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Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts0 -
If the current Brexit reporting is accurate, BoZo really will crash out of the EU with no deal so that in an imagined future Cummings can bung taxpayer cash at his favoured chums in the tech industry.
How anyone who calls themselves a Conservative still supports these clowns is incredible.0 -
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If I'm hiring someone to - for example - be a Javascript developer, then their views on the moon landing, homeopathy, Brexit, gay marriage, and whether you should put milk in before or after the water with tea are entirely beside the point.Scott_xP said:
Now. If you choose to use my office as a propaganda zone to push your agenda, we're going to have a problem. But your views on things peripheral to your job - on which God (if any you believe in), on Tottenham Hotspur or anything else - should not affect whether you are hired or not. Whether you can do a good job is the only criteria that matters.
Here, not his views on climate change or gay marriage, I have a problem. Other than signing trade deals that were largely complete when he took over as Prime Minister of Australia, what evidence is there that he brings anythin to the table at all?1 -
22,00? BEIS have admitted in a Parliamentary answer that building a series of tidal lagoons would produce 57,000 jobs over the coming decade. It's nearer to 80,000, with thousands of apprentices, but its an admission.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
It would require virtually no public money - the equivalent of maybe 150 yards of HS2 track. At the end of it, you would have a baseload capacity of zero carbon electricity for the next 120 years. At prices to the consumer at least 40% cheaper than nuclear baseload. And with no storage of waste issues. No massive abandonment cost issues. No security of sites issues. No security of supply issues. No interruptions by someone turning off the gas pipelines. And no risk of laying waste to a large portion of the country if it should go Chernobyl wrong. Not forgetting it has 85% domestic spend - unlike other renewables where imports of kit are 60 - 90% of the project costs.
Plus a whole series of left behind places in south Wales, north Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria - places the Tories need to hold onto - having been regenerated. As well as jobs all along the supply chain in the Red Wall seats.
All blocked by a handful of officials in BEIS. Because it isn't nuclear.
Having promoted tidal power on his leadership campaign tour, Boris's failure to wade in and make this happen is damning.3 -
Trump has this one single redeeming feature amongst all the terribleness, he doesn't delete his tweetsScott_xP said:3 -
edmundintokyo said:
Trump has this one single redeeming feature amongst all the terribleness, he doesn't delete his tweetsScott_xP said:
he seems to delete loads if the following is anything to go by, which makes the ones left up even more troubling if anything
https://factba.se/topic/deleted-tweets0 -
is not damming, Shirley.MarqueeMark said:
22,00? BEIS have admitted in a Parliamentary answer that building a series of tidal lagoons would produce 57,000 jobs over the coming decade. It's nearer to 80,000, with thousands of apprentices, but its an admission.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
It would require virtually no public money - the equivalent of maybe 150 yards of HS2 track. At the end of it, you would have a baseload capacity of zero carbon electricity for the next 120 years. At prices to the consumer at least 40% cheaper than nuclear baseload. And with no storage of waste issues. No massive abandonment cost issues. No security of sites issues. No security of supply issues. No interruptions by someone turning off the gas pipelines. And no risk of laying waste to a large portion of the country if it should go Chernobyl wrong. Not forgetting it has 85% domestic spend - unlike other renewables where imports of kit are 60 - 90% of the project costs.
Plus a whole series of left behind places in south Wales, north Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria - places the Tories need to hold onto - having been regenerated. As well as jobs all along the supply chain in the Red Wall seats.
All blocked by a handful of officials in BEIS. Because it isn't nuclear.
Having promoted tidal power on his leadership campaign tour, Boris's failure to wade in and make this happen is damning.1 -
You make a very good case, and I'm all in favour renewable energy. But if the case is so strong why isn't it happening - is the nuclear lobby really so strong?MarqueeMark said:
22,00? BEIS have admitted in a Parliamentary answer that building a series of tidal lagoons would produce 57,000 jobs over the coming decade. It's nearer to 80,000, with thousands of apprentices, but its an admission.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
It would require virtually no public money - the equivalent of maybe 150 yards of HS2 track. At the end of it, you would have a baseload capacity of zero carbon electricity for the next 120 years. At prices to the consumer at least 40% cheaper than nuclear baseload. And with no storage of waste issues. No massive abandonment cost issues. No security of sites issues. No security of supply issues. No interruptions by someone turning off the gas pipelines. And no risk of laying waste to a large portion of the country if it should go Chernobyl wrong. Not forgetting it has 85% domestic spend - unlike other renewables where imports of kit are 60 - 90% of the project costs.
Plus a whole series of left behind places in south Wales, north Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria - places the Tories need to hold onto - having been regenerated. As well as jobs all along the supply chain in the Red Wall seats.
All blocked by a handful of officials in BEIS. Because it isn't nuclear.
Having promoted tidal power on his leadership campaign tour, Boris's failure to wade in and make this happen is damning.0 -
I think if you were a prime minister, hiring a very controversial former prime minister of another country to do anything even Javascript developer, then you are obviously making a controversial political appointment, even in the unlikely case that the person in question was a really good Javascript developer.rcs1000 said:
If I'm hiring someone to - for example - be a Javascript developer, then their views on the moon landing, homeopathy, Brexit, gay marriage, and whether you should put milk in before or after the water with tea are entirely beside the point.Scott_xP said:
Now. If you choose to use my office as a propaganda zone to push your agenda, we're going to have a problem. But your views on things peripheral to your job - on which God (if any you believe in), on Tottenham Hotspur or anything else - should not affect whether you are hired or not. Whether you can do a good job is the only criteria that matters.
Here, not his views on climate change or gay marriage, I have a problem. Other than signing trade deals that were largely complete when he took over as Prime Minister of Australia, what evidence is there that he brings anythin to the table at all?
In the case of Abbott his record and views on things like environmental protection, climate change, and workers' rights are extremely relevant to the post of trade envoy. If I were on the EU side, I would take it as a signal that the UK intends to undercut the EU in those areas, and further evidence not to believe any promises that the UK government has made. So probably unhelpful if you want to actually negotiate a deal.2 -
It would seem so. Embedded across Government.kamski said:
You make a very good case, and I'm all in favour renewable energy. But if the case is so strong why isn't it happening - is the nuclear lobby really so strong?MarqueeMark said:
22,00? BEIS have admitted in a Parliamentary answer that building a series of tidal lagoons would produce 57,000 jobs over the coming decade. It's nearer to 80,000, with thousands of apprentices, but its an admission.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
It would require virtually no public money - the equivalent of maybe 150 yards of HS2 track. At the end of it, you would have a baseload capacity of zero carbon electricity for the next 120 years. At prices to the consumer at least 40% cheaper than nuclear baseload. And with no storage of waste issues. No massive abandonment cost issues. No security of sites issues. No security of supply issues. No interruptions by someone turning off the gas pipelines. And no risk of laying waste to a large portion of the country if it should go Chernobyl wrong. Not forgetting it has 85% domestic spend - unlike other renewables where imports of kit are 60 - 90% of the project costs.
Plus a whole series of left behind places in south Wales, north Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria - places the Tories need to hold onto - having been regenerated. As well as jobs all along the supply chain in the Red Wall seats.
All blocked by a handful of officials in BEIS. Because it isn't nuclear.
Having promoted tidal power on his leadership campaign tour, Boris's failure to wade in and make this happen is damning.0 -
The enthusiasts will still swear blind that the extra capacity is needed, but the likely large permanent reduction in commuting makes that debatable at best.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
The London to Birmingham section will get built regardless, however. It's already underway, so there are issues of sunk costs, and nor can the current Government boot it into the long grass with a convenient review like the remainder of the project. It's being used to generate employment and contracts to dole out to construction firms, and the West Midlands metro mayor (up for re-election next Spring) is an enthusiast.0 -
We need to neap this in the bud.IshmaelZ said:
is not damming, Shirley.MarqueeMark said:
22,00? BEIS have admitted in a Parliamentary answer that building a series of tidal lagoons would produce 57,000 jobs over the coming decade. It's nearer to 80,000, with thousands of apprentices, but its an admission.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
It would require virtually no public money - the equivalent of maybe 150 yards of HS2 track. At the end of it, you would have a baseload capacity of zero carbon electricity for the next 120 years. At prices to the consumer at least 40% cheaper than nuclear baseload. And with no storage of waste issues. No massive abandonment cost issues. No security of sites issues. No security of supply issues. No interruptions by someone turning off the gas pipelines. And no risk of laying waste to a large portion of the country if it should go Chernobyl wrong. Not forgetting it has 85% domestic spend - unlike other renewables where imports of kit are 60 - 90% of the project costs.
Plus a whole series of left behind places in south Wales, north Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria - places the Tories need to hold onto - having been regenerated. As well as jobs all along the supply chain in the Red Wall seats.
All blocked by a handful of officials in BEIS. Because it isn't nuclear.
Having promoted tidal power on his leadership campaign tour, Boris's failure to wade in and make this happen is damning.0 -
Correct of course, although to date that isn't the case against him that has been made. It's a much stronger one, too, than that he has 'unpopular' views on something or other.kamski said:
I think if you were a prime minister, hiring a very controversial former prime minister of another country to do anything even Javascript developer, then you are obviously making a controversial political appointment, even in the unlikely case that the person in question was a really good Javascript developer.rcs1000 said:
If I'm hiring someone to - for example - be a Javascript developer, then their views on the moon landing, homeopathy, Brexit, gay marriage, and whether you should put milk in before or after the water with tea are entirely beside the point.Scott_xP said:
Now. If you choose to use my office as a propaganda zone to push your agenda, we're going to have a problem. But your views on things peripheral to your job - on which God (if any you believe in), on Tottenham Hotspur or anything else - should not affect whether you are hired or not. Whether you can do a good job is the only criteria that matters.
Here, not his views on climate change or gay marriage, I have a problem. Other than signing trade deals that were largely complete when he took over as Prime Minister of Australia, what evidence is there that he brings anythin to the table at all?
In the case of Abbott his record and views on things like environmental protection, climate change, and workers' rights are extremely relevant to the post of trade envoy. If I were on the EU side, I would take it as a signal that the UK intends to undercut the EU in those areas, and further evidence not to believe any promises that the UK government has made. So probably unhelpful if you want to actually negotiate a deal.
For the avoidance of doubt, I agree with Mr Kamski!0 -
But he is not some backroom developer.rcs1000 said:If I'm hiring someone to - for example - be a Javascript developer, then their views on the moon landing, homeopathy, Brexit, gay marriage, and whether you should put milk in before or after the water with tea are entirely beside the point.
He will explicitly be an ambassador. The person fronting for your organization.
You might take a view that if they have a swastika tattooed on their neck they might not be the best person for the job, regardless of their skill0 -
One of the major plus points of HS2 was to remove long distance trains from the fast tracks, allowing potentially a tripling of commuter seats from places like Milton Keynes into London.Black_Rook said:
The enthusiasts will still swear blind that the extra capacity is needed, but the likely large permanent reduction in commuting makes that debatable at best.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
The London to Birmingham section will get built regardless, however. It's already underway, so there are issues of sunk costs, and nor can the current Government boot it into the long grass with a convenient review like the remainder of the project. It's being used to generate employment and contracts to dole out to construction firms, and the West Midlands metro mayor (up for re-election next Spring) is an enthusiast.
I think it’s clear that if you reran the cost-benefit calcs with updated commuting patterns, HS2 Phase 1 would be dead on arrival, even if the new fast long distance services are likely to be very well used themselves - a rebalancing of the economy implies more not less long distance travel. Countered of course by reduced short distance commuting into London, and very likely reduced short distance train travel everywhere if/when autonomous EVs come to market.
As you say, contractual commitments on phase 1 no doubt mean it’s now worth building regardless, particularly given it’s a shovel ready bit of Keynesianism with supply side benefits too.
Perversely enough, the second phase may still get built anyway, given it’s now so closely tied to HS3, which is all about regional regeneration and journey times rather than capacity.0 -
It rather depends, under those circumstances, on how many voters in England and Wales are going to blame the Government for losing Scotland, how many of them are going to blame the Scots for pulling the plug, and how many may not be that bothered one way or the other.IanB2 said:
I can’t see English and Welsh voters thanking the Tories for breaking up the country?CorrectHorseBattery said:I'm in a somewhat conflicted position.
If the SNP win next year, I think they are entitled to their referendum. I won't take a position on that but I hope they stay. But I can totally see why they would vote to go.
But that makes the chance of Labour getting back into office quite challenging - and living in England it's then more Tory rule.
We really need to not be relying on the SNP, it seems very risky.0 -
Well, I must say I am shocked, truly shocked, that she would say such a thing.Scott_xP said:
I mean, come off it. The SNP does what it says on the tin. Were you to ask Sturgeon whether or not the wind blowing in from the West this morning strengthens the case for independence then she would say yes.5 -
Oh dear. Even fanboi Iain Martin has started to realise BoZo is an empty suit...
My suspicion is that these Whitehall spats about control and mischievous civil servants, and the attempts by the No 10 chief adviser Dominic Cummings to exert authority at the centre, are merely intended to obscure the troubling reality that Boris spent a lifetime wanting to be prime minister but, one year into the job, still doesn’t know what to do with it.
This autumn, he had better find out and organise a plan, soon.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/tory-tax-muddle-exposes-a-lack-of-direction-h8bhlkh0r0 -
Does gay marriage tend to come up in discussions about trade. I mean, it’s not like he walks round wearing a sign saying he opposes gay marriage.Scott_xP said:
But he is not some backroom developer.rcs1000 said:If I'm hiring someone to - for example - be a Javascript developer, then their views on the moon landing, homeopathy, Brexit, gay marriage, and whether you should put milk in before or after the water with tea are entirely beside the point.
He will explicitly be an ambassador. The person fronting for your organization.
You might take a view that if they have a swastika tattooed on their neck they might not be the best person for the job, regardless of their skill1 -
Good news if we finally get some modern fast railways before I die. Those in Europe put our network to shame.moonshine said:
One of the major plus points of HS2 was to remove long distance trains from the fast tracks, allowing potentially a tripling of commuter seats from places like Milton Keynes into London.Black_Rook said:
The enthusiasts will still swear blind that the extra capacity is needed, but the likely large permanent reduction in commuting makes that debatable at best.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
The London to Birmingham section will get built regardless, however. It's already underway, so there are issues of sunk costs, and nor can the current Government boot it into the long grass with a convenient review like the remainder of the project. It's being used to generate employment and contracts to dole out to construction firms, and the West Midlands metro mayor (up for re-election next Spring) is an enthusiast.
I think it’s clear that if you reran the cost-benefit calcs with updated commuting patterns, HS2 Phase 1 would be dead on arrival, even if the new fast long distance services are likely to be very well used themselves - a rebalancing of the economy implies more not less long distance travel. Countered of course by reduced short distance commuting into London, and very likely reduced short distance train travel everywhere if/when autonomous EVs come to market.
As you say, contractual commitments on phase 1 no doubt mean it’s now worth building regardless, particularly given it’s a shovel ready bit of Keynesianism with supply side benefits too.
Perversely enough, the second phase may still get built anyway, given it’s now so closely tied to HS3, which is all about regional regeneration and journey times rather than capacity.2 -
If (and I don't expect I will know for sure) Scotland does get it's independence and makes a success of it, it might well strengthen Plaid Cymru's position.Black_Rook said:
It rather depends, under those circumstances, on how many voters in England and Wales are going to blame the Government for losing Scotland, how many of them are going to blame the Scots for pulling the plug, and how many may not be that bothered one way or the other.IanB2 said:
I can’t see English and Welsh voters thanking the Tories for breaking up the country?CorrectHorseBattery said:I'm in a somewhat conflicted position.
If the SNP win next year, I think they are entitled to their referendum. I won't take a position on that but I hope they stay. But I can totally see why they would vote to go.
But that makes the chance of Labour getting back into office quite challenging - and living in England it's then more Tory rule.
We really need to not be relying on the SNP, it seems very risky.0 -
Welsh voters in particular might react with concern at the Conservatives jetisonning Scotland and Northern Ireland. Some English voters too but for the Welsh, the challenge would be existential.Black_Rook said:
It rather depends, under those circumstances, on how many voters in England and Wales are going to blame the Government for losing Scotland, how many of them are going to blame the Scots for pulling the plug, and how many may not be that bothered one way or the other.IanB2 said:
I can’t see English and Welsh voters thanking the Tories for breaking up the country?CorrectHorseBattery said:I'm in a somewhat conflicted position.
If the SNP win next year, I think they are entitled to their referendum. I won't take a position on that but I hope they stay. But I can totally see why they would vote to go.
But that makes the chance of Labour getting back into office quite challenging - and living in England it's then more Tory rule.
We really need to not be relying on the SNP, it seems very risky.0 -
No doubt, but this does not mean Sturgeon is wrong in this instance.Black_Rook said:
Well, I must say I am shocked, truly shocked, that she would say such a thing.Scott_xP said:
I mean, come off it. The SNP does what it says on the tin. Were you to ask Sturgeon whether or not the wind blowing in from the West this morning strengthens the case for independence then she would say yes.0 -
It is perhaps also worthwhile looking at how recent Australia trade policy has workedOldKingCole said:
Correct of course, although to date that isn't the case against him that has been made. It's a much stronger one, too, than that he has 'unpopular' views on something or other.kamski said:
I think if you were a prime minister, hiring a very controversial former prime minister of another country to do anything even Javascript developer, then you are obviously making a controversial political appointment, even in the unlikely case that the person in question was a really good Javascript developer.rcs1000 said:
If I'm hiring someone to - for example - be a Javascript developer, then their views on the moon landing, homeopathy, Brexit, gay marriage, and whether you should put milk in before or after the water with tea are entirely beside the point.Scott_xP said:
Now. If you choose to use my office as a propaganda zone to push your agenda, we're going to have a problem. But your views on things peripheral to your job - on which God (if any you believe in), on Tottenham Hotspur or anything else - should not affect whether you are hired or not. Whether you can do a good job is the only criteria that matters.
Here, not his views on climate change or gay marriage, I have a problem. Other than signing trade deals that were largely complete when he took over as Prime Minister of Australia, what evidence is there that he brings anythin to the table at all?
In the case of Abbott his record and views on things like environmental protection, climate change, and workers' rights are extremely relevant to the post of trade envoy. If I were on the EU side, I would take it as a signal that the UK intends to undercut the EU in those areas, and further evidence not to believe any promises that the UK government has made. So probably unhelpful if you want to actually negotiate a deal.
For the avoidance of doubt, I agree with Mr Kamski!
" In 2018, Australia’s trade surplus with China (A$58.26 billion) amounted to more than 250 percent of its total trade surplus (A$23.23 billion), indicating that Australia ran a trade deficit with many of its trading partners (such as the U.S., the U.K. and ASEAN). China accounted for more than 31 percent of Australia’s total exports, and Australia’s bilateral trade with China (A$214.86 billion) was also much larger than that with its second trading partner, Japan (A$85.78 billion). "
https://thediplomat.com/2020/05/can-australia-flatten-the-curve-of-its-economic-dependence-on-china/
In effect, Australia has become a mine, farm and holiday spot for the Chinese, and to a lesser extent other Asian countries. In 2008 there were 4 car manufacturers in Australia, now there are none. Industrial production peaked at 25% of the economy in the Sixties, but now is back below 10%, and that manufacturing mostly food processing and mineral processing.
I have my doubts about these policies in relation to Australia for the long term, but whether they are applicable to the different economy of the UK is very doubtful indeed.0 -
Jebus. Is there is any piece of news that PB does not try to argue is actually favourable for Trump?EPG said:Snyder and friends give permission to Republicans to vote Biden. I fear what many of them are looking for is, instead, permission to vote Trump.
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Did none of these people realise that Boris Johnson's prime motivation was simply to become prime minister, to acchieve the top job, to have the address 10 Downing Street? He was not and is not a politician with a vision of how the country should be run. This was blatantly obvious in 2019, but a majority of tory MPs tory members and UK constituencies chose him despite that.Scott_xP said:Oh dear. Even fanboi Iain Martin has started to realise BoZo is an empty suit...
My suspicion is that these Whitehall spats about control and mischievous civil servants, and the attempts by the No 10 chief adviser Dominic Cummings to exert authority at the centre, are merely intended to obscure the troubling reality that Boris spent a lifetime wanting to be prime minister but, one year into the job, still doesn’t know what to do with it.
This autumn, he had better find out and organise a plan, soon.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/tory-tax-muddle-exposes-a-lack-of-direction-h8bhlkh0r
That's fair enough, but it is hypocritical for Johnson supporters to now complain that "Boris spent a lifetime wanting to be prime minister but, one year into the job, still doesn’t know what to do with it."
Edit to add: If anyone claims "Brexit is his vision" I reply that Brexit was his opportunity to get to 10 Downing Street, and that having been a Key proponent in the referendem, he thought it should be carried through. A true Brexiteer like Farage he was not.2 -
I'm waiting for how trump repeatedly talking about the strokes he didn't have and bad mouthing the military dead is good for himnot_on_fire said:
Jebus. Is there is any piece of news that PB does not try to argue is actually favourable for Trump?EPG said:Snyder and friends give permission to Republicans to vote Biden. I fear what many of them are looking for is, instead, permission to vote Trump.
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Indeed. We all knew what BoZo was like, but the Tories chose the chaotic clown anyway. They have no grounds to complain.eristdoof said:
Did none of these people realise that Boris Johnson's prime motivation was simply to become prime minister, to acchieve the top job, to have the address 10 Downing Street? He was not and is not a politician with a vision of how the country should be run. This was blatantly obvious in 2019, but a majority of tory MPs tory members and UK constituencies chose him despite that.Scott_xP said:Oh dear. Even fanboi Iain Martin has started to realise BoZo is an empty suit...
My suspicion is that these Whitehall spats about control and mischievous civil servants, and the attempts by the No 10 chief adviser Dominic Cummings to exert authority at the centre, are merely intended to obscure the troubling reality that Boris spent a lifetime wanting to be prime minister but, one year into the job, still doesn’t know what to do with it.
This autumn, he had better find out and organise a plan, soon.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/tory-tax-muddle-exposes-a-lack-of-direction-h8bhlkh0r
That's fair enough, but it is hypocritical for Johnson supporters to now complain that "Boris spent a lifetime wanting to be prime minister but, one year into the job, still doesn’t know what to do with it."1 -
Yes, on the narrower case that he shouldn't get the job because he campaigned against same sex marriage I think it's less clear. For the sake of argument let's say that this does not have any direct relevance to the job of trade envoy.OldKingCole said:
Correct of course, although to date that isn't the case against him that has been made. It's a much stronger one, too, than that he has 'unpopular' views on something or other.kamski said:
I think if you were a prime minister, hiring a very controversial former prime minister of another country to do anything even Javascript developer, then you are obviously making a controversial political appointment, even in the unlikely case that the person in question was a really good Javascript developer.rcs1000 said:
If I'm hiring someone to - for example - be a Javascript developer, then their views on the moon landing, homeopathy, Brexit, gay marriage, and whether you should put milk in before or after the water with tea are entirely beside the point.Scott_xP said:
Now. If you choose to use my office as a propaganda zone to push your agenda, we're going to have a problem. But your views on things peripheral to your job - on which God (if any you believe in), on Tottenham Hotspur or anything else - should not affect whether you are hired or not. Whether you can do a good job is the only criteria that matters.
Here, not his views on climate change or gay marriage, I have a problem. Other than signing trade deals that were largely complete when he took over as Prime Minister of Australia, what evidence is there that he brings anythin to the table at all?
In the case of Abbott his record and views on things like environmental protection, climate change, and workers' rights are extremely relevant to the post of trade envoy. If I were on the EU side, I would take it as a signal that the UK intends to undercut the EU in those areas, and further evidence not to believe any promises that the UK government has made. So probably unhelpful if you want to actually negotiate a deal.
For the avoidance of doubt, I agree with Mr Kamski!
People claiming it's just like excluding anyone with unpopular views from any government job are obviously wrong. This is the former prime minister of Australia, someone who is quite well-known, and well-known for his controversial views.
If an unknown Australian who was a senior negotiator in their trade negotiations was appointed, and then people found some anti same sex marriage tweets from this person from 15 years ago, those "unpopular" views wouldn't be very relevant.
At the other extreme, say Donald Trump signed the biggest trade deal in history with China next month, then lost the election. If Johnson then gave Trump a job as trade envoy, I think people would be quite right to say "you can't give Trump a job because he is a racist"
Would anyone be saying "his racism is irrelevant to the job, he's got the job because he got this amazing trade deal with China, people are just using his racism as an excuse to attack him because he is rightwing and pro-Brexit"?
Well obviously the extreme members of the Johnson personality cult would, but what would you think of such an argument?1 -
Actually, if you take the view that homophobia and misogyny are anachronisms with no place in the modern World, then perhaps Abbott is the perfect ambassador for Brexit after all...DecrepiterJohnL said:No doubt, but this does not mean Sturgeon is wrong in this instance.
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The consequences of the break-up of the UK for England have not yet been engaged with in any serious way. But it's hard to see people just shrugging their shoulders as the country they were born into comes to an end. Everything from symbols through to power structures will be called into serious quesiton, and will have to be rethought. What sense will the Union Flag make, for example, if the Union no longer exists?Black_Rook said:
It rather depends, under those circumstances, on how many voters in England and Wales are going to blame the Government for losing Scotland, how many of them are going to blame the Scots for pulling the plug, and how many may not be that bothered one way or the other.IanB2 said:
I can’t see English and Welsh voters thanking the Tories for breaking up the country?CorrectHorseBattery said:I'm in a somewhat conflicted position.
If the SNP win next year, I think they are entitled to their referendum. I won't take a position on that but I hope they stay. But I can totally see why they would vote to go.
But that makes the chance of Labour getting back into office quite challenging - and living in England it's then more Tory rule.
We really need to not be relying on the SNP, it seems very risky.
It's ironic that Brexit is more likely to lead to the break-up of the UK than the EU.
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Shapps the TV whipping boy again.
On previous form that means the Abbott appointment will be denounced (they already announced he was appointed) before the end of the day0 -
More pointedly, the struggles over Brexit have made it clear exactly how hard it is for a small country to split off from a larger entity.SouthamObserver said:
The consequences of the break-up of the UK for England have not yet been engaged with in any serious way. But it's hard to see people just shrugging their shoulders as the country they were born into comes to an end. Everythin from symbols through to power structures will be called into quesitons, and will have to be rethought. What sense will the Union Flag make, for example, if the Union no lomger exists?Black_Rook said:
It rather depends, under those circumstances, on how many voters in England and Wales are going to blame the Government for losing Scotland, how many of them are going to blame the Scots for pulling the plug, and how many may not be that bothered one way or the other.IanB2 said:
I can’t see English and Welsh voters thanking the Tories for breaking up the country?CorrectHorseBattery said:I'm in a somewhat conflicted position.
If the SNP win next year, I think they are entitled to their referendum. I won't take a position on that but I hope they stay. But I can totally see why they would vote to go.
But that makes the chance of Labour getting back into office quite challenging - and living in England it's then more Tory rule.
We really need to not be relying on the SNP, it seems very risky.1 -
Good morning, everyone.
The day ending in 'y' strengthens the case for Scottish independence, according to Sturgeon.3 -
Tony Abbott may not like it, but quite a few senior decsion-makers these days are women. There are also a fair few who believe that global warming is not a hoax.tlg86 said:
Does gay marriage tend to come up in discussions about trade. I mean, it’s not like he walks round wearing a sign saying he opposes gay marriage.Scott_xP said:
But he is not some backroom developer.rcs1000 said:If I'm hiring someone to - for example - be a Javascript developer, then their views on the moon landing, homeopathy, Brexit, gay marriage, and whether you should put milk in before or after the water with tea are entirely beside the point.
He will explicitly be an ambassador. The person fronting for your organization.
You might take a view that if they have a swastika tattooed on their neck they might not be the best person for the job, regardless of their skill
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You make the common mistake of thinking that every post is "the opinion of PB".not_on_fire said:
Jebus. Is there is any piece of news that PB does not try to argue is actually favourable for Trump?EPG said:Snyder and friends give permission to Republicans to vote Biden. I fear what many of them are looking for is, instead, permission to vote Trump.
Actually there are very few Trump supporters who regularly post here. There are a few fans, but at least one seems to be a US Trump supporter who wants to promote Trump on a UK betting forum.0 -
Just wanted the job is true of every pm since Thatcher.eristdoof said:
Did none of these people realise that Boris Johnson's prime motivation was simply to become prime minister, to acchieve the top job, to have the address 10 Downing Street? He was not and is not a politician with a vision of how the country should be run. This was blatantly obvious in 2019, but a majority of tory MPs tory members and UK constituencies chose him despite that.Scott_xP said:Oh dear. Even fanboi Iain Martin has started to realise BoZo is an empty suit...
My suspicion is that these Whitehall spats about control and mischievous civil servants, and the attempts by the No 10 chief adviser Dominic Cummings to exert authority at the centre, are merely intended to obscure the troubling reality that Boris spent a lifetime wanting to be prime minister but, one year into the job, still doesn’t know what to do with it.
This autumn, he had better find out and organise a plan, soon.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/tory-tax-muddle-exposes-a-lack-of-direction-h8bhlkh0r
That's fair enough, but it is hypocritical for Johnson supporters to now complain that "Boris spent a lifetime wanting to be prime minister but, one year into the job, still doesn’t know what to do with it."
Edit to add: If anyone claims "Brexit is his vision" I reply that Brexit was his opportunity to get to 10 Downing Street, and that having been a Key proponent in the referendem, he thought it should be carried through. A true Brexiteer like Farage he was not.0 -
Trump is very upset about the French cemetery story
They issued a rebuttal email that claims the choppers couldn't fly, so there would be a motorcade instead, which Trump didn't take...0 -
у них есть свои инструкцииnot_on_fire said:
Jebus. Is there is any piece of news that PB does not try to argue is actually favourable for Trump?EPG said:Snyder and friends give permission to Republicans to vote Biden. I fear what many of them are looking for is, instead, permission to vote Trump.
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If ever a man were properly names it's Mr Snide0
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To be fair, most of the countries that he plans to negotiate with are run by misogynistic, homophobic climate denialists too.Scott_xP said:
Actually, if you take the view that homophobia and misogyny are anachronisms with no place in the modern World, then perhaps Abbott is the perfect ambassador for Brexit after all...DecrepiterJohnL said:No doubt, but this does not mean Sturgeon is wrong in this instance.
A bit more scrutiny on how Australia became a Chinese economic colony and less on his ill informed social views would be wise.0 -
Depressing. Is it that the UK "needs" to stay in the nuclear power game for military/status reasons?MarqueeMark said:
It would seem so. Embedded across Government.kamski said:
You make a very good case, and I'm all in favour renewable energy. But if the case is so strong why isn't it happening - is the nuclear lobby really so strong?MarqueeMark said:
22,00? BEIS have admitted in a Parliamentary answer that building a series of tidal lagoons would produce 57,000 jobs over the coming decade. It's nearer to 80,000, with thousands of apprentices, but its an admission.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
It would require virtually no public money - the equivalent of maybe 150 yards of HS2 track. At the end of it, you would have a baseload capacity of zero carbon electricity for the next 120 years. At prices to the consumer at least 40% cheaper than nuclear baseload. And with no storage of waste issues. No massive abandonment cost issues. No security of sites issues. No security of supply issues. No interruptions by someone turning off the gas pipelines. And no risk of laying waste to a large portion of the country if it should go Chernobyl wrong. Not forgetting it has 85% domestic spend - unlike other renewables where imports of kit are 60 - 90% of the project costs.
Plus a whole series of left behind places in south Wales, north Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria - places the Tories need to hold onto - having been regenerated. As well as jobs all along the supply chain in the Red Wall seats.
All blocked by a handful of officials in BEIS. Because it isn't nuclear.
Having promoted tidal power on his leadership campaign tour, Boris's failure to wade in and make this happen is damning.0 -
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Headline on the BBC website:
“All I remember is locking the butler in the fridge”.
How many get the reference?0 -
So, that "oven ready deal" with its Irish protocol has already conceeded on state aid and also on European adjudication?Scott_xP said:
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I'm confused. How can a blind-loyal to Johnson person claim to be a staunch unionist? What is Unionist about sticking a border down the Irish Sea so that you have to make customs declarations to send goods between one part of the UK and another?
Is the "Union" being referred to England? Because its certainly not the UK.3 -
The thing is whether the truth is exactly as reported by Atlantic or not, it rings true. Trump tweeting furiously about it just makes sure everybody hears about it.Scott_xP said:Trump is very upset about the French cemetery story
They issued a rebuttal email that claims the choppers couldn't fly, so there would be a motorcade instead, which Trump didn't take...
Generally, I think there seems to be a good propaganda case for making claims that have inaccuracies and exaggerations, trying to get the other side to make a big fuss about the innaccuracies thus drawing everyone's attention to the gist of the story.
I'm not saying the Atlantic story is inaccurate, though it is a bit hearsay-ish.0 -
Indeed, the only way to Brexit properly requires Irish reunification, that much has been obvious for a while.Scott_xP said:
I guess like IDS, BoZo forgot to read it...Foxy said:So, that "oven ready deal" with its Irish protocol has already conceeded on state aid and also on European adjudication?
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A Tory minister earlier in the week did refer to Westminster as the “English Parliament”RochdalePioneers said:I'm confused. How can a blind-loyal to Johnson person claim to be a staunch unionist? What is Unionist about sticking a border down the Irish Sea so that you have to make customs declarations to send goods between one part of the UK and another?
Is the "Union" being referred to England? Because its certainly not the UK.0 -
VH-60N white top absolutely can fly in those conditions - there was no icing danger and northern France isn't exactly mountainous for challenging VFR conditions. Whether or not you'd choose to do it with a VVIP on board is another question.Scott_xP said:Trump is very upset about the French cemetery story
They issued a rebuttal email that claims the choppers couldn't fly, so there would be a motorcade instead, which Trump didn't take...1 -
Can somebody help me out with Abbott please, if he opposes same sex marriage that's fair enough (I don't, for the records) but is he a misogynist?
Its become difficult to tell if accusations are true, a bit like when somebody is called a racist. And please, I'm not defending a bloke I know little about, just asking for evidence rather than allegations.0 -
Have you heard the Kelly story?kamski said:
The thing is whether the truth is exactly as reported by Atlantic or not, it rings true. Trump tweeting furiously about it just makes sure everybody hears about it.Scott_xP said:Trump is very upset about the French cemetery story
They issued a rebuttal email that claims the choppers couldn't fly, so there would be a motorcade instead, which Trump didn't take...
Generally, I think there seems to be a good propaganda case for making claims that have inaccuracies and exaggerations, trying to get the other side to make a big fuss about the innaccuracies thus drawing everyone's attention to the gist of the story.
I'm not saying the Atlantic story is inaccurate, though it is a bit hearsay-ish.
https://twitter.com/YAppelbaum/status/1301636056333389830?s=190 -
As an English bloke I'd love Scottish independence, a million or so Scots have a disproportionate say on things. If Boris had any sense, which is a moot point, he'd grant it and ensure a Conservative govt in perpetuity. That wouldn't be a good thing but it would mean I don't have to put up with Sturgeon any longer so the pay off is worth it.0
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He made a comment about explaining to housewives that ironing would become more expensive in the context of green taxes.coach said:Can somebody help me out with Abbott please, if he opposes same sex marriage that's fair enough (I don't, for the records) but is he a misogynist?
Its become difficult to tell if accusations are true, a bit like when somebody is called a racist. And please, I'm not defending a bloke I know little about, just asking for evidence rather than allegations.0 -
If you ask the question the other way round - what state aid out with EU rules WOULD be allowed, the answer is more eye opening still. GB would have to structure any such state aid so that no benefit accrues to NI. So for the Nissan example, were they to be given such state aid, there might need to be a clause that no part of their supply chain is based in NI.Foxy said:
So, that "oven ready deal" with its Irish protocol has already conceeded on state aid and also on European adjudication?Scott_xP said:
I know the world has changed but, compared with the May deal 2 years ago, this still feels like a mighty odd ditch for the Tories to lay down in.0 -
I suspect that is the argument it quietly makes. But their blocking of the UK using tidal power is a massive hidden cost to having nuclear subs. It's like saying yes, we have found a lot of oil under the North Sea - but you have to leave it there.kamski said:
Depressing. Is it that the UK "needs" to stay in the nuclear power game for military/status reasons?MarqueeMark said:
It would seem so. Embedded across Government.kamski said:
You make a very good case, and I'm all in favour renewable energy. But if the case is so strong why isn't it happening - is the nuclear lobby really so strong?MarqueeMark said:
22,00? BEIS have admitted in a Parliamentary answer that building a series of tidal lagoons would produce 57,000 jobs over the coming decade. It's nearer to 80,000, with thousands of apprentices, but its an admission.Andy_JS said:
Do we still need HS2?IanB2 said:In other news: HS2 has announced the formal start of construction of the high-speed rail line between London and the West Midlands, which it claims will create 22,000 jobs.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, was expected to attend a ceremonial launch of the first shovels in the ground on Friday for the main civil engineering contracts
It would require virtually no public money - the equivalent of maybe 150 yards of HS2 track. At the end of it, you would have a baseload capacity of zero carbon electricity for the next 120 years. At prices to the consumer at least 40% cheaper than nuclear baseload. And with no storage of waste issues. No massive abandonment cost issues. No security of sites issues. No security of supply issues. No interruptions by someone turning off the gas pipelines. And no risk of laying waste to a large portion of the country if it should go Chernobyl wrong. Not forgetting it has 85% domestic spend - unlike other renewables where imports of kit are 60 - 90% of the project costs.
Plus a whole series of left behind places in south Wales, north Wales, Lancashire, Cumbria - places the Tories need to hold onto - having been regenerated. As well as jobs all along the supply chain in the Red Wall seats.
All blocked by a handful of officials in BEIS. Because it isn't nuclear.
Having promoted tidal power on his leadership campaign tour, Boris's failure to wade in and make this happen is damning.
Harder to hide would be the cost of the UK having a Chernobyl-type incident. Then you are talking trillions to put it right, not the hundreds of billions for Covid. And that all has to be underwritten by the taxpayer - paying premiums to over off that eventuality would make nuclear power uneconomic.0 -
Tory Unionism is largely about England. The UK and England are seen as synonymous. The UK gives the Tory English establishment its international calling card. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are appendages, no more.RochdalePioneers said:I'm confused. How can a blind-loyal to Johnson person claim to be a staunch unionist? What is Unionist about sticking a border down the Irish Sea so that you have to make customs declarations to send goods between one part of the UK and another?
Is the "Union" being referred to England? Because its certainly not the UK.
1 -
Thanks, I guessed it would be something trivial like thattlg86 said:
He made a comment about explaining to housewives that ironing would become more expensive in the context of green taxes.coach said:Can somebody help me out with Abbott please, if he opposes same sex marriage that's fair enough (I don't, for the records) but is he a misogynist?
Its become difficult to tell if accusations are true, a bit like when somebody is called a racist. And please, I'm not defending a bloke I know little about, just asking for evidence rather than allegations.0 -
Now that the Little Englanders have taken over, yes.SouthamObserver said:Tory Unionism is largely about England.
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This is astonishingly stupid, even for this astonishingly stupid government. The world is awash with private capital for investment in technology companies in a way that it is not there for countless other industries. Not only is there cash, there is also significant expertise. The idea that Dominic Cummings knows better than long-established, deep pocket PE and VC operations is for the fairies. To pass up the chance of doing a deal on the basis that he does is beyond irresponsible. I just cannot believe it is true.Scott_xP said:
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The level of stupidity almost guarantees it's true...SouthamObserver said:To pass up the chance of doing a deal on the basis that he does is beyond irresponsible. I just cannot believe it is true.
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North Carolina provides real-time info on returning d mail in ballots and early voting.Alistair said:
In 2016 you could see th e Dem registered vote failing to match 2012 levels. With Covid it will be almost impossible to compare 2020 with 20160 -
The case is getting stronger by the day ?Morris_Dancer said:Good morning, everyone.
The day ending in 'y' strengthens the case for Scottish independence, according to Sturgeon.
Quite possibly.
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It doesn't matter what the dominant party of Antrim wants. The dominant party of Merseyside wanted to stay in the EU. But Merseyside has left along with the rest of England.HYUFD said:
It would not just be the end of the name of the country and the economic relationship remaining the same with free trade and no borders, there would be customs posts and tariffs between England and Scotland as a result of a hard Brexit and Scotland voting for independence and to return to the EU.Philip_Thompson said:
I'm not sure that Scotland and NI going would be the end of the United Kingdom is that great an argument to make to someone who has just said that Scotland and NI should go.HYUFD said:
Well I am a Tory and remain a staunch Unionist.Philip_Thompson said:Mr CHB - F**k the IRA but F**k the DUP too.
I have never respected the DUP and seeing Tweets like that just make me think even more than I will never shed a crocodile tear about Boris screwing over the DUP with the Brexit deal.
I hope the SNP get independence not out of any anger with Scotland or desire to see Scotland go, but simply because I think its in Scotland's best interests. If I was a Scot I would vote SNP/Yes despite being a right winger.
I hope that NI goes in part because I want rid of NI. I despise the IRA and loathe its sympathisers at the time, I would never have backed Irish unification pre-peace process but now? I want rid of its troubles, I want rid of its fanaticism and religion, the DUP and Sinn Fein and . . . let them be Ireland's problem, we've dealt with them long enough.
In the words of someone who probably shouldn't be brought up in discussions about Ireland: "You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately... Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"
Ripping the country in two with border posts and tariffs on exports to and from Scotland, inevitable after a No Deal Brexit or even a basic FTA with the EU would not do us any good, Scotland would effectively be an EU colony in the British Isles.
It would also be the end of the United Kingdom, we would become simply England and Wales overnight and as for Northern Ireland I would happily give away the Catholic and Sinn Fein, Remain voting counties on the Irish border like Fermanagh and Tyrone to the Republic of Ireland but in Protestant County Antrim every MP is DUP and every local authority voted Leave and it wants to remain with us.
England, Wales and Antrim would be fine with me, but the UK staying together best of all and that requires unity between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland
In the event NI goes so will Antrim just like how London left the EU.
Antrim will not go, the dominant party in Antrim, the DUP, wants to stay part of the UK and not join the Republic of Ireland, the dominant party in London, Labour, does not want to rejoin the EU and leave the UK
If NI unifies that is it Antrim will have lost. That is democracy. It is also international law under the Good Friday Agreement.1 -
Did you not read HYUFD earlier? He foresees a "union" of England, Wales and Antrim.RochdalePioneers said:I'm confused. How can a blind-loyal to Johnson person claim to be a staunch unionist? What is Unionist about sticking a border down the Irish Sea so that you have to make customs declarations to send goods between one part of the UK and another?
Is the "Union" being referred to England? Because its certainly not the UK.
It is not as fanciful as one might think either, we could airlift supplies in daily to Aldergrove Airport- it worked for West Berlin.
My reservation however is, it is very much a dilution of the notion of the Conservative and Unionist Party. More a Conservative and North Antrim Unionist Party.0 -
Yeah, obviously that's not the only statement by Abbot is it.coach said:
Thanks, I guessed it would be something trivial like thattlg86 said:
He made a comment about explaining to housewives that ironing would become more expensive in the context of green taxes.coach said:Can somebody help me out with Abbott please, if he opposes same sex marriage that's fair enough (I don't, for the records) but is he a misogynist?
Its become difficult to tell if accusations are true, a bit like when somebody is called a racist. And please, I'm not defending a bloke I know little about, just asking for evidence rather than allegations.0 -
Especially when combined with the level of hubris. Is Tech VC-dom another field where Dom thinks current practitioners are waffle merchants?Scott_xP said:
The level of stupidity almost guarantees it's true...SouthamObserver said:To pass up the chance of doing a deal on the basis that he does is beyond irresponsible. I just cannot believe it is true.
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I made that point yesterday evening - along with the facts about the trade deals - and concerns about his publicly expressed views on downgrading labour and environmental standards, contrary to current British government policy.rcs1000 said:
If I'm hiring someone to - for example - be a Javascript developer, then their views on the moon landing, homeopathy, Brexit, gay marriage, and whether you should put milk in before or after the water with tea are entirely beside the point.Scott_xP said:
Now. If you choose to use my office as a propaganda zone to push your agenda, we're going to have a problem. But your views on things peripheral to your job - on which God (if any you believe in), on Tottenham Hotspur or anything else - should not affect whether you are hired or not. Whether you can do a good job is the only criteria that matters.
Here, not his views on climate change or gay marriage, I have a problem. Other than signing trade deals that were largely complete when he took over as Prime Minister of Australia, what evidence is there that he brings anythin to the table at all?
The fact that he may also be a patronising condescending twit in relation to women puts him amongst the majority of men of his age in senior positions in public life. He probably fits in with very well with today’s Tory-UKIP government.0 -
I don't know are there others? Its why I askedAlistair said:
Yeah, obviously that's not the only statement by Abbot is it.coach said:
Thanks, I guessed it would be something trivial like thattlg86 said:
He made a comment about explaining to housewives that ironing would become more expensive in the context of green taxes.coach said:Can somebody help me out with Abbott please, if he opposes same sex marriage that's fair enough (I don't, for the records) but is he a misogynist?
Its become difficult to tell if accusations are true, a bit like when somebody is called a racist. And please, I'm not defending a bloke I know little about, just asking for evidence rather than allegations.0 -
Looking forward to them having the whip removed as per Ken Clarke and so on.Scott_xP said:0 -
Hasn’t it been that since May’s deal for Parliamentary support ?Mexicanpete said:
Did you not read HYUFD earlier? He foresees a "union" of England, Wales and Antrim.RochdalePioneers said:I'm confused. How can a blind-loyal to Johnson person claim to be a staunch unionist? What is Unionist about sticking a border down the Irish Sea so that you have to make customs declarations to send goods between one part of the UK and another?
Is the "Union" being referred to England? Because its certainly not the UK.
It is not as fanciful as one might think either, we could airlift supplies in daily to Aldergrove Airport- it worked for West Berlin.
My reservation however is, it is very much a dilution of the notion of the Conservative and Unionist Party. More a Conservative and North Antrim Unionist Party.1 -
Afraid it is likely to be true. This is a government driven by pet schemes and back bedroom obsessions.SouthamObserver said:
This is astonishingly stupid, even for this astonishingly stupid government. The world is awash with private capital for investment in technology companies in a way that it is not there for countless other industries. Not only is there cash, there is also significant expertise. The idea that Dominic Cummings knows better than long-established, deep pocket PE and VC operations is for the fairies. To pass up the chance of doing a deal on the basis that he does is beyond irresponsible. I just cannot believe it is true.Scott_xP said:
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1
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I believe his treatment of Julia Gillard is what is usually referenced when this accusation is made.coach said:
I don't know are there others? Its why I askedAlistair said:
Yeah, obviously that's not the only statement by Abbot is it.coach said:
Thanks, I guessed it would be something trivial like thattlg86 said:
He made a comment about explaining to housewives that ironing would become more expensive in the context of green taxes.coach said:Can somebody help me out with Abbott please, if he opposes same sex marriage that's fair enough (I don't, for the records) but is he a misogynist?
Its become difficult to tell if accusations are true, a bit like when somebody is called a racist. And please, I'm not defending a bloke I know little about, just asking for evidence rather than allegations.0 -
Mrs May claimed there was no magic money tree. It would appear she was wrong.Scott_xP said:
Debt is rising but we can't raise taxes In the light of Coronavirus government spending is likely to rise, not fall. Trading our way out seems unlikely as the economy is shrinking so our existing tax take will fall, and it seems inflating our way out of debt is not acceptable either.
It is a long time since economics A level, so I have forgotten how else we pay for current and future borrowing?1 -
Was it worse than that joke Cameron got grief over?Cyclefree said:
I believe his treatment of Julia Gillard is what is usually referenced when this accusation is made.coach said:
I don't know are there others? Its why I askedAlistair said:
Yeah, obviously that's not the only statement by Abbot is it.coach said:
Thanks, I guessed it would be something trivial like thattlg86 said:
He made a comment about explaining to housewives that ironing would become more expensive in the context of green taxes.coach said:Can somebody help me out with Abbott please, if he opposes same sex marriage that's fair enough (I don't, for the records) but is he a misogynist?
Its become difficult to tell if accusations are true, a bit like when somebody is called a racist. And please, I'm not defending a bloke I know little about, just asking for evidence rather than allegations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkzjs-nEM2o1 -
I suppose it has. I thought Mrs May naive to enter the political bedroom with Sammy "Vote Trump" Wilson.Nigelb said:
Hasn’t it been that since May’s deal for Parliamentary support ?Mexicanpete said:
Did you not read HYUFD earlier? He foresees a "union" of England, Wales and Antrim.RochdalePioneers said:I'm confused. How can a blind-loyal to Johnson person claim to be a staunch unionist? What is Unionist about sticking a border down the Irish Sea so that you have to make customs declarations to send goods between one part of the UK and another?
Is the "Union" being referred to England? Because its certainly not the UK.
It is not as fanciful as one might think either, we could airlift supplies in daily to Aldergrove Airport- it worked for West Berlin.
My reservation however is, it is very much a dilution of the notion of the Conservative and Unionist Party. More a Conservative and North Antrim Unionist Party.0 -
Trivial? It clearly sums up his life views about womens place in society, if that’s trivial maybe you hold such views yourself.coach said:
Thanks, I guessed it would be something trivial like thattlg86 said:
He made a comment about explaining to housewives that ironing would become more expensive in the context of green taxes.coach said:Can somebody help me out with Abbott please, if he opposes same sex marriage that's fair enough (I don't, for the records) but is he a misogynist?
Its become difficult to tell if accusations are true, a bit like when somebody is called a racist. And please, I'm not defending a bloke I know little about, just asking for evidence rather than allegations.0 -
Dear me Philip, capitulation! This is why HYUFD thinks you are a Labour Party Trojan horse.Philip_Thompson said:
It doesn't matter what the dominant party of Antrim wants. The dominant party of Merseyside wanted to stay in the EU. But Merseyside has left along with the rest of England.HYUFD said:
It would not just be the end of the name of the country and the economic relationship remaining the same with free trade and no borders, there would be customs posts and tariffs between England and Scotland as a result of a hard Brexit and Scotland voting for independence and to return to the EU.Philip_Thompson said:
I'm not sure that Scotland and NI going would be the end of the United Kingdom is that great an argument to make to someone who has just said that Scotland and NI should go.HYUFD said:
Well I am a Tory and remain a staunch Unionist.Philip_Thompson said:Mr CHB - F**k the IRA but F**k the DUP too.
I have never respected the DUP and seeing Tweets like that just make me think even more than I will never shed a crocodile tear about Boris screwing over the DUP with the Brexit deal.
I hope the SNP get independence not out of any anger with Scotland or desire to see Scotland go, but simply because I think its in Scotland's best interests. If I was a Scot I would vote SNP/Yes despite being a right winger.
I hope that NI goes in part because I want rid of NI. I despise the IRA and loathe its sympathisers at the time, I would never have backed Irish unification pre-peace process but now? I want rid of its troubles, I want rid of its fanaticism and religion, the DUP and Sinn Fein and . . . let them be Ireland's problem, we've dealt with them long enough.
In the words of someone who probably shouldn't be brought up in discussions about Ireland: "You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately... Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"
Ripping the country in two with border posts and tariffs on exports to and from Scotland, inevitable after a No Deal Brexit or even a basic FTA with the EU would not do us any good, Scotland would effectively be an EU colony in the British Isles.
It would also be the end of the United Kingdom, we would become simply England and Wales overnight and as for Northern Ireland I would happily give away the Catholic and Sinn Fein, Remain voting counties on the Irish border like Fermanagh and Tyrone to the Republic of Ireland but in Protestant County Antrim every MP is DUP and every local authority voted Leave and it wants to remain with us.
England, Wales and Antrim would be fine with me, but the UK staying together best of all and that requires unity between the Kingdoms of England and Scotland
In the event NI goes so will Antrim just like how London left the EU.
Antrim will not go, the dominant party in Antrim, the DUP, wants to stay part of the UK and not join the Republic of Ireland, the dominant party in London, Labour, does not want to rejoin the EU and leave the UK
If NI unifies that is it Antrim will have lost. That is democracy. It is also international law under the Good Friday Agreement.0 -
Yes. One slip-up from the Biden team will be enough that these people will be able to say, "We-ell, I didn't really want to vote Trump, but Biden did x, and so I really have no choice."EPG said:Snyder and friends give permission to Republicans to vote Biden. I fear what many of them are looking for is, instead, permission to vote Trump.
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Unfortunately so.Philip_Thompson said:
It doesn't matter what they said then, it matters what they say now.Andy_JS said:When the SNP said the first referendum would be a once in a generation event, I knew that would actually turn out to mean about 5 to 10 years.
If they say now they want another referendum and if the voters vote for them, that is democracy. Plain and simple.
I believe in democracy and democracy trumps all - even prior commitments.0 -
Well duh. There are MPs who wouldnt agree to a tax rise even if it were necessary to make the sun rise in the morning.Scott_xP said:0 -
Robin Hood Energy went well then.
£24m of council money lost according to Telegraph.0 -
I suspect it may be another field where he has lots of mates looking for a bung from Government.Stuartinromford said:Is Tech VC-dom another field where Dom thinks current practitioners are waffle merchants?
Like PPE procurement...1 -
I've said before that the Supreme Court ruling that IndyRef2 must go ahead is a real risk, and they have a taste for overruling Boris as well.CorrectHorseBattery said:https://twitter.com/BBCNewsnight/status/1301647574953271302
Well, this is going to be interesting
James Forsyth's suggestion on how to play this is very instructive. Essential reading.1 -
Robbed from the rich (Nottingham City Council ratepayers)... and given ... to British Gas.rottenborough said:Robin Hood Energy went well then.
£24m of council money lost according to Telegraph.
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Not reallyCasino_Royale said:James Forsyth's suggestion on how to play this is very instructive. Essential reading.
https://twitter.com/JohnRentoul/status/13015952928658350100 -
HMG invests £522m in attempting to boost obesity and diabetes.0
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We heard the exact same thing last year and you're reacting in the exact same way. Is there a tiny part that remembers that certainty?Scott_xP said:
That doesn't mean we should be complacent about the prospect of no deal, but why are you so certain this time you're right when you, and I, were wrong before about what he wants?0
