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Smoking, like cash, will soon be obsolete for younger generations – politicalbetting.com

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  • CookieCookie Posts: 14,705

    Er does it? Not here it doesn't.

    (And, in any case, isn't that an argument against cash?)

    Cash is, after all, pointless.
    Well it does in the middle-class-ish halfway-out suburbs of South Manchester. Though I'm sure everyone in that London is paying with their watch before slapping on their wrap-around shades and whizzing home on their hoverscooters with their socks fashionably showing. :-;

  • Jim_MillerJim_Miller Posts: 3,226
    Off topic: The Washington Post is celebrating columnist George Will's 50 years of columns. His education includes an institution some of you may be familiar with: "After high school, Will went to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion. He then went to England and attended Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied philosophy, politics and economics and received a bachelor's degree (promoted to a master's per tradition). Will then did doctoral study in political science at Princeton University, receiving a PhD in 1968
    . . .
    Will originally had left wing political views but his views shifted toward conservatism during his studies at Oxford, especially after visiting Communist-controlled East Berlin in the mid-1960s."
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Will

    (Will, like the late Nat Hentoff, is consistently pro--life, opposing both capital punishment and aborting "defective" babies.)
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    algarkirk said:

    Inability to dispose of cash - say any sum under a couple of hundred pounds - within a reasonably short time displays an extraordinary lack of imagination. It can be done in minutes or even seconds by an expert. Can this really only be true in the small town rural north of England?
    Really? Without receiving even more pointless "change" – or being that guy who asks whether he can pay some in cash and the rest with card?
  • CookieCookie Posts: 14,705
    Anyway - apologies if you've already seen this but it made me laugh:


  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,047
    Fishing said:

    Except that it isn't. Russia is spending 40% of GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE - not GDP - on defence - about 7-8% of GDP.

    See John Healey's contribution here:

    https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2024-10-14/debates/136147B8-B022-4143-BEA0-270BB4B089DD/RussiaArmedForces

    For comparison, during the Korean War, we were spending about 11% of our GDP on defence, falling to 7%, about Russia's level today, in 1959, and the 1950s were a time of growing prosperity here and in the US, which spent similar amounts. These levels are eminently affordable in the short and medium term, even if the usual caveats about Russian statistics apply. To get up to 40-50% you need to go back to the Second World War.

    https://www.ukpublicspending.co.uk/uk_national_defence_analysis

    He may find it difficult to maintain the standard of living for the Russian masses, i.e. to have both guns and butter, but even there, the evidence is ambiguous, since working class Russians are benefiting hugely from high salaries in the military - if they survive - and booming wages due to a shortage of labour.

    It won't be economic pressure, or sanctions, that break Putin's will - it will be Ukrainian men smashing his armies with Western weapons on the fields of Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhe. Which is why we need to supply as many powerful weapons as possible as soon as possible, or reconcile ourselves to a Russian victory, with all the consequent disasters for the free world.
    750,000 dead or wounded Russians, when you consider how few there are of conscriptable age, is quite a lot though.

    To put in context, there are only about 4.5 million Russian men aged between 18 and 24.

  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795

    Not at their ages, but then discussing the subject with your closed mind is pointless

    Most people have a more nuanced attitude to cash
    There is no point being nuanced about something that is pointless and facing obsolesce. It's like being nuanced on the appeal of leaded petrol, Ceefax, or the Phone Book.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 59,047

    Off topic: The Washington Post is celebrating columnist George Will's 50 years of columns. His education includes an institution some of you may be familiar with: "After high school, Will went to Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, graduating in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion. He then went to England and attended Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied philosophy, politics and economics and received a bachelor's degree (promoted to a master's per tradition). Will then did doctoral study in political science at Princeton University, receiving a PhD in 1968
    . . .
    Will originally had left wing political views but his views shifted toward conservatism during his studies at Oxford, especially after visiting Communist-controlled East Berlin in the mid-1960s."
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Will

    (Will, like the late Nat Hentoff, is consistently pro--life, opposing both capital punishment and aborting "defective" babies.)

    OGH used to be Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. Albeit after George Will's time. He has consistently opposed post natal abortion.
  • boulayboulay Posts: 6,059

    https://x.com/sawyermerritt/status/1861792318883348899

    NEWS: Two unnamed Nissan executives said the company has "12 to 14 months to survive."

    Nissan cut more than 9,000 jobs earlier this month, while simultaneously slashing production by nearly 20%. Nissan's operating profit dropped 85% in Q3.

    Old news, they’ve hired that brilliant chap from Jaguar to turn their fortunes around. I’ve just received the new Nissan ad.


  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    Cookie said:

    Well it does in the middle-class-ish halfway-out suburbs of South Manchester. Though I'm sure everyone in that London is paying with their watch before slapping on their wrap-around shades and whizzing home on their hoverscooters with their socks fashionably showing. :-;

    I was up north recently and bought a pint with my watch. One of the old-timers leant over and said: "watch out!". Comedy geniuses up there!
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 13,374
    edited November 2024

    I haven't smoked for 30 years, and haven't looked cool for 50.
    I'm currently in the 606 Club in SW10. I think that automatically makes me cool.
  • There is no point being nuanced about something that is pointless and facing obsolesce. It's like being nuanced on the appeal of leaded petrol, Ceefax, or the Phone Book.
    You have your opinion, others have other opinions - such is life
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,164
    edited November 2024

    I haven't smoked for 30 years, and haven't looked cool for 50.
    I have never looked cool and I've never smoked.

    Pretty sure the former would have remained true regardless of the latter.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 13,835
    edited November 2024

    Really? Without receiving even more pointless "change" – or being that guy who asks whether he can pay some in cash and the rest with card?
    Yes, Really. And small change can be got rid of in a multitude of ways including charity boxes/tins and in a slot near the door in any church, or at community coffee mornings etc. As to getting rid of £200 cash in minutes, stock up at Lidl on a quiet day (my preferred version of Fortnum and Mason) pop to the butcher, go to the petrol station, buy some fish and chips. 83p change to their charity box for the local hospice. Done and fun. And conversation with old friends as you do it will put you back in you are pressed for time.

    Which planet are you from by the way?
  • "Numerous bomb threats" made against Donald Trump's cabinet nominees and picks for his incoming administration, FBI says

    Remind me, which presidential contender wanted to defund the FBI? Not Californian woke BLM leftie Kamala, the other one. You know, the one with the hair.

    Thinly-veiled FBI job preservation scheme imo.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,207
    FPT:

    So, will Reform be out-leafleting the LDs for next May?
    I think they have at least one problem in that they do not have decades of canvas returns to know who their voters of, or to have many individual interest profiles.
  • Cookie said:

    Ceefax was a better product than that red button shit that replaced it. You coukd get the test scorecard (341?) quicker than you now can on the internet. 302 football, 370 rugby, 324 was something significant too. I miss it.
    I really miss Bamboozled on Ceefax too. I used to love doing that quiz with my Gran.
  • Former deputy prime minister Sir Oliver Dowden has picked up a £500 per hour job as a 'strategy adviser' to a Mayfair-based hedge fund managed by a major Tory donor.

    The ex-Cabinet minister is working for Caxton Associates for up to two days a month for a six-month period, according to the Hertsmere MP's register of interests.

    He is being paid £60,000 in his role at the fund

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14132975/Former-deputy-PM-Oliver-Dowden-picks-500-hour-strategy-adviser-job-Mayfair-based-hedge-fund-pushed-Rishi-Sunak-calling-early-general-election.html

    Tory donor, you say?
  • BurgessianBurgessian Posts: 2,951
    Kemi Badenoch straight to camera on immigration.

    "We need to talk about immigration".

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpgV-hT6puc

    Quite effective, I think. Guarding the Reform-inclined flank, as well.

  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,296
    Gotta wonder if any European car makers at all will survive, apart from extreme high end or niche

    All over the world the last year I've had drivers enthusing about the cheapness and reliability of Chinese cars
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    "Ceefax: better than the internet"

    Never change, PB.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,207

    "Numerous bomb threats" made against Donald Trump's cabinet nominees and picks for his incoming administration, FBI says

    Given his nominees, it's possible they are making them against each other.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,296

    Kemi Badenoch straight to camera on immigration.

    "We need to talk about immigration".

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpgV-hT6puc

    Quite effective, I think. Guarding the Reform-inclined flank, as well.

    That is pretty good. Well done Kemi. Simple and straightforward yet - as you imply - that is what is needed. Sounds honest. Direct. Straight to camera. She's certainly more likeable and less shifty than Sir Sheer Wanker

    And yet, by all accounts, she is dire at PMQs (not watched it)

    Hmmm........
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    algarkirk said:

    Yes, Really. And small change can be got rid of in a multitude of ways including charity boxes/tins and in a slot near the door in any church, or at community coffee mornings etc. As to getting rid of £200 cash in minutes, stock up at Lidl on a quiet day (my preferred version of Fortnum and Mason) pop to the butcher, go to the petrol station, buy some fish and chips. 83p change to their charity box for the local hospice. Done and fun. And conversation with old friends as you do it will put you back in you are pressed for time.

    Which planet are you from by the way?
    Yes but what is the point of doing all of these things, given that all of them can be done more quickly and easily, and at less risk to both buyer and vendor, than using cash? There is literally no point to any of it – it's just a complete waste of time and materials to do exactly the same thing you could do with BACs/contactless/ApplePay.

    I mean a couple of mates are doing Movember – I suppose I could have posted them some notes and change and had them spend it in Lidl before putting the digital money in their charity fund on my behalf, then somehow claiming the GiftAid via telegraph to the Taxman.

    But what would be the point?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,207
    MattW said:

    FPT:

    I think they have at least one problem in that they do not have decades of canvas returns to know who their voters of, or to have many individual interest profiles.
    Sorry - "who their voters ARE".
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,207
    This is my slightly bizarre photo quota for the day. Installed by Network Rail (or a predecessor) to replace a level crossing for pedestrians, which may have been a multiuser path. Probably not a bridleway, as a horse would not like that.



    There's probably another one on the other side. It's driven by clearance height for electric mainline rail.

    What do you think? I reckon Network Rail are massively far from what is possible, as ever. That's too energy sapping to be done by manual wheelchairs, and difficult for nonstandard cycles. They are driven like by minimum cost to meet legal requirements rather than a practical solution, or thinking about the public.

    That could be much better with landscaping, or done useable for everyone as an underpass *. There are plenty of ways of doing such without serious interruption to the trains.

    * People can't jump in front of trains from underpasses !
  • Leon said:

    That is pretty good. Well done Kemi. Simple and straightforward yet - as you imply - that is what is needed. Sounds honest. Direct. Straight to camera. She's certainly more likeable and less shifty than Sir Sheer Wanker

    And yet, by all accounts, she is dire at PMQs (not watched it)

    Hmmm........
    Not all accounts

    Just a couple of Starmer’s fan base who seem to be getting very wound up by her, whilst their leaders government languishes at 19% approval
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,207
    edited November 2024

    I'm currently in the 606 Club in SW10. I think that automatically makes me cool.
    I'll give you that that's cool. I went there occasionally in the Noughties. I'll go back when I get the opportunity.

    The ladies like it too, iirc. I also recall somewhat significant bills.

    But it's a stonker of a walk to the nearest Night Bus for Chiswick, iirc. One to attend on a Brompton these days, perhaps.
  • Yes but what is the point of doing all of these things, given that all of them can be done more quickly and easily, and at less risk to both buyer and vendor, than using cash? There is literally no point to any of it – it's just a complete waste of time and materials to do exactly the same thing you could do with BACs/contactless/ApplePay.

    I mean a couple of mates are doing Movember – I suppose I could have posted them some notes and change and had them spend it in Lidl before putting the digital money in their charity fund on my behalf, then somehow claiming the GiftAid via telegraph to the Taxman.

    But what would be the point?
    The point is freedom of choice
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 53,852

    Only sell their cars for bitcoin and ride the wave.
    “Our car business has collapsed. However, one of our executives bought a bunch of bitcoin from a guy in a bar in 1998, to pay a cocktail bill. So we own Satoshi Nakamoto’s stash.”
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 13,835

    Yes but what is the point of doing all of these things, given that all of them can be done more quickly and easily, and at less risk to both buyer and vendor, than using cash? There is literally no point to any of it – it's just a complete waste of time and materials to do exactly the same thing you could do with BACs/contactless/ApplePay.

    I mean a couple of mates are doing Movember – I suppose I could have posted them some notes and change and had them spend it in Lidl before putting the digital money in their charity fund on my behalf, then somehow claiming the GiftAid via telegraph to the Taxman.

    But what would be the point?
    The point of doing as I described (not far off my reality sometimes) is that it answered fully the issue of how to deal with cash in a non cumbersome way. It's easy. There are many transactions where I can, and sometimes do, work in exactly this way.

    Of course I don't for most, including your example.

    However there is a group of people still, I am told, who live simpler lives than the rest of us and mainly use cash. The BBC says it's 1.5 million and growing. Fair play to them.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795

    The point is freedom of choice
    I would like to see you try to exercise such freedom of choice when a mate sends you a payment link for his Movember charity drive...
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 53,852
    algarkirk said:

    Many people self-enforce a non blasphemy code out of ordinary respect for others. Quite a lot don't. Nearly all self-enforce bits of non blasphemy code out of terror of being killed.

    Of these three only the first is any good.
    I would be tempted to put up a Blasphemy Bill that effectively bans all the “Abrahamic Religions” as blasphemy against the religions they supplanted.


    Careful what you wish
    Careful what you say
    Careful what you wish
    You may regret it
    Careful what you wish
    You just might get it
  • algarkirk said:

    The point of doing as I described (not far off my reality sometimes) is that it answered fully the issue of how to deal with cash in a non cumbersome way. It's easy. There are many transactions where I can, and sometimes do, work in exactly this way.

    Of course I don't for most, including your example.

    However there is a group of people still, I am told, who live simpler lives than the rest of us and mainly use cash. The BBC says it's 1.5 million and growing. Fair play to them.
    In 2023 there were 93 billion pounds of notes and cash in circulation

    The idea we are going cashless anytime soon is simply nonsense
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    algarkirk said:

    The point of doing as I described (not far off my reality sometimes) is that it answered fully the issue of how to deal with cash in a non cumbersome way. It's easy. There are many transactions where I can, and sometimes do, work in exactly this way.

    Of course I don't for most, including your example.

    However there is a group of people still, I am told, who live simpler lives than the rest of us and mainly use cash. The BBC says it's 1.5 million and growing. Fair play to them.
    Up to them. I wouldn't ban it.

    But, it is a pointless waste of time and materials.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 13,835

    I would like to see you try to exercise such freedom of choice when a mate sends you a payment link for his Movember charity drive...
    Your capacity to misunderstand must be deliberate. It can't be actual dimness. It is not suggested that cash is appropriate to all transactions, just that it should be an option for many day to day transactions.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 53,852
    algarkirk said:

    Yes, Really. And small change can be got rid of in a multitude of ways including charity boxes/tins and in a slot near the door in any church, or at community coffee mornings etc. As to getting rid of £200 cash in minutes, stock up at Lidl on a quiet day (my preferred version of Fortnum and Mason) pop to the butcher, go to the petrol station, buy some fish and chips. 83p change to their charity box for the local hospice. Done and fun. And conversation with old friends as you do it will put you back in you are pressed for time.

    Which planet are you from by the way?
    Down the off license to get the booze in for the family parties…
  • I would like to see you try to exercise such freedom of choice when a mate sends you a payment link for his Movember charity drive...
    I would tell him I was putting the cash in the RNLI collection at Asda
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,785

    https://x.com/sawyermerritt/status/1861792318883348899

    NEWS: Two unnamed Nissan executives said the company has "12 to 14 months to survive."

    Nissan cut more than 9,000 jobs earlier this month, while simultaneously slashing production by nearly 20%. Nissan's operating profit dropped 85% in Q3.

    The new industrial revolution is very tough on legacy manufacturers like Vauxhall and Nissan.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 9,977
    edited November 2024

    Not all accounts

    Just a couple of Starmer’s fan base who seem to be getting very wound up by her, whilst their leaders government languishes at 19% approval
    I don't think anyone could claim she's a brilliant PMQs performer. She's pretty dire - but then the last really good one was probably Cameron?

    And in the same way approval ratings and polling aren't particularly good indicators for an election 4.5 years away, she's got plenty of time to improve.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795
    algarkirk said:

    Your capacity to misunderstand must be deliberate. It can't be actual dimness. It is not suggested that cash is appropriate to all transactions, just that it should be an option for many day to day transactions.
    Why?
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,222

    Why?
    It can be actual dimness.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 13,835

    Down the off license to get the booze in for the family parties…
    Sorry, the £200 cash I started with has all gone in minutes. Hold on while I get some out of the hole in the wall. Meanwhile here's a picture of a Norman conquest period BACS transfer

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0en8wn100jo
  • NickPalmerNickPalmer Posts: 21,667
    Omnium said:

    One just spins a theme around life. You see that at some point. Then you're all at sea. So it all becomes spinning something around this almost undecomposable bigger understanding. (I've no idea where it goes from there, because I'm still young!)
    I'm surprised that older people tend to become more conservative - not my experience so far (at 74). What I do feel is a certain acceptance that people will find their own way, which may or may not be my broadly left-wing attitude. I feel strongly about helping people on low incomes, especially in poor countries, but otherwise I'm pretty relaxed about how things go (and I'm still a CLP constituency chair).
  • Eabhal said:

    I don't think anyone could claim she's a brilliant PMQs performer. She's pretty dire - but then the last really good one was probably Cameron?

    And in the same way approval ratings and polling aren't particularly good indicators for an election 4.5 years away, she's got plenty of time to improve.
    Kemi is young and inexperienced but very different and as you say the election is 4 plus years away and lots of events in between

    I am happy with her and would caution her opponents not to underestimate her
  • It can be actual dimness.
    Not dim, just boring
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 50,785
    Looks like Ruud Van Nistelroy is the new Leicester manager.

    Should be entertaining at least. I wouldn't expect many nil nils.
  • LostPasswordLostPassword Posts: 19,135
    https://kyivindependent.com/baltic-nordic-countries-poland-to-step-up-support-to-ukraine-in-coming-months/

    The heads of government of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, and Sweden agreed to strengthen their support to Ukraine in the coming months to counter Russia's full-scale war during a summit in Harpsund on Nov. 27.

    "In the coming months, we will step up our support, including to the Ukrainian defense industry, and we will invest in making more ammunition available to Ukraine."


    What side will Britain be on? Will Starmer increase support for Ukraine? Has anyone asked him?
  • Foxy said:

    Looks like Ruud Van Nistelroy is the new Leicester manager.

    Should be entertaining at least. I wouldn't expect many nil nils.

    He could be just the manager you need
  • OmniumOmnium Posts: 11,400

    I'm surprised that older people tend to become more conservative - not my experience so far (at 74). What I do feel is a certain acceptance that people will find their own way, which may or may not be my broadly left-wing attitude. I feel strongly about helping people on low incomes, especially in poor countries, but otherwise I'm pretty relaxed about how things go (and I'm still a CLP constituency chair).
    Ah, each to their own. Having talked to you a little in the prior years I was very surprised you swung heavily behind Corbyn. I suspect that you may have even surprised yourself. Who knows how ones personal tides may flow.

    For what it's worth I'm straying very slightly leftward I think, although that may just because the forces of the right are demonstrating an astonishing level of stupidity.
  • FishingFishing Posts: 5,459
    edited November 2024
    rcs1000 said:

    750,000 dead or wounded Russians, when you consider how few there are of conscriptable age, is quite a lot though.

    To put in context, there are only about 4.5 million Russian men aged between 18 and 24.

    You're thinking about it as a civilised, humane Westerner, to whom every life is precious. Here a deliberate decision to crash a couple of jumbo jets every day would indeed be unacceptable.

    But Putin doesn't give the slightest flying fuck about prisoners, foreigners, mercenaries or alcoholics from Russia's Asian or Muslim provinces. He no doubt thinks Russia is better off without most of those, especially now that its old professional army was destroyed in the first year of the invasion, or more likely he doesn't think about them at all. He thinks he is winning because his forces are gaining a few square miles in eastern Ukraine. The only thing he worries about is whether he can replace those losses. So far he can, and unlike in Ukraine, there's not much sign manpower is running out.

    And don't expect the Russian people to revolt either - they put up with much worse economically in the 90s, and, as someone once observed, the greater the danger they're in, the more apathetic Russians become. They might of course revolt, but they have no real tradition of successful popular revolutions in Russia, and there are no signs of it yet.

    Any focus on Russian weaknesses, and hope for Russian "implosion" (predicted dozens of times already) takes away from the vital task of providing the advanced weapons in the huge numbers the Ukrainians need to beat the Russians back. There is no other way to win the war, or even to tie it acceptably.
  • Up to them. I wouldn't ban it.

    But, it is a pointless waste of time and materials.
    T R U S S
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,207
    edited November 2024

    I'm surprised that older people tend to become more conservative - not my experience so far (at 74). What I do feel is a certain acceptance that people will find their own way, which may or may not be my broadly left-wing attitude. I feel strongly about helping people on low incomes, especially in poor countries, but otherwise I'm pretty relaxed about how things go (and I'm still a CLP constituency chair).
    Didn't you start out on the far-left somewhere, and move more towards the centre?

    That's more conservative, if so :smile: .

    That was the trajectory of quite a number from Generation Blair & Friends, if I recall.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,084
    All right, which of you silly sods mentioned cash?
  • ydoethur said:

    All right, which of you silly sods mentioned cash?

    It's in the header !!!!!
  • It's in the header !!!!!
    And when have we ever let a fiddly little detail like the contents of the header affect our behaviour?
  • MattWMattW Posts: 26,207
    Foxy said:

    The new industrial revolution is very tough on legacy manufacturers like Vauxhall and Nissan.
    VW are discussing cutting 10s of thousands of jobs in Germany - albeit from just under 300k to start with. On top of a desire to impose pay cuts of 10%.

    They are stating that their factory costs are 25-50% too high.

    https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/10/28/volkswagen-set-to-close-three-german-plants-and-cut-thousands-of-jobs
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 73,084

    It's in the header !!!!!
    'TSE' would have been shorter...
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,389
    I've just viewed Kemi Badenoch's PPB on YouTube (I know it isn't a PPB as such but it looked and sounded like one).

    I thought the mea culpa was interesting though I noted she was quick to show Blair, Brown, Cameron and Clegg but didn't show the Prime Ministers around whose Cabinet table she sat. This was unconvincing - she was there, indeed front and centre, and needs to admit her part more than a just a general "we got it wrong and so did everyone else since Blair".

    To be fair, it was 99% platitude and nothing we haven't heard before - the proof will be in whatever proposals are eventually put forward by the Conservatives before the next election and I suspect whatever those are won't be enough for Reform.

    Will there be a "new Rwanda" policy? Perhaps but I will credit her with the fact she alludes to "trade offs" so IF her plan to reduce immigration means we will all have to pay higher taxes for, perhaps, enhanced border security, I look forward to her arguing that point on the hustings. At least it'll be an honest approach rather then the guff we've heard in the past.

    IF we are going to have an honest debate on immigration, which I would welcome, let's look at the consequences of reducing immigration to the numbers some on the Conservative/Reform side seem to advocate in terms of inflation, taxation and the provision of public services.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 53,852
    Fishing said:

    You're thinking about it as a civilised, humane Westerner, to whom every life is precious. Here a deliberate decision to crash a couple of jumbo jets every day would indeed be unacceptable.

    But Putin doesn't give the slightest flying fuck about prisoners, foreigners, mercenaries or alcoholics from Russia's Asian or Muslim provinces. He no doubt thinks Russia is better off without most of those, especially now that its old professional army was destroyed in the first year of the invasion, or more likely he doesn't think about them at all. He thinks he is winning because his forces are gaining a few square miles in eastern Ukraine. The only thing he worries about is whether he can replace those losses. So far he can, and unlike in Ukraine, there's not much sign manpower is running out.

    And don't expect the Russian people to revolt either - they put up with much worse economically in the 90s, and, as someone once observed, the greater the danger they're in, the more apathetic Russians become. They might of course revolt, but they have no real tradition of successful popular revolutions in Russia, and there are no signs of it yet.

    Any focus on Russian weaknesses, and hope for Russian "implosion" (predicted dozens of times already) takes away from the vital task of providing the advanced weapons in the huge numbers the Ukrainians need to beat the Russians back. There is no other way to win the war, or even to tie it acceptably.
    To people like Putin having a Big Army is part of having Big Weapons.

    The demographic collapse of Russia is a big deal to him. Hence wanting to… absorb all those Slavic Ukrainians.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 54,222
    MattW said:

    VW are discussing cutting 10s of thousands of jobs in Germany - albeit from just under 300k to start with. On top of a desire to impose pay cuts of 10%.

    They are stating that their factory costs are 25-50% too high.

    https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/10/28/volkswagen-set-to-close-three-german-plants-and-cut-thousands-of-jobs
    Surely someone in Europe has to be last man standing for volume car production?
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,617
    edited November 2024
    algarkirk said:

    The point of doing as I described (not far off my reality sometimes) is that it answered fully the issue of how to deal with cash in a non cumbersome way. It's easy. There are many transactions where I can, and sometimes do, work in exactly this way.

    Of course I don't for most, including your example.

    However there is a group of people still, I am told, who live simpler lives than the rest of us and mainly use cash. The BBC says it's 1.5 million and growing. Fair play to them.
    In contrast to the mentality which buys an expensive phone and watch every 2-3 years because that's all they last for battery and security wise. Bastards (I mean the makers).

    *having to buy a new phone because the security on my perfectly good old one is not being updated now*
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 13,374

    Kemi Badenoch straight to camera on immigration.

    "We need to talk about immigration".

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpgV-hT6puc

    Quite effective, I think. Guarding the Reform-inclined flank, as well.

    Kemi Badenoch straight to camera on immigration.

    "We need to talk about immigration".

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpgV-hT6puc

    Quite effective, I think. Guarding the Reform-inclined flank, as well.

    I wasn't aware that we'd stopped talking about immigration at any point in the last decade.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,088
    ydoethur said:

    All right, which of you silly sods mentioned cash?

    If you say cash three times in the mirror, @Anabobazina will appear.
  • geoffwgeoffw Posts: 8,976
    Telegraph
    David Lammy has said he would seek an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited the UK.

    The Foreign Secretary said he would be obliged by law to go to the courts seeking permission for the arrest, saying he had no “discretion” over the issue.

    The position is a stark contrast to France, which became the latest Western country to say it would not arrest the Israeli prime minister, leaving Britain isolated among its G7 allies.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 5,487

    Surely someone in Europe has to be last man standing for volume car production?
    It won’t be the UK. It will be a country that values manufacturing and engineering, and understands the importance of exports.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 5,487
    Pulpstar said:

    If you say cash three times in the mirror, @Anabobazina will appear.
    Cash is more likely to be featured in the Telegraph than the Mirror. Oh, you aren’t referring to Bill?
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 30,946

    https://x.com/sawyermerritt/status/1861792318883348899

    NEWS: Two unnamed Nissan executives said the company has "12 to 14 months to survive."

    Nissan cut more than 9,000 jobs earlier this month, while simultaneously slashing production by nearly 20%. Nissan's operating profit dropped 85% in Q3.

    Starmer loses Sunderland if his incompetence puts Nissan through the hoop!

    N.B. presumably that means Renault and Mitsubishi are in trouble too. Bloody Starmer!
  • bigglesbiggles Posts: 6,735
    geoffw said:

    Telegraph
    David Lammy has said he would seek an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited the UK.

    The Foreign Secretary said he would be obliged by law to go to the courts seeking permission for the arrest, saying he had no “discretion” over the issue.

    The position is a stark contrast to France, which became the latest Western country to say it would not arrest the Israeli prime minister, leaving Britain isolated among its G7 allies.

    Do Heads of Government and foreign ministers not travel with diplomatic immunity?
  • T R U S S
    One of the illicit pleasures of my distant youth was playing three-card brag for threepenny bits and tanners. It's a pity future generations should be deprived of this, but I suppose it's gone the same way as hopscotch in a bomb site or bowling a hoop along an empty dusty high street. Three-card brag is a test of character in a way online video games can never be. You are face-to-face with your friends and their cash is jingling in your pocket. One of the survival tricks was to furtively remove your winnings from the table rather than let it build up. Being cautious by nature I had this problem more often than not.
  • AnabobazinaAnabobazina Posts: 23,795

    It can be actual dimness.
    What's the point of cash?
  • kamskikamski Posts: 6,284

    I have to trudge to the bank if any relatives insist on posting (yes posting!) cash to my son for a gift. He cannot use it to buy the things he buys (online games for his PS5, electronics from online retailers), so it is just an entirely pointless chore that could have been avoided had they just transferred the money – which takes 60 seconds.
    I think they might be trying to tell you something
  • HYUFD said:

    Well given he called a high risk EU referendum just a year after finally winning a general election majority, not a big surprise
    Cameron lost a child so I do not think that is appropriate comment not least because he must have given it serious thought and his decision should be respected
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 126,556
    edited November 2024
    geoffw said:

    Telegraph
    David Lammy has said he would seek an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu if he visited the UK.

    The Foreign Secretary said he would be obliged by law to go to the courts seeking permission for the arrest, saying he had no “discretion” over the issue.

    The position is a stark contrast to France, which became the latest Western country to say it would not arrest the Israeli prime minister, leaving Britain isolated among its G7 allies.

    Not entirely

    https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/canada-to-go-uk-way-on-netanyahu-arrest-trudeau-says-will-abide-by-icc-warrant-7086684

    Plus 'ICC warrants also sparked tension within Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s coalition.

    Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Rome would have to abide by its obligations and arrest Netanyahu if he came to Italy, while Matteo Salvini — the leader of the coalition League party — said the Israeli leader would be welcome in the country.'
    https://www.timesofisrael.com/italy-says-clarity-needed-on-icc-arrest-warrants-for-netanyahu-gallant/
  • biggles said:

    Do Heads of Government and foreign ministers not travel with diplomatic immunity?
    Can you even imagine the scenario where UK arrested Netanyahu on a visit to the UK ?
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,088

    What's the point of cash?
    Got me a small discount on my takeout this evening :D
  • Mbappe and Salah both miss penalties

    What odds on that in the same match ?
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 5,487
    Pulpstar said:

    Got me a small discount on my takeout this evening :D

    Mr. Anabob “How much for 2 fish suppers?” Chip shop staff “£25 or £20 for cash.”.Mr Anabob “Here’s my card. It’s worth £5 for the convenience of not using cash”.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 9,977
    edited November 2024
    HYUFD said:

    Well given he called a high risk EU referendum just a year after finally winning a general election majority, not a big surprise
    ahahahah my favourite PB joke yet
  • BurgessianBurgessian Posts: 2,951

    Surely someone in Europe has to be last man standing for volume car production?
    It's a shame Reliant closed down, all those years ago.
  • Badenoch raised the petition? What on earth was she thinking
  • turbotubbsturbotubbs Posts: 18,432

    Got me a small discount on my takeout this evening :D
    Mr. Anabob “How much for 2 fish suppers?” Chip shop staff “£25 or £20 for cash.”.Mr Anabob “Here’s my card. It’s worth £5 for the convenience of not using cash”.

    And I’ll be calling the revenue in the morning as you are clearly offering to not pay VAT…
  • kjhkjh Posts: 12,392

    I'm surprised that older people tend to become more conservative - not my experience so far (at 74). What I do feel is a certain acceptance that people will find their own way, which may or may not be my broadly left-wing attitude. I feel strongly about helping people on low incomes, especially in poor countries, but otherwise I'm pretty relaxed about how things go (and I'm still a CLP constituency chair).
    I've certainly become more liberal as I have got older, which I also think is against the norm of becoming more conservative (with a small c) with age.
  • BurgessianBurgessian Posts: 2,951
    MattW said:

    FPT:

    I think they have at least one problem in that they do not have decades of canvas returns to know who their voters of, or to have many individual interest profiles.
    There's a kind of vibe about Reform which has more in common with a football team than a conventional political party. The MAGA Republican Party, and the SNP are similar in that respect. Pejoratively you might call it a cult. Definitely a thing, though. And not at all welcome.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 59,296
    algarkirk said:

    Many people self-enforce a non blasphemy code out of ordinary respect for others. Quite a lot don't. Nearly all self-enforce bits of non blasphemy code out of terror of being killed.

    Of these three only the first is any good.
    Yeah, we already have a blasphemy law (which only protects Islam) perforce

    The only solution to this is the utter expulsion of radical Islam. It ain't gonna be pretty. But that's where are
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 13,835

    What's the point of cash?
    You can buy things with it.
  • Badenoch raised the petition? What on earth was she thinking

    KB has always been a very online politician. That's not an altogether bad thing, but it does rather warp one's perspective. In online world, this petition has legs.

    One of her predecessors as Conservative leader had something to say about being excessively online. And whilst Badenoch may mature and improve, she hasn't shown much sign of learning so far.

    She needs to.
  • I'm surprised that older people tend to become more conservative - not my experience so far (at 74). What I do feel is a certain acceptance that people will find their own way, which may or may not be my broadly left-wing attitude. I feel strongly about helping people on low incomes, especially in poor countries, but otherwise I'm pretty relaxed about how things go (and I'm still a CLP constituency chair).
    People have only become more conservative as they have aged, because they have become richer as they have aged.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 37,569
    ...
  • Scott_xP said:

    ..

    Have you ever noticed that Matt's characters frequently have two noses?
  • BenpointerBenpointer Posts: 35,164

    Mr. Anabob “How much for 2 fish suppers?” Chip shop staff “£25 or £20 for cash.”.Mr Anabob “Here’s my card. It’s worth £5 for the convenience of not using cash”.
    And I’ll be calling the revenue in the morning as you are clearly offering to not pay VAT…

    My sister-in-law used to work for Customs and Excise back when it was responsible for VAT. Office staff were often asked to go out on expenses to fast food outlets, offer to pay cash... and the restaurant's books would subsequently be checked to see if the meal appeared.
  • CarnyxCarnyx Posts: 44,617

    It's a shame Reliant closed down, all those years ago.
    Nobody seems to think of poor Morgan Motors.
This discussion has been closed.