VERY good q. If just 6% of Birkenhead is unemployed, how can 51% of central Birkenhead be on out-of-work benefits?
Answer is the smoke-and-mirrors of categorisation. Those on sickness benefit don't show up on unemployent figures.
The DWP list of all "out-of-work benefits" gives the full picture
At last count, just 1.7m are claimant unemployed. Reality: a full 6m out-of-work benefits...
It is a significant problem. Our government/political machine has been captured by the "one more cut" mentality. How have we got all these people now in work claiming "benefits?" Lets cut. How have we got few unemployed but lots on the sick? Lets cut.
You can cut the funding, but you can't cut the need. We need to go after the roots of the problem: Too many jobs do not pay the bills Jobs which invest zero in training and skills Not enough jobs Not enough childcare at times / prices to enable work Not enough money invested in preventative care as its been cut
We could take an axe to "benefits: in Birkenhead. The people on them won't be driven back into work as the work isn't there and what work there is isn't viable to live on. So then you get a big uplift in crime which costs loads and crapifies whole communities which costs loads more.
We need to completely reimagine work and social security. And I am increasingly persuaded that UBI needs to be at the heart of it.
The little food bank I'm connected with has families where both parents have full time jobs but their combined income still doesn't cover the bills.
Is that because of food prices or because of housing costs ?
I don't know, being a back-office person. It's true that there's are a lot more things these days that are effectively essentials - the days when people could just not spend money on what would have been considered "non-essentials" have gone. And I don't mean Sky packages etc.
When I was young, if you had rent, clothes, food, fuel & household sundries you were OK; you could walk or cycle to work. Nowadays, not so much.
Whereabouts are you (as I can't remember). I'm seeing on Reddit an awful lot of people down South being kicked out of their rental homes only to discover that the new market rents are well beyond the level they can afford...
South west. People are in difficulties with finding affordable rental properties, e.g an elderly and ill couple sofa-surfing with relations who treat them like servants. But what can the council do? They have to deal with the highest-priority people first.
If they are sofa-surfing, then won't be on the housing list. They need to be in temporary accommodation first. Or the relations need to serve notice and make them homeless to get into TA.
Not entirely true given new Trump sanctions on Russia. It is more a question of where the territorial boundaries go in a ceasefire, even Trump is not giving Russia all of Ukraine
The US is supplying Russia with intelligence, while doing all it can to undermine the Ukrainians.
Stunning that we are writing sentences like this, even though seems true.
Just incredible that the US can be turned to support a sworn enemy of decades standing on the say so of one man.
Obama pushed for military cooperation with Russia and called them a strategic partner over Iran.
I don't think he has gone all in on the Russian side. The negotiation with Russia hasn't started - he's decided he must get the Ukrainians to agree first. This undermining of their position is to secure that. It's a lot more than I would be comfortable doing, but it's a sort of strategy.
"he's decided he must get the Ukrainians to agree first."
What rubbish negotiations that is. "You Ukrainians agree to whatever Putin and I agree together."
It's basically a Ukrainian surrender. No wonder Putinite shills like it.
I don't know if they have to give Trump carte blanche. But certainly he seems to want them to accept some basics before he starts negotiations with the Russians.
What basics?
1. Accede to Russian territorial demands.
2. Acknowledge that what is left becomes a Russian satellite.
3. Agree to let the country be strip-mined by the USA.
That is the “peace” that Trump is seeking.
I don’t think even Putin let alone Trump has said western Ukraine can’t join the EU as long as it doesn’t join NATO.
It is eastern Ukraine Putin wants and in the Crimea, Donbass etc there are many ethnic Russians
How does a "de-militarised" "de-nazified" rump Ukraine avoid becoming a Russian puppet? "Denazification" is in fact what Russians call installing a puppet regime.
These remain Russia's demands.
By joining the EU which Zelensky would demand even if he agrees Russia can keep the Crimea and the land it now controls
Did you read my post?
Russian demands include "Denazification" which means the removal of Zelenskyy and the installation of a pro-Putin regime. Having a pro-Putin puppet inside the EU would also be good for Putin, though they wouldn't be allowed to join.
You talked about Russian demands in your previous post without seeming to be aware of what they are.
Lavrov has made clear Russian core demands are actually control of the five regions they largely now occupy.
No they only fully occupy Crimea. The rest are divided. He wants more than the current front lines.
As I said, full control of those five regions but not necessarily all Ukraine
Ukraine controls half of Kherson, half of Zapo, and half of Donetsk. You are surrendering not just the Russian Russian occupied arena, but about the same again.
Russia controls around 20% of the land area of Ukraine, ceding the remainder of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson and Donetsk oblasts per Russia's demands would lose around 3% further land area, not to mention the two cities of more than 1 million people combined.
Summing by raion (district level admin division), I reckon the pre-war population of the areas under Ukrainian control but which Russia claims from the 5 oblasts are getting on for 2.5 million - around 1 million each in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia, around 0.5 in Kherson.
Is it wrong to wish that Trump, Vance, Musk, Hegseth, Gabbard, Waltz, and Rubio finish up in front of a firing squad?
I think it shows you've gone a bit too far down the rabbit hole if I'm being very honest. You might feel it's righteous hatred, but hatred isn’t positive emotion in any context.
It's just hatred. It may be wrong but how's it going down any rabbit hole?
Because Sean_F is a deeply intelligent military historian, but his recent posts are just rage and not much else. I would like to see more analysis and insight from some posters, but you need a certain realisation that the world is still turning to be able to analyse anything or have any insight.
The realisation is indeed that the world is turning and as a result we must change our outlook rather than our values. The first change in outlook needs to be that the US is now no longer a friend and should be viewed as a potential and growing enemy in the same way we view Russia
I would settle for viewing them both as foreign countries.
Well, they are both 'foreign'.
But we have a heck of a lot in common with the USA - and far more than we do with Russia. I can see why it is in Putin's interests to have us in Europe disengage with the USA, but there is still chance and opportunities for the US to realise what a series of horrible mistakes it is making.
But there's no way I feel as deeply negative about the USA as I do about Russia. We expect Russia to do deeply bad or evil stuff; we expect better of our friends.
They are both foreign countries, and we should aim to be friendly most of the time, but be independent from both. We are not independent from the US at present. Our defence is wholly intertwined, and our foreign and even latterly our domestic politics has been controlled by them. That was widely nodded sagely away by PB's shrewdie contingent as 'just the way things work nowadays' or words to that effect, indeed to question it too much was ironically itself deemed a form of treachery, to 'the West'. Now those idiots are finding a radical leader who is less to their liking has been elected and they are scrambling around wishing we had more autonomoy. Perhaps they'll learn a lesson from this, though I have my doubts.
You cannot be an independent country any more; perhaps the one that is closest is North Korea; and I'm unsure that we want to go down that route.
'Independence' is pretty much an illusion in the modern world. Everything is just too intertwined: all we can do is try to be as independent as possible in certain spheres. As an example, if it is electronic, we need chips. If it is cutting-edge chips, that means we need to go to South Korea, America, or Taiwan. Unless you want to spend countless billions making our own fabs and all the associated technology, only to find a tiny domestic market (as everyone else has done the same).
And that's just chips. Whether energy, food, domestic goods: we cannot be truly independent of other countries. So we need to choose what we want to spend money on being as independent as possible on. But often it is better to be friends with other countries, and to mutually cooperate with them. This is one reason why Putin was delighted with Brexit.
As for idiots: Look in the mirror. You are all too ready to shill for Putin.
North Korea is not independent in any way. It is entirely dependent on China.
Central London sitrep: it’s 17 degrees, lots of people out and about, and that classic early spring mix of some people in heavy coats and jumpers and others in t-shirts or strappy dresses.
About to head into a 3 hour rehearsal for this evening’s Bach St John’s Passion in St James Sussex Gardens. 7pm. Tickets available on the door.
First chiffchaff of the year singing in the garden today.
Nothing says spring more than the first chiffchaff.
Central London sitrep: it’s 17 degrees, lots of people out and about, and that classic early spring mix of some people in heavy coats and jumpers and others in t-shirts or strappy dresses.
About to head into a 3 hour rehearsal for this evening’s Bach St John’s Passion in St James Sussex Gardens. 7pm. Tickets available on the door.
First chiffchaff of the year singing in the garden today.
Nothing says spring more than the first chiffchaff.
Fortunately no sign of budburst on my vines yet. Nothing says spring frost risk like early signs of budburst in March.
Central London sitrep: it’s 17 degrees, lots of people out and about, and that classic early spring mix of some people in heavy coats and jumpers and others in t-shirts or strappy dresses.
About to head into a 3 hour rehearsal for this evening’s Bach St John’s Passion in St James Sussex Gardens. 7pm. Tickets available on the door.
First chiffchaff of the year singing in the garden today.
Nothing says spring more than the first chiffchaff.
For me it’s the wall lizards in the garden. I saw the first one of the year last week.
Central London sitrep: it’s 17 degrees, lots of people out and about, and that classic early spring mix of some people in heavy coats and jumpers and others in t-shirts or strappy dresses.
About to head into a 3 hour rehearsal for this evening’s Bach St John’s Passion in St James Sussex Gardens. 7pm. Tickets available on the door.
First chiffchaff of the year singing in the garden today.
Nothing says spring more than the first chiffchaff.
Skylarks, chiffchaff and a blackcap for me yesterday.
Not entirely true given new Trump sanctions on Russia. It is more a question of where the territorial boundaries go in a ceasefire, even Trump is not giving Russia all of Ukraine
The US is supplying Russia with intelligence, while doing all it can to undermine the Ukrainians.
Stunning that we are writing sentences like this, even though seems true.
Just incredible that the US can be turned to support a sworn enemy of decades standing on the say so of one man.
And even his domestic opponents seem cowed and oddly passive about it. Like, they are outraged, but in an exhausted way.
This really is a noticeable phenomenon. All the fight has left them. I think it’s the legacy of the hope that came with seeing him off in 2020, the assumption he’d be banged up in prison by now, and all that blown away in this whirlwind.
It’s not the first time. Look at the abject state of Hungarian opposition after so many years of hopes being dashed. Or the now submissive Hong Kongers. I get the same sort of shrugging acceptance speaking to anti-Erdogan Turks too. The Georgians aren’t there yet but the sheer doggedness of Ivanishvili will eventually wear them out.
Yes, a determined opponent with sufficient support behind them can beat down optimism and hope, more often than not. The times it doesn't happen makes for great stories, but people are only human, and humans can put up with very horrible situations, we are very resilient.
Morning All! Bright and sunny here again. Would that the world were!
I hope (that's all I can do, and it's becoming somewhat forlorn) that the US Democrats will find their voice again and that the US will return to some semblance of constitutional government. It seems clear that's far as Ukraine is concerned, the US has changed sides; the news from Kursk is particularly bad. The decision on USAID is dreadful; there's a story in today's Guardian about Afghan girls in serious danger of being returned from their Omani university to Afghanistan, where, clearly there's no prospect whatsoever of them being able to continue their studies. And that's just one, I'm certain, of thousand such.
Context: the UK did ours first, and it was not that much better. This was not a story I picked up on until a couple of years later - too much going on for me.
It’s not the same thing, though and the article is heavily informed by Andrew Mitchell who saw his own legacy vaporised. (FWIW he was very good at DfID but Osborne had it in for him. )
There are arguments both ways for integrating international aid into foreign policy vs holding it separate. Part of the issue was that Andrew did some good stuff in its own right (eg secondary education for women in east Africa) but wasn’t willing to integrate into our national strategy
https://scottaaronson.blog/?p=8705 ...In science, it’s obvious to everyone that the burden of proof is on whoever is presenting the new idea—and that this burden is high, especially with anything as well-trodden and skull-strewn as the foundations of quantum mechanics, albeit not infinitely high. The way the game works is: other people try as hard as they can to shoot the new idea down, so we see how it fares under duress. This is not a sign of contempt for new ideas, but of respect for them.
On YouTube, the situation is precisely reversed. There, anyone perceived as the “mainstream establishment” faces a near-insurmountable burden of proof, while anyone perceived as “renegade” wins by default if they identify any hole whatsoever in mainstream understanding. Crucially, the renegade’s own alternative theories are under no particular burden; indeed, the details of their theories are not even that important or relevant...
From the same source:
"...I don’t want to list science YouTubers who’ve learned to exploit that dynamic masterfully, though I’m told one rhymes with “Frabine Schlossenfelder.”..."
Is it wrong to wish that Trump, Vance, Musk, Hegseth, Gabbard, Waltz, and Rubio finish up in front of a firing squad?
I think it shows you've gone a bit too far down the rabbit hole if I'm being very honest. You might feel it's righteous hatred, but hatred isn’t positive emotion in any context.
It's just hatred. It may be wrong but how's it going down any rabbit hole?
Because Sean_F is a deeply intelligent military historian, but his recent posts are just rage and not much else. I would like to see more analysis and insight from some posters, but you need a certain realisation that the world is still turning to be able to analyse anything or have any insight.
The realisation is indeed that the world is turning and as a result we must change our outlook rather than our values. The first change in outlook needs to be that the US is now no longer a friend and should be viewed as a potential and growing enemy in the same way we view Russia
I would settle for viewing them both as foreign countries.
Well, they are both 'foreign'.
But we have a heck of a lot in common with the USA - and far more than we do with Russia. I can see why it is in Putin's interests to have us in Europe disengage with the USA, but there is still chance and opportunities for the US to realise what a series of horrible mistakes it is making.
But there's no way I feel as deeply negative about the USA as I do about Russia. We expect Russia to do deeply bad or evil stuff; we expect better of our friends.
They are both foreign countries, and we should aim to be friendly most of the time, but be independent from both. We are not independent from the US at present. Our defence is wholly intertwined, and our foreign and even latterly our domestic politics has been controlled by them. That was widely nodded sagely away by PB's shrewdie contingent as 'just the way things work nowadays' or words to that effect, indeed to question it too much was ironically itself deemed a form of treachery, to 'the West'. Now those idiots are finding a radical leader who is less to their liking has been elected and they are scrambling around wishing we had more autonomoy. Perhaps they'll learn a lesson from this, though I have my doubts.
You cannot be an independent country any more; perhaps the one that is closest is North Korea; and I'm unsure that we want to go down that route.
'Independence' is pretty much an illusion in the modern world. Everything is just too intertwined: all we can do is try to be as independent as possible in certain spheres. As an example, if it is electronic, we need chips. If it is cutting-edge chips, that means we need to go to South Korea, America, or Taiwan. Unless you want to spend countless billions making our own fabs and all the associated technology, only to find a tiny domestic market (as everyone else has done the same).
And that's just chips. Whether energy, food, domestic goods: we cannot be truly independent of other countries. So we need to choose what we want to spend money on being as independent as possible on. But often it is better to be friends with other countries, and to mutually cooperate with them. This is one reason why Putin was delighted with Brexit.
As for idiots: Look in the mirror. You are all too ready to shill for Putin.
No one is suggesting we don't cooperate. Bur that doesn't need political union or fealty.
And the US is in bed with the russians, all the while the brexit/reform crowd are against Britain building a viable defense system and deterrent with europe.... what to say about the populist right allegiance and hypocrisy about sovereignity. Sovereignity only matters for water pollution standards and banana shapes. When it comes to Putin the populists wag their tails and roll onto their backs 🙄🙄🙄
You are not helping your cause.
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
The effects of Trump and the sentiments appearing from the transatlantic earthquake take time to percolate through the electorate. Most people don't follow news the way we do and it takes months for events to take hold and impact voting behaviour. I suspect. Reforms numbers are going to drop as people think through what they have stood for over the last years (policies that have weakened us economically and in terms of defense) and as people see the effect of the DOGE/Truss style economic collapse in the US. I also look forward to the next yougov and Statista brexit polls. I suspect leve is i. For a further bloodbath.
The London summit shows that predictions that Brexit would render the UK irrelevant were categorically wrong.
where have you been for the past 10 years? we only regained relevance because the US have gone round the twist
This guy is a post op lobotomy patient
Actually that description applies far more accurately to those seeing this current crisis as some excuse for rejoining the EU. If the crisis shows us anything it is that tying yourself to monolithic blocs is a stupid idea.
Close cooperation without political straitjackets is the future.
I suspect us being outside the EU is going to make the problems that Hungary is creating for the EU regarding the Ukraine slightly easier to deal with.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
And the US is in bed with the russians, all the while the brexit/reform crowd are against Britain building a viable defense system and deterrent with europe.... what to say about the populist right allegiance and hypocrisy about sovereignity. Sovereignity only matters for water pollution standards and banana shapes. When it comes to Putin the populists wag their tails and roll onto their backs 🙄🙄🙄
You are not helping your cause.
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
And the US is in bed with the russians, all the while the brexit/reform crowd are against Britain building a viable defense system and deterrent with europe.... what to say about the populist right allegiance and hypocrisy about sovereignity. Sovereignity only matters for water pollution standards and banana shapes. When it comes to Putin the populists wag their tails and roll onto their backs 🙄🙄🙄
You are not helping your cause.
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
The gaps in our defence capabilities, now that we can no longer rely upon the US, are going to be very large and it will be a lot easier if the cost of doing so is shared with like minded countries with similar problems, France, Germany and Poland in particular but also the likes of Spain and Italy.
There is a lot of thinking and planning to be done on this, my guess is that it will take at least a decade to sort out. It is just as well that Russia has destroyed its conventional capabilities in Ukraine and will take at least that long to recover.
A world where the US is no longer a friend and even a potential enemy to the extent that a bully like Trump or Vance may want to throw their weight about is a lot less comfortable than we have been used to but it is where we are and the sooner we stop deluding ourselves that there are other options the sooner we can get started.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
Central London sitrep: it’s 17 degrees, lots of people out and about, and that classic early spring mix of some people in heavy coats and jumpers and others in t-shirts or strappy dresses.
About to head into a 3 hour rehearsal for this evening’s Bach St John’s Passion in St James Sussex Gardens. 7pm. Tickets available on the door.
First chiffchaff of the year singing in the garden today.
Nothing says spring more than the first chiffchaff.
Skylarks, chiffchaff and a blackcap for me yesterday.
I know you meant something different, but I have this image of you as a judge handing down the death sentence to the skylark and chiffchaff in the dock.
I’ve heard from a solid source that medical supplies from US to frontline medics in Ukraine are being withheld through USAID and military logistics. If true this is absolutely unacceptable. https://x.com/AdamKinzinger/status/1898044590029992080
And absolutely unsurprising.
The depressing thing is how many people are “just following orders”.
How would Musk/Trump stop someone delivering medical supplies through the system?
And the US is in bed with the russians, all the while the brexit/reform crowd are against Britain building a viable defense system and deterrent with europe.... what to say about the populist right allegiance and hypocrisy about sovereignity. Sovereignity only matters for water pollution standards and banana shapes. When it comes to Putin the populists wag their tails and roll onto their backs 🙄🙄🙄
You are not helping your cause.
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
The solution is always more Europe.
Well at the moment we can no longer trust the USA so exactly where else can we turn to for mutual support and an easy to access market for our products and services..
Good on Missouri. China got off outrageously lightly for concealing COVID, controlling the supply of PPE at the start of the pandemic and generally acting as badly as it could whatever the effects on everybody else.
We should do something similar over here, though no doubt the current China-loving government would do its best to frustrate it.
From the article: “It revealed that China was made aware of the human-to-human transmission of the virus as early as September 2019.” That is conspiracy theory bollocks. China did lots of things wrong: they didn’t need to resort to MAGA lies.
Central London sitrep: it’s 17 degrees, lots of people out and about, and that classic early spring mix of some people in heavy coats and jumpers and others in t-shirts or strappy dresses.
About to head into a 3 hour rehearsal for this evening’s Bach St John’s Passion in St James Sussex Gardens. 7pm. Tickets available on the door.
First chiffchaff of the year singing in the garden today.
Nothing says spring more than the first chiffchaff.
Skylarks, chiffchaff and a blackcap for me yesterday.
I know you meant something different, but I have this image of you as a judge handing down the death sentence to the skylark and chiffchaff in the dock.
VERY good q. If just 6% of Birkenhead is unemployed, how can 51% of central Birkenhead be on out-of-work benefits?
Answer is the smoke-and-mirrors of categorisation. Those on sickness benefit don't show up on unemployent figures.
The DWP list of all "out-of-work benefits" gives the full picture
At last count, just 1.7m are claimant unemployed. Reality: a full 6m out-of-work benefits...
It is a significant problem. Our government/political machine has been captured by the "one more cut" mentality. How have we got all these people now in work claiming "benefits?" Lets cut. How have we got few unemployed but lots on the sick? Lets cut.
You can cut the funding, but you can't cut the need. We need to go after the roots of the problem: Too many jobs do not pay the bills Jobs which invest zero in training and skills Not enough jobs Not enough childcare at times / prices to enable work Not enough money invested in preventative care as its been cut
We could take an axe to "benefits: in Birkenhead. The people on them won't be driven back into work as the work isn't there and what work there is isn't viable to live on. So then you get a big uplift in crime which costs loads and crapifies whole communities which costs loads more.
We need to completely reimagine work and social security. And I am increasingly persuaded that UBI needs to be at the heart of it.
The little food bank I'm connected with has families where both parents have full time jobs but their combined income still doesn't cover the bills.
Is that because of food prices or because of housing costs ?
I don't know, being a back-office person. It's true that there's are a lot more things these days that are effectively essentials - the days when people could just not spend money on what would have been considered "non-essentials" have gone. And I don't mean Sky packages etc.
When I was young, if you had rent, clothes, food, fuel & household sundries you were OK; you could walk or cycle to work. Nowadays, not so much.
Whereabouts are you (as I can't remember). I'm seeing on Reddit an awful lot of people down South being kicked out of their rental homes only to discover that the new market rents are well beyond the level they can afford...
South west. People are in difficulties with finding affordable rental properties, e.g an elderly and ill couple sofa-surfing with relations who treat them like servants. But what can the council do? They have to deal with the highest-priority people first.
So ask Somerset County Council why they have spent 6 years negotiating a section 106 where the final details has changed by the inclusion of an additional steam trail (cost of £250k) but it has delayed the building off 400 homes
VERY good q. If just 6% of Birkenhead is unemployed, how can 51% of central Birkenhead be on out-of-work benefits?
Answer is the smoke-and-mirrors of categorisation. Those on sickness benefit don't show up on unemployent figures.
The DWP list of all "out-of-work benefits" gives the full picture
At last count, just 1.7m are claimant unemployed. Reality: a full 6m out-of-work benefits...
It is a significant problem. Our government/political machine has been captured by the "one more cut" mentality. How have we got all these people now in work claiming "benefits?" Lets cut. How have we got few unemployed but lots on the sick? Lets cut.
You can cut the funding, but you can't cut the need. We need to go after the roots of the problem: Too many jobs do not pay the bills Jobs which invest zero in training and skills Not enough jobs Not enough childcare at times / prices to enable work Not enough money invested in preventative care as its been cut
We could take an axe to "benefits: in Birkenhead. The people on them won't be driven back into work as the work isn't there and what work there is isn't viable to live on. So then you get a big uplift in crime which costs loads and crapifies whole communities which costs loads more.
We need to completely reimagine work and social security. And I am increasingly persuaded that UBI needs to be at the heart of it.
The little food bank I'm connected with has families where both parents have full time jobs but their combined income still doesn't cover the bills.
Is that because of food prices or because of housing costs ?
I don't know, being a back-office person. It's true that there's are a lot more things these days that are effectively essentials - the days when people could just not spend money on what would have been considered "non-essentials" have gone. And I don't mean Sky packages etc.
When I was young, if you had rent, clothes, food, fuel & household sundries you were OK; you could walk or cycle to work. Nowadays, not so much.
Whereabouts are you (as I can't remember). I'm seeing on Reddit an awful lot of people down South being kicked out of their rental homes only to discover that the new market rents are well beyond the level they can afford...
South west. People are in difficulties with finding affordable rental properties, e.g an elderly and ill couple sofa-surfing with relations who treat them like servants. But what can the council do? They have to deal with the highest-priority people first.
So ask Somerset County Council why they have spent 6 years negotiating a section 106 where the final details has changed by the inclusion of an additional steam trail (cost of £250k) but it has delayed the building off 400 homes
If only the builders hadn't spent 4 years arguing over £250k...
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
I find Kemi Badenoch strangely alluring. Before she talks she is quite beautiful. Only when she speaks is the illusion crushed.
Central London sitrep: it’s 17 degrees, lots of people out and about, and that classic early spring mix of some people in heavy coats and jumpers and others in t-shirts or strappy dresses.
About to head into a 3 hour rehearsal for this evening’s Bach St John’s Passion in St James Sussex Gardens. 7pm. Tickets available on the door.
First chiffchaff of the year singing in the garden today.
Nothing says spring more than the first chiffchaff.
Skylarks, chiffchaff and a blackcap for me yesterday.
Is it wrong to wish that Trump, Vance, Musk, Hegseth, Gabbard, Waltz, and Rubio finish up in front of a firing squad?
I think it shows you've gone a bit too far down the rabbit hole if I'm being very honest. You might feel it's righteous hatred, but hatred isn’t positive emotion in any context.
It's just hatred. It may be wrong but how's it going down any rabbit hole?
Because Sean_F is a deeply intelligent military historian, but his recent posts are just rage and not much else. I would like to see more analysis and insight from some posters, but you need a certain realisation that the world is still turning to be able to analyse anything or have any insight.
The realisation is indeed that the world is turning and as a result we must change our outlook rather than our values. The first change in outlook needs to be that the US is now no longer a friend and should be viewed as a potential and growing enemy in the same way we view Russia
I would settle for viewing them both as foreign countries.
Well, they are both 'foreign'.
But we have a heck of a lot in common with the USA - and far more than we do with Russia. I can see why it is in Putin's interests to have us in Europe disengage with the USA, but there is still chance and opportunities for the US to realise what a series of horrible mistakes it is making.
But there's no way I feel as deeply negative about the USA as I do about Russia. We expect Russia to do deeply bad or evil stuff; we expect better of our friends.
They are both foreign countries, and we should aim to be friendly most of the time, but be independent from both. We are not independent from the US at present. Our defence is wholly intertwined, and our foreign and even latterly our domestic politics has been controlled by them. That was widely nodded sagely away by PB's shrewdie contingent as 'just the way things work nowadays' or words to that effect, indeed to question it too much was ironically itself deemed a form of treachery, to 'the West'. Now those idiots are finding a radical leader who is less to their liking has been elected and they are scrambling around wishing we had more autonomoy. Perhaps they'll learn a lesson from this, though I have my doubts.
You cannot be an independent country any more; perhaps the one that is closest is North Korea; and I'm unsure that we want to go down that route.
'Independence' is pretty much an illusion in the modern world. Everything is just too intertwined: all we can do is try to be as independent as possible in certain spheres. As an example, if it is electronic, we need chips. If it is cutting-edge chips, that means we need to go to South Korea, America, or Taiwan. Unless you want to spend countless billions making our own fabs and all the associated technology, only to find a tiny domestic market (as everyone else has done the same).
And that's just chips. Whether energy, food, domestic goods: we cannot be truly independent of other countries. So we need to choose what we want to spend money on being as independent as possible on. But often it is better to be friends with other countries, and to mutually cooperate with them. This is one reason why Putin was delighted with Brexit.
As for idiots: Look in the mirror. You are all too ready to shill for Putin.
North Korea is not independent in any way. It is entirely dependent on China.
South Korea is far more independent in many ways. Even if the US forces withdrew completely, they could probably fight off North Korea themselves.
VERY good q. If just 6% of Birkenhead is unemployed, how can 51% of central Birkenhead be on out-of-work benefits?
Answer is the smoke-and-mirrors of categorisation. Those on sickness benefit don't show up on unemployent figures.
The DWP list of all "out-of-work benefits" gives the full picture
At last count, just 1.7m are claimant unemployed. Reality: a full 6m out-of-work benefits...
It is a significant problem. Our government/political machine has been captured by the "one more cut" mentality. How have we got all these people now in work claiming "benefits?" Lets cut. How have we got few unemployed but lots on the sick? Lets cut.
You can cut the funding, but you can't cut the need. We need to go after the roots of the problem: Too many jobs do not pay the bills Jobs which invest zero in training and skills Not enough jobs Not enough childcare at times / prices to enable work Not enough money invested in preventative care as its been cut
We could take an axe to "benefits: in Birkenhead. The people on them won't be driven back into work as the work isn't there and what work there is isn't viable to live on. So then you get a big uplift in crime which costs loads and crapifies whole communities which costs loads more.
We need to completely reimagine work and social security. And I am increasingly persuaded that UBI needs to be at the heart of it.
The little food bank I'm connected with has families where both parents have full time jobs but their combined income still doesn't cover the bills.
Do they have TVs, internet, cars, phones, alcohol, cigarettes, holidays, meals out etc? If so then their incomes probably cover the basic essentials of food and drink, clothing and accommodation, just the food bank helps them afford relative luxuries
You might have forgotten that it is increasingly necessary to have a smartphone (at the least) just to deal with DWP - or HMG at all - and that means buying a new one every 3 years or so if it is to be secure at all. Ditto operating the necessary bank account.
That's under the policies of Conservative administrations (with a little help from the Libs to begin with) over 14 years,.
Libraries and job centres have computers with internet access
You’re not doing yourself or the party you profess to support any favours
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
I find Kemi Badenoch strangely alluring. Before she talks she is quite beautiful. Only when she speaks is the illusion crushed.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
Oh dear. Only two steps away from fascist ideologues for Kemi. That picture could become a problem.
Apparently he thinks Vlad is being perfectly reasonable in bombing Ukraine and "anyone" would do the same?
You just know Trump himself would love to start firing missiles into Ukraine if he could...
He's doing the next best thing, in preventing Ukraine from knowing when and where Russia will strike and then preventing missiles from destroying incoming attacks to Ukraine.
Perhaps the Nobel Committee could award a prize for the Worst Person on the Planet.
Joint winners in 2025: Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Except the MAGA crowd would rejoice that "He won a Nobel Prize!"
The Nobel war prize, for advancements in warfare, would actually be more in keeping with the other prizes which are awarded for research and the advancement of knowledge. Ukraine and Russia could be jointly awarded for breakthroughs in drone technology.
The genesis of the peace prize is that Alfred Nobel believed that dynamite (which he invented) was such a terrible weapon that it would bring an end to war…
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
I find Kemi Badenoch strangely alluring. Before she talks she is quite beautiful. Only when she speaks is the illusion crushed.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
I find Kemi Badenoch strangely alluring. Before she talks she is quite beautiful. Only when she speaks is the illusion crushed.
To be fair to the Tories their main leadership contenders last time were by British standards not bad looking. Jenrick, particularly his younger self, has a Brandon Flowers prettiness. Tugendhat is presentable. Cleverly quite handsome in an avuncular way.
And the US is in bed with the russians, all the while the brexit/reform crowd are against Britain building a viable defense system and deterrent with europe.... what to say about the populist right allegiance and hypocrisy about sovereignity. Sovereignity only matters for water pollution standards and banana shapes. When it comes to Putin the populists wag their tails and roll onto their backs 🙄🙄🙄
You are not helping your cause.
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
The gaps in our defence capabilities, now that we can no longer rely upon the US, are going to be very large and it will be a lot easier if the cost of doing so is shared with like minded countries with similar problems, France, Germany and Poland in particular but also the likes of Spain and Italy.
There is a lot of thinking and planning to be done on this, my guess is that it will take at least a decade to sort out. It is just as well that Russia has destroyed its conventional capabilities in Ukraine and will take at least that long to recover.
A world where the US is no longer a friend and even a potential enemy to the extent that a bully like Trump or Vance may want to throw their weight about is a lot less comfortable than we have been used to but it is where we are and the sooner we stop deluding ourselves that there are other options the sooner we can get started.
The effects of Trump and the sentiments appearing from the transatlantic earthquake take time to percolate through the electorate. Most people don't follow news the way we do and it takes months for events to take hold and impact voting behaviour. I suspect. Reforms numbers are going to drop as people think through what they have stood for over the last years (policies that have weakened us economically and in terms of defense) and as people see the effect of the DOGE/Truss style economic collapse in the US. I also look forward to the next yougov and Statista brexit polls. I suspect leve is i. For a further bloodbath.
The London summit shows that predictions that Brexit would render the UK irrelevant were categorically wrong.
where have you been for the past 10 years? we only regained relevance because the US have gone round the twist
This guy is a post op lobotomy patient
Actually that description applies far more accurately to those seeing this current crisis as some excuse for rejoining the EU. If the crisis shows us anything it is that tying yourself to monolithic blocs is a stupid idea.
Close cooperation without political straitjackets is the future.
I suspect us being outside the EU is going to make the problems that Hungary is creating for the EU regarding the Ukraine slightly easier to deal with.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
It will be interesting to see if they can. I am not sure it is legally possible under the treaties.
Moreover there is the question of whether the EU is better off with Hungary inside at least nominally aligned with them or outside forming a firm alliance with Russia.
The effects of Trump and the sentiments appearing from the transatlantic earthquake take time to percolate through the electorate. Most people don't follow news the way we do and it takes months for events to take hold and impact voting behaviour. I suspect. Reforms numbers are going to drop as people think through what they have stood for over the last years (policies that have weakened us economically and in terms of defense) and as people see the effect of the DOGE/Truss style economic collapse in the US. I also look forward to the next yougov and Statista brexit polls. I suspect leve is i. For a further bloodbath.
The London summit shows that predictions that Brexit would render the UK irrelevant were categorically wrong.
where have you been for the past 10 years? we only regained relevance because the US have gone round the twist
This guy is a post op lobotomy patient
Actually that description applies far more accurately to those seeing this current crisis as some excuse for rejoining the EU. If the crisis shows us anything it is that tying yourself to monolithic blocs is a stupid idea.
Close cooperation without political straitjackets is the future.
I suspect us being outside the EU is going to make the problems that Hungary is creating for the EU regarding the Ukraine slightly easier to deal with.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
It will be interesting to see if they can. I am not sure it is legally possible under the treaties.
Moreover there is the question of whether the EU is better off with Hungary inside at least nominally aligned with them or outside forming a firm alliance with Russia.
Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia (the latter not in he EU) gives Russia an authoritarian, revanchist bloc right in the heart of Central Europe.
Looking at a map, you can see why bringing Romania over would be highly desirable to Russia.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
Oh dear. Only two steps away from fascist ideologues for Kemi. That picture could become a problem.
I mean it's just a picture of the two of them together at some event at some point in the past?
It's a bit like that pic of Cliff Richard with Jimmy Savile and because he was pictured with Savile at some point in the 1960s for some people it's apparently "proof" that Cliff has been involved in all sorts... 🤷♂️
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
I find Kemi Badenoch strangely alluring. Before she talks she is quite beautiful. Only when she speaks is the illusion crushed.
To be fair to the Tories their main leadership contenders last time were by British standards not bad looking. Jenrick, particularly his younger self, has a Brandon Flowers prettiness. Tugendhat is presentable. Cleverly quite handsome in an avuncular way.
I can't see past Jenrick's dead eyes.
Imagine if Christina Trevanion/Catherine Deneuve hadn't lost Pompey North at the last GE.
Is it wrong to wish that Trump, Vance, Musk, Hegseth, Gabbard, Waltz, and Rubio finish up in front of a firing squad?
I think it shows you've gone a bit too far down the rabbit hole if I'm being very honest. You might feel it's righteous hatred, but hatred isn’t positive emotion in any context.
Not even in the context of using American spellings on a UK site?
I don't want the perpetrators put before a firing squad.
And the US is in bed with the russians, all the while the brexit/reform crowd are against Britain building a viable defense system and deterrent with europe.... what to say about the populist right allegiance and hypocrisy about sovereignity. Sovereignity only matters for water pollution standards and banana shapes. When it comes to Putin the populists wag their tails and roll onto their backs 🙄🙄🙄
You are not helping your cause.
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
The gaps in our defence capabilities, now that we can no longer rely upon the US, are going to be very large and it will be a lot easier if the cost of doing so is shared with like minded countries with similar problems, France, Germany and Poland in particular but also the likes of Spain and Italy.
There is a lot of thinking and planning to be done on this, my guess is that it will take at least a decade to sort out. It is just as well that Russia has destroyed its conventional capabilities in Ukraine and will take at least that long to recover.
A world where the US is no longer a friend and even a potential enemy to the extent that a bully like Trump or Vance may want to throw their weight about is a lot less comfortable than we have been used to but it is where we are and the sooner we stop deluding ourselves that there are other options the sooner we can get started.
None of which contradicts what StillWaters wrote.
No, I agree with him. We do indeed need to work with the Europeans but we don't need the EU to do it. I suspect that operating at a national level will make things easier and the EU frankly irrelevant. The position may change if they find a way to kick Hungary out.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
Oh dear. Only two steps away from fascist ideologues for Kemi. That picture could become a problem.
I mean it's just a picture of the two of them together at some event at some point in the past?
It's a bit like that pic of Cliff Richard with Jimmy Savile and because he was pictures with Savile at some point in the 1960s for some people it's apparently "proof" that Cliff has been involved in all sorts...
It depends what happens in the future. For the moment, Starmer is seen regularly with Trump, although his advocates simply say he's doing essential global diplomatic work, unlike Kemi.
If things change, a friendly hug with someone openly inspired by autocratic loons, won't look too good.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
I find Kemi Badenoch strangely alluring. Before she talks she is quite beautiful. Only when she speaks is the illusion crushed.
To be fair to the Tories their main leadership contenders last time were by British standards not bad looking. Jenrick, particularly his younger self, has a Brandon Flowers prettiness. Tugendhat is presentable. Cleverly quite handsome in an avuncular way.
I can't see past Jenrick's dead eyes.
Imagine if Christina Trevanion/Catherine Deneuve hadn't lost Pompey North at the last GE.
He's just oily. A bit of a squit you'd avoid at university due to being far too ambitious and untrustworthy for his own good.
And the US is in bed with the russians, all the while the brexit/reform crowd are against Britain building a viable defense system and deterrent with europe.... what to say about the populist right allegiance and hypocrisy about sovereignity. Sovereignity only matters for water pollution standards and banana shapes. When it comes to Putin the populists wag their tails and roll onto their backs 🙄🙄🙄
You are not helping your cause.
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
The gaps in our defence capabilities, now that we can no longer rely upon the US, are going to be very large and it will be a lot easier if the cost of doing so is shared with like minded countries with similar problems, France, Germany and Poland in particular but also the likes of Spain and Italy.
There is a lot of thinking and planning to be done on this, my guess is that it will take at least a decade to sort out. It is just as well that Russia has destroyed its conventional capabilities in Ukraine and will take at least that long to recover.
A world where the US is no longer a friend and even a potential enemy to the extent that a bully like Trump or Vance may want to throw their weight about is a lot less comfortable than we have been used to but it is where we are and the sooner we stop deluding ourselves that there are other options the sooner we can get started.
None of which contradicts what StillWaters wrote.
No, I agree with him. We do indeed need to work with the Europeans but we don't need the EU to do it. I suspect that operating at a national level will make things easier and the EU frankly irrelevant. The position may change if they find a way to kick Hungary out.
Perhaps it will tack back to being a common market and political integration becomes optional/ secondary. If EU members will insist on electing fascists perhaps that is the way forward anyway.
And the US is in bed with the russians, all the while the brexit/reform crowd are against Britain building a viable defense system and deterrent with europe.... what to say about the populist right allegiance and hypocrisy about sovereignity. Sovereignity only matters for water pollution standards and banana shapes. When it comes to Putin the populists wag their tails and roll onto their backs 🙄🙄🙄
You are not helping your cause.
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
The gaps in our defence capabilities, now that we can no longer rely upon the US, are going to be very large and it will be a lot easier if the cost of doing so is shared with like minded countries with similar problems, France, Germany and Poland in particular but also the likes of Spain and Italy.
There is a lot of thinking and planning to be done on this, my guess is that it will take at least a decade to sort out. It is just as well that Russia has destroyed its conventional capabilities in Ukraine and will take at least that long to recover.
A world where the US is no longer a friend and even a potential enemy to the extent that a bully like Trump or Vance may want to throw their weight about is a lot less comfortable than we have been used to but it is where we are and the sooner we stop deluding ourselves that there are other options the sooner we can get started.
That will be “ a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent.” then?
VERY good q. If just 6% of Birkenhead is unemployed, how can 51% of central Birkenhead be on out-of-work benefits?
Answer is the smoke-and-mirrors of categorisation. Those on sickness benefit don't show up on unemployent figures.
The DWP list of all "out-of-work benefits" gives the full picture
At last count, just 1.7m are claimant unemployed. Reality: a full 6m out-of-work benefits...
It is a significant problem. Our government/political machine has been captured by the "one more cut" mentality. How have we got all these people now in work claiming "benefits?" Lets cut. How have we got few unemployed but lots on the sick? Lets cut.
You can cut the funding, but you can't cut the need. We need to go after the roots of the problem: Too many jobs do not pay the bills Jobs which invest zero in training and skills Not enough jobs Not enough childcare at times / prices to enable work Not enough money invested in preventative care as its been cut
We could take an axe to "benefits: in Birkenhead. The people on them won't be driven back into work as the work isn't there and what work there is isn't viable to live on. So then you get a big uplift in crime which costs loads and crapifies whole communities which costs loads more.
We need to completely reimagine work and social security. And I am increasingly persuaded that UBI needs to be at the heart of it.
The little food bank I'm connected with has families where both parents have full time jobs but their combined income still doesn't cover the bills.
Is that because of food prices or because of housing costs ?
I don't know, being a back-office person. It's true that there's are a lot more things these days that are effectively essentials - the days when people could just not spend money on what would have been considered "non-essentials" have gone. And I don't mean Sky packages etc.
When I was young, if you had rent, clothes, food, fuel & household sundries you were OK; you could walk or cycle to work. Nowadays, not so much.
Whereabouts are you (as I can't remember). I'm seeing on Reddit an awful lot of people down South being kicked out of their rental homes only to discover that the new market rents are well beyond the level they can afford...
South west. People are in difficulties with finding affordable rental properties, e.g an elderly and ill couple sofa-surfing with relations who treat them like servants. But what can the council do? They have to deal with the highest-priority people first.
So ask Somerset County Council why they have spent 6 years negotiating a section 106 where the final details has changed by the inclusion of an additional steam trail (cost of £250k) but it has delayed the building off 400 homes
If only the builders hadn't spent 4 years arguing over £250k...
They didn’t. They accepted it in the first round of comments (it’s the landowners not the builders funding it).
There was one council member who had fought the planning at every stage but when he lost used the section 106 to drag things out even further. That plus general incompetence.
The effects of Trump and the sentiments appearing from the transatlantic earthquake take time to percolate through the electorate. Most people don't follow news the way we do and it takes months for events to take hold and impact voting behaviour. I suspect. Reforms numbers are going to drop as people think through what they have stood for over the last years (policies that have weakened us economically and in terms of defense) and as people see the effect of the DOGE/Truss style economic collapse in the US. I also look forward to the next yougov and Statista brexit polls. I suspect leve is i. For a further bloodbath.
The London summit shows that predictions that Brexit would render the UK irrelevant were categorically wrong.
where have you been for the past 10 years? we only regained relevance because the US have gone round the twist
This guy is a post op lobotomy patient
Actually that description applies far more accurately to those seeing this current crisis as some excuse for rejoining the EU. If the crisis shows us anything it is that tying yourself to monolithic blocs is a stupid idea.
Close cooperation without political straitjackets is the future.
I suspect us being outside the EU is going to make the problems that Hungary is creating for the EU regarding the Ukraine slightly easier to deal with.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
It will be interesting to see if they can. I am not sure it is legally possible under the treaties.
Moreover there is the question of whether the EU is better off with Hungary inside at least nominally aligned with them or outside forming a firm alliance with Russia.
My nuclear option is to dissolve the EU and move straight to EU 2 . All current rules , effectively everything just gets replicated minus Hungary and Slovakia . The EU had an idealistic view of the future and didn’t contemplate bad actors . New rules put in place to stop one member vetoing legislation .
Hungary and Slovakia will soon learn that being a vassal state of Russia isn’t much fun . They could rejoin any new EU after a period if they move back towards sanity .
And the US is in bed with the russians, all the while the brexit/reform crowd are against Britain building a viable defense system and deterrent with europe.... what to say about the populist right allegiance and hypocrisy about sovereignity. Sovereignity only matters for water pollution standards and banana shapes. When it comes to Putin the populists wag their tails and roll onto their backs 🙄🙄🙄
You are not helping your cause.
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
The gaps in our defence capabilities, now that we can no longer rely upon the US, are going to be very large and it will be a lot easier if the cost of doing so is shared with like minded countries with similar problems, France, Germany and Poland in particular but also the likes of Spain and Italy.
There is a lot of thinking and planning to be done on this, my guess is that it will take at least a decade to sort out. It is just as well that Russia has destroyed its conventional capabilities in Ukraine and will take at least that long to recover.
A world where the US is no longer a friend and even a potential enemy to the extent that a bully like Trump or Vance may want to throw their weight about is a lot less comfortable than we have been used to but it is where we are and the sooner we stop deluding ourselves that there are other options the sooner we can get started.
That will be “ a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent.” then?
Indeed. It is the overarching structures that will make coordination possible that will be the hardest to replace, I think. That is where the US has really had control.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
I find Kemi Badenoch strangely alluring. Before she talks she is quite beautiful. Only when she speaks is the illusion crushed.
To be fair to the Tories their main leadership contenders last time were by British standards not bad looking. Jenrick, particularly his younger self, has a Brandon Flowers prettiness. Tugendhat is presentable. Cleverly quite handsome in an avuncular way.
Cleverly has a perfectly spherical head. If he lit a cigarette he would look like a bomb with a fuse. It's as if somebody has shaved part of a tennis ball and painted eyes on the shaved bit. You could paint the continents on his head and use his forehead to plot a great circle route to Toronto. His head is so sph[That's enough - Ed]
The takes on this defence argument are completely anti-logical.
We have just been caught out because we've made our national defence a subsidiary of someone else's national defence, and now we suddenly find that they have elected someone not to our liking (I exclude myself from this) and we're suddenly regretting it.
Our favoured solution to this is apparently to jump into a whole new set of defence commitments and deals with a whole new set of countries who might also quite feasibly elect someone we don't like (it has happened once or twice before). I mean really?
It is absolutely clear that the only solution to this is the same as it has always been. Gradually, and in a cordial and respectful way, we need to work toward a situation where the UK posseses a strong basic national defence against invasion that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation. Anything else is Einstein's definiton of madness.
The effects of Trump and the sentiments appearing from the transatlantic earthquake take time to percolate through the electorate. Most people don't follow news the way we do and it takes months for events to take hold and impact voting behaviour. I suspect. Reforms numbers are going to drop as people think through what they have stood for over the last years (policies that have weakened us economically and in terms of defense) and as people see the effect of the DOGE/Truss style economic collapse in the US. I also look forward to the next yougov and Statista brexit polls. I suspect leve is i. For a further bloodbath.
The London summit shows that predictions that Brexit would render the UK irrelevant were categorically wrong.
where have you been for the past 10 years? we only regained relevance because the US have gone round the twist
This guy is a post op lobotomy patient
Actually that description applies far more accurately to those seeing this current crisis as some excuse for rejoining the EU. If the crisis shows us anything it is that tying yourself to monolithic blocs is a stupid idea.
Close cooperation without political straitjackets is the future.
I suspect us being outside the EU is going to make the problems that Hungary is creating for the EU regarding the Ukraine slightly easier to deal with.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
It will be interesting to see if they can. I am not sure it is legally possible under the treaties.
Moreover there is the question of whether the EU is better off with Hungary inside at least nominally aligned with them or outside forming a firm alliance with Russia.
My nuclear option is to dissolve the EU and move straight to EU 2 . All current rules , effectively everything just gets replicated minus Hungary and Slovakia . The EU had an idealistic view of the future and didn’t contemplate bad actors . New rules put in place to stop one member vetoing legislation .
Hungary and Slovakia will soon learn that being a vassal state of Russia isn’t much fun . They could rejoin any new EU after a period if they move back towards sanity .
EU2 might do well not to let Ireland in either unless it changes its parasitic tax and defence strategies.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
He'd get my vote. Time for Starmer to get out his urban dictionary.
VERY good q. If just 6% of Birkenhead is unemployed, how can 51% of central Birkenhead be on out-of-work benefits?
Answer is the smoke-and-mirrors of categorisation. Those on sickness benefit don't show up on unemployent figures.
The DWP list of all "out-of-work benefits" gives the full picture
At last count, just 1.7m are claimant unemployed. Reality: a full 6m out-of-work benefits...
It is a significant problem. Our government/political machine has been captured by the "one more cut" mentality. How have we got all these people now in work claiming "benefits?" Lets cut. How have we got few unemployed but lots on the sick? Lets cut.
You can cut the funding, but you can't cut the need. We need to go after the roots of the problem: Too many jobs do not pay the bills Jobs which invest zero in training and skills Not enough jobs Not enough childcare at times / prices to enable work Not enough money invested in preventative care as its been cut
We could take an axe to "benefits: in Birkenhead. The people on them won't be driven back into work as the work isn't there and what work there is isn't viable to live on. So then you get a big uplift in crime which costs loads and crapifies whole communities which costs loads more.
We need to completely reimagine work and social security. And I am increasingly persuaded that UBI needs to be at the heart of it.
The little food bank I'm connected with has families where both parents have full time jobs but their combined income still doesn't cover the bills.
Is that because of food prices or because of housing costs ?
I don't know, being a back-office person. It's true that there's are a lot more things these days that are effectively essentials - the days when people could just not spend money on what would have been considered "non-essentials" have gone. And I don't mean Sky packages etc.
When I was young, if you had rent, clothes, food, fuel & household sundries you were OK; you could walk or cycle to work. Nowadays, not so much.
Whereabouts are you (as I can't remember). I'm seeing on Reddit an awful lot of people down South being kicked out of their rental homes only to discover that the new market rents are well beyond the level they can afford...
South west. People are in difficulties with finding affordable rental properties, e.g an elderly and ill couple sofa-surfing with relations who treat them like servants. But what can the council do? They have to deal with the highest-priority people first.
So ask Somerset County Council why they have spent 6 years negotiating a section 106 where the final details has changed by the inclusion of an additional steam trail (cost of £250k) but it has delayed the building off 400 homes
If only the builders hadn't spent 4 years arguing over £250k...
They didn’t. They accepted it in the first round of comments (it’s the landowners not the builders funding it).
There was one council member who had fought the planning at every stage but when he lost used the section 106 to drag things out even further. That plus general incompetence.
Ah, lawfare.
Did you know there are companies/lawyers who offer consultancy/legal services on how to delay projects? They are even upfront that even if you don’t have an actual case, they can delay a project for you for x years.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
He'd get my vote. Time for Starmer to get out his urban dictionary.
Vance isn’t a knob.
Knobs are generally useful things. Sitting quietly in the middle of doors, annoying no one until they are needed. Then doing their actual job without complaint.
No door knob has ever demanded the AfD be allowed into government….
The effects of Trump and the sentiments appearing from the transatlantic earthquake take time to percolate through the electorate. Most people don't follow news the way we do and it takes months for events to take hold and impact voting behaviour. I suspect. Reforms numbers are going to drop as people think through what they have stood for over the last years (policies that have weakened us economically and in terms of defense) and as people see the effect of the DOGE/Truss style economic collapse in the US. I also look forward to the next yougov and Statista brexit polls. I suspect leve is i. For a further bloodbath.
The London summit shows that predictions that Brexit would render the UK irrelevant were categorically wrong.
where have you been for the past 10 years? we only regained relevance because the US have gone round the twist
This guy is a post op lobotomy patient
Actually that description applies far more accurately to those seeing this current crisis as some excuse for rejoining the EU. If the crisis shows us anything it is that tying yourself to monolithic blocs is a stupid idea.
Close cooperation without political straitjackets is the future.
I suspect us being outside the EU is going to make the problems that Hungary is creating for the EU regarding the Ukraine slightly easier to deal with.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
It will be interesting to see if they can. I am not sure it is legally possible under the treaties.
Moreover there is the question of whether the EU is better off with Hungary inside at least nominally aligned with them or outside forming a firm alliance with Russia.
My nuclear option is to dissolve the EU and move straight to EU 2 . All current rules , effectively everything just gets replicated minus Hungary and Slovakia . The EU had an idealistic view of the future and didn’t contemplate bad actors . New rules put in place to stop one member vetoing legislation .
Hungary and Slovakia will soon learn that being a vassal state of Russia isn’t much fun . They could rejoin any new EU after a period if they move back towards sanity .
EU2 might do well not to let Ireland in either unless it changes its parasitic tax and defence strategies.
The sane options on European defence are flexible alliances which can include non-European countries (see Canada), for specific objects.
For example, some EU countries become a bit… transactional… when the talk is of defending the Baltics. So leave them out for that.
Fortunately, NATO actually encourages such things - see the Northern European exercises which the U.K. has been solidly involved with for many years.
The rather sad timeline of the death of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa is being pieced together. It's beginning to look like one of those Air Crash Investigation episodes where numerous events line up and tragedy happens.
The takes on this defence argument are completely anti-logical.
We have just been caught out because we've made our national defence a subsidiary of someone else's national defence, and now we suddenly find that they have elected someone not to our liking (I exclude myself from this) and we're suddenly regretting it.
Our favoured solution to this is apparently to jump into a whole new set of defence commitments and deals with a whole new set of countries who might also quite feasibly elect someone we don't like (it has happened once or twice before). I mean really?
It is absolutely clear that the only solution to this is the same as it has always been. Gradually, and in a cordial and respectful way, we need to work toward a situation where the UK posseses a strong basic national defence against invasion that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation. Anything else is Einstein's definiton of madness.
So how are you going to pay for that because the cost of doing it yourself won't be 2.5% of GDP going on defence it would be 60% extra at the very least..
And remember all defence manuafacturers wish to have an export market for which there is a quid pro quo that if someone elsewhere makes a better version of something you want - you purchase it from there as it's cheaper than creating your own (probably inferior version). And we aren't exactly going to go to war with France nowadays
The effects of Trump and the sentiments appearing from the transatlantic earthquake take time to percolate through the electorate. Most people don't follow news the way we do and it takes months for events to take hold and impact voting behaviour. I suspect. Reforms numbers are going to drop as people think through what they have stood for over the last years (policies that have weakened us economically and in terms of defense) and as people see the effect of the DOGE/Truss style economic collapse in the US. I also look forward to the next yougov and Statista brexit polls. I suspect leve is i. For a further bloodbath.
The London summit shows that predictions that Brexit would render the UK irrelevant were categorically wrong.
where have you been for the past 10 years? we only regained relevance because the US have gone round the twist
This guy is a post op lobotomy patient
Actually that description applies far more accurately to those seeing this current crisis as some excuse for rejoining the EU. If the crisis shows us anything it is that tying yourself to monolithic blocs is a stupid idea.
Close cooperation without political straitjackets is the future.
I suspect us being outside the EU is going to make the problems that Hungary is creating for the EU regarding the Ukraine slightly easier to deal with.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
It will be interesting to see if they can. I am not sure it is legally possible under the treaties.
Moreover there is the question of whether the EU is better off with Hungary inside at least nominally aligned with them or outside forming a firm alliance with Russia.
My nuclear option is to dissolve the EU and move straight to EU 2 . All current rules , effectively everything just gets replicated minus Hungary and Slovakia . The EU had an idealistic view of the future and didn’t contemplate bad actors . New rules put in place to stop one member vetoing legislation .
Hungary and Slovakia will soon learn that being a vassal state of Russia isn’t much fun . They could rejoin any new EU after a period if they move back towards sanity .
EU2 might do well not to let Ireland in either unless it changes its parasitic tax and defence strategies.
The rather sad timeline of the death of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa is being pieced together. It's beginning to look like one of those Air Crash Investigation episodes where numerous events line up and tragedy happens.
Yes; very sad isn't it. What is surprising is that they apparently had no visitors or calls during that time. We normally get one family phone or similar call a day, or at least every other day.
The rather sad timeline of the death of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa is being pieced together. It's beginning to look like one of those Air Crash Investigation episodes where numerous events line up and tragedy happens.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
He'd get my vote. Time for Starmer to get out his urban dictionary.
Go on Starmer, you know you want to call him a cockwomble...
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
He'd get my vote. Time for Starmer to get out his urban dictionary.
Go on Starmer, you know you want to call him a cockwomble...
For plausible deniability he needs Ange to do it. Or better still Sadiq.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
Oh dear. Only two steps away from fascist ideologues for Kemi. That picture could become a problem.
I mean it's just a picture of the two of them together at some event at some point in the past?
It's a bit like that pic of Cliff Richard with Jimmy Savile and because he was pictured with Savile at some point in the 1960s for some people it's apparently "proof" that Cliff has been involved in all sorts... 🤷♂️
Was Cliff Richard aware of Jimmy Savile's crimes when that picture was taken?
Presumably Badenoch knew who Vance was and what kind of politics he represents when this picture was taken (in December?)
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
...
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
I find Kemi Badenoch strangely alluring. Before she talks she is quite beautiful. Only when she speaks is the illusion crushed.
To be fair to the Tories their main leadership contenders last time were by British standards not bad looking. Jenrick, particularly his younger self, has a Brandon Flowers prettiness. Tugendhat is presentable. Cleverly quite handsome in an avuncular way.
I can't see past Jenrick's dead eyes.
Imagine if Christina Trevanion/Catherine Deneuve hadn't lost Pompey North at the last GE.
I can't see past the whole painting over the murals thing. That and the Richard Desmond thing.
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A... ...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide.. ...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook... ...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
He'd get my vote. Time for Starmer to get out his urban dictionary.
Go on Starmer, you know you want to call him a cockwomble...
Malcolm Tucker vs. JD Vance. The fight we all want to see.
The effects of Trump and the sentiments appearing from the transatlantic earthquake take time to percolate through the electorate. Most people don't follow news the way we do and it takes months for events to take hold and impact voting behaviour. I suspect. Reforms numbers are going to drop as people think through what they have stood for over the last years (policies that have weakened us economically and in terms of defense) and as people see the effect of the DOGE/Truss style economic collapse in the US. I also look forward to the next yougov and Statista brexit polls. I suspect leve is i. For a further bloodbath.
The London summit shows that predictions that Brexit would render the UK irrelevant were categorically wrong.
where have you been for the past 10 years? we only regained relevance because the US have gone round the twist
This guy is a post op lobotomy patient
Actually that description applies far more accurately to those seeing this current crisis as some excuse for rejoining the EU. If the crisis shows us anything it is that tying yourself to monolithic blocs is a stupid idea.
Close cooperation without political straitjackets is the future.
I suspect us being outside the EU is going to make the problems that Hungary is creating for the EU regarding the Ukraine slightly easier to deal with.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
It will be interesting to see if they can. I am not sure it is legally possible under the treaties.
Moreover there is the question of whether the EU is better off with Hungary inside at least nominally aligned with them or outside forming a firm alliance with Russia.
My nuclear option is to dissolve the EU and move straight to EU 2 . All current rules , effectively everything just gets replicated minus Hungary and Slovakia . The EU had an idealistic view of the future and didn’t contemplate bad actors . New rules put in place to stop one member vetoing legislation .
Hungary and Slovakia will soon learn that being a vassal state of Russia isn’t much fun . They could rejoin any new EU after a period if they move back towards sanity .
EU2 might do well not to let Ireland in either unless it changes its parasitic tax and defence strategies.
A reset on border trade arrangements?
I still think they’d stick to their single market rules and FOM . The current issue in the EU is really around non EU immigration .
Next up on Crufts super Saturday, Flyball! First, the young KC final, the Yorkshire bouncers in red v the Groove Armada in blue, who broke the Crufts record this morning, going below 16 seconds! The reds with their three-legged dog.
First round to the Armada!
And Armada win 2:0, on 15.84 seconds, close to the record.
Third leg just for show. Faults on both sides, extra dogs run, no record. The bouncers take a consolation round.
The rather sad timeline of the death of Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa is being pieced together. It's beginning to look like one of those Air Crash Investigation episodes where numerous events line up and tragedy happens.
VERY good q. If just 6% of Birkenhead is unemployed, how can 51% of central Birkenhead be on out-of-work benefits?
Answer is the smoke-and-mirrors of categorisation. Those on sickness benefit don't show up on unemployent figures.
The DWP list of all "out-of-work benefits" gives the full picture
At last count, just 1.7m are claimant unemployed. Reality: a full 6m out-of-work benefits...
It is a significant problem. Our government/political machine has been captured by the "one more cut" mentality. How have we got all these people now in work claiming "benefits?" Lets cut. How have we got few unemployed but lots on the sick? Lets cut.
You can cut the funding, but you can't cut the need. We need to go after the roots of the problem: Too many jobs do not pay the bills Jobs which invest zero in training and skills Not enough jobs Not enough childcare at times / prices to enable work Not enough money invested in preventative care as its been cut
We could take an axe to "benefits: in Birkenhead. The people on them won't be driven back into work as the work isn't there and what work there is isn't viable to live on. So then you get a big uplift in crime which costs loads and crapifies whole communities which costs loads more.
We need to completely reimagine work and social security. And I am increasingly persuaded that UBI needs to be at the heart of it.
The little food bank I'm connected with has families where both parents have full time jobs but their combined income still doesn't cover the bills.
Universal Basic Income. Give every adult their tax free allowance as cash from the government. We're given a grand a month. Any money you earn is taxed. So we hugely simplify the tax system. We don't need means tested "benefits" as we're all getting them, so we can hugely simplify social security. The sick and disabled who need more support get it based on their need, not their income.
A vast array of painful pointless bureaucracy removed, and people can have enough money to live on. Which means money circulates through our economy - shops, hospitality and businesses actually have customers. Which creates jobs and investment. We take all of the stresses of money away and people live happier lives, less broken families etc etc etc.
The key challenge is to remove the mentality that these are "benefits". Pay it to everyone and hopefully this issue can no longer be weaponised by the right to set the poor against the poorer for the benefit of the ultra rich.
Wow well two things here that puts a dampener on that suggestion
*going to use 12k as tax free allowance as its near enough and makes the maths simpler
1) 12k is not enough to live on in plenty of the country, doubly so if single. When I was living in slough a really crappy studio flat that would be covered just by the housing benefit rules for max pay out was 750£ a month or 9k a year leaving you 57.70£ a week to pay your council tax, bills, food, transport costs. Council tax alone would cost you about 35£ a week
2) as of 2022 there were 45 million over 18's in the uk.....(rounded to nearest million) thats the government paying out 540 million which is significantly more than the current welfare spend by a factor of 2 to 3....where is that money coming from?
Apparently he thinks Vlad is being perfectly reasonable in bombing Ukraine and "anyone" would do the same?
You just know Trump himself would love to start firing missiles into Ukraine if he could...
He might be thinking of targets closer to home.
Mexico City and Toronto next in line for the "Shock And Awe" treatment ?
I’m off to Mexico City for work in a few weeks. Via a few days in LA. Not been to Mexico City before so I shall be boning up on things to do.
Visiting the US post Trump election feels a bit like my work trips to Moscow after 2014. Travellers in the 3rd Reich vibes (a good book by the way, I’d recommend it).
It's quite high up (2,240 metres) so take it easy for the first couple of days. We enjoyed
The food was a little disappointing, but we probably just missed the best. Generally speaking, we found restaurants with menus in English had MUCH milder curries.
The takes on this defence argument are completely anti-logical.
We have just been caught out because we've made our national defence a subsidiary of someone else's national defence, and now we suddenly find that they have elected someone not to our liking (I exclude myself from this) and we're suddenly regretting it.
Our favoured solution to this is apparently to jump into a whole new set of defence commitments and deals with a whole new set of countries who might also quite feasibly elect someone we don't like (it has happened once or twice before). I mean really?
It is absolutely clear that the only solution to this is the same as it has always been. Gradually, and in a cordial and respectful way, we need to work toward a situation where the UK posseses a strong basic national defence against invasion that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation. Anything else is Einstein's definiton of madness.
So how are you going to pay for that because the cost of doing it yourself won't be 2.5% of GDP going on defence it would be 60% extra at the very least..
And remember all defence manuafacturers wish to have an export market for which there is a quid pro quo that if someone elsewhere makes a better version of something you want - you purchase it from there as it's cheaper than creating your own (probably inferior version). And we aren't exactly going to go to war with France nowadays
I don't see my solution being vastly different to the proposed other solutions in terms of cost, just very differently focused.
I am not a defence expert, but I also think that there's a great deal of wastage and gold-plating in MOD procurement at present that could be exploited. Look at Ukraine's (and who knows, perhaps Russia's) speed of innovation in this war. By contrast, we measure our projects in decades and billions.
I would not be planning to develop a British Trident replacement, I would revive the tactical nuclear programme the Blair Government scrapped.
I would also consider giving the EU (even better if they pay) one of the carriers. I don't consider them a worthwhile or useful thing to have at this juncture. That would be a saving and free up resource elsewhere.
Third quarter final, the Storm Chasers from the NW in red, impressive last year, versus the Jets from Hampshire in blue. The Chasers are favoured, with their last dog one of the fastest in the UK, although the Jets are more consistent.
On the practice run, looks very tight.
First round, Jets ahead, but close, all down to the last leg, but the Chasers are ahead with their fast dog, but a fault!, the round awarded to the Jets.
Second round...the Chasers' fast dog wins it on the last leg, now 1:1
So, the decider....the Jets ahead by a nose until the last leg, but the Chasers' super-speed finisher wins on the last leg. Chasers win 2:1
The effects of Trump and the sentiments appearing from the transatlantic earthquake take time to percolate through the electorate. Most people don't follow news the way we do and it takes months for events to take hold and impact voting behaviour. I suspect. Reforms numbers are going to drop as people think through what they have stood for over the last years (policies that have weakened us economically and in terms of defense) and as people see the effect of the DOGE/Truss style economic collapse in the US. I also look forward to the next yougov and Statista brexit polls. I suspect leve is i. For a further bloodbath.
The London summit shows that predictions that Brexit would render the UK irrelevant were categorically wrong.
where have you been for the past 10 years? we only regained relevance because the US have gone round the twist
This guy is a post op lobotomy patient
Actually that description applies far more accurately to those seeing this current crisis as some excuse for rejoining the EU. If the crisis shows us anything it is that tying yourself to monolithic blocs is a stupid idea.
Close cooperation without political straitjackets is the future.
I suspect us being outside the EU is going to make the problems that Hungary is creating for the EU regarding the Ukraine slightly easier to deal with.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
It will be interesting to see if they can. I am not sure it is legally possible under the treaties.
Moreover there is the question of whether the EU is better off with Hungary inside at least nominally aligned with them or outside forming a firm alliance with Russia.
My nuclear option is to dissolve the EU and move straight to EU 2 . All current rules , effectively everything just gets replicated minus Hungary and Slovakia . The EU had an idealistic view of the future and didn’t contemplate bad actors . New rules put in place to stop one member vetoing legislation .
Hungary and Slovakia will soon learn that being a vassal state of Russia isn’t much fun . They could rejoin any new EU after a period if they move back towards sanity .
EU2 might do well not to let Ireland in either unless it changes its parasitic tax and defence strategies.
A reset on border trade arrangements?
I still think they’d stick to their single market rules and FOM . The current issue in the EU is really around non EU immigration .
I think there’s a goodwill mechanism to be agreed (including multiple countries beyond the U.K. like Turkey and even Canada) which is a sort of CPTPP deal/NATO hybrid with minimum alignment a bit below EU demands, that would be right and proper for likeminded democracies.
Discover a choice of #BMW models on the #Motability Scheme. A brand new car every 3 years with insurance for up to 3 drivers, accident and breakdown cover, and all servicing costs included.
The takes on this defence argument are completely anti-logical.
We have just been caught out because we've made our national defence a subsidiary of someone else's national defence, and now we suddenly find that they have elected someone not to our liking (I exclude myself from this) and we're suddenly regretting it.
Our favoured solution to this is apparently to jump into a whole new set of defence commitments and deals with a whole new set of countries who might also quite feasibly elect someone we don't like (it has happened once or twice before). I mean really?
It is absolutely clear that the only solution to this is the same as it has always been. Gradually, and in a cordial and respectful way, we need to work toward a situation where the UK posseses a strong basic national defence against invasion that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation. Anything else is Einstein's definiton of madness.
So how are you going to pay for that because the cost of doing it yourself won't be 2.5% of GDP going on defence it would be 60% extra at the very least..
And remember all defence manuafacturers wish to have an export market for which there is a quid pro quo that if someone elsewhere makes a better version of something you want - you purchase it from there as it's cheaper than creating your own (probably inferior version). And we aren't exactly going to go to war with France nowadays
I don't see my solution being vastly different to the proposed other solutions in terms of cost, just very differently focused.
I am not a defence expert, but I also think that there's a great deal of wastage and gold-plating in MOD procurement at present that could be exploited. Look at Ukraine's (and who knows, perhaps Russia's) speed of innovation in this war. By contrast, we measure our projects in decades and billions.
I would not be planning to develop a British Trident replacement, I would revive the tactical nuclear programme the Blair Government scrapped.
I would also consider giving the EU (even better if they pay) one of the carriers. I don't consider them a worthwhile or useful thing to have at this juncture. That would be a saving and free up resource elsewhere.
And as a response to your last point - who says we're not going to war with France? The same people who three months ago were saying we would never be in any situation where we'd have a difference of global view to America, and are now saying that they want Britain to be part of the Canadian defence force? We don't know who we will and won't be in conflict with, or strongly opposed to.
The takes on this defence argument are completely anti-logical.
We have just been caught out because we've made our national defence a subsidiary of someone else's national defence, and now we suddenly find that they have elected someone not to our liking (I exclude myself from this) and we're suddenly regretting it.
Our favoured solution to this is apparently to jump into a whole new set of defence commitments and deals with a whole new set of countries who might also quite feasibly elect someone we don't like (it has happened once or twice before). I mean really?
It is absolutely clear that the only solution to this is the same as it has always been. Gradually, and in a cordial and respectful way, we need to work toward a situation where the UK posseses a strong basic national defence against invasion that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation. Anything else is Einstein's definiton of madness.
So how are you going to pay for that because the cost of doing it yourself won't be 2.5% of GDP going on defence it would be 60% extra at the very least..
And remember all defence manuafacturers wish to have an export market for which there is a quid pro quo that if someone elsewhere makes a better version of something you want - you purchase it from there as it's cheaper than creating your own (probably inferior version). And we aren't exactly going to go to war with France nowadays
I don't see my solution being vastly different to the proposed other solutions in terms of cost, just very differently focused.
I am not a defence expert, but I also think that there's a great deal of wastage and gold-plating in MOD procurement at present that could be exploited. Look at Ukraine's (and who knows, perhaps Russia's) speed of innovation in this war. By contrast, we measure our projects in decades and billions.
I would not be planning to develop a British Trident replacement, I would revive the tactical nuclear programme the Blair Government scrapped.
I would also consider giving the EU (even better if they pay) one of the carriers. I don't consider them a worthwhile or useful thing to have at this juncture. That would be a saving and free up resource elsewhere.
You may have noticed we are on an island.
Sea control is essential. For sea control, air power is essential.
If you want to go it alone, a large navy plus nuclear weapons would be the minimum defence capability. With the Army reduced to marines.
Tim Miller on GOP senators who backed Ukr and now wont as Trump sells them out to Putin because they are scared of getting threats from MAGA extremists:
"I have no sympathy for their fear...like are you kidding me, you are not going to do something about this because of empty death threats, literally people in Ukr are dying. Ukrainians died yesterday because of what Donald Trump did and you are fucking US senator so do something."
VERY good q. If just 6% of Birkenhead is unemployed, how can 51% of central Birkenhead be on out-of-work benefits?
Answer is the smoke-and-mirrors of categorisation. Those on sickness benefit don't show up on unemployent figures.
The DWP list of all "out-of-work benefits" gives the full picture
At last count, just 1.7m are claimant unemployed. Reality: a full 6m out-of-work benefits...
It is a significant problem. Our government/political machine has been captured by the "one more cut" mentality. How have we got all these people now in work claiming "benefits?" Lets cut. How have we got few unemployed but lots on the sick? Lets cut.
You can cut the funding, but you can't cut the need. We need to go after the roots of the problem: Too many jobs do not pay the bills Jobs which invest zero in training and skills Not enough jobs Not enough childcare at times / prices to enable work Not enough money invested in preventative care as its been cut
We could take an axe to "benefits: in Birkenhead. The people on them won't be driven back into work as the work isn't there and what work there is isn't viable to live on. So then you get a big uplift in crime which costs loads and crapifies whole communities which costs loads more.
We need to completely reimagine work and social security. And I am increasingly persuaded that UBI needs to be at the heart of it.
The little food bank I'm connected with has families where both parents have full time jobs but their combined income still doesn't cover the bills.
Is that because of food prices or because of housing costs ?
I don't know, being a back-office person. It's true that there's are a lot more things these days that are effectively essentials - the days when people could just not spend money on what would have been considered "non-essentials" have gone. And I don't mean Sky packages etc.
When I was young, if you had rent, clothes, food, fuel & household sundries you were OK; you could walk or cycle to work. Nowadays, not so much.
Whereabouts are you (as I can't remember). I'm seeing on Reddit an awful lot of people down South being kicked out of their rental homes only to discover that the new market rents are well beyond the level they can afford...
South west. People are in difficulties with finding affordable rental properties, e.g an elderly and ill couple sofa-surfing with relations who treat them like servants. But what can the council do? They have to deal with the highest-priority people first.
So ask Somerset County Council why they have spent 6 years negotiating a section 106 where the final details has changed by the inclusion of an additional steam trail (cost of £250k) but it has delayed the building off 400 homes
If only the builders hadn't spent 4 years arguing over £250k...
They didn’t. They accepted it in the first round of comments (it’s the landowners not the builders funding it).
There was one council member who had fought the planning at every stage but when he lost used the section 106 to drag things out even further. That plus general incompetence.
Ah, lawfare.
Did you know there are companies/lawyers who offer consultancy/legal services on how to delay projects? They are even upfront that even if you don’t have an actual case, they can delay a project for you for x years.
It wasn’t even lawfare
The local guys supported it but there was one councillor who was opposed to any building. He fought the planning officer at every step. And when the PO recommended support he then tried to prevent the council implementing the decision.
The takes on this defence argument are completely anti-logical.
We have just been caught out because we've made our national defence a subsidiary of someone else's national defence, and now we suddenly find that they have elected someone not to our liking (I exclude myself from this) and we're suddenly regretting it.
Our favoured solution to this is apparently to jump into a whole new set of defence commitments and deals with a whole new set of countries who might also quite feasibly elect someone we don't like (it has happened once or twice before). I mean really?
It is absolutely clear that the only solution to this is the same as it has always been. Gradually, and in a cordial and respectful way, we need to work toward a situation where the UK posseses a strong basic national defence against invasion that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation. Anything else is Einstein's definiton of madness.
So how are you going to pay for that because the cost of doing it yourself won't be 2.5% of GDP going on defence it would be 60% extra at the very least..
And remember all defence manuafacturers wish to have an export market for which there is a quid pro quo that if someone elsewhere makes a better version of something you want - you purchase it from there as it's cheaper than creating your own (probably inferior version). And we aren't exactly going to go to war with France nowadays
I don't see my solution being vastly different to the proposed other solutions in terms of cost, just very differently focused.
I am not a defence expert, but I also think that there's a great deal of wastage and gold-plating in MOD procurement at present that could be exploited. Look at Ukraine's (and who knows, perhaps Russia's) speed of innovation in this war. By contrast, we measure our projects in decades and billions.
I would not be planning to develop a British Trident replacement, I would revive the tactical nuclear programme the Blair Government scrapped.
I would also consider giving the EU (even better if they pay) one of the carriers. I don't consider them a worthwhile or useful thing to have at this juncture. That would be a saving and free up resource elsewhere.
You may have noticed we are on an island.
Sea control is essential. For sea control, air power is essential.
If you want to go it alone, a large navy plus nuclear weapons would be the minimum defence capability. With the Army reduced to marines.
I tend to agree; your last paragraph is the way I'd develop. And it's the way that has been most successful for Britain in the past.
However I don't see that two very large aircraft carriers (apparently without the escort ships) are necessary. I would keep one for willy waving, and invest in smaller crafts that could perhaps carry drones.
I also think these days missile defence is absolutely key.
These seem logical to me, but I am only going on what I've gleaned from PB over the years.
The takes on this defence argument are completely anti-logical.
We have just been caught out because we've made our national defence a subsidiary of someone else's national defence, and now we suddenly find that they have elected someone not to our liking (I exclude myself from this) and we're suddenly regretting it.
Our favoured solution to this is apparently to jump into a whole new set of defence commitments and deals with a whole new set of countries who might also quite feasibly elect someone we don't like (it has happened once or twice before). I mean really?
It is absolutely clear that the only solution to this is the same as it has always been. Gradually, and in a cordial and respectful way, we need to work toward a situation where the UK posseses a strong basic national defence against invasion that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation. Anything else is Einstein's definiton of madness.
“We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation.”
Having no choice but to sign the Chagos Agreement is a buy (sic) product of this “special relationship” too, I would like to explain. For anyone who still doesn’t understand why the first Chagos Deal (with UK doing the ethnic cleansing leg work for our masters) and the new Chagos deal India and US want us to sign was always certain to happen, for any person implying UK has a choice in this matter is simply uninformed and ignorant, take a gander at this:
“Britain likes to call its nuclear posture independent, but it of course is absolutely not,” “UK – unlike France – is highly intertwined with the US when it comes to maintaining its nuclear weapons, which are designed, manufactured and maintained in the US under a deal rooted in a 1958 agreement.” “Developing a replacement for Trident or adapting it for use without the US would be “hugely complicated” and costly” “difficult to conceive” of the US not wanting to maintain its relationship with the UK,
They make it, it’s expensive, and we have zero choice but to buy it - at mates rates in return for “other services rendered.” “"We're going to have some discussions about Chagos Deal very soon.” Said Donald Trump. “And I have a feeling it's going to work out very well," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office as he sat beside Starmer. "They're talking about a very long-term, powerful lease, a very strong lease, about 140 years actually. That's a long time, and I think we'll be inclined to go along with your country."
But I throw the question back at you Lucky, for you to explain the downsides of your alternate plan. That is greater costs on British tax payer, greater risk of complex project failure. And that NATO, 5 eyes and AUKUS were created in first place for good reason - strength in Union and sharing for like minded friends.
The very special UK US relationship makes us their bitch, you can argue - but all things considered, all pro’s and cons, do we really want to break free? Can we even seriously consider it?
VERY good q. If just 6% of Birkenhead is unemployed, how can 51% of central Birkenhead be on out-of-work benefits?
Answer is the smoke-and-mirrors of categorisation. Those on sickness benefit don't show up on unemployent figures.
The DWP list of all "out-of-work benefits" gives the full picture
At last count, just 1.7m are claimant unemployed. Reality: a full 6m out-of-work benefits...
It is a significant problem. Our government/political machine has been captured by the "one more cut" mentality. How have we got all these people now in work claiming "benefits?" Lets cut. How have we got few unemployed but lots on the sick? Lets cut.
You can cut the funding, but you can't cut the need. We need to go after the roots of the problem: Too many jobs do not pay the bills Jobs which invest zero in training and skills Not enough jobs Not enough childcare at times / prices to enable work Not enough money invested in preventative care as its been cut
We could take an axe to "benefits: in Birkenhead. The people on them won't be driven back into work as the work isn't there and what work there is isn't viable to live on. So then you get a big uplift in crime which costs loads and crapifies whole communities which costs loads more.
We need to completely reimagine work and social security. And I am increasingly persuaded that UBI needs to be at the heart of it.
The little food bank I'm connected with has families where both parents have full time jobs but their combined income still doesn't cover the bills.
Is that because of food prices or because of housing costs ?
I don't know, being a back-office person. It's true that there's are a lot more things these days that are effectively essentials - the days when people could just not spend money on what would have been considered "non-essentials" have gone. And I don't mean Sky packages etc.
When I was young, if you had rent, clothes, food, fuel & household sundries you were OK; you could walk or cycle to work. Nowadays, not so much.
Whereabouts are you (as I can't remember). I'm seeing on Reddit an awful lot of people down South being kicked out of their rental homes only to discover that the new market rents are well beyond the level they can afford...
South west. People are in difficulties with finding affordable rental properties, e.g an elderly and ill couple sofa-surfing with relations who treat them like servants. But what can the council do? They have to deal with the highest-priority people first.
So ask Somerset County Council why they have spent 6 years negotiating a section 106 where the final details has changed by the inclusion of an additional steam trail (cost of £250k) but it has delayed the building off 400 homes
If only the builders hadn't spent 4 years arguing over £250k...
They didn’t. They accepted it in the first round of comments (it’s the landowners not the builders funding it).
There was one council member who had fought the planning at every stage but when he lost used the section 106 to drag things out even further. That plus general incompetence.
Ah, lawfare.
Did you know there are companies/lawyers who offer consultancy/legal services on how to delay projects? They are even upfront that even if you don’t have an actual case, they can delay a project for you for x years.
It wasn’t even lawfare
The local guys supported it but there was one councillor who was opposed to any building. He fought the planning officer at every step. And when the PO recommended support he then tried to prevent the council implementing the decision.
Utterly utterly inappropriate behaviour
There are a very considerable number of people who believe that such unwarranted delaying tactics are a right.
Discover a choice of #BMW models on the #Motability Scheme. A brand new car every 3 years with insurance for up to 3 drivers, accident and breakdown cover, and all servicing costs included.
I never really understood the notion of being allowed to upgrade your Motorbility car to (for example) to a prestige German model. Motorbility users who need a small car to get a Vauxhall Corsa, Motorbility users whose circumstances require a larger vehicle to get a Vauxhall Combo Life. Surely functionality is the key.
Back in the days when I first had company cars the choice was simple, a Cortina 1.6L for Reps, a 2.O GL for Managers and a Granada 2.8 Ghia for Directors, all white for safety. Choice is Communism!
The takes on this defence argument are completely anti-logical.
We have just been caught out because we've made our national defence a subsidiary of someone else's national defence, and now we suddenly find that they have elected someone not to our liking (I exclude myself from this) and we're suddenly regretting it.
Our favoured solution to this is apparently to jump into a whole new set of defence commitments and deals with a whole new set of countries who might also quite feasibly elect someone we don't like (it has happened once or twice before). I mean really?
It is absolutely clear that the only solution to this is the same as it has always been. Gradually, and in a cordial and respectful way, we need to work toward a situation where the UK posseses a strong basic national defence against invasion that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation. Anything else is Einstein's definiton of madness.
“We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation.”
Having no choice but to sign the Chagos Agreement is a buy (sic) product of this “special relationship” too, I would like to explain. For anyone who still doesn’t understand why the first Chagos Deal (with UK doing the ethnic cleansing leg work for our masters) and the new Chagos deal India and US want us to sign was always certain to happen, for any person implying UK has a choice in this matter is simply uninformed and ignorant, take a gander at this:
“Britain likes to call its nuclear posture independent, but it of course is absolutely not,” “UK – unlike France – is highly intertwined with the US when it comes to maintaining its nuclear weapons, which are designed, manufactured and maintained in the US under a deal rooted in a 1958 agreement.” “Developing a replacement for Trident or adapting it for use without the US would be “hugely complicated” and costly” “difficult to conceive” of the US not wanting to maintain its relationship with the UK,
They make it, it’s expensive, and we have zero choice but to buy it - at mates rates in return for “other services rendered.” “"We're going to have some discussions about Chagos Deal very soon.” Said Donald Trump. “And I have a feeling it's going to work out very well," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office as he sat beside Starmer. "They're talking about a very long-term, powerful lease, a very strong lease, about 140 years actually. That's a long time, and I think we'll be inclined to go along with your country."
But I throw the question back at you Lucky, for you to explain the downsides of your alternate plan. That is greater costs on British tax payer, greater risk of project failure. And that NATO, 5 eyes and AUKUS were created in first place for good reason - strength in Union and sharing for like minded friends.
The very special UK US relationship makes us their bitch, you can argue - but all things considered, all pro’s and cons, do we really want to break free? Can we even seriously consider it?
The downside of any move toward the goal of autonomy when one has previously been subservient is that it upsets and offends those who have previously been in the driving seat. In this case, that's the US. That's why you need to know when to shut up, when to give in, when to flatter, when to dissemble, when to push back, and when to draw the line. There's a big skill of diplomacy. We don't have that at the moment because the entire civil service is geared to subservience to whomever asks for it.
On Chagos, I think the issue is far simpler than you make out. We just say we won't pay. Offer the deal of giving up Chagos to Mauritius, and they can make whatever deal they want with America. We could explain that we can no longer afford to pay due to the new defence 'realities'. We could even spend the money on some defence geegaws that we needed anyway from America and dress it up as a 'deal' with Trump. At least we'd be getting something. Mauritius would drop their claim like a hot brick. And if they didn't, who gives a shit? Even if the giveaway were not a choice, the payoff is.
Hungary, Slovakia and Serbia (the latter not in he EU) gives Russia an authoritarian, revanchist bloc right in the heart of Central Europe.
Looking at a map, you can see why bringing Romania over would be highly desirable to Russia.
It's important to see the institutional differences though, independent of the current holders of political office. Slovakia is divided politically and has yet to suffer a thorough institutional decline under its shitty government, while the population are still anti-Russian overall. Serbia has been making institutional progress, has a more Russophile population, but I think they vastly prefer EU membership and relative normality (look at Montenegro go!) to a Russian style regime.
Hungary have had their institutions ripped apart for more than a decade, and they are fucked. Though I expect plenty of Hungarians aren't that keen on more eternal brotherly love from the Russians.
Poland would have been on your list five years ago, and look at them now.
Comments
Nothing says spring more than the first chiffchaff.
There are arguments both ways for integrating international aid into foreign policy vs holding it separate. Part of the issue was that Andrew did some good stuff in its own right (eg secondary education for women in east Africa) but wasn’t willing to integrate into our national strategy
But this article is massively overstated.
What Musk and Trump have done is simply horrific
"...I don’t want to list science YouTubers who’ve learned to exploit that dynamic masterfully, though I’m told one rhymes with “Frabine Schlossenfelder.”..."
I laughed. I am a bad person...
The UK is one of the largest economies in the world. It can stand alone from that perspective. It should participate in a pan-European (and global) defence strategy to contain the malevolent. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be part of the EU.
Separately did we cover the fact that Hungary has annoyed a number of EU members so much that they are looking at how to chuck them out of the EU.
Except it seems likely at least one outcome will be a massively increased European army facing any future Russian aggression.
Is Vlad just the latest in a long line of business partners absolutely screwed by Donny?
"...A few days ago, WA Premier Roger Cook called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” during a Q&A...
...Today is the Election for WA Premier and Roger Cook Who called Vice President JD Vance a “knob” is set to win the Election in massive landslide..
...POLLS SHOW massive landslide FOR Roger Cook...
...BREAKING: Top Australian politician who Called JD Vance a “knob” is set to Win Election with massive landslide..."
There is a lot of thinking and planning to be done on this, my guess is that it will take at least a decade to sort out. It is just as well that Russia has destroyed its conventional capabilities in Ukraine and will take at least that long to recover.
A world where the US is no longer a friend and even a potential enemy to the extent that a bully like Trump or Vance may want to throw their weight about is a lot less comfortable than we have been used to but it is where we are and the sooner we stop deluding ourselves that there are other options the sooner we can get started.
(Editor - Kemi Badenoch is unwell)
How would Musk/Trump stop someone delivering medical supplies through the system?
And one wonders about Kemi as well.
Only two steps away from fascist ideologues for Kemi.
That picture could become a problem.
The Peace Prize was to salve his guilt
That suggests supply problems were much reduced from the previous winter.
Moreover there is the question of whether the EU is better off with Hungary inside at least nominally aligned with them or outside forming a firm alliance with Russia.
Looking at a map, you can see why bringing Romania over would be highly desirable to Russia.
It's a bit like that pic of Cliff Richard with Jimmy Savile and because he was pictured with Savile at some point in the 1960s for some people it's apparently "proof" that Cliff has been involved in all sorts... 🤷♂️
Imagine if Christina Trevanion/Catherine Deneuve hadn't lost Pompey North at the last GE.
If things change, a friendly hug with someone openly inspired by autocratic loons, won't look too good.
There was one council member who had fought the planning at every stage but when he lost used the section 106 to drag things out even further. That plus general incompetence.
Hungary and Slovakia will soon learn that being a vassal state of Russia isn’t much fun . They could rejoin any new EU after a period if they move back towards sanity .
https://x.com/campbellclaret/status/1886805654322442724
We have just been caught out because we've made our national defence a subsidiary of someone else's national defence, and now we suddenly find that they have elected someone not to our liking (I exclude myself from this) and we're suddenly regretting it.
Our favoured solution to this is apparently to jump into a whole new set of defence commitments and deals with a whole new set of countries who might also quite feasibly elect someone we don't like (it has happened once or twice before). I mean really?
It is absolutely clear that the only solution to this is the same as it has always been. Gradually, and in a cordial and respectful way, we need to work toward a situation where the UK posseses a strong basic national defence against invasion that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. We need to develop a nuclear programme that is not dependent upon the goodwill of any other nation. Security agencies that are not dependent on the goodwill of any other nation. And as a vastly less important secondary goal, develop the ability to project force overseas to advance our interests and help our allies, that is not dependent upon the good will of any other nation. Anything else is Einstein's definiton of madness.
Razzle the black cocker spaniel goes the wrong way and is eliminated.
Nancy the spaniel, the penultimate of the mediums. Looks fast. Great weaves, finishes clear, 30 secs, for fifth.
Olly, going last, noisy on the way round, eliminated.
So the heights are lowered for the young handlers of the small dogs.
Did you know there are companies/lawyers who offer consultancy/legal services on how to delay projects? They are even upfront that even if you don’t have an actual case, they can delay a project for you for x years.
Knobs are generally useful things. Sitting quietly in the middle of doors, annoying no one until they are needed. Then doing their actual job without complaint.
No door knob has ever demanded the AfD be allowed into government….
Completely un-Vance like, really.
For example, some EU countries become a bit… transactional… when the talk is of defending the Baltics. So leave them out for that.
Fortunately, NATO actually encourages such things - see the Northern European exercises which the U.K. has been solidly involved with for many years.
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/08/us/gene-hackman-wife-death-investigation/index.html
And remember all defence manuafacturers wish to have an export market for which there is a quid pro quo that if someone elsewhere makes a better version of something you want - you purchase it from there as it's cheaper than creating your own (probably inferior version). And we aren't exactly going to go to war with France nowadays
We normally get one family phone or similar call a day, or at least every other day.
Apparently since 1975 only 52 people have died of that in the state of New Mexico. Make it 53 now, I guess...
Presumably Badenoch knew who Vance was and what kind of politics he represents when this picture was taken (in December?)
So it's a bit of crap analogy.
First round to the Armada!
And Armada win 2:0, on 15.84 seconds, close to the record.
Third leg just for show. Faults on both sides, extra dogs run, no record. The bouncers take a consolation round.
Next up, the main competition semi-finals!
*going to use 12k as tax free allowance as its near enough and makes the maths simpler
1) 12k is not enough to live on in plenty of the country, doubly so if single. When I was living in slough a really crappy studio flat that would be covered just by the housing benefit rules for max pay out was 750£ a month or 9k a year leaving you 57.70£ a week to pay your council tax, bills, food, transport costs. Council tax alone would cost you about 35£ a week
2) as of 2022 there were 45 million over 18's in the uk.....(rounded to nearest million) thats the government paying out 540 million which is significantly more than the current welfare spend by a factor of 2 to 3....where is that money coming from?
https://x.com/LittleMammith/status/1898227313575416149
Watson's are the only team ever to beat the Runners at Crufts.
First round, all set, two great runs, the Runners ahead throughout, but close, Runners 1:0
Second round, fault on blue, the Runners take it. Surely favourites for the trophy tomorrow?
On the practice run, Cambridge are looking good.
First round, Cambridge ahead from the first dog, all four dogs finish on 14.78 seconds, a half second off the record.
Second run...good start from the blues but a poor turn, Cambridge win 2:0 on 15.0 seconds
https://www.museofridakahlo.org.mx/?lang=en
for its mixture of art and politics, even though the guide was curiously evasive on her beliefs (she was a Communist, friends with Trotsky).
The Aztec/Mayan sites are more mainstream fare, e.g. https://www.freetour.com/mexico-city/teotihuacan-experience-?source= .
The food was a little disappointing, but we probably just missed the best. Generally speaking, we found restaurants with menus in English had MUCH milder curries.
I am not a defence expert, but I also think that there's a great deal of wastage and gold-plating in MOD procurement at present that could be exploited. Look at Ukraine's (and who knows, perhaps Russia's) speed of innovation in this war. By contrast, we measure our projects in decades and billions.
I would not be planning to develop a British Trident replacement, I would revive the tactical nuclear programme the Blair Government scrapped.
I would also consider giving the EU (even better if they pay) one of the carriers. I don't consider them a worthwhile or useful thing to have at this juncture. That would be a saving and free up resource elsewhere.
On the practice run, looks very tight.
First round, Jets ahead, but close, all down to the last leg, but the Chasers are ahead with their fast dog, but a fault!, the round awarded to the Jets.
Second round...the Chasers' fast dog wins it on the last leg, now 1:1
So, the decider....the Jets ahead by a nose until the last leg, but the Chasers' super-speed finisher wins on the last leg. Chasers win 2:1
A counterweight to China and eventually India.
One day we might even let the US join.
https://x.com/marshall_bmw/status/1898379952501805483
Discover a choice of #BMW models on the #Motability Scheme. A brand new car every 3 years with insurance for up to 3 drivers, accident and breakdown cover, and all servicing costs included.
First round, the Aces ahead, they win at 15.34 secs
Second round, Focus have to draw even....close but the third dog wins it for the Aces on 15.46 seconds.
Sea control is essential. For sea control, air power is essential.
If you want to go it alone, a large navy plus nuclear weapons would be the minimum defence capability. With the Army reduced to marines.
"I have no sympathy for their fear...like are you kidding me, you are not going to do something about this because of empty death threats, literally people in Ukr are dying. Ukrainians died yesterday because of what Donald Trump did and you are fucking US senator so do something."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M5Q6HvaoYg
The local guys supported it but there was one councillor who was opposed to any building. He fought the planning officer at every step. And when the PO recommended support he then tried to prevent the council implementing the decision.
Utterly utterly inappropriate behaviour
However I don't see that two very large aircraft carriers (apparently without the escort ships) are necessary. I would keep one for willy waving, and invest in smaller crafts that could perhaps carry drones.
I also think these days missile defence is absolutely key.
These seem logical to me, but I am only going on what I've gleaned from PB over the years.
Having no choice but to sign the Chagos Agreement is a buy (sic) product of this “special relationship” too, I would like to explain.
For anyone who still doesn’t understand why the first Chagos Deal (with UK doing the ethnic cleansing leg work for our masters) and the new Chagos deal India and US want us to sign was always certain to happen, for any person implying UK has a choice in this matter is simply uninformed and ignorant, take a gander at this:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/08/us-support-uk-nuclear-arsenal-in-doubt-trident-france
“Britain likes to call its nuclear posture independent, but it of course is absolutely not,”
“UK – unlike France – is highly intertwined with the US when it comes to maintaining its nuclear weapons, which are designed, manufactured and maintained in the US under a deal rooted in a 1958 agreement.”
“Developing a replacement for Trident or adapting it for use without the US would be “hugely complicated” and costly”
“difficult to conceive” of the US not wanting to maintain its relationship with the UK,
They make it, it’s expensive, and we have zero choice but to buy it - at mates rates in return for “other services rendered.”
“"We're going to have some discussions about Chagos Deal very soon.” Said Donald Trump. “And I have a feeling it's going to work out very well," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office as he sat beside Starmer. "They're talking about a very long-term, powerful lease, a very strong lease, about 140 years actually. That's a long time, and I think we'll be inclined to go along with your country."
But I throw the question back at you Lucky, for you to explain the downsides of your alternate plan. That is greater costs on British tax payer, greater risk of complex project failure. And that NATO, 5 eyes and AUKUS were created in first place for good reason - strength in Union and sharing for like minded friends.
The very special UK US relationship makes us their bitch, you can argue - but all things considered, all pro’s and cons, do we really want to break free? Can we even seriously consider it?
It is part of the structure of the Process State.
Back in the days when I first had company cars the choice was simple, a Cortina 1.6L for Reps, a 2.O GL for Managers and a Granada 2.8 Ghia for Directors, all white for safety. Choice is Communism!
On Chagos, I think the issue is far simpler than you make out. We just say we won't pay. Offer the deal of giving up Chagos to Mauritius, and they can make whatever deal they want with America. We could explain that we can no longer afford to pay due to the new defence 'realities'. We could even spend the money on some defence geegaws that we needed anyway from America and dress it up as a 'deal' with Trump. At least we'd be getting something. Mauritius would drop their claim like a hot brick. And if they didn't, who gives a shit? Even if the giveaway were not a choice, the payoff is.
Hungary have had their institutions ripped apart for more than a decade, and they are fucked. Though I expect plenty of Hungarians aren't that keen on more eternal brotherly love from the Russians.
Poland would have been on your list five years ago, and look at them now.