If today you’re confidently predicting the next general election result… – politicalbetting.com

williamglenn said:

Mexicanpete said:

turbotubbs said:

Scott_xP said:

turbotubbs said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TimS said:

Nigelb said:

Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.

It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.

Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.

Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.

@whatukthinks

Latest @BMGResearch poll for @theipaper.
#EURef2 vi: Join 45 (+1); Stay Out 37 (-3). Fwork 28-29.1.25 (ch since 26-27.11.24).

Did they set out the terms of rejoin? I doubt it. Adopt the Euro, no rebate etc

Sweden are Euro-free and it is you Leavers who binned the rebate by Leaving. Any future rejoin agreement will be inferior to what we threw away. Thanks Leavers.

Having fewer opt outs is only inferior if you're sceptical about the EU project.

I suspect both you and I had reservations about the EU, even when we were in our Eurofederalist heydays. The EU was and is far from perfect, it is just leaving was far worse.

Carnyx said:

turbotubbs said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Andy_JS said:

"Can you still afford to eat out?
Tim Hayward"

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-you-still-afford-to-eat-out/?homepage-tracking=high_density-article-1

Yes, at Wetherspoons.

Does that count as eating food though?

I once ate at a Wetherspoons, in 2018, near Durham railway station.

I haven't been that scared since I visited Baghdad in 2004.

To be fair, 15 years ago, it wasn't that bad. Reasonably priced microwaved fare, but that is pretty standard at loads of those popular chain restaurants of the 2010s (none of which were any good and charged even more money). The sunday lunch they did were pass-able, but they cut that quite a while ago now as clearly it was too expensive for their rock bottom price business model.

The bigger issue with Wetherspoons has always been the clientele it attracts. Often it appears a day centre for those with a range of issues.

The one in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, their clientele often go there before their appearance in court a few minutes away by foot.

TBH, I feel most sorry for the staff. They will have to deal will a lot of difficult individuals and not just at 11pm on Friday / Saturday night.

Walked past the local Trowbridge Wetherspoons at 11 am last weekend and was shocked to see the drinking had long since started.

Whatever happened to the yard-arm?

The sun over the yard-arm metric was only for the wardroom (who were on the quarterdeck - think about it). Lets the rest of them off.

Mind, I have no idea how many of the Spoons clientele are ex-officers.

One or two, from my observations. If you ask nicely and explain, they will happily make a (correct) pink gin, much beloved by a Naval generation!

Good recovery from the Dow from first thing - I assume on the news of the tariff delay.

Stocky said:

I see the pound is closing in on a five year high against the Euro - great news but not sure how much credit the government can take for this?

It's not good it's bad. Our exports are more expensive to our biggest market. Surely we can blame Starmer and Reeves for that?

Why Blair's digital id is such a bad idea:



Judd Legum
‪@juddlegum.bsky.social‬

Follow
1. BREAKING

Several of Elon Musk’s associates installed at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) — including two recent high school graduates — have received unprecedented access to federal human resources databases containing sensitive personal information for millions of federal employees.

https://bsky.app/profile/juddlegum.bsky.social/post/3lhbnjiu3fs2n

Mexicanpete said:

Stocky said:

I see the pound is closing in on a five year high against the Euro - great news but not sure how much credit the government can take for this?

It's not good it's bad. Our exports are more expensive to our biggest market. Surely we can blame Starmer and Reeves for that?

What? You want a weak currency?

TheScreamingEagles said:

Leon said:

The irony here is that Trump is clearly the most Anglophile POTUS since Reagan, at least

Nah, both Bushes were strong Anglophiles.

Though Bush Snr preferred Kohl to Thatcher (he never had the special relationship with her Reagan had) though he got on OK with Major

TheScreamingEagles said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

eek said:

Malmesbury said:

Selebian said:

Andy_JS said:

"Can you still afford to eat out?
Tim Hayward"

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-you-still-afford-to-eat-out/?homepage-tracking=high_density-article-1

Yes, at Wetherspoons.

Good to see we've moved on the the height of the cost of living crisis, when the question was: "Can you still afford to eat owt?"

I see a genuine change out there. The younger people at the rowing club don't go to the pub casually. It's a planned event, that costs them money they miss. I'm talking about young professionals. They try and avoid eating in the pub - not because the food is bad, but because 15 quid is a massive chunk out of their budgets.

They don't even think about the restaurants along the river.

Yep - I know how lucky I am that I can dine out wherever I want - none of my local friends can do the same.

The ones I see in London are my age so have the similar amount of spare cash to be able to eat out when they want to.

The one thing that really puts off my (younger) friends is the service charge which is written in really small font on the menu.

If Starmer wants a boost in his popularity rating, outlawing this creeping Americanisation would be an easy win. I am off to Trumpistan shortly and am not looking forward to the constant 20-25% service charge on every bloody thing.

Indeed, last year I had a fun experience at Covent Garden restaurant, the food was lovely but the service was terrible, you'd ask for things three or four times before they arrived, sometimes twenty minutes after you asked.

I thought about not paying the service charge but then thought I'm going to look like a real shit if I don't pay the 15% service charge.

The places that charge a 15% service charge tend to be the places that, based on the quality of service, nobody would leave a 15% tip.

Trump is a huge Anglophile - his golf course etc

Musk is on record as identifying himself as “English” - not South African or American. He deems himself as ethnically English

Vance is an old English surname

We have here the most pro-British presidency in many decades. We should exploit it and bring their revolution home

TheScreamingEagles said:

FPT

HYUFD said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

I see the MAGA crowd want to stop money going to Ukraine and use it to ameliorate the impact of tariffs.

Putin must be so happy.

Though Trump has told Putin he will also impose high tariffs on Russian imports and further sanctions on Russian funds unless Putin ends the war in Ukraine

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjw4q7v7ez1o

I am also going to impose sanctions on Margot Robbie if she asks me out on a date.

Surely “unless” not “if”?

Unless this is some kind of metaphor…

Another unfortunate bomb in Moscow, that just happened to take out someone who was a key figure in the war.

https://x.com/kanimies59/status/1886417022965232043

Leon said:

Trump is a huge Anglophile - his golf course etc

Musk is on record as identifying himself as “English” - not South African or American. He deems himself as ethnically English

Vance is an old English surname

We have here the most pro-British presidency in many decades. We should exploit it and bring their revolution home

Well isn't Elon planning on replacing Starmer with Yaxley-Lennon?

Am hearing that US CDC staff forbidden from talking to WHO or sharing info about circulating diseases. Absolute madness and if there is a flu pandemic will cost lives.

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

turbotubbs said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TimS said:

Nigelb said:

Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.

It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.

Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.

Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.

It is one of those 'settled PB views'.

It’s the public’s settled view.
Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.

And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.

What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.

That's the bit your side keeps missing.

I personally don’t favour a re-entry.
The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.

That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.

And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.

There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.

Not right for us then, not now, not ever.

Britain is a notably weaker power since 2016, since it is longer regarded as able to exert pressure on its European peers. The nimble foreign policy is merely your characterisation, though of course the Uk has repatriated the opportunity to apply trade sanctions.

Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.

Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.

Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.

It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.

Luckyguy1983 said:

eek said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TimS said:

Nigelb said:

Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.

It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.

Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.

I suspect we are not well positioned and will discover the truth a few months down the line when we discover we need to make a painful decision on what side we fall

Why would we do anything so stupid? Do you think the EU will put tariffs on us for not joining them in putting them on the US? As far as I know we still have have a trade deficit with the EU so they would stand to lose more than us if they did that.

Or will the US put them on us for not putting them on the EU? Trade is about equal there, so they would stand to gain little.

As I said, fortunately positioned for once, though of course Sir Useless could contrive to bugger it up.

The UK could accidentally benefit from the Labour government being a bunch of do nothing fearties.

Fairliered said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

eek said:

Malmesbury said:

Selebian said:

Andy_JS said:

"Can you still afford to eat out?
Tim Hayward"

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-you-still-afford-to-eat-out/?homepage-tracking=high_density-article-1

Yes, at Wetherspoons.

Good to see we've moved on the the height of the cost of living crisis, when the question was: "Can you still afford to eat owt?"

I see a genuine change out there. The younger people at the rowing club don't go to the pub casually. It's a planned event, that costs them money they miss. I'm talking about young professionals. They try and avoid eating in the pub - not because the food is bad, but because 15 quid is a massive chunk out of their budgets.

They don't even think about the restaurants along the river.

Yep - I know how lucky I am that I can dine out wherever I want - none of my local friends can do the same.

The ones I see in London are my age so have the similar amount of spare cash to be able to eat out when they want to.

The one thing that really puts off my (younger) friends is the service charge which is written in really small font on the menu.

If Starmer wants a boost in his popularity rating, outlawing this creeping Americanisation would be an easy win. I am off to Trumpistan shortly and am not looking forward to the constant 20-25% service charge on every bloody thing.

Indeed, last year I had a fun experience at Covent Garden restaurant, the food was lovely but the service was terrible, you'd ask for things three or four times before they arrived, sometimes twenty minutes after you asked.

I thought about not paying the service charge but then thought I'm going to look like a real shit if I don't pay the 15% service charge.

The places that charge a 15% service charge tend to be the places that, based on the quality of service, nobody would leave a 15% tip.

They are usually the places where people would leave no tip. There have been a couple of times recently when I’ve actually wanted to send the twins up and ask if they want a hand.

Leon said:

The irony here is that Trump is clearly the most Anglophile POTUS since Reagan, at least

That's probably not very useful in practice. If Starmer keeps his mouth shut regarding anything to do with the EU we may escape Trump's tariff hammer for a while, but that's probably it.

Of course, that only works up to the point Trump puts boots on the ground in Greenland or Canada, which he may still do.

HYUFD said:

Scott_xP said:

turbotubbs said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TimS said:

Nigelb said:

Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.

It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.

Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.

Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.

@whatukthinks

Latest @BMGResearch poll for @theipaper.
#EURef2 vi: Join 45 (+1); Stay Out 37 (-3). Fwork 28-29.1.25 (ch since 26-27.11.24).

Given this 'massive rejection of Brexit' polls supposedly show I would have thought rejoin would be on 65%+ not just 45% ie even less than the 48% for Remain in 2016?

I am about as Remainery as they come and I wouldn't be advocating for rejoin. Closer ties and reciprocal freedom of movement would be great.

I regret we left, but we are where we are.

@atrupar

Ron Johnson: "Tariffs are a tax. When you tax something, you get less of it, so we'll probably get fewer imports, but then with retaliation, fewer experts. Smoot-Hawley was not particularly successful and helped sparked the Depression, so I share the markets' concern."

https://x.com/atrupar/status/1886423040449298715

rkrkrk said:

Am hearing that US CDC staff forbidden from talking to WHO or sharing info about circulating diseases. Absolute madness and if there is a flu pandemic will cost lives.

Charles Darwin says hi!

eek said:

It seems the reason why Elon Musk is so centered and closing down USAID is because of the roll USAID played in removing Apartheid in South Africa

More like they’ve been interfering in foreign politics for the last 60 years.

They have a $50bn budget, most of which is paying foreign and domestic NGOs and activist groups.

https://x.com/catchupfeed/status/1886013960178040954

Sandpit said:

maxh said:

Can I defend Wetherspoon's please?

As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.

Wetherspoons is the McDonald’s of pubs. It’s not brilliant, but you know it’s going to be okay and you’ll get good value for money.

In pretty much any town, the cheapest pub is always going to be a focus for those who society has mostly left behind.

In a beer desert, such as many towns in the West of Scotland, spoons is the only place that sells a decent pint.

HYUFD said:

Big_G_NorthWales said:

Sky reporting Mexico has conceded everything that Trump wanted and it is a big win for Trump

Skys words, not mine

No, paused for a month for further negotiations

As I said these are Sky's words

Sandpit said:

eek said:

It seems the reason why Elon Musk is so centered and closing down USAID is because of the roll USAID played in removing Apartheid in South Africa

More like they’ve been interfering in foreign politics for the last 60 years.

They have a $50bn budget, most of which is paying foreign and domestic NGOs and activist groups.

https://x.com/catchupfeed/status/1886013960178040954

Correct, they have been "interfering" in things like Apartheid. Jesus wept.

https://x.com/trumpdailyposts/status/1886440603996840266

I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country. We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico. I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a “deal” between our two Countries.

EPG said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

turbotubbs said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TimS said:

Nigelb said:

Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.

It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.

Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.

Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.

It is one of those 'settled PB views'.

It’s the public’s settled view.
Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.

And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.

What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.

That's the bit your side keeps missing.

I personally don’t favour a re-entry.
The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.

That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.

And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.

There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.

Not right for us then, not now, not ever.

Ideological pro-GM partisans, though, are few in number. More numerous are people who were promised busloads of free money and no more foreigners. Will they be fooled a second time or punish their tormentors.

They won't vote for your prospectus, that's for sure.

What's clear from reading this board is that, by and large, your side have learned nothing and forgotten nothing.

williamglenn said:

https://x.com/trumpdailyposts/status/1886440603996840266

I just spoke with President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico. It was a very friendly conversation wherein she agreed to immediately supply 10,000 Mexican Soldiers on the Border separating Mexico and the United States. These soldiers will be specifically designated to stop the flow of fentanyl, and illegal migrants into our Country. We further agreed to immediately pause the anticipated tariffs for a one month period during which we will have negotiations headed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and high-level Representatives of Mexico. I look forward to participating in those negotiations, with President Sheinbaum, as we attempt to achieve a “deal” between our two Countries.

The 'art of the deal' ?

Casino_Royale said:

EPG said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

turbotubbs said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TimS said:

Nigelb said:

Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.

It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.

Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.

Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.

It is one of those 'settled PB views'.

It’s the public’s settled view.
Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.

And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.

What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.

That's the bit your side keeps missing.

I personally don’t favour a re-entry.
The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.

That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.

And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.

There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.

Not right for us then, not now, not ever.

Ideological pro-GM partisans, though, are few in number. More numerous are people who were promised busloads of free money and no more foreigners. Will they be fooled a second time or punish their tormentors.

They won't vote for your prospectus, that's for sure.

What's clear from reading this board is that, by and large, your side have learned nothing and forgotten nothing.

Your "side" turned the strongest political brand of the last 250 years into a turd.

Fairliered said:

Sandpit said:

maxh said:

Can I defend Wetherspoon's please?

As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.

Wetherspoons is the McDonald’s of pubs. It’s not brilliant, but you know it’s going to be okay and you’ll get good value for money.

In pretty much any town, the cheapest pub is always going to be a focus for those who society has mostly left behind.

In a beer desert, such as many towns in the West of Scotland, spoons is the only place that sells a decent pint.

I assume the beer desert extends to the far Northwest. I’m off on my long weekend to Assynt in a few days. Shall stock up on drinks at the supermarket in Inverness rather than relying on the pubs of Lochinver.

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

turbotubbs said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TimS said:

Nigelb said:

Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.

It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.

Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.

Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.

It is one of those 'settled PB views'.

It’s the public’s settled view.
Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.

And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.

What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.

That's the bit your side keeps missing.

I personally don’t favour a re-entry.
The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.

That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.

And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.

There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.

Not right for us then, not now, not ever.

Britain is a notably weaker power since 2016, since it is longer regarded as able to exert pressure on its European peers. The nimble foreign policy is merely your characterisation, though of course the Uk has repatriated the opportunity to apply trade sanctions.

Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.

Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.

Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.

It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.

But, do you accept that if Brexit can be seen as a failure for the reasons you post in your last two paragraphs that this does not naturally lead to "Rejoin", because it's about our failure to take full advantage of our scope for self-governance?

Sandpit said:

eek said:

It seems the reason why Elon Musk is so centered and closing down USAID is because of the roll USAID played in removing Apartheid in South Africa

More like they’ve been interfering in foreign politics for the last 60 years.

They have a $50bn budget, most of which is paying foreign and domestic NGOs and activist groups.

https://x.com/catchupfeed/status/1886013960178040954

They pay NGOs to deliver humanitarian assistance, because they are able to do it more cheaply and effectively, using local staff, than the US government is able to do themselves. Cutting this funding means people in crisis situations won't get the help they need, help that is in many cases the difference between life and death.

Taz said:

maxh said:

Can I defend Wetherspoon's please?

As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.

Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.

Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.

I've been taken to a few Wetherspoons and was pleasantly surprised. Nicely refurbished old buildings, very busy, reasonable service and, of course, cheap as chips. The clientele was perfectly respectable. Maybe it's different on a Saturday night but weekday lunchtime absolutely fine. Can see the appeal.

TheScreamingEagles said:

Taz said:

maxh said:

Can I defend Wetherspoon's please?

As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.

Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.

Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.

My disdain for Spoons is the sheer amount of violence I see in and about the one in Manchester Piccadilly.

Come to the one in Morpeth or Chester-Le-Street. You'll only get love from the Groggers there

@thetimes

Investors fleeing the cryptocurrency market after President Trump ignited a trade war have wiped more than $500bn off the value of digital assets ⬇️

https://x.com/basileuspi/status/1886410925684781431

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Investors fleeing the cryptocurrency market after President Trump ignited a trade war have wiped more than $500bn off the value of digital assets ⬇️

https://x.com/basileuspi/status/1886410925684781431

Tweet already out of date....BTC gained over half of losses back already in past few hours and back around the $100k level.

a

williamglenn said:

Czech beavers build planned dams in protected landscape area, while local officials were still seeking permits

https://english.radio.cz/beavers-build-planned-dams-protected-landscape-area-while-local-officials-still-8841536

"The beavers saved us 30 million Czech korunas. They built the dams without any project documentation—and for free," said the head of the nature reserve administration.

Proposal - get the Wuhan lab to genetically modify beavers so they build nuclear reactors, railways, roads.

Burgessian said:

Taz said:

maxh said:

Can I defend Wetherspoon's please?

As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.

Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.

Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.

I've been taken to a few Wetherspoons and was pleasantly surprised. Nicely refurbished old buildings, very busy, reasonable service and, of course, cheap as chips. The clientele was perfectly respectable. Maybe it's different on a Saturday night but weekday lunchtime absolutely fine. Can see the appeal.

It's a function of location - if there is a lack of er... entertaining clients within easy busy ride of the Spoons in question....

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

turbotubbs said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TimS said:

Nigelb said:

Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.

It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.

Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.

Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.

It is one of those 'settled PB views'.

It’s the public’s settled view.
Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.

And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.

What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.

That's the bit your side keeps missing.

I personally don’t favour a re-entry.
The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.

That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.

And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.

There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.

Not right for us then, not now, not ever.

Britain is a notably weaker power since 2016, since it is longer regarded as able to exert pressure on its European peers. The nimble foreign policy is merely your characterisation, though of course the Uk has repatriated the opportunity to apply trade sanctions.

Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.

Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.

Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.

It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.

But, do you accept that if Brexit can be seen as a failure for the reasons you post in your last two paragraphs that this does not naturally lead to "Rejoin", because it's about our failure to take full advantage of our scope for self-governance?

Both of those paragraphs refer to activities which could, and indeed should, have been undertaken when we were members of the EU.
And yes, I'm a committed Remainer and if another referendum was called I'd do what I could, even in enfeebled state, to support a Rejoin campaign.

Casino_Royale said:

The food in Spoons is, by and large, crap unless you're starving, on a budget and just need to plug a hole.

I agree the beer is cracking value, though.

I haven't been into a 'spoons for a couple of years, so this might be out of date. However:

It's not the worst pub food, which tends to be rather (ahem) variable if you're in an unfamiliar town.

But best of all, the food tends to arrive quickly. Which is probably not the best sign of freshness and brilliant food, but does mean that you can rely on it if you are in a hurry.

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Investors fleeing the cryptocurrency market after President Trump ignited a trade war have wiped more than $500bn off the value of digital assets ⬇️

https://x.com/basileuspi/status/1886410925684781431

You can bet your boots Trump and Musk have been shorting crypto and have each made a gazillion dollars today in hard cash by the time they were finished. Luvvly Jubbly.

Mexicanpete said:

Scott_xP said:

@thetimes

Investors fleeing the cryptocurrency market after President Trump ignited a trade war have wiped more than $500bn off the value of digital assets ⬇️

https://x.com/basileuspi/status/1886410925684781431

You can bet your boots Trump and Musk have been shorting crypto and have each made a gazillion dollars today in hard cash by the time they were finished. Luvvly Jubbly.

Actually, I don't think that's true at all.

I doubt Trump has any positions other than in $TRUMP, and that he'll be trying to dump at high speed, and this trade war doesn't help him.

Musk is a true believer in Bitcoin, and a large chunk of Tesla's Q4 earnings came from revaluing its Bitcoin holdings upwards.

Andy_JS said:

This isn't a joke.

"Scottish government gives update on reports cats could be banned"

https://news.sky.com/story/cat-ban-could-be-tabled-in-scotland-as-ministers-urged-to-investigate-pets-risk-to-wildlife-13302273

And the update is that under no circumstances will cats be banned.

numbertwelve said:

Burgessian said:

Taz said:

maxh said:

Can I defend Wetherspoon's please?

As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.

Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.

Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.

I've been taken to a few Wetherspoons and was pleasantly surprised. Nicely refurbished old buildings, very busy, reasonable service and, of course, cheap as chips. The clientele was perfectly respectable. Maybe it's different on a Saturday night but weekday lunchtime absolutely fine. Can see the appeal.

Like any pub estate there are some that are a bit rougher round the edges than others but there are as you say some very nicely refurbished ones with a perfectly genial atmosphere.

We often frequent our local one, because if you don’t fancy cooking and don’t want to break the bank there’s some standard, reliable food on the menu and the beer is cheap.

A pint of Ruddles is £1.29 in some of them.

turbotubbs said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

TheScreamingEagles said:

FrancisUrquhart said:

Andy_JS said:

"Can you still afford to eat out?
Tim Hayward"

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/can-you-still-afford-to-eat-out/?homepage-tracking=high_density-article-1

Yes, at Wetherspoons.

Does that count as eating food though?

I once ate at a Wetherspoons, in 2018, near Durham railway station.

I haven't been that scared since I visited Baghdad in 2004.

To be fair, 15 years ago, it wasn't that bad. Reasonably priced microwaved fare, but that is pretty standard at loads of those popular chain restaurants of the 2010s (none of which were any good and charged even more money). The sunday lunch they did were pass-able, but they cut that quite a while ago now as clearly it was too expensive for their rock bottom price business model.

The bigger issue with Wetherspoons has always been the clientele it attracts. Often it appears a day centre for those with a range of issues.

The one in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, their clientele often go there before their appearance in court a few minutes away by foot.

TBH, I feel most sorry for the staff. They will have to deal will a lot of difficult individuals and not just at 11pm on Friday / Saturday night.

Walked past the local Trowbridge Wetherspoons at 11 am last weekend and was shocked to see the drinking had long since started.

Whatever happened to the yard-arm?

They do a very good breakfast with as much tea brown water as you want. If you don't want the water, you can have a pint or two. You've never lived until you try a Spoons.

Just don't have eye contact.

McDonald’s is merely pap for children.

It’s like saying, “baby food’s pretty good if you like mushy apple”.

However it is clean, reliable, and inexpensive.

Andy_JS said:

numbertwelve said:

Burgessian said:

Taz said:

maxh said:

Can I defend Wetherspoon's please?

As one of those unfortunate types (I know, I know, we're a rare breed on this forum) who definitely have to watch their pennies when going to the pub, the 'double breakfast' whereby one can order two whole Wetherspoon's breakfasts and not have to chop off one's own toenails for sale on the black market in recompense pleases me greatly.

Easy to be sniffy at Spoons. Nothing wrong with it. The beer is decent and doesn't cost the earth. The food is fine for what it is.

Plenty of remainers knock Spoons for no better reason than they don't like the owner.

I've been taken to a few Wetherspoons and was pleasantly surprised. Nicely refurbished old buildings, very busy, reasonable service and, of course, cheap as chips. The clientele was perfectly respectable. Maybe it's different on a Saturday night but weekday lunchtime absolutely fine. Can see the appeal.

Like any pub estate there are some that are a bit rougher round the edges than others but there are as you say some very nicely refurbished ones with a perfectly genial atmosphere.

We often frequent our local one, because if you don’t fancy cooking and don’t want to break the bank there’s some standard, reliable food on the menu and the beer is cheap.

A pint of Ruddles is £1.29 in some of them.

Is your Spoons situated somewhere near 1990?

TimS said:

Casino_Royale said:

The food in Spoons is, by and large, crap unless you're starving, on a budget and just need to plug a hole.

I agree the beer is cracking value, though.

McDonald’s on the other hand is the most underrated, value for money fare on the high street.

I actively enjoy the taste and texture of a McDonald’s burger more than the vast majority of alternatives, from Burger King through food van burgers with onions to “gourmet” efforts at restaurants. Only the burgers of Mother Flipper round here or the occasional steak hache in French motorway services match up.

McDonald’s gets so much right. The patties just taste nicely of beef without those weird flavours you get elsewhere. The sauces are just right and Big Mac sauce in particular is excellent. The buns are not sickly sweet like brioche buns nor overly bready like greasy spoon jobs. And the fries, when fresh and crisp, are some of the best fries you’ll find.

I discovered recently that their burger patties have a bit of MSG shaken on top, which stands to reason.
.

I like it at the time but, then, a couple of hours later I don't feel so good.

Gardenwalker said:

I can’t help thinking that Trump simply woke up, saw the stock market down, and various anti-tariff noises from the business community, and - decided to twist.

I wonder how many of the ‘buy the dip’ brigade are out and about today.

Gardenwalker said:

I can’t help thinking that Trump simply woke up, saw the stock market down, and various anti-tariff noises from the business community, and - decided to twist.

Yes, best not to overthink him as regards plans and policies and ideology. He's a blustering buffoon and nasty with it.

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Casino_Royale said:

Gardenwalker said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

turbotubbs said:

Luckyguy1983 said:

TimS said:

Nigelb said:

Until the little Transatlantic difficulty is sorted, I don't think any of this matters very much.

It’s only going to get more dramatic over the next few weeks. Project 2025 is well and truly happening. And you’re right, rather like Covid or the financial crisis or Iraq war, how European governments respond to the nouse coming out of the US is going to dominate everything else for a while.

Not for the first time, we appear to be positioned rather well due to Brexit.

Don't forget that Brexit is a failure, as I keep seeing on this forum. No one defines what that failure is, mind.

It is one of those 'settled PB views'.

It’s the public’s settled view.
Ironically, the three or four people who still haven’t twigged that Brexit was a failure seem to post regularly on here.

And, yet, there is very little appetite to reopen or reverse it.

What you have to distinguish is those who think Brexit is a failure because it hasn't gone far enough, or the powers been taken advantage of enough, over those who think it was a fundamental mistake and should be reversed.

That's the bit your side keeps missing.

I personally don’t favour a re-entry.
The juice is not worth ten years of squeeze right now.

That’s distinct from Brexit, which has delivered ten years of squeeze with no juice whatsoever.

And, yet, it has. We have a more nimble foreign policy, we have different regulations on GM crops and on AI now, and this government has also taken advantage of some of the powers. We have a broader range of trade agreements. And our services exports to the EU are booming. Our domestic politics is no longer dominated by "ever closer union" federalism.

There is no form of EU membership I'd favour. Consider people like me dormant, but we'd absolutely rise up to fight again should a rejoin movement ever get political traction.

Not right for us then, not now, not ever.

Britain is a notably weaker power since 2016, since it is longer regarded as able to exert pressure on its European peers. The nimble foreign policy is merely your characterisation, though of course the Uk has repatriated the opportunity to apply trade sanctions.

Britain forfeited its opportunity to influence GM and AI policy inside the EU. Hopefully the different regulations you refer to pay dividends in the years ahead. In other areas, such as the chemical industry and with regard to the EU’s proposed carbon tax, Britain is essentially reduced to being a rule taker. It has no choice given the EU and EEA comprises ~50% of its trade. Likewise, the supposed broader range of trade agreements in no way compensate for the friction introduced to trade with the EU. It’s like comparing a bucket with a lake.

Services may be “booming” but British goods exports show significantly worse performance than G7 peers. Goods production, by the way, is relatively more focused on so-called “left behind” regions.

Disappointingly, Britain has not taken advantage of EU exit to initiate democratic reforms, and the Brexiter-in-chief attempted to prorogue parliament illegally while holding parliamentary procedure in contempt.

It may be true that removing the false discourse around “ever closer union” means the UK politics can focus on the much more vital question of a dysfunctional planning regime, lack of infrastructure investment, pension reform, and over-centralisation, but it seems like we’re still at the beginning of that journey.

But, do you accept that if Brexit can be seen as a failure for the reasons you post in your last two paragraphs that this does not naturally lead to "Rejoin", because it's about our failure to take full advantage of our scope for self-governance?

I’ve already said that I don’t believe it correct to “Rejoin”, at least right now.

Brexit is a failure economically, diplomatically, culturally, and politically. But it is what it is, and my own view is that Britain is best off working on a very close, bespoke partnership.

I thought Max’s post yesterday on joining Schengen was interesting.

Britain does have an opportunity to almost rethink its European position from a blank page, albeit thinking geopolitically doesn’t seem to come naturally to the British political mind since Blair, and his own geopolitical strategy must be regarded a failure.

Yeah, but it's not, is it?

That's just a list of superlatives the answer to all of which seem to be: full membership of the European Union. That hasn't been and has never been the case.

You massively overstate your case, which is why you don't get the hearing you want.

I agree a model of close (but sovereign) cooperation between the UK and EU that's bespoke for both makes sense. So why not work on that?