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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » It appears Sir Keir Starmer has made a great first impression

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  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    ydoethur said:

    Fathering a son on your wife is not generally considered a sin. I am sure even Justin would consider that acceptable although he might have something to say about James’ - ahem - extra marital activities.
    That was just the proximate cause not the real reason
  • MortimerMortimer Posts: 14,188
    malcolmg said:

    I have done it no problem for almost 20 years. With fast broadband it is no issue, mind you I have plenty of space. Imagine if you were stuck in a small flat it might not be as pleasant.
    I've WFH in both consulting and for the vast majority of time in my own biz too.

    Its MUCH easier for the latter, than the former. Can't imagine working on a change project/programme without being immersed in that business...
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,101
    Mortimer said:

    Incidentally, that frequently describes my trips to Town.

    2 hour train journey, a 4-6 hours work, drinks, dinner with some mates, sometimes a show. Sometimes a kip over to work again the next day. Sometimes back on the last train. It is great fun. Probably 6-8 days a month.

    Selfishly (I have to admit), I AM looking forward to the decent hotels being sub £200 mid-week, though, because of less biz travel. Heck, they might be sub £100 for a while. I remember it being like that in 09/10...

    Will be fascinating to see what happens to property prices. Long thought about a pied a terre in South Ken sort of area, but has become unaffordable in recent years.

    Who gives a crap about London, perhaps they will do something sensible and stop it sucking the life out of the rest of the country, can only be good.
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 20,176
    malcolmg said:

    I have done it no problem for almost 20 years. With fast broadband it is no issue, mind you I have plenty of space. Imagine if you were stuck in a small flat it might not be as pleasant.
    It’s not the broadband I’m worried about. I’m talking about space really. Even 3 bedroom houses built within the last 30 years (hundreds of thousands of them) you’d struggle with.
  • MortimerMortimer Posts: 14,188
    kyf_100 said:

    The thing is, even if digital becomes the norm, the people in the room will have the advantage - in terms of nonverbal cues and greater immediate presence. Therefore it will always be in their interest to be in the room.

    The only way digital will work long term is if absolutely nobody is in the same room. And I don't think that is going to happen.

    In my experience, the job happens in the pub after work, in the informal chat, in the coffee after dinner. Webcams and Microsoft Teams aren't about to replace that.

    Most if not all of my colleagues broke lockdown long before it was over to discuss what's what. If you're not in the room you're not in the game.

    Pure anecdote, but I've found it EASIER to buy at auction remotely.

    The petty rivalries, sense of hierarchy, 'I won't let him get such and such so cheaply, so I'll bid again' syndrome, is all subverted.

    As you say, though, that won't necessarily be the case when it IS possible to go back to bidding in person.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,101
    Mortimer said:

    I've WFH in both consulting and for the vast majority of time in my own biz too.

    Its MUCH easier for the latter, than the former. Can't imagine working on a change project/programme without being immersed in that business...
    There are definitely jobs you could not do it full time, but lots you could do a good part of the time. I do mostly financials and coaching so no issue doing it from home.
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 29,849
    malcolmg said:

    I have done it no problem for almost 20 years. With fast broadband it is no issue, mind you I have plenty of space. Imagine if you were stuck in a small flat it might not be as pleasant.
    I live in a large double fronted semi and have a (small) desk in the corner of the dining room. Suspect that being stuck so close to screens in a confined space probably isn't good for my eyes, but it's my space during the day. Several of my colleagues have had to set up in the kitchen, younger team member has all 3 in a house share WFH with one drawing the short straw of being in their bedroom. Old colleague has bought and built a large shed he intends to kit out as the garden office (don't tell the local scroats...)

    Houses and flats have been built for the old way of doing things. An office space can be incorporated into designs going forward
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,101

    It’s not the broadband I’m worried about. I’m talking about space really. Even 3 bedroom houses built within the last 30 years (hundreds of thousands of them) you’d struggle with.
    Yes can imagine if you have young family it would be an issue.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 18,360
    MaxPB said:

    It absolutely is the teachers. They were popping champagne corks at the NUT when the government announced it had capitulated. The social distancing guidelines are also a disaster and you'll find no defense of them from me, primarily it is the teachers and their unions not wanting to go to work.

    As I said, they either report for work tomorrow or stick them in the dole queue.
    I get the frustration- I've got one going back 2 days a week this week and the other one at home for the foreseeable future. It's not good. And I'm sure that the unions have pushed their luck on this. But consider that a Conservative government with an 80 seat majority and a reputation for ruthlessness has been outwitted by teacher unions. There are a few reasons.

    First (and I know I go on about this a lot) the UK government hasn't done well at reducing the amount of virus in society. France is back to business as usual in a week's time, because they've had fewer deaths and infections recently. Our government has been rubbish, and I suspect it's because they are led by populists who won't do anything to upset the public. So our lockdown has always been half-hearted, less effective, so it has to drag on for longer.

    Second, by pushing wishful thinking, it's prevented honest discussion of what's actually possible. Back in March, the debate should have been "This could go on for a while. What is going to be possible in the space schools have, what extra space is available, what online and broadcast stuff can fill the gaps?" That didn't really happen, because the powers that be decided that it would all be over by teatime anyway. So teachers and heads have been working themselves into madness trying to get social distancing to work with the rooms and furniture they have.

    Finally, there's no point opening schools if parents aren't convinced of safety. The one mine go to was down to about 50 % attendance before closure, and the figures for schools that have reopened aren't great.
  • MortimerMortimer Posts: 14,188
    malcolmg said:

    Who gives a crap about London, perhaps they will do something sensible and stop it sucking the life out of the rest of the country, can only be good.
    I'm in Edinburgh 5-6 times a year too - for work, and also because my closest friend (and also now my Godson) lives there. I dread to think how this is going to hit hotels etc there - already massive overcapacity outside of summer months/festival. Rarely pay over £100/night for a five star hotel now.... How low can it go before they convert them into residential flats?

  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 22,689
    Well there you go. Here's an immigrant in Portugal on Sky News. Just described as an expat.
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 29,849

    I agree with your definition. However, those who move permanently to Spain or wherever love to call themselves expats when they are immigrants.
    So many of them in Spain stay in English communities speaking little or no Spanish, not integrating into the community. And then sit there in bars whining about bloody foreigners back home who keep in their own community don't speak the language etc etc. It's English exceptionalism at it's worst
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 39,823

    Please explain how the teachers can get all the children back to full time education and comply with the government rules imposed upon them.

    It's not the teachers. They can pop champagne or not, doesn't change that the government won't let them have classes bigger than 15.
    Where did I say we can get them all into fulltime in person attendance? Even if they get them doing 50% attendance that would be a huge improvement to 4 days out of 4 weeks. That's one day a week, it's a joke. All teachers report to work or face the dole queue. Nothing more needs to be said.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 44,101
    Mortimer said:

    I'm in Edinburgh 5-6 times a year too - for work, and also because my closest friend (and also now my Godson) lives there. I dread to think how this is going to hit hotels etc there - already massive overcapacity outside of summer months/festival. Rarely pay over £100/night for a five star hotel now.... How low can it go before they convert them into residential flats?

    Edinburgh relied on festivals and tourism, however I am sure many will enjoy it being a bit quieter.
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 29,939

    Please explain how the teachers can get all the children back to full time education and comply with the government rules imposed upon them.

    It's not the teachers. They can pop champagne or not, doesn't change that the government won't let them have classes bigger than 15.
    And of course that puts the kibosh on it.
    Meanwhile, I am a teacher not in the profession. We saw doctors and nurses being tempted out of retirement. Where is the plea from Williamson?
    Of course I'd have no physical space to teach in cos no apparent thought has been given to that.
    They just find it easier to blame the Unions.
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 29,849
    edited June 2020

    Second, by pushing wishful thinking, it's prevented honest discussion of what's actually possible. Back in March, the debate should have been "This could go on for a while. What is going to be possible in the space schools have, what extra space is available, what online and broadcast stuff can fill the gaps?" That didn't really happen, because the powers that be decided that it would all be over by teatime anyway. So teachers and heads have been working themselves into madness trying to get social distancing to work with the rooms and furniture they have.

    Finally, there's no point opening schools if parents aren't convinced of safety. The one mine go to was down to about 50 % attendance before closure, and the figures for schools that have reopened aren't great.

    It's irrelevant whether parents have confidence of safety or not. The government do not have confidence, they are telling the schools it is not safe hence the directives from government to schools that they cannot reopen with normal classes and practices. And until social distancing is withdrawn this will continue to be the case. Our kids are goi g to get part time schooling at best and this is a catastrophe.

    The blame sits with the government. The government has instructed schools not to reopen with more than a half full classroom. The government has done nothing to tackle the lack of physical space crisis and looked to alternative solutions. That right wing pillocks (not you Stuart!) blame the teachers for the government directive isn't a surprise

  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    MattW said:

    I think, @Charles , that someone is comparing you to a ventriloquist's dummy :-) .

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0fqRS94cwA
    Never seen that before, but it’s mildly amusing if a little dated
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 29,849
    MaxPB said:

    Where did I say we can get them all into fulltime in person attendance? Even if they get them doing 50% attendance that would be a huge improvement to 4 days out of 4 weeks. That's one day a week, it's a joke. All teachers report to work or face the dole queue. Nothing more needs to be said.
    They are at work. You are literally clueless. We need double the number of teachers to cope with the government "half sized classes" edict and you want to sack them for complying.

    An utter pillock playing politics with my kids education. Congratulations.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    TOPPING said:

    I have no idea what you are talking about.

    You said for the poster not to call you Lord Charles because you were not the son of an earl.

    But the son of an earl wouldn't be called Lord Charles.

    That's all.
    Verbally he would

    Hell, I was called “Mr Charles” when I used to spend the night in the flat above the shop
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,192
    malcolmg said:

    Yes can imagine if you have young family it would be an issue.
    https://youtu.be/IKxqy9SJ-0I
  • Beibheirli_CBeibheirli_C Posts: 8,192
    BTW - NEW ARGUMENT!!!
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 29,849
    At what point does the sacked liar of an education Secretary and his boss the sacked liar of a PM wake up to reality. Any social distancing means kids cannot go back to school. Part time schooling means split the class on half. One half in Monday Tuesday. Wednesday for cleaning and online lesson setting / marking. Other half Thursday/Friday. I know Max thinks a teacher can do physical and online teaching simultaneously but they can't. Part time schooling is a disaster for their education their social development and for the million plus vulnerable kids who need school for hot meals safety and stability.

    We built nightingale hospitals quickly. We need nightingale schools in time for September. For some schools that may be portacabins in the playground. Others could combine, move into community centres and vacant offices and anywhere space can be found. It will be disruptive, but less so than the alternative.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 51,263
    Andy_JS said:

    O/T
    This is a fact which probably isn't popular with BLM: in recent years life expectancy for black Americans has continued rising, while life expectancy for white Americans has gone down.

    Though still 4 years shorter for black males than white. Hispanics do better than both.

    Partly it is improvements in Black Americans health, but the drug and suicide epidemic in white male Americans is dropping their life expectancy for the last 3 years or so.
  • MysticroseMysticrose Posts: 4,688
    It's pretty ignorant to say that bumping elbows is okay because, well, you know there isn't a lot of virus around. That's how pandemics take hold. People behaving like dumbasses.

    This a respiratory borne virus which also transmits via surfaces and skin contact. We have to suck up the fact that until there's a vaccine or cure we can't go back to normal.

    That means a minimum of 2 metres and everyone should be wearing a face mask indoors when with others. My friends in South Africa aren't allowed to go out their door without having one on, not even to walk the dogs.

    It's tough. Wave to say hello or put a bit of elegance into it by making the traditional Wai greeting. But don't touch. Not even with your elbow.
This discussion has been closed.