It’s the economy again, stupid – politicalbetting.com
It’s the economy again, stupid – politicalbetting.com
As UK inflation hits a 30-year high, 71% of Britons – including 57% of Conservative voters – say the government is mishandling the issuehttps://t.co/gnFTZqsd5I pic.twitter.com/SNwNPsTGMe
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There are a lots of things to attack Boris for, but for the millionth time everbody is going to get COVID at some point. With Omicron its too infectious. Unless you want to live like a hermit for the rest of your days, you are going to come into contact with people who have it and then its just a matter of probability.
Given Charles and Camilla have it, and they have been spending time with her, I think its pretty likely she got it off them, so any recent changes to rules is totally mute. Omicron household spread is huge, so unless Boris is going to go back to banning families from ever meeting, its going to happen.
Looks like 14-17 CFR for 90+
DUP MLA Christopher Stalford dies aged 39
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-60451845
So it might be possible to exclude Harry on the basis he has emigrated and Andrew on the basis he can't perform public duties.
OK, that brings Andrew's daughters into the equation, but that might still be a possible solution.
Commons Committee chair Caroline Nokes tells T&G the news that the Queen has Covid-19 “makes it tricky” for the Government to end all restrictions this week, "but we have to strike a balance"
@TimesRadio
https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1495388007653949442
(but weirdly on topic)
Malmesbury said:
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Nope - Gorbachev was known as the reformer from long before his rise to power. He was a moderate on implementation, but hardline Communist in theory. So when he removed the savagery of the suppression of opposition to the regime, he was surprised to discover that he had accidentally pulled the whole thing down - he wasn't intending to reform the system. Just the implementation.
Rodríguez was corrupt, in bed with the drug cartels of the day, mostly owned by the CIA and generally as bad as you could get. Some say that the CIA bribed hm to introduce democracy. Others that he thought that he could ride a wave of popularity by introducing democracy and escape justice by doing so. Or maybe he just got religion? You could write one hell of screen play about that....
Rodríguez suceded in his aims. Gorbachev failed - deservedly.
EDT : PJ O'Rourke wrote about the Paraguay coup in Give War A Chance.
I said:
PJ O'Rourke a really sad loss this week. My favourite quotes of his are:
"And omnipresent amid all the frenzy of Shanghai is that famous portrait, that modern icon. The faintly smiling, bland, yet somehow threatening visage appears in brilliant red hues on placards and posters, and is painted huge on the sides of buildings. Some call him a genius. Others blame him for the deaths of millions. There are those who say his military reputation was inflated, yet he conquered the mainland in short order. Yes, it’s Colonel Sanders."
And
"Republicans are the party that says that government doesn't work, and then they get elected and prove it."
I guess I don't follow as many numpties as you
One question may be whether there is a co-option or not. Given it's so close to the May elections I would guess not but I could be wrong.
It might also make it harder for the DUP to hold their seat in South Belfast. Or possibly easier if there's a sympathy vote.
UK is well placed to recover - the biggest issues at the moment are the supply chain slowdowns and high gas prices thanks to Russia, both of which are getting better. The inflation we are seeing is likely to be transient, and can be dealt with by reverse QE if it looks more persistent.
https://www.royal.uk/counsellors-state
Two. Charles and William. Problem solved. Though, in any event, one imagines that the only likely scenarios in which the Queen will ultimately need to be replaced are her death (Charles succeeds instantaneously as King) or permanent incapacity (in which case a different set of four individuals to the counsellors of state make a declaration as such, and Charles automatically becomes regent.) So the Dukes of York and Sussex do seem to be entirely peripheral.
FWIW, Prince Andrew and Prince Harry can't be removed as counsellors of state without recourse to primary legislation.
Anecdotally people I know have been getting the biggest pay rises they've had for decades - though in some cases this might not match their cost of living increases.
For those who live within their means and save plentifully each month a significant pay rise is perhaps nice psychologically.
I paraphrase: “the artisans (their word for tradesmen) are finding it easier to raise prices now because people know there are shortages, and they also know that even if things seem expensive now, they will be more so in a year’s time so there’s no sense in delaying”.
That last comment is classic inflation economics 101. Inflation expectations. And this in a country - France - that’s seen well over a decade of house price stagnation and fairly stable material costs.
"It is the beauty of well-designed fascism that it gives every piss-ant an ant hill to piss from."
As for MPs pay, other public sector workers have had a rise so no reason they should be exempt
Got the word farting in there 🤗
We’re you on a romantic break last week TSE? Did it go well?
Off topic 2: Less than 2 months since testing positive (on Christmas Day) my wife has another dose of Covid. Mild cold-like symptoms so far. Bit of a bugger as she was due to visit a friend in Kent this week.
I tried google but all I came up with a segment on the Hungarian chicken party candidate for president (which was pretty funny…)
Even pensioners don't want to shut pubs and shops again, even if they might want to keep the isolation period for Covid cases
https://docs.cdn.yougov.com/4l2mmmwnvw/TheTimes_VI_Results_220211_W2.pdf
Charles and WIlliam have been taking on more and more duties in recent years, as they try and find ways to work around the two black sheep without resort to the formal processes of kicking them out of the family, which as you say requires primary legislation.
Apparently HMQ was less than amused when the Cambridges all turned up at Sandringham in a ‘copter flown by WIlliam himself, and made it clear to him that the family are not to travel together. He;s had to give up flying himself too, apart from the military ones with appropriate support.
However, the Duke of Edinburgh was appointed a Counsellor of State in 1953 so prima facie there seems no reason why Camilla and Catherine couldn't be promoted.
Apart from @TSE going ballistic, obviously.
Having said that, there is a BDS. People who are driven so mad by Boris that they assert almost godly powers of malice to him, whilst also saying he is an incompetent buffoon. Sane people who lose all sense of reason whenever Boris is mentioned.
The Queen tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday but was given a reason to smile at Newbury, with exciting prospect Kincardine justifying odds-on favouritism in the 2m½f maiden hurdle.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the monarch tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday with mild symptoms, so a four-and-a-half-length success in the opener for the Nicky Henderson-trained runner would have come as a welcome boost.
The five-year-old, who was also bred by the Queen, was pulled up at Ascot last time, but had previously finished a good third at Newbury. He was in much better form this time, with the 4-6 shot making all to finish well clear of Super Duper Sam.
https://www.racingpost.com/news/race-reports/newbury-winner-a-boost-for-the-queen-shortly-after-positive-covid-19-test/539205
“ People are still going WTF?” I love that example because it is so optimistic.
I’m not so convinced though Malmsy. These people that come out the CHECKA, KGB, you can’t reason with them. You can’t think, what puts pressure on me we will apply to them. I don’t want to come over all neecher but They are like Daleks, they have had pityand mercy removed. They can’t see the bigger picture like we can. Can’t say to them, your people like my people, they want security, they want a decent home, decent job, come in from work the kids are doing the homework, someone cutting carrots at window, decent infrastructure, decent education, decent hospitals - you can’t say this to them, they haven’t clue what you are babbling about, they have spent their life in a basement shooting intelligentsia like you in the head with a bullet, playing tinker tailor solider spy.
Is it like you sez we know how Putin ticks he’s a greater Russian nationalist. Or is he less emotional than that, a Dalek that only cares bout legacy? Because on his watch his legacy of greater Russia has shrunk, the autonomous bits of old Soviet Union, led by leaders who are not conditioned by being checka their whole life, look westerwards for investment, commerce, wealth and comfort and security for their people.
I do apologise for this gonzo, I have been polishing off the wine box. We normally go out Sunday afternoon, but I said I would do a beef bourguigiynionnon. So you got me all after noon. 😦
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-7TzJ1bO5w
"they want security, they want a decent home, decent job, come in from work the kids are doing the homework, someone cutting carrots at window, decent infrastructure, decent education, decent hospitals" - that is what drove the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the creation of Putin. Someone who can deliver....
If Putinism stops delivering.... well the next chap might try real reform....
So expect more middle class demands for working class pay restrictions and whining of "the locals aren't willing to do the work" variety.
...the Counsellors of State shall be the wife or husband of the Sovereign (if the Sovereign is married), and the four persons who, excluding any persons disqualified under this section, are next in the line of succession to the Crown...
The four/five counsellors of state are therefore strictly defined in legislation - the consort (if there is one,) and the first four people in the line of succession who are qualified to act as regent. There's no provision in the current law specifically to remove any of these people from the position and/or appoint anyone else to it.
You seem to spend a lot of time on Twitter. There are quite a few there blaming Boris.
As for Nokes comment I don’t see why one very wealthy, privileged, individual catching Covid changes anything with regards to ending restrictions. It’s the right thing to do, other nations are opening up. So should we.
I would have thought that having Omicron previously would give the best protection against further Omicron infection but perhaps that's not the case in reality.
Up to now, the cash savings accumulated by many middle class households during the virus has cushioned the blow of inflation but those reserves will be consumed by overpriced holidays and a return to full-blooded consumption which in turn which help fuel more inflation.
My local Tesco's now at 143.9p for petrol - 4p off its all time high just before the 2008 financial crash when oil prices were much higher (but of course sterling hadn't had the post-Referendum devaluation).
The other problem is a 2% inflation and 5% wage rises keeps everyone happy - it doesn't work so well the other way and savings rates remain miserably low. Try seeing what an ISA or Premium Bonds will get you these days.
I hope the Queen is OK but she's mortal and her card will be marked one day, whether it be Covid or anything else, we have to trust the vaccines.
If not now, post-three doses of vaccine, then when?
Absolutely pissing it down.
If the B of E continues to increase interest rates that will help savers and control inflation too.
If more people holiday in Britain this year because of expensive airfares abroad that will also help the UK tourist industry
As you said, its a cold.
https://inews.co.uk/news/queen-health-monarch-mobility-issues-walking-stick-public-audience-1465471
Hopefully however Her Majesty has a few years left in her but she is 95, she has had as much protection as she can get being double vaccinated and boosted
Days like this bring out the class warrior in me. Let's see those smug rich bastard footballers suffer.
I mean, the guy's a joke, but if you say he is one, then I fear many politicians would fall under the same banner...
The key factor for the Tory core vote is continual house price inflation: the middle class elderly accumulate asset wealth, which they (and the heirs) expect to be passed down the generations as close to intact as possible. If the Tories want to make sure that all the olds turn out to bolster their support at the next election, they should go into it with a headline promise to scrap inheritance tax, backed up by more bribes for pensioners.
She went in to work on Tuesday so that was probably the source of infection.
Good weekend for Manchester. 😆
The Tories need to expand home ownership as far as they can. Their future depends on it.
A large swathe of the country thinks Boris is a tosser though.
He is an incompetent buffoon. There is no evidence to the contrary.
The fact he is PM is due to his buffoonery, not his competence.
I worked in Leeds for six years and I know how much their fans having been waiting for matches like this.
https://www.health.com/condition/antisocial-personality-disorder/sociopath-traits
Lack of empathy: Smirks at Starmer death threats
Difficult Relationships: Not sure you need examples here but can provide many if you really want me to
Manipulativeness: See above
Deceitfulness: See above
Callousness: Let the bodies pile high
Hostility: Facial expressions at PMQ
Irresponsibility: Guppy
Impulsivity: Frequent affairs
Risky Behaviour: See above
Seems pretty clear cut to a layman.
Estimates are 3-4% of males are sociopaths, and they will definitely be drawn to politics and suited to it. So yes many of the top politicians will be sociopaths but far from all or even the majority.
Trouble is, it means massive building and that means in places where NIMBY tories don't want them. I don't see a solution without going onto brownfield AND greenfield sites.
Too many people chasing too few goods is basic A level economics but it holds good for an island which is small and over-populated.
The other solution is to turn Britain into such a shitshow that people won't want to live here anymore. Oh wait ...
North of Watford properties are much cheaper to buy anyway, even for those on average salaries, hence the Tories made almost all their gains in 2019 there.
In London and the South inheritance and parental assistance will continue to help the young on average salaries there get on the property ladder.
Building affordable homes in the brownbelt to buy (not buy to let) will help but building too much in the greenbelt will just turn off the Tory core vote and turn much of it LD.
Getting young people to buy property is also not a guarantee of a Tory win, Blair won most of those with mortgages for example
The issue is not whether he is a tosser, the issue is the people who can move him don't care
His having the top job was down to Theresa May proving to be a buffoon at managing Brexit through Westminster.
Boris putting a social care costs limit of £86k over a lifetime will also go down well with the Tory core vote