
    Sir Howard Davies says era of thousands of workers walking into its Bishopsgate office at 8.30am and out at 6pm are over" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/07/21/central-london-will-never-return-normal-says-natwest-chairman

    I’m not central London, I’m a factory In Newton Aycliffe, but we have been told We will be 3 days in the office and 2 days out of the office when back to normal.

    I won’t miss that journey, it’s hell especially as the A1 is mostly 2 lane.
    I read somewhere that one of the Tories' big plans for the north-east is to upgrade most of the main roads in that area to dual carriageway in each direction.
    Main thing they are doing in the North at the moment is dumping concrete under old railway bridges

    https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/21/highways-england-may-have-to-reverse-act-of-cultural-vandalism

  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,385

    Has anyone been to a pub without a mask yet?

    Yes.

    And my local shop.

    Where the staff where still breaking into insane grins of happiness every time they served someone not wearing a mask, because they no longer had to wear one either.
  • Options
    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,385
    Foxy said:

    ydoethur said:

    alex_ said:

    ydoethur said:

    MattW said:

    I may even write again to Mr Anderson (it's like The Matix), since he gave me a straight-down-the-line Govt line when I wrote about the nurses pay rise last time.


    It was suggested on here yesterday (by @bigjohnowls i think) that SKS had asked for 2.1%: anyone know if that was right?
    Will there be a 95% tax on those GPs who have been AWOL during the pandemic to pay for it?
    I know it’s popular to have a go at GPs but (and i’m declaring a family interest) they always get a lot of stick for what is often wildly differing levels of performance. Just like teachers. The ones who have really sat a lot of Covid out (ironically often through no desire or fault of their own) are all the specialists in hospitals etc who have literally not been allowed to take referrals for their mountains of patients. And if the GPS aren’t allowed to make referrals...?

    I suppose the nurses in the South west are finally having to earn their keep as well.
    That’s why I was suggesting only taxing those who went AWOL.
    There are skivers in every line of work. It is for management to sort them out, the CCGs in the case of GPs. Not the Inland Revenue.
    They could go into partnerships. The CCGs nominate, HMRC (not the Inland Revenue which no longer exists) collect. Win win.

    (For the avoidance of doubt, I am not being entirely serious.)
  • Options
    MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,618
    edited July 2021

    Has anyone been to a pub without a mask yet?

    Yes, yesterday in suburban north London. Not many masks, bar service, standing and drinking at the bar, chatting to the barmaid who was very happy to not be wearing a mask all day. Also no mandatory check in to sign in. Just walk in, go to the bar and order. It was amazing.

    Life is returning to normal.
  • Options
    solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,623

    Cookie said:

    alex_ said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Just put The Hundred on to see what it was like. What the heck is up with those graphics? Its like a third of the screen is taken up with those giant arrows, what is the point of that?

    It is like something taken from the brains behind GB News.

    They think this is what the kids want.
    They’re trying to say that it was brilliant and it was all due to the format. When really any “success” will have nothing to do with the format (which is actually more complicated than T20) and everything to do with it being on terrestrial TV. Then they claim that it’s only on terrestrial TV because of the format. To which you respond that the BBC signed up to a T20 competition and everything else is in the imagination...
    Yes, there's nothing wrong with the hundred that 20 more balls a team and 10 more teams in the tournament wouldn't fix.

    It's so nearly T20. But it's not T20.
    T20 is quite a well-known brand now in itself. It could easily have been sexed up even further.
    I seem to remember seeing a T10 competition somewhere (middle East based?) but that seemed to just be getting a bit silly, albeit I think it was designed to be run in a short period of time so not much time between matches for each team.
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    Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    The graphics don't look remotely as stupid now they've shrank down towards the end.
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    ydoethurydoethur Posts: 67,385
    Alistair said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Central London will never return to normal, says NatWest chairman
    Sir Howard Davies says era of thousands of workers walking into its Bishopsgate office at 8.30am and out at 6pm are over" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/07/21/central-london-will-never-return-normal-says-natwest-chairman

    I’m not central London, I’m a factory In Newton Aycliffe, but we have been told We will be 3 days in the office and 2 days out of the office when back to normal.

    I won’t miss that journey, it’s hell especially as the A1 is mostly 2 lane.
    I read somewhere that one of the Tories' big plans for the north-east is to upgrade most of the main roads in that area to dual carriageway in each direction.
    Main thing they are doing in the North at the moment is dumping concrete under old railway bridges

    https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/21/highways-england-may-have-to-reverse-act-of-cultural-vandalism

    That’s appalling. But their defence is if anything even uglier:

    Richard Marshall, HE’s historical railways estate director, said: “The bridge was deteriorating, and no weight restriction was in place, meaning it could be used by vehicles of any weight. The support provided by infilling the arch removes the risk of the bridge deck failing.”

    If you were worried about heavy weights going over a weakened bridge, wouldn’t the obvious thing be to impose a fecking weight restriction, which takes about two hours and can easily be reversed later? Not spend thousands illegally creating an eyesore even the most drunken brutalist would flinch at?
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    SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,713
    Foxy said:

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    Where did they get the players from?
    Anywhere, like the IPL etc
    It astonishes me that fans get enthusiastic about teams formed of random temporary mercenaries, but they seem to in the IPL.

    Not my cup of tea.
    Isn't that what professional sport is all about? Long gone are the days of "born in Yorkshire to play for Yorkshire" and in Liverpool's glory days they didn't exactly have 11 Scousers on the park.

    That's where international competition has the edge. The players are 'us'. Whether it is the recent Euros, Olympics or test cricket. The team is more than a franchise, it is part of the nation.
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    noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 20,871
    Cookie said:

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    And why can't I watch a match at Chester Le Street?
    If the need was to give the game more prominence, why not just show the county T20 tournament - which is perfect as it is - on terrestrial TV?
    To give the women equal prominence realistically it needed to be new teams and fewer teams.
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    And why can't I watch a match at Chester Le Street?
    Because the ECB effing hate us, or are just money obsessed cretins. Stanford twenty20 anyone ?

    Just look at how Durham were treated when there were the financial problems. The county were hammered with relegations and deductions and most of the good players, as well as Keaton Jennings,,left. Cricket could easily have died in the north east and the ECB would not have given a Shite.

    Many of which were caused by the ECBs own policies - bidding for tests etc etc. The last test we had, the Sri Lanka test, was well attended but the club lost money.

  • Options
    SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,713

    Has anyone been to a pub without a mask yet?

    Wor Lass went into a shop today without one. Not deliberately so, she just forgot to put it on.
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    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,825
    edited July 2021

    Foxy said:

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    Where did they get the players from?
    Anywhere, like the IPL etc
    It astonishes me that fans get enthusiastic about teams formed of random temporary mercenaries, but they seem to in the IPL.

    Not my cup of tea.
    Isn't that what professional sport is all about? Long gone are the days of "born in Yorkshire to play for Yorkshire" and in Liverpool's glory days they didn't exactly have 11 Scousers on the park.

    That's where international competition has the edge. The players are 'us'. Whether it is the recent Euros, Olympics or test cricket. The team is more than a franchise, it is part of the nation.
    To a degree, but when I am watching Leicester City, I am watching players who signed to be in the team for 4 years or so, not a few games.

    Like many club supporters, I struggle to cheer national footballers like Sterling or Kane from rival teams, and Grealish even more, when I know that I will be booing them again in another few weeks.

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    noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 20,871
    MaxPB said:

    Has anyone been to a pub without a mask yet?

    Yes, yesterday in suburban north London. Not many masks, bar service, standing and drinking at the bar, chatting to the barmaid who was very happy to not be wearing a mask all day. Also no mandatory check in to sign in. Just walk in, go to the bar and order. It was amazing.

    Life is returning to normal.
    Pubs and masks was surely theatre anyway. If you go for a couple of hours is wearing a mask for 15 seconds when you arrive and leave really going to make any significant difference?

    Standing at the bar is the big change, not the masks.
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    TazTaz Posts: 11,301
    The logos of both teams look like the branding on thirds rate craft beers.
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    rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 58,426
    David Dowdy
    @davidwdowdy
    If you're in the US right now, how worried should you be about the recent uptick in COVID cases?

    A plain-language thread below.

    https://twitter.com/davidwdowdy/status/1417696491779596290
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    Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    Cookie said:

    I'd probably feel more affiliation to it if they named all the teams after the various crisp types featuring as sponsors on the uniforms. I want to see Manchester Hula Hoops versus Leeds KP Nuts.

    Big issues with the chosen regions. Who are the SW supposed to root for? The welsh one? Southern one? Strong cricket base in Taunton and Bristol, but no side.
    And why can't I watch a match at Chester Le Street?
    If the need was to give the game more prominence, why not just show the county T20 tournament - which is perfect as it is - on terrestrial TV?
    To give the women equal prominence realistically it needed to be new teams and fewer teams.
    Can anyone give an idiots guide as to why?

    Why couldn't each County have a woman's team?
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301

    The graphics don't look remotely as stupid now they've shrank down towards the end.

    No, they don’t.
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    Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 49,446
    Call me a prude or party-pooper, or whatever, but I personally have no intention of NOT wearing a mask in any indoor setting until cases come back down again!

    There. I said it!
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    noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 20,871
    This has been a decent game to be fair.
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    MattWMattW Posts: 18,715
    Alistair said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Central London will never return to normal, says NatWest chairman
    Sir Howard Davies says era of thousands of workers walking into its Bishopsgate office at 8.30am and out at 6pm are over" (£)

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/07/21/central-london-will-never-return-normal-says-natwest-chairman

    I’m not central London, I’m a factory In Newton Aycliffe, but we have been told We will be 3 days in the office and 2 days out of the office when back to normal.

    I won’t miss that journey, it’s hell especially as the A1 is mostly 2 lane.
    I read somewhere that one of the Tories' big plans for the north-east is to upgrade most of the main roads in that area to dual carriageway in each direction.
    Main thing they are doing in the North at the moment is dumping concrete under old railway bridges

    https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/21/highways-england-may-have-to-reverse-act-of-cultural-vandalism

    In a letter to the council last year, HE argued that no planning permission was needed because the infill project was part of a maintenance programme. At the time the council raised no objection. But this week it confirmed that it had not given permission for the infill to proceed and that HE has confirmed its intention to seek retrospective planning permission.
  • Options
    TazTaz Posts: 11,301

    David Dowdy
    @davidwdowdy
    If you're in the US right now, how worried should you be about the recent uptick in COVID cases?

    A plain-language thread below.

    https://twitter.com/davidwdowdy/status/1417696491779596290

    A pal of mine is in Colorado at the moment and he says it’s like there is no pandemic at all.
This discussion has been closed.