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A UK recession in 2022? – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 11,002
edited May 2022 in General
imageA UK recession in 2022? – politicalbetting.com

I’m not keen on this betting market from Smarkets, despite the grim news from Andrew Bailey and the Bank of England earlier on this week.

Read the full story here

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Comments

  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,559
    Quite Mr Eagles

    recession 2023
  • dixiedeandixiedean Posts: 27,835
    edited May 2022
    Second. Yep it's coming. Whether this year or next. Fortunately we have a wise government not afraid to take unpopular measures, laser focussed on the important stuff.
    Meanwhile Leeds United look woeful fortunately.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 32,728
    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117
    edited May 2022
    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    ..
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 47,786
    German police confiscate a large Ukrainian flag in Berlin:

    https://twitter.com/rbb24/status/1523253081072599040
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,081
    edited May 2022
    Looks at "the heir to the throne of the kingdom of idiots".
    Looks at the Tory front bench.

    You're saying we *should* bet on a 2023 election?
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 113,956
    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    Not sure I’ll be able to cope with a Doctor who has previously done sex scenes.

    Love him in Sex Education.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 39,117

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    Not sure I’ll be able to cope with a Doctor who has previously done sex scenes.

    Love him in Sex Education.
    Just wait till they give the job to an AI.
  • RandallFlaggRandallFlagg Posts: 1,151
    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    To be fair, there was plenty of debate as to whether there should be a female doctor prior to Whittaker getting the gig. Don't recall any debate about whether the Doctor should always be played by a white bloke or not, by comparison. There was a rumour for one that Chiwetel Ejiofor was in the running to place Tennant before Matt Smith got cast.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614
    edited May 2022
    The longer the Chinese economy is closed by Covid, and the longer war in Ukraine continues, the more likely a recession in the West.

    It’s a difficult betting market though, any recession could be very technical, or subsequently revised so the “correct” answer comes after the market has settled. That much is made clear by Smarkets though.

    Thankfully we no longer have FoM with the EU, which will reduce the unemployment count in the downturn - even if people spend time temporarily under-employed.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 24,583
    edited May 2022
    Surely with Starmergate derailing Labour and Johnson having now ridden out his local difficulties, he would be mad not to cut and run for a July 2022 election before the economic picture becomes too lairy for him.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 23,926
    A recession for waiters, perhaps, as the FT warned during the week.

    Boris Johnson bins plan to let workers keep tips

    UK ministers are shelving plans to ensure that workers keep their tips, despite having first promised to do six years ago, in a move that has angered trade unions.

    Paul Scully, the business minister, announced in September that the government would take action to make it illegal for employers to withhold tips from workers. The plan was designed to prevent restaurants from the increasingly common practice of taking a share of tips rather than passing them on to staff.

    The idea had been on the back burner since it was first put forward by Sajid Javid when he was business secretary in 2016. But government insiders say that the idea has been dropped from the Queen’s Speech on May 10.

    And so on and so on.

    BEIS suggested that the government would encourage that “industry best practice” on tipping should be applied by employers.

    “Workers should absolutely get the tips they deserve, and customers should have reassurance that their money is rewarding staff for their hard work and good service,” said a BEIS spokesperson. They added that under existing legislation, tips cannot count towards minimum wage pay.

    https://www.ft.com/content/bbf6ca4b-0405-4ca7-bb31-990b55ee75cd (£££)

    Here is the government confirming its original plans just last year:
    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/all-tips-to-go-to-staff-under-government-plans-to-enhance-rights-of-2-million-workers
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 9,005
    Are we actually above pre-covid levels of output yet? If not it seems silly to be talking about a new recession when we aren't out of the previous one.

    Even if it does meet the technical definition.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,206
    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,603

    Are we actually above pre-covid levels of output yet? If not it seems silly to be talking about a new recession when we aren't out of the previous one.

    Even if it does meet the technical definition.

    Yes, by a fair amount too.
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701
    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    I don’t know what that dick on Twitter is on about. The reaction has been incredibly positive from fandom so far.
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701
    Leon said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
    There ar a few of us here who are fans of Dr Who. So what if we are. It’s no more tragic than being a fan of a soccer team.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    - “Only the heir to the throne of the kingdom of idiots would contemplate holding a general election during such a poor economic climate.”

    Theresa May, Gordon Brown and others have all made appalling GE timing errors.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 23,926

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    To be fair, there was plenty of debate as to whether there should be a female doctor prior to Whittaker getting the gig. Don't recall any debate about whether the Doctor should always be played by a white bloke or not, by comparison. There was a rumour for one that Chiwetel Ejiofor was in the running to place Tennant before Matt Smith got cast.
    No doubt this new chap will do a bang-up job but he wasn't the Black actor I'd bet on. :disappointed:

    The problem with Jodie Whitaker is the producers lost their nerve about a woman doctor, tested the notion to death with lady masters and mothers, then surrounded JW with half a dozen halfwits and told her to gabble her lines.
  • Nunu3Nunu3 Posts: 178
    Reflecting on the local elections- ot seems the underlying trends of the red wall trending tory and the affluent Remain areas trending away from the tories is continuing.

    That didn't mean the tories have gained seats overall in the red wall seats, of course, just that they didn't lose as many in these areas
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 23,926
    Leon said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
    Some of us had bet on it. Unsuccessfully in my case.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 50,759
    The value on this, in my opinion, is on yes. I think it more likely than not that we will have a recession in Q3 and Q4 this year as factories go on short time or temporary stop because of a lack of key parts from China and the increase in inflation squeezes a lot of disposible income out of the system. Demand is also going to struggle in the EU given the more direct effects of oil and gas sanctions on them putting pressure on exports.

    We still have a government spending like crazy on things such as the NHS but there will be strikes in the public sector about wages falling behind in the second half of the year too. We may be talking about a few tenths here or there this year but it still seems likely to me. Next year, unless things seriously change, it is likely to be worse.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,603
    Recession will be unlikely as it's two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. It's more likely we see one quarter or maybe two non-consecutive quarters.

    A lot depends on how well/badly Europe deals with the oncoming inflationary storm too. Domestic demand will dip over the summer but external demand may actually crash because everything that's happening in the UK is also happening all across the continent without the benefit of 5-7% pay increases and a higher disposable income starting point or the ability to live with higher average levels of credit.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614

    Are we actually above pre-covid levels of output yet? If not it seems silly to be talking about a new recession when we aren't out of the previous one.

    Even if it does meet the technical definition.

    Yes, but only in the last couple of months.

    https://www.statista.com/statistics/1175538/monthly-gdp-uk/

    Supply constraints from the pandemic are holding the economy back, as are high fuel prices.
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    To be fair, there was plenty of debate as to whether there should be a female doctor prior to Whittaker getting the gig. Don't recall any debate about whether the Doctor should always be played by a white bloke or not, by comparison. There was a rumour for one that Chiwetel Ejiofor was in the running to place Tennant before Matt Smith got cast.
    I haven't watched Doctor Who in a few years, and not because of the gender or colour of the lead actor.

    It was because the writing and stories were really, really poor. Nothing I've seen online suggests it's got much better. Which is a shame, really.
    Chibnall and the latter Moffat stuff was poor. RTD is a class above them. We will see. I’m optimistic for the show.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    Front page of Dagens Industri (our equivalent of the Financial Times) was a top investor saying he’s battening down the hatches. He expects 7 dreadful economic years ahead. Yepp: seven years. And that’s for Sweden, which doesn’t have a fraction of the structural problems that England faces.

    (His bolt holes include property, especially forests. Two-thirds of Sweden, the 5th largest country in Europe, is forest.)
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    To be fair, there was plenty of debate as to whether there should be a female doctor prior to Whittaker getting the gig. Don't recall any debate about whether the Doctor should always be played by a white bloke or not, by comparison. There was a rumour for one that Chiwetel Ejiofor was in the running to place Tennant before Matt Smith got cast.
    Well there was debate about a non white doctor. Paterson Joseph, when publicising the awful reboot of Survivors made comments which was all about publicising the new show but implied he was being considered for the role. Discussed certainly on gallifreybase and rootards
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,081
    edited May 2022
    Leon said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
    My other half (amongst other things) writes Doctor Who spin off stuff for BBC books etc, so we're quite interested.
  • The global market conditions are pointing firmly to a recession now, though possibly in 2023 or a hokey-cokey period of contraction and growth that doesn't meet the technical definition.

    The Chinese are utterly bonkers with their Covid restrictions and that is going to royally screw the global economy. I'm actually quite flabbergasted how badly they're playing this - and how little attention its getting. The story in China should be the second-biggest story of the year, after Ukraine/Russia but very few people seem to be paying attention to it.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 23,926
    Taz said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    To be fair, there was plenty of debate as to whether there should be a female doctor prior to Whittaker getting the gig. Don't recall any debate about whether the Doctor should always be played by a white bloke or not, by comparison. There was a rumour for one that Chiwetel Ejiofor was in the running to place Tennant before Matt Smith got cast.
    I haven't watched Doctor Who in a few years, and not because of the gender or colour of the lead actor.

    It was because the writing and stories were really, really poor. Nothing I've seen online suggests it's got much better. Which is a shame, really.
    Chibnall and the latter Moffat stuff was poor. RTD is a class above them. We will see. I’m optimistic for the show.
    RTD was good but fond of deus ex machina endings iirc.
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701
    edited May 2022

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    Not sure I’ll be able to cope with a Doctor who has previously done sex scenes.

    Love him in Sex Education.
    Whittaker had done sex scenes before she was cast in the role.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 14,081

    - “Only the heir to the throne of the kingdom of idiots would contemplate holding a general election during such a poor economic climate.”

    Theresa May, Gordon Brown and others have all made appalling GE timing errors.

    May's timing wasn't that bad- she was comfortably ahead in the polls, needed a rebellion-proof majority and plenty of time between B-Day and the subsequent election to let any turbulence die down.

    What was foolish was letting Nick Timothy write the manifesto, especially if the aim was to get a blank cheque mandate for her version of Brexit.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 32,728
    U.S. First Lady Jill Biden has crossed the border into Ukraine by motorcade as she makes surprise visit

    For more on this and other news visit http://trib.al/Rx0iR33
  • ApplicantApplicant Posts: 3,379

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    To be fair, there was plenty of debate as to whether there should be a female doctor prior to Whittaker getting the gig. Don't recall any debate about whether the Doctor should always be played by a white bloke or not, by comparison. There was a rumour for one that Chiwetel Ejiofor was in the running to place Tennant before Matt Smith got cast.
    I haven't watched Doctor Who in a few years, and not because of the gender or colour of the lead actor.

    It was because the writing and stories were really, really poor. Nothing I've seen online suggests it's got much better. Which is a shame, really.
    Yeah, I drifted away in the Smith era for much the same reason.

    I never thought there was anything fundamental to the character of the Doctor that meant it couldn't be portrayed by a woman - certainly, the idea is far less preposterous than a female James Bond - but by all accounts the writing badly let Whittaker down.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 60,933
    FPT:
    F1: after some agonising, backed Bottas to win group 1 (other drivers are all British) at 3.3.

    https://enormo-haddock.blogspot.com/2022/05/miami-pre-race-2022.html

    [And I'm off].
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614

    The global market conditions are pointing firmly to a recession now, though possibly in 2023 or a hokey-cokey period of contraction and growth that doesn't meet the technical definition.

    The Chinese are utterly bonkers with their Covid restrictions and that is going to royally screw the global economy. I'm actually quite flabbergasted how badly they're playing this - and how little attention its getting. The story in China should be the second-biggest story of the year, after Ukraine/Russia but very few people seem to be paying attention to it.

    Yup. Someone needs to tell Xi to accept losing face, and order a billion Western Covid vaccines yesterday.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146

    Surely with Starmergate derailing Labour and Johnson having now ridden out his local difficulties, he would be mad not to cut and run for a July 2022 election before the economic picture becomes too lairy for him.

    A 2022 GE is 15/1
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 9,005
    Are the Tories pandering to the DUP and if so, can anyone explain why? They used to have a close relationship with the UUP and they obviously needed their support whilst a minority government. But why now? Are they actually feeling guilty about Brexit?
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701

    Taz said:

    Leon said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
    There ar a few of us here who are fans of Dr Who. So what if we are. It’s no more tragic than being a fan of a soccer team.
    If a Doctor Who is a football team, then it's probably very comparable to Manchester Utd right now. A once great team/show ineptly run by its owners, incompetently managed, with a poor cast/team.
    Which has just appointed a great new manager and an unknown with great potential as captain. In RTD we trust
  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 14,911
    There will be a mechanical boost to Q3 from the extra bank holiday in Q2 and that might prevent the technical definition of a recession - two consecutive quarters of negative growth - from holding. The economy is heading for trouble though whatever you call it.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,206

    Are we actually above pre-covid levels of output yet? If not it seems silly to be talking about a new recession when we aren't out of the previous one.

    Even if it does meet the technical definition.

    Hey, @FrankBooth was it you who was recently in Albania?

    I may need some recommendations as I might be going there shortly
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701
    mwadams said:

    Leon said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
    My other half (amongst other things) writes Doctor Who spin off stuff for BBC books etc, so we're quite interested.
    Big Finish too ?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    edited May 2022
    Sandpit said:

    The global market conditions are pointing firmly to a recession now, though possibly in 2023 or a hokey-cokey period of contraction and growth that doesn't meet the technical definition.

    The Chinese are utterly bonkers with their Covid restrictions and that is going to royally screw the global economy. I'm actually quite flabbergasted how badly they're playing this - and how little attention its getting. The story in China should be the second-biggest story of the year, after Ukraine/Russia but very few people seem to be paying attention to it.

    Yup. Someone needs to tell Xi to accept losing face, and order a billion Western Covid vaccines yesterday.
    The Chinese public won't take them. In Hong Kong they had the option to get a western mRNA vaccine and overwhelmingly they picked the duff Chinese ones.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 23,926

    - “Only the heir to the throne of the kingdom of idiots would contemplate holding a general election during such a poor economic climate.”

    Theresa May, Gordon Brown and others have all made appalling GE timing errors.

    May's timing wasn't that bad- she was comfortably ahead in the polls, needed a rebellion-proof majority and plenty of time between B-Day and the subsequent election to let any turbulence die down.

    What was foolish was letting Nick Timothy write the manifesto, especially if the aim was to get a blank cheque mandate for her version of Brexit.
    Nick Timothy is innocent imo. Lynton Crosby ballsed up the campaign, sidelined ministers and had the PM parroting "strong and stable" even as she announced a U-turn on granny taxes. The last straw was denying the government police cuts had left us vulnerable in the face of not one but two terrorist outrages during the campaign itself.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 31,715
    Old friend of mine was one of the early writers and editors on Dr Who. Died just before the pandemic and I went to the funeral.
    It was a winter morning so the sun was therefore low in the sky and as the coffin was put in the grave a shaft of sunlight shone across the river (it was across from Dovercourt) and right across the grave.
    Almost like the path to the Land of Youth.
  • FrankBoothFrankBooth Posts: 9,005
    Leon said:

    Are we actually above pre-covid levels of output yet? If not it seems silly to be talking about a new recession when we aren't out of the previous one.

    Even if it does meet the technical definition.

    Hey, @FrankBooth was it you who was recently in Albania?

    I may need some recommendations as I might be going there shortly
    Er..... no it was not me. I've never been near there in my life!
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 37,603

    There will be a mechanical boost to Q3 from the extra bank holiday in Q2 and that might prevent the technical definition of a recession - two consecutive quarters of negative growth - from holding. The economy is heading for trouble though whatever you call it.

    Yes, I think this is probably right. Don't think it's a good bet tbh, just because of the need to satisfy the technical definition. We could end up with -1.5% for the year but never actually have a recession.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 113,956
    edited May 2022
    Taz said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    Not sure I’ll be able to cope with a Doctor who has previously done sex scenes.

    Love him in Sex Education.
    Whittaker had done sex scenes before she was cast in the role.
    Oh. Being a man of innocent virtues I haven’t seen those or aware of them.
  • SandpitSandpit Posts: 49,614

    Sandpit said:

    The global market conditions are pointing firmly to a recession now, though possibly in 2023 or a hokey-cokey period of contraction and growth that doesn't meet the technical definition.

    The Chinese are utterly bonkers with their Covid restrictions and that is going to royally screw the global economy. I'm actually quite flabbergasted how badly they're playing this - and how little attention its getting. The story in China should be the second-biggest story of the year, after Ukraine/Russia but very few people seem to be paying attention to it.

    Yup. Someone needs to tell Xi to accept losing face, and order a billion Western Covid vaccines yesterday.
    The Chinese public won't take them. In Hong Kong they had the option to get a western mRNA vaccine and overwhelmingly they picked the duff Chinese ones.
    Rebrand them as the China-rules-the-world vaccines, and make them compulsory for anyone who wants to leave their home. This is the sort of stuff the Chinese are supposed to be good at!
  • novanova Posts: 525

    - “Only the heir to the throne of the kingdom of idiots would contemplate holding a general election during such a poor economic climate.”

    Theresa May, Gordon Brown and others have all made appalling GE timing errors.

    To be fair to Theresa May, she won the locals by 11pts AFTER calling the election, so should have easily won. Her being found out as a little bit weird, and the foolishness of their main policy hitting their most fervent supporters, then U-turning on that policy mid-campaign, would surely have happened whenever she called it.
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701
    Scott_xP said:

    U.S. First Lady Jill Biden has crossed the border into Ukraine by motorcade as she makes surprise visit

    For more on this and other news visit http://trib.al/Rx0iR33

    I’ll stick with the IPL on Sky Sports, thanks.
  • QuincelQuincel Posts: 3,949
    I like the line:

    "One guaranteed bet I’m going to (continue to) make is laying a 2023."

    I too am confident that the apocalypse is imminent.
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701
    edited May 2022

    Taz said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    Not sure I’ll be able to cope with a Doctor who has previously done sex scenes.

    Love him in Sex Education.
    Whittaker had done sex scenes before she was cast in the role.
    Oh. Being a man of innocent virtues I haven’t seen those or aware of them.
    (cough>stepmoms<cough)
  • ApplicantApplicant Posts: 3,379

    Sandpit said:

    The global market conditions are pointing firmly to a recession now, though possibly in 2023 or a hokey-cokey period of contraction and growth that doesn't meet the technical definition.

    The Chinese are utterly bonkers with their Covid restrictions and that is going to royally screw the global economy. I'm actually quite flabbergasted how badly they're playing this - and how little attention its getting. The story in China should be the second-biggest story of the year, after Ukraine/Russia but very few people seem to be paying attention to it.

    Yup. Someone needs to tell Xi to accept losing face, and order a billion Western Covid vaccines yesterday.
    The Chinese public won't take them. In Hong Kong they had the option to get a western mRNA vaccine and overwhelmingly they picked the duff Chinese ones.
    Maybe they can rebadge them under a Chinese label?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,206
    edited May 2022
    MaxPB said:

    Recession will be unlikely as it's two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. It's more likely we see one quarter or maybe two non-consecutive quarters.

    A lot depends on how well/badly Europe deals with the oncoming inflationary storm too. Domestic demand will dip over the summer but external demand may actually crash because everything that's happening in the UK is also happening all across the continent without the benefit of 5-7% pay increases and a higher disposable income starting point or the ability to live with higher average levels of credit.

    If Russia, as promised on state TV, launches its vaunted “Poseidon” hypersonic nuclear torpedo into the Hebrides, causing a 200 metre high tsunami which will devastate the entire British Isles (including Ireland) leaving barely a building intact and drenching the north west of Europe in a flailing fire-storm of lethal radioactive whirlwinds, extinguishing all life above the level of microorganisms and rendering a quarter of the globe uninhabitable for 3,000 years and inviting observing aliens to vaporize the entirety of planet Earth as a threat to neighbouring solar systems then I see that as a downside risk. Definitely an economic headwind. Tricky for Boris
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701

    Old friend of mine was one of the early writers and editors on Dr Who. Died just before the pandemic and I went to the funeral.
    It was a winter morning so the sun was therefore low in the sky and as the coffin was put in the grave a shaft of sunlight shone across the river (it was across from Dovercourt) and right across the grave.
    Almost like the path to the Land of Youth.

    Donald Tosh ?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    edited May 2022
    Sandpit said:

    The global market conditions are pointing firmly to a recession now, though possibly in 2023 or a hokey-cokey period of contraction and growth that doesn't meet the technical definition.

    The Chinese are utterly bonkers with their Covid restrictions and that is going to royally screw the global economy. I'm actually quite flabbergasted how badly they're playing this - and how little attention its getting. The story in China should be the second-biggest story of the year, after Ukraine/Russia but very few people seem to be paying attention to it.

    Yup. Someone needs to tell Xi to accept losing face, and order a billion Western Covid vaccines yesterday.
    I heard an interesting speculation from somebody who lived in China for a long time and married to a Chinese lady that on top of not being able to admit failure / loss of face, there is also internal Chinese politics going on e.g. Shanghai local officials under previous leader where left to become very powerful and so some of this is Xi showing everybody who is boss and that he isn't like leaders of the past 20 years in China, happy to let go of some power, he is in charge and everybody is to know it.
  • londonpubmanlondonpubman Posts: 3,152
    Pubs bars and restaurants busy at the moment!

    They will get a lot quieter Q4 as the prices keep going up, fuel bills become more of a factor and pay and pension rises generally don't occur until Q1/Spring.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 31,715
    edited May 2022
    Taz said:

    Old friend of mine was one of the early writers and editors on Dr Who. Died just before the pandemic and I went to the funeral.
    It was a winter morning so the sun was therefore low in the sky and as the coffin was put in the grave a shaft of sunlight shone across the river (it was across from Dovercourt) and right across the grave.
    Almost like the path to the Land of Youth.

    Donald Tosh ?
    Yes.
    Were you there?
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,081
    Taz said:

    mwadams said:

    Leon said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
    My other half (amongst other things) writes Doctor Who spin off stuff for BBC books etc, so we're quite interested.
    Big Finish too ?
    Yup. She's got a Queen Victoria Torchwood out this month, I think? I confess to losing track of what's written, what's made, and what's out!
  • LeonLeon Posts: 46,206

    Leon said:

    Are we actually above pre-covid levels of output yet? If not it seems silly to be talking about a new recession when we aren't out of the previous one.

    Even if it does meet the technical definition.

    Hey, @FrankBooth was it you who was recently in Albania?

    I may need some recommendations as I might be going there shortly
    Er..... no it was not me. I've never been near there in my life!
    Apols!

    A PB-er was deffo there. I recall reading their travelogue with interest

    *chin stroke*
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,846

    Leon said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
    Some of us had bet on it. Unsuccessfully in my case.
    Did you think it was going to be Idris Elba?
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701
    edited May 2022

    Taz said:

    Old friend of mine was one of the early writers and editors on Dr Who. Died just before the pandemic and I went to the funeral.
    It was a winter morning so the sun was therefore low in the sky and as the coffin was put in the grave a shaft of sunlight shone across the river (it was across from Dovercourt) and right across the grave.
    Almost like the path to the Land of Youth.

    Donald Tosh ?
    Yes.
    He was script editor to John Wiles. They had a vision for the show and were executing it. It’s sad a.of of their work is missing.

    I think their time coincided with William Hartnell becoming somewhat difficult.

    His work is still fondly remembered by fans.

    I wasn’t there, I remember his sad passing being mentioned and discussed at the time. He had contributed to some of the dvd range with interviews.
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,129
    edited May 2022
    On the contemporary list of examples why a workplace gathering might be deemed reasonably necessary, a greasy curry is conspicuous by its absence..

    “preparing for work through a skills programme consisting of:
    a work experience placement, or
    work preparation training;
    applying for, and obtaining, work;
    meeting a requirement for a particular area of work;
    professional training that is working towards an external accreditation recognised by a professional body; or
    exams and assessments carried out in connection with any of the above matters.”

    I don’t think “we thought it was reasonably necessary” quite stands up. In addition;

    “Anyone organising a permitted gathering in accordance with one of the above exceptions is legally required to take all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of coronavirus, including taking into account “any guidance issued by the Government which is relevant to the gathering”.”

    Relevant guidance? Surely the campaigning guidance for the then upcoming local elections;

    “Meetings to organise and plan campaigns should be held online or over the phone. They should not take place in person. Where campaigners must attend in person, for example to collect printed materials, this should be organised on a one by one basis. Campaigners should keep two metres apart and follow the guidance on how to stop the spread of coronavirus at all times.”

  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701
    mwadams said:

    Taz said:

    mwadams said:

    Leon said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
    My other half (amongst other things) writes Doctor Who spin off stuff for BBC books etc, so we're quite interested.
    Big Finish too ?
    Yup. She's got a Queen Victoria Torchwood out this month, I think? I confess to losing track of what's written, what's made, and what's out!
    It’s nigh on impossible. Big Finish are prolific. They have been making original dr who,stories since the late nineties. Not bad for a group,of,guys who started off making audio stories as the show was off air.
  • mwadamsmwadams Posts: 3,081

    Taz said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    Not sure I’ll be able to cope with a Doctor who has previously done sex scenes.

    Love him in Sex Education.
    Whittaker had done sex scenes before she was cast in the role.
    Oh. Being a man of innocent virtues I haven’t seen those or aware of them.
    We won't look at your search history this afternoon, we promise.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 38,846
    Leon said:

    MaxPB said:

    Recession will be unlikely as it's two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. It's more likely we see one quarter or maybe two non-consecutive quarters.

    A lot depends on how well/badly Europe deals with the oncoming inflationary storm too. Domestic demand will dip over the summer but external demand may actually crash because everything that's happening in the UK is also happening all across the continent without the benefit of 5-7% pay increases and a higher disposable income starting point or the ability to live with higher average levels of credit.

    If Russia, as promised on state TV, launches its vaunted “Poseidon” hypersonic nuclear torpedo into the Hebrides, causing a 200 metre high tsunami which will devastate the entire British Isles (including Ireland) leaving barely a building intact and drenching the north west of Europe in a flailing fire-storm of lethal radioactive whirlwinds, extinguishing all life above the level of microorganisms and rendering a quarter of the globe uninhabitable for 3,000 years and inviting observing aliens to vaporize the entirety of planet Earth as a threat to neighbouring solar systems then I see that as a downside risk. Definitely an economic headwind. Tricky for Boris
    He still wouldn't resign.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 31,715
    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Old friend of mine was one of the early writers and editors on Dr Who. Died just before the pandemic and I went to the funeral.
    It was a winter morning so the sun was therefore low in the sky and as the coffin was put in the grave a shaft of sunlight shone across the river (it was across from Dovercourt) and right across the grave.
    Almost like the path to the Land of Youth.

    Donald Tosh ?
    Yes.
    He was script editor to John Wiles. They had a vision for the show and were executing it. It’s sad a.of of their work is missing.

    I think their time coincided with William Hartnell becoming somewhat difficult.

    His work is still fondly remembered by fans.
    I got the impression that one way and another the gods didn't treat a very kindly man very well.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 39,743
    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Are we actually above pre-covid levels of output yet? If not it seems silly to be talking about a new recession when we aren't out of the previous one.

    Even if it does meet the technical definition.

    Hey, @FrankBooth was it you who was recently in Albania?

    I may need some recommendations as I might be going there shortly
    Er..... no it was not me. I've never been near there in my life!
    Apols!

    A PB-er was deffo there. I recall reading their travelogue with interest

    *chin stroke*
    John wossisname, the battle reenactor, I think.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 6,760

    Front page of Dagens Industri (our equivalent of the Financial Times) was a top investor saying he’s battening down the hatches. He expects 7 dreadful economic years ahead. Yepp: seven years. And that’s for Sweden, which doesn’t have a fraction of the structural problems that England faces.

    (His bolt holes include property, especially forests. Two-thirds of Sweden, the 5th largest country in Europe, is forest.)

    Gerald Grosvenor always saw trees and the best hedge
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 23,926
    kinabalu said:

    Leon said:

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    You have to be enormously tragic to give the tiniest iota of a nano-fuck as to “who plays the next Doctor Who”


    I know PB is a safe space for the tragic (I include myself in this) but I don’t think any of us are THAT sad
    Some of us had bet on it. Unsuccessfully in my case.
    Did you think it was going to be Idris Elba?
    No, I think I convinced myself they might do a one-off with Lenny Henry but he was quite short. Can't remember who I backed but it was not Ncuti Gatwa.
  • TazTaz Posts: 10,701

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Old friend of mine was one of the early writers and editors on Dr Who. Died just before the pandemic and I went to the funeral.
    It was a winter morning so the sun was therefore low in the sky and as the coffin was put in the grave a shaft of sunlight shone across the river (it was across from Dovercourt) and right across the grave.
    Almost like the path to the Land of Youth.

    Donald Tosh ?
    Yes.
    He was script editor to John Wiles. They had a vision for the show and were executing it. It’s sad a.of of their work is missing.

    I think their time coincided with William Hartnell becoming somewhat difficult.

    His work is still fondly remembered by fans.
    I got the impression that one way and another the gods didn't treat a very kindly man very well.
    Yes, that’s the case but (not excusing it) it did seem to happen a bit back then. Jackie lane was cast, by Wiles and Tosh, as a companion but dropped a few stories later as a new team came in. Michael Imison who directed the Ark was just kicked out after that ended up running a bookshop selling east European books and under the eye of special branch.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 6,760
    Scott_xP said:

    U.S. First Lady Jill Biden has crossed the border into Ukraine by motorcade as she makes surprise visit

    For more on this and other news visit http://trib.al/Rx0iR33

    Kamala not available then 😄
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 39,743
    Could wash the dishes in Shilton's tears mind.


  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    edited May 2022
    President Biden repeated a story about an encounter with an Amtrak conductor friend for the seventh time

    Biden, 79, was speaking at the launch of the Additive Manufacturing Forward initiative in Ohio with Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman when he recalled the encounter with rail worker Angelo Negri.

    He appears to shift the date of the meeting from his last retelling, where he claimed it happened in 2015, to before the death of his mother in January 2010, when he was Vice President.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10793245/Biden-repeats-false-story-encounter-Amtrak-conductor-SEVENTH-time.html
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 31,715
    edited May 2022
    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Old friend of mine was one of the early writers and editors on Dr Who. Died just before the pandemic and I went to the funeral.
    It was a winter morning so the sun was therefore low in the sky and as the coffin was put in the grave a shaft of sunlight shone across the river (it was across from Dovercourt) and right across the grave.
    Almost like the path to the Land of Youth.

    Donald Tosh ?
    Yes.
    He was script editor to John Wiles. They had a vision for the show and were executing it. It’s sad a.of of their work is missing.

    I think their time coincided with William Hartnell becoming somewhat difficult.

    His work is still fondly remembered by fans.
    I got the impression that one way and another the gods didn't treat a very kindly man very well.
    Yes, that’s the case but (not excusing it) it did seem to happen a bit back then. Jackie lane was cast, by Wiles and Tosh, as a companion but dropped a few stories later as a new team came in. Michael Imison who directed the Ark was just kicked out after that ended up running a bookshop selling east European books and under the eye of special branch.
    I met Donald, as he was always known, in both our retirements. As he told his story, in bits and pieces, as one does, he seemed to have gone round and round in an ever deteriorating spiral

    It seemed rather sad. He was definitely an asset to our community.
    .
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 5,129
    I think Mary Foy is becoming something of a role model for me.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 6,760

    Leon said:

    Are we actually above pre-covid levels of output yet? If not it seems silly to be talking about a new recession when we aren't out of the previous one.

    Even if it does meet the technical definition.

    Hey, @FrankBooth was it you who was recently in Albania?

    I may need some recommendations as I might be going there shortly
    Er..... no it was not me. I've never been near there in my life!
    This is a fun primer

    https://www.amazon.com/King-Zog-Albania-Europes-Self-Made/dp/0814782833
  • londonpubmanlondonpubman Posts: 3,152
    dixiedean said:

    Second. Yep it's coming. Whether this year or next. Fortunately we have a wise government not afraid to take unpopular measures, laser focussed on the important stuff.
    Meanwhile Leeds United look woeful fortunately.

    Looking very good for Everton. It's between Leeds and Burnley for the last relegation place.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 6,760
    Leon said:

    MaxPB said:

    Recession will be unlikely as it's two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. It's more likely we see one quarter or maybe two non-consecutive quarters.

    A lot depends on how well/badly Europe deals with the oncoming inflationary storm too. Domestic demand will dip over the summer but external demand may actually crash because everything that's happening in the UK is also happening all across the continent without the benefit of 5-7% pay increases and a higher disposable income starting point or the ability to live with higher average levels of credit.

    If Russia, as promised on state TV, launches its vaunted “Poseidon” hypersonic nuclear torpedo into the Hebrides, causing a 200 metre high tsunami which will devastate the entire British Isles (including Ireland) leaving barely a building intact and drenching the north west of Europe in a flailing fire-storm of lethal radioactive whirlwinds, extinguishing all life above the level of microorganisms and rendering a quarter of the globe uninhabitable for 3,000 years and inviting observing aliens to vaporize the entirety of planet Earth as a threat to neighbouring solar systems then I see that as a downside risk. Definitely an economic headwind. Tricky for Boris
    You always want to lay that sort of risk

    ‘Cos if it happens chances are the winner won’t be around to collect
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 20,448

    President Biden repeated a story about an encounter with an Amtrak conductor friend for the seventh time

    Biden, 79, was speaking at the launch of the Additive Manufacturing Forward initiative in Ohio with Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman when he recalled the encounter with rail worker Angelo Negri.

    He appears to shift the date of the meeting from his last retelling, where he claimed it happened in 2015, to before the death of his mother in January 2010, when he was Vice President.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10793245/Biden-repeats-false-story-encounter-Amtrak-conductor-SEVENTH-time.html

    It is as if the Daily Mail journalists have never met someone in their late seventies......
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 6,760

    Sandpit said:

    The global market conditions are pointing firmly to a recession now, though possibly in 2023 or a hokey-cokey period of contraction and growth that doesn't meet the technical definition.

    The Chinese are utterly bonkers with their Covid restrictions and that is going to royally screw the global economy. I'm actually quite flabbergasted how badly they're playing this - and how little attention its getting. The story in China should be the second-biggest story of the year, after Ukraine/Russia but very few people seem to be paying attention to it.

    Yup. Someone needs to tell Xi to accept losing face, and order a billion Western Covid vaccines yesterday.
    I heard an interesting speculation from somebody who lived in China for a long time and married to a Chinese lady that on top of not being able to admit failure / loss of face, there is also internal Chinese politics going on e.g. Shanghai local officials under previous leader where left to become very powerful and so some of this is Xi showing everybody who is boss and that he isn't like leaders of the past 20 years in China, happy to let go of some power, he is in charge and everybody is to know it.
    The Mayor of Shanghai is probably the most powerful man in China outside of the Politburo. I can quite believe your friend’s view.
  • kjhkjh Posts: 10,456

    President Biden repeated a story about an encounter with an Amtrak conductor friend for the seventh time

    Biden, 79, was speaking at the launch of the Additive Manufacturing Forward initiative in Ohio with Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman when he recalled the encounter with rail worker Angelo Negri.

    He appears to shift the date of the meeting from his last retelling, where he claimed it happened in 2015, to before the death of his mother in January 2010, when he was Vice President.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10793245/Biden-repeats-false-story-encounter-Amtrak-conductor-SEVENTH-time.html

    It is as if the Daily Mail journalists have never met someone in their late seventies......
    I should introduce them to my Dad. They would have a field day.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 6,760

    President Biden repeated a story about an encounter with an Amtrak conductor friend for the seventh time

    Biden, 79, was speaking at the launch of the Additive Manufacturing Forward initiative in Ohio with Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman when he recalled the encounter with rail worker Angelo Negri.

    He appears to shift the date of the meeting from his last retelling, where he claimed it happened in 2015, to before the death of his mother in January 2010, when he was Vice President.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10793245/Biden-repeats-false-story-encounter-Amtrak-conductor-SEVENTH-time.html

    So what? It’s a harmless anecdote to add colour to an important point
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 50,759
    Leon said:

    MaxPB said:

    Recession will be unlikely as it's two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. It's more likely we see one quarter or maybe two non-consecutive quarters.

    A lot depends on how well/badly Europe deals with the oncoming inflationary storm too. Domestic demand will dip over the summer but external demand may actually crash because everything that's happening in the UK is also happening all across the continent without the benefit of 5-7% pay increases and a higher disposable income starting point or the ability to live with higher average levels of credit.

    If Russia, as promised on state TV, launches its vaunted “Poseidon” hypersonic nuclear torpedo into the Hebrides, causing a 200 metre high tsunami which will devastate the entire British Isles (including Ireland) leaving barely a building intact and drenching the north west of Europe in a flailing fire-storm of lethal radioactive whirlwinds, extinguishing all life above the level of microorganisms and rendering a quarter of the globe uninhabitable for 3,000 years and inviting observing aliens to vaporize the entirety of planet Earth as a threat to neighbouring solar systems then I see that as a downside risk. Definitely an economic headwind. Tricky for Boris
    On the plus side we would no longer have to worry about the GFA.
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,328
    edited May 2022
    Amongst all the dross on Twitter are some very useful information and analysis sources. And then there's the rare gem who makes me belly laugh out loud sitting alone in my hotel room:

    J-L Cauvin
    @JLCauvin
    ·
    33m
    The media is sharing that Jill Biden visited Ukraine.

    And yet they are silent about Melania Trump starting a channel on YouPorn.

    The pro Biden bias is disgraceful.
  • ApplicantApplicant Posts: 3,379

    dixiedean said:

    Second. Yep it's coming. Whether this year or next. Fortunately we have a wise government not afraid to take unpopular measures, laser focussed on the important stuff.
    Meanwhile Leeds United look woeful fortunately.

    Looking very good for Everton. It's between Leeds and Burnley for the last relegation place.
    And at the other end of the table, we could soon be getting a St Totteringham's Day for the first time since 2016. Arsenal have really benefitted from not having to play Thursday night European football. Based on yesterday's performance, it looks like Man Utd are trying to do the same thing, but they probably already have too many points.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,603

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    To be fair, there was plenty of debate as to whether there should be a female doctor prior to Whittaker getting the gig. Don't recall any debate about whether the Doctor should always be played by a white bloke or not, by comparison. There was a rumour for one that Chiwetel Ejiofor was in the running to place Tennant before Matt Smith got cast.
    The Doctor worship stuff is what annoys most real fans.

    The Doctor is a complex character who has made some seriously dubious decisions - particularly by todays standards. Exterminating intelligent species, for example.

    “You would make a good Dalek.”
  • AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,559
    DavidL said:

    Leon said:

    MaxPB said:

    Recession will be unlikely as it's two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. It's more likely we see one quarter or maybe two non-consecutive quarters.

    A lot depends on how well/badly Europe deals with the oncoming inflationary storm too. Domestic demand will dip over the summer but external demand may actually crash because everything that's happening in the UK is also happening all across the continent without the benefit of 5-7% pay increases and a higher disposable income starting point or the ability to live with higher average levels of credit.

    If Russia, as promised on state TV, launches its vaunted “Poseidon” hypersonic nuclear torpedo into the Hebrides, causing a 200 metre high tsunami which will devastate the entire British Isles (including Ireland) leaving barely a building intact and drenching the north west of Europe in a flailing fire-storm of lethal radioactive whirlwinds, extinguishing all life above the level of microorganisms and rendering a quarter of the globe uninhabitable for 3,000 years and inviting observing aliens to vaporize the entirety of planet Earth as a threat to neighbouring solar systems then I see that as a downside risk. Definitely an economic headwind. Tricky for Boris
    On the plus side we would no longer have to worry about the GFA.
    Optimistic

    As the the half drowned survivors in Fermanagh and Tyrone claw their way on to the few bits of radiated high ground to emerge from the tsunami somebody's bound to ask about the NI protocol
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 113,956
    Well I never.

    Rishi Sunak has been forced to outsource key aspects of the Treasury’s post-Brexit legal work after admitting that his department does not have the resources necessary to unleash an overhaul of financial regulation.

    Hogan Lovells, a top City law firm, has been brought in to advise the Government on everything from regulatory equivalence and crypto assets, to trade deals and the powers and duties of the Bank of England and the City watchdog.

    The Treasury admitted that its in-house legal team was “unable to support the demand” the department has for legal services as it reshapes Britain’s financial services regulation post-Brexit, according to official documents.

    It said this was owing to “a period of continued change as the UK consolidates its position, both internationally and domestically, following its exit from the EU”.


    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/05/08/rishi-sunak-admits-outsourcing-key-aspects-post-brexit-legal/
  • FPT, good point on whether the takeaway was necessary. Hadn't considered that before
  • TimTTimT Posts: 6,328

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Are we actually above pre-covid levels of output yet? If not it seems silly to be talking about a new recession when we aren't out of the previous one.

    Even if it does meet the technical definition.

    Hey, @FrankBooth was it you who was recently in Albania?

    I may need some recommendations as I might be going there shortly
    Er..... no it was not me. I've never been near there in my life!
    Apols!

    A PB-er was deffo there. I recall reading their travelogue with interest

    *chin stroke*
    John wossisname, the battle reenactor, I think.
    I am currently back in another A, Azerbaijan. Not that helpful re Tirana etc...
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 43,603

    Sandpit said:

    The global market conditions are pointing firmly to a recession now, though possibly in 2023 or a hokey-cokey period of contraction and growth that doesn't meet the technical definition.

    The Chinese are utterly bonkers with their Covid restrictions and that is going to royally screw the global economy. I'm actually quite flabbergasted how badly they're playing this - and how little attention its getting. The story in China should be the second-biggest story of the year, after Ukraine/Russia but very few people seem to be paying attention to it.

    Yup. Someone needs to tell Xi to accept losing face, and order a billion Western Covid vaccines yesterday.
    I heard an interesting speculation from somebody who lived in China for a long time and married to a Chinese lady that on top of not being able to admit failure / loss of face, there is also internal Chinese politics going on e.g. Shanghai local officials under previous leader where left to become very powerful and so some of this is Xi showing everybody who is boss and that he isn't like leaders of the past 20 years in China, happy to let go of some power, he is in charge and everybody is to know it.
    The Mayor of Shanghai is probably the most powerful man in China outside of the Politburo. I can quite believe your friend’s view.
    All dictatorships have internal politics. There has never been one where Ming the Merciless sits on his throne and all the mooks do his bidding like robots…..

    Napoleon makes much more sense when you factor in the deep and quite crazy politics he was juggling at home. Yet many histories have him marching around the map without a cae.
  • RandallFlaggRandallFlagg Posts: 1,151

    Scott_xP said:

    I assume that all the anti-woke culture warriors who lost their minds over Jodie Whittaker being the Doctor are delighted to see the role given to a man again.
    https://twitter.com/seanjonesqc/status/1523282002568302594

    To be fair, there was plenty of debate as to whether there should be a female doctor prior to Whittaker getting the gig. Don't recall any debate about whether the Doctor should always be played by a white bloke or not, by comparison. There was a rumour for one that Chiwetel Ejiofor was in the running to place Tennant before Matt Smith got cast.
    The Doctor worship stuff is what annoys most real fans.

    The Doctor is a complex character who has made some seriously dubious decisions - particularly by todays standards. Exterminating intelligent species, for example.

    “You would make a good Dalek.”
    Open to a female doctor. Particularly as I very much enjoyed Michelle Gomez's take on the Master.
    Unfortunately, Whittaker was crap.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 41,670

    FPT, good point on whether the takeaway was necessary. Hadn't considered that before

    They were not fasting at a monastery , they had been working all day , only Tories would begrudge them some sustenance.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 76,274
    edited May 2022
    Isn't the problem with Doctor Who now that in the world where we expect (and get) movie level VFX for sci-fi and fantasy tv shows, Doctor Who looks hugely dated and rather amateur hour. That was also the criticism with that around the world in 80 days reboot, it was filmed on the cheap in a street in Romania, trying to claim to be loads of different exotic countries.
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