Bridget Brink, the US ambassador to Ukraine, is stepping down following increasing policy disagreements with President Donald Trump’s administration, according to people familiar with her decision. https://x.com/ChristopherJM/status/1910422687165325699
"We've given 90 days... the United States will negotiate in good faith... What I am certain of is that what China is doing will affect their economy much more than it will ours."
Dumber than a sack of bricks...
That was said about Navarro. Any corroboration that Bessent is dumb?
He's in Trump's cabinet.
QED
But look at the quote. Do you think China is going to come out of this worse than the US?
The quote says that "what China is doing will affect their economy much more than it will ours". That can be read as criticism of tariffs because they affect your own economy more.
A random Musing to which I do not know the answer - England and Public Right of Way.
Does the existence of a proven Roman Road mean that there should be public access now on the basis of previous use in Roman times?
Do we have case law?
IANAL, but my guess would be no, based on the fact that existing routes are not public rights of way of they are closed 1 day a year. Unless it has been in continuous use, I think it does not automatically qualify.
Yes, but there are also plenty of PROWs which are not registered - Theresa Villiers was trying to get these closed for eternity by the back door by withdrawing the right to apply.
Here's an application where usage of a Roman Road was cited as part of the established usage (but this is "likely continuous for two millenia" not 20+ years in the 3rd Century):
E.2. The Roman Road remains a minor sealed public road south of the application way at A, and is recorded as a public bridleway north of the application way at B towards Betteshanger. The application way itself is shown on earlier maps as an ordinary part of the local road network, but seems to have been omitted from being given a tarred surface in the early years of the twentieth century, probably because the way north of B was already in decline as a through vehicular route, and because the spur northwest from A towards Willow Road and Tilmanstone sufficiently fulfilled the requirement for connections heading north out of Studdal. However, as a part of the Roman Road, it seems likely that the application way has remained in continuous use for nearly two millenia.
A random Musing to which I do not know the answer - England and Public Right of Way.
Does the existence of a proven Roman Road mean that there should be public access now on the basis of previous use in Roman times?
Do we have case law?
IANAL, but my guess would be no, based on the fact that existing routes are not public rights of way of they are closed 1 day a year. Unless it has been in continuous use, I think it does not automatically qualify.
Yes, but there are also plenty of PROWs which are not registered - Theresa Villiers was trying to get these closed for eternity by the back door by withdrawing the right to apply.
Here's an application where usage of a Roman Road was cited as part of the established usage (but this is "likely continuous for two millenia" not 20+ years in the 3rd Century):
E.2. The Roman Road remains a minor sealed public road south of the application way at A, and is recorded as a public bridleway north of the application way at B towards Betteshanger. The application way itself is shown on earlier maps as an ordinary part of the local road network, but seems to have been omitted from being given a tarred surface in the early years of the twentieth century, probably because the way north of B was already in decline as a through vehicular route, and because the spur northwest from A towards Willow Road and Tilmanstone sufficiently fulfilled the requirement for connections heading north out of Studdal. However, as a part of the Roman Road, it seems likely that the application way has remained in continuous use for nearly two millenia.
There will of course be a fair few people willing to vote Reform in some passing by-election - or indeed to give this preference to pollsters - as a protest, who wouldn't dream of voting to put them anywhere near power.
Seeing Reform councillors in action is going to be instructive before the GE.
It didn't do much to lessen UKIP's appeal in 2015. I doubt the number of people who are negatively swayed in the GE vote by the performance of local councillors is at all high - particularly when those councillors aren't their own ones. Voters for populist parties, on left or right, are moved more by the message and the blame alleged than by consideration of practical governance. If the latter were much of a consideration, they wouldn't be considering populists in the first place.
It will influence some people, and provide entertaining stories of councillors being suspended for various real and imaginary offences, but I agree that it won't be a big effect.
We will have to await the collision between populism and reality in government before the scales fall from voters eyes. Seeing chaos happen in America is not close enough.
Apart from the byelection there isn't much at risk in England for Labour, but the calculated share will be poor, but masked by a weak performance last time.
I expect a bad night for the Tories (have they even got a campaign? Haven't seen anything), a good night for Reform, and strong too for both LDs and Greens.
So expect to see Farage turning everywhere, and the approach of Badenexit.
EC forecasts the Tories will come top in May still in the councils up, Reform second, the LDs third and Labour only fourth
(a) the swing against the Conservatives since 2021
(b) the overall swing to the right, since 2021.
The Conservatives got an NEV of 36%, and it will be more like 25% this time. Reform fielded hardly any candidates in 2021, but will get an NEV of close to 25%.
It's bad luck for the Lib Dems that the Counties they could expect to do best in, in that situation (East and West Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire) are not having elections this year.
Indeed, though they still will do well in the likes of Oxfordshire.
Reform will also be hit by the fact their best counties like Essex and Norfolk are also now not having elections this year, had they done then Electoral Calculus forecast Reform would have won most council seats in May ahead of the Tories rather than the reverse in the councils that are voting
There will of course be a fair few people willing to vote Reform in some passing by-election - or indeed to give this preference to pollsters - as a protest, who wouldn't dream of voting to put them anywhere near power.
The US could end up trashing its global reserve currency status, for essentially nothing. Trump's tariffs could go down as the single dumbest policy decision in history.
The last time we had a trade war (2018), the Dollar went up +12% in 18 months. The fact that the Dollar is collapsing here is a VERY bad sign. This could turn into a crisis of confidence very quickly. Trump must surrender on this insane kamikaze mission immediately https://x.com/SpencerHakimian/status/1910521763936510275
Yup
I understand MAGA want to stick by their guy, but there are loads of people currently on the Trump train that know it's about to wreck and take them with it.
How many of them jump?
EDIT: It's ALREADY a crisis of confidence, they just haven't realised it yet.
That's what all of the International commentary is saying. We can't trust the US while Trump is in charge
It is worse than that. We cant trust the US even if Trump gets kicked out in 2028 because what happens in 2032? And for the observant they should also be noting we can't trust France, because Le Pen, we can't trust Germany because AfD, we can't trust the UK because Farage. Trust is gone and is not coming to previous levels regardless of what happens with Trump, of course it can plummet further but it can't be restored for many years to come.
That is the emerging consensus in the markets. Devastating for the US because the previous trust level was so high that we preferred to use their currency in core economic transactions. Now the reserve currency is hanging by a thread.
Today I finish a three and a half year contract at a very well known and major global institution where I've set up and run a worldwide whistleblowing programme. It's been a blast but I am rather looking forward to a spring and summer without having to read procedures which are never followed or the sorts of emails which should never have been sent.
I have lots of other plans: a 1000 square metre garden to create, finding a publisher for my book, getting my health back after six months of difficulties, planning a trip to the Far East and so on. So if a depression and WW3 could be avoided, that would be great. Otherwise I'll be digging for victory in my potager and orchard and flogging the eggs from my chickens (1000% mark up for Americans).
I remain open to interesting (and, importantly, lucrative) work.
Meanwhile this - https://knowingius.org/p/sex-in-the-supreme-court-762 - is a very clear guide to what the Supreme Court will and, just as importantly, will not be deciding in the For Women Scotland case next week.
A random Musing to which I do not know the answer - England and Public Right of Way.
Does the existence of a proven Roman Road mean that there should be public access now on the basis of previous use in Roman times?
Do we have case law?
IANAL, but my guess would be no, based on the fact that existing routes are not public rights of way of they are closed 1 day a year. Unless it has been in continuous use, I think it does not automatically qualify.
Yes, but there are also plenty of PROWs which are not registered - Theresa Villiers was trying to get these closed for eternity by the back door by withdrawing the right to apply.
Here's an application where usage of a Roman Road was cited as part of the established usage (but this is "likely continuous for two millenia" not 20+ years in the 3rd Century):
E.2. The Roman Road remains a minor sealed public road south of the application way at A, and is recorded as a public bridleway north of the application way at B towards Betteshanger. The application way itself is shown on earlier maps as an ordinary part of the local road network, but seems to have been omitted from being given a tarred surface in the early years of the twentieth century, probably because the way north of B was already in decline as a through vehicular route, and because the spur northwest from A towards Willow Road and Tilmanstone sufficiently fulfilled the requirement for connections heading north out of Studdal. However, as a part of the Roman Road, it seems likely that the application way has remained in continuous use for nearly two millenia.
If it has not been in continuous use, it's not a PROW as I understand it
My understanding is that it is continuous "unopposed" demonstrated use through a period of 20 years at some time - so it can be in the past if eg the landowner has blocked it recently.
But this is a rabbit hole. And I'm off out for a walk .
"We've given 90 days... the United States will negotiate in good faith... What I am certain of is that what China is doing will affect their economy much more than it will ours."
Dumber than a sack of bricks...
That was said about Navarro. Any corroboration that Bessent is dumb?
More deluded than dumb, I think. Unlike Navarro and Lutnick, who are spectacular examples of both qualities.
"We've given 90 days... the United States will negotiate in good faith... What I am certain of is that what China is doing will affect their economy much more than it will ours."
Dumber than a sack of bricks...
That was said about Navarro. Any corroboration that Bessent is dumb?
More deluded than dumb, I think. Unlike Navarro and Lutnick, who are spectacular examples of both qualities.
Bessent certainly is not dumb. He did a lot of the behind the scenes work that allowed Soros/Druckenmiller to make a fortune betting against the pound.
Former CIO at Soros. He’s a bright guy. He may or may not be right here but it’s not a bad thing Navarro seems to be being sidelined in his favour.
I'm currently on 12 days without a spot of rain and Scotland is suffering some of its worst wildfires in years. March was extremely dry too.
Same here in Durham although we have over a week of rain forecast from Sunday.
Fear not, I have scaffolding going up on Thursday so I can paint my house. Undoubtedly it will coincide with the start of 6 weeks of continuous rain in the SE.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
"We've given 90 days... the United States will negotiate in good faith... What I am certain of is that what China is doing will affect their economy much more than it will ours."
Dumber than a sack of bricks...
That was said about Navarro. Any corroboration that Bessent is dumb?
More deluded than dumb, I think. Unlike Navarro and Lutnick, who are spectacular examples of both qualities.
Are we talking about Bessent or William?
Harsh, but...
Bessent clearly isn't an idiot - he's a Soros alumnus, and ran his own fund - but I suspect he's more of a palatable mouthpiece for Trump's nonsense, than a significant counterweight in the administration.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5243503-bessent-trump-tariffs-puase/ ...The corporate world sees Bessent as redeeming relative to the Trump loyalists, like Navarro and top adviser Stephen Miller. “The business community sees Peter Navarro and Stephen Miller as jeopardizing 200 years of economic growth and free enterprise. So anybody who pushes back even a little with the president, like Secretary Bessent, is going to be seen as a possible savior,” a GOP lobbyist told The Hill. “Last time around there were lots of ‘normal’ voices like [former director of the national economic council] Gary Cohn, [former Treasury secretary] Steve Mnuchin , [former deputy national security adviser] Dina Powell and [former aide] Rob Porter to counter the Navarro-Miller view but Bessent doesn’t have nearly as many like-minded allies now,” the lobbyist added. ..
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
As with all such vote suppression, it's spun as a minor inconvenience which shouldn't bother anyone who values their vote.
But of course women vote disproportionately for the Democrats, so the intent is pretty transparent.
I'm currently on 12 days without a spot of rain and Scotland is suffering some of its worst wildfires in years. March was extremely dry too.
Yes, I think the spring wildfire season has been pretty tasty here, mostly concentrated in an area just south of the M62, we've got a couple of sq km ablaze yet again as of this morning, though judging by the improved smell West Yorks Fire might be winning.
Definitely set up for possible drought absenting a, OK, very possible, veer in the longer term weather.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
The view is that this wont pass the Senate.
Let's hope so.
The Democrats will filibuster it, and there's no way it gets 60 votes.
I'm currently on 12 days without a spot of rain and Scotland is suffering some of its worst wildfires in years. March was extremely dry too.
Same here in Durham although we have over a week of rain forecast from Sunday.
Fear not, I have scaffolding going up on Thursday so I can paint my house. Undoubtedly it will coincide with the start of 6 weeks of continuous rain in the SE.
That’s almost certain to induce the currently missing April showers.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
The view is that this wont pass the Senate.
Let's hope so.
The Democrats will filibuster it, and there's no way it gets 60 votes.
4 Democrat Representatives voted to pass the bill.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
The view is that this wont pass the Senate.
Let's hope so.
The Democrats will filibuster it, and there's no way it gets 60 votes.
are you sure? The last time the dems had that chance they caved.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
The view is that this wont pass the Senate.
Let's hope so.
The Democrats will filibuster it, and there's no way it gets 60 votes.
4 Democrat Representatives voted to pass the bill.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
The view is that this wont pass the Senate.
Let's hope so.
The Democrats will filibuster it, and there's no way it gets 60 votes.
4 Democrat Representatives voted to pass the bill.
I know. That doesn't change the Senate maths. And I doubt the GOP want to finally nuke the filibuster over this; though it's possible.
If that were to happen, those four representatives would suddenly become a great deal more unpopular.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
The view is that this wont pass the Senate.
Let's hope so.
The Democrats will filibuster it, and there's no way it gets 60 votes.
4 Democrat Representatives voted to pass the bill.
DINO's?
Just a recognition that the party is a coalition. And some Democrats from redder districts are only there because they incline to he right of the party.
It's like Manchin, who voted so often for the GOP that he might as well not have been a Democrat. But no other Democrat would have been elected in his place, so they had to live with it.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
The view is that this wont pass the Senate.
Let's hope so.
The Democrats will filibuster it, and there's no way it gets 60 votes.
4 Democrat Representatives voted to pass the bill.
I'm currently on 12 days without a spot of rain and Scotland is suffering some of its worst wildfires in years. March was extremely dry too.
Same here in Durham although we have over a week of rain forecast from Sunday.
Fear not, I have scaffolding going up on Thursday so I can paint my house. Undoubtedly it will coincide with the start of 6 weeks of continuous rain in the SE.
That’s almost certain to induce the currently missing April showers.
We had to top up our pond this month too. Got some happy tadpoles swimming around it now.
April showers have been a rarity the last few years. Statistically it’s the driest month of the year here in the South East but we’d still expect a bit of convection. The nights have been bad for frost.
A random Musing to which I do not know the answer - England and Public Right of Way.
Does the existence of a proven Roman Road mean that there should be public access now on the basis of previous use in Roman times?
Do we have case law?
IANAL, but my guess would be no, based on the fact that existing routes are not public rights of way of they are closed 1 day a year. Unless it has been in continuous use, I think it does not automatically qualify.
Yes, but there are also plenty of PROWs which are not registered - Theresa Villiers was trying to get these closed for eternity by the back door by withdrawing the right to apply.
Here's an application where usage of a Roman Road was cited as part of the established usage (but this is "likely continuous for two millenia" not 20+ years in the 3rd Century):
E.2. The Roman Road remains a minor sealed public road south of the application way at A, and is recorded as a public bridleway north of the application way at B towards Betteshanger. The application way itself is shown on earlier maps as an ordinary part of the local road network, but seems to have been omitted from being given a tarred surface in the early years of the twentieth century, probably because the way north of B was already in decline as a through vehicular route, and because the spur northwest from A towards Willow Road and Tilmanstone sufficiently fulfilled the requirement for connections heading north out of Studdal. However, as a part of the Roman Road, it seems likely that the application way has remained in continuous use for nearly two millenia.
If it has not been in continuous use, it's not a PROW as I understand it
The right to make a spurious application ends 25 years after the CROW Act of 2001. About time too. Always was a nonsense since the Socialist Ramblers Association became the Ramblers Association. Of course Blair's "Right to Roam" has been a complete non-event. That was always going to be the case when the section was added prevented spurious injury claims.
In Chelmsford Hospital A&E. So far queued 30 minutes to book in, let alone see anyone. Fortunately not serious; Mrs C has gashed her leg badly and the GP has dressed it but thinks she’ll need to see the Plastics team. So here we are!
A random Musing to which I do not know the answer - England and Public Right of Way.
Does the existence of a proven Roman Road mean that there should be public access now on the basis of previous use in Roman times?
Do we have case law?
IANAL, but my guess would be no, based on the fact that existing routes are not public rights of way of they are closed 1 day a year. Unless it has been in continuous use, I think it does not automatically qualify.
Yes, but there are also plenty of PROWs which are not registered - Theresa Villiers was trying to get these closed for eternity by the back door by withdrawing the right to apply.
Here's an application where usage of a Roman Road was cited as part of the established usage (but this is "likely continuous for two millenia" not 20+ years in the 3rd Century):
E.2. The Roman Road remains a minor sealed public road south of the application way at A, and is recorded as a public bridleway north of the application way at B towards Betteshanger. The application way itself is shown on earlier maps as an ordinary part of the local road network, but seems to have been omitted from being given a tarred surface in the early years of the twentieth century, probably because the way north of B was already in decline as a through vehicular route, and because the spur northwest from A towards Willow Road and Tilmanstone sufficiently fulfilled the requirement for connections heading north out of Studdal. However, as a part of the Roman Road, it seems likely that the application way has remained in continuous use for nearly two millenia.
If it has not been in continuous use, it's not a PROW as I understand it
The right to make a spurious application ends 25 years after the CROW Act of 2001. About time too. Always was a nonsense since the Socialist Ramblers Association became the Ramblers Association. Of course Blair's "Right to Roam" has been a complete non-event. That was always going to be the case when the section was added prevented spurious injury claims.
I don't get this at all. Why is there a time limit? It just incentivises landowners to make it as difficult as possible for people to assert their rights.
Where are the Magna Carta types? Usually so noisy.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
I had to clear immigration then re-check in at Chicago on my way home from Mexico yesterday. They really don’t set up their airports for international connections.
I was greeted by a charmingly abrupt “why are you here?” and I was pleased to reply “I’m not staying, I’m on my way home to Britain”.
I had to clear immigration then re-check in at Chicago on my way home from Mexico yesterday. They really don’t set up their airports for international connections.
I was greeted by a charmingly abrupt “why are you here?” and I was pleased to reply “I’m not staying, I’m on my way home to Britain”.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
It amazes me but No 10 is repeating Sunak's mistake by courting a section of voters who will never vote for them while really annoying those who would like to. If there was a Cameron style Con leader now I would say Lab were close to beng toast. However, if the opposition are Farage and Badenoch then there is a chance Starmer can pose as the least worst option (even more than last time). That is clearly their view but they should maybe get out of their ivory towers a bit more. It most certainly is not a given. Anyway you can expect Lab to get royally shafted in locals and by-elections for the forseeable
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
(For all those who are trying to name them without Googling, here is a friendly reminder that Caroline Lucas is no longer a Green MP)
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
I had to clear immigration then re-check in at Chicago on my way home from Mexico yesterday. They really don’t set up their airports for international connections.
I was greeted by a charmingly abrupt “why are you here?” and I was pleased to reply “I’m not staying, I’m on my way home to Britain”.
Did they ask "Which state is that in?", perchance?
In Chelmsford Hospital A&E. So far queued 30 minutes to book in, let alone see anyone. Fortunately not serious; Mrs C has gashed her leg badly and the GP has dressed it but thinks she’ll need to see the Plastics team. So here we are!
Good luck. They have a good reputation for plastic surgery there, so hopefully it's worth the wait.
In Chelmsford Hospital A&E. So far queued 30 minutes to book in, let alone see anyone. Fortunately not serious; Mrs C has gashed her leg badly and the GP has dressed it but thinks she’ll need to see the Plastics team. So here we are!
Best wishes to Mrs C. I hope you get seen before the Friday evening rush.
I had to clear immigration then re-check in at Chicago on my way home from Mexico yesterday. They really don’t set up their airports for international connections.
I was greeted by a charmingly abrupt “why are you here?” and I was pleased to reply “I’m not staying, I’m on my way home to Britain”.
Did they ask "Which state is that in?", perchance?
Weirdly he just grunted and waved me away, without making eye contact. I thought he might at least ask to see my onward boarding pass.
In the spiraling trade war with the US, China sees a chaotic president who is attacking his own allies & trading partners, seems to have only the most tenuous grasp of how global trade works & has shown he will back down when investors get “a bit yippy.”
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
For me, it's fairly simple. Places like St Ann's are very left wing compared to the country as a whole. We have a Labour Government doing not very left wing things like cutting disability benefits and foreign aid. So those left wing voters are looking for an alternative and the Greens are the best fit.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
They are just the Reform of the left.
Though the planet is fucked is a bit more fact based than we are being destroyed by the woke mind virus.
I had to clear immigration then re-check in at Chicago on my way home from Mexico yesterday. They really don’t set up their airports for international connections.
I was greeted by a charmingly abrupt “why are you here?” and I was pleased to reply “I’m not staying, I’m on my way home to Britain”.
I don’t think there are any airports in the US that let you do an international transfer without going through immigration. I’ve even had to clear immigration just to sit in a waiting room to re-board the same airplane. That makes me suspect it’s a legal requirement, not bad airport design.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
Green voters tend to be those for whom Starmer is too right-wing and who liked Corbyn
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
Thaddeus Tungsten, Dame Marigold Smith-Smythe, Craig Stoddy, and Mabel Pea.
I had to clear immigration then re-check in at Chicago on my way home from Mexico yesterday. They really don’t set up their airports for international connections.
I was greeted by a charmingly abrupt “why are you here?” and I was pleased to reply “I’m not staying, I’m on my way home to Britain”.
I don’t think there are any airports in the US that let you do an international transfer without going through immigration. I’ve even had to clear immigration just to sit in a waiting room to re-board the same airplane. That makes me suspect it’s a legal requirement, not bad airport design.
I think that's right. My passport shows Boston as my place of birth. So I was asked why I didn't have a US passport if I was born in Boston!
I had to clear immigration then re-check in at Chicago on my way home from Mexico yesterday. They really don’t set up their airports for international connections.
I was greeted by a charmingly abrupt “why are you here?” and I was pleased to reply “I’m not staying, I’m on my way home to Britain”.
I don’t think there are any airports in the US that let you do an international transfer without going through immigration. I’ve even had to clear immigration just to sit in a waiting room to re-board the same airplane. That makes me suspect it’s a legal requirement, not bad airport design.
It’s quite possibly both. I arrived in the “international arrivals” terminal (5) and departed from the same airline’s international departures terminal (1) at the opposite end of the airport, which as we all know is huge.
I don’t think international connections are much of a thing there. Loads of people making domestic connections, but how many are transiting the US to go abroad again? Only a few going on to Canada, Mexico and maybe the Caribbean. Contrast with say Heathrow, Schiphol or Frankfurt (or Istanbul, Dubai, Changi etc etc) where that’s a big driver of volume.
A frank if sobering report on German equipment operating in Ukraine, I guess these failings will be present in most western weapons to a greater or lesser degree. The older stuff seems to work best.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
Green voters tend to be those for whom Starmer is too right-wing and who liked Corbyn
The default party for naice Southern voters with bookshelves and an EV is now the Lib Dems, and the Greens are their protest vote if they are a bit lefty
The default party for rufty-tufty working class folks made good used to be Labour or Conservatives, but now it's Reform
Goodness knows where Labour and Conservatives fit in this new world order... ☹️
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
Thaddeus Tungsten, Dame Marigold Smith-Smythe, Craig Stoddy, and Mabel Pea.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
Green voters tend to be those for whom Starmer is too right-wing and who liked Corbyn
The default party for naice Southern voters with bookshelves and an EV is now the Lib Dems, and the Greens are their protest vote if they are a bit lefty
The default party for rufty-tufty working class folks made good used to be Labour or Conservatives, but now it's Reform
Goodness knows where Labour and Conservatives fit in this new world order... ☹️
Except the Greens also manage to snaffle the rural eco-NIMBY vote too. Quite clever dual positioning. The Lib Dem opportunistic nimby reputation is not entirely unfounded and remains a deeply irritating blight to many party members, but the reputation has gone somewhat ahead of reality. The champions of rural nimbyism are and will remain the conservatives, with Greens fighting hard for the title.
A random Musing to which I do not know the answer - England and Public Right of Way.
Does the existence of a proven Roman Road mean that there should be public access now on the basis of previous use in Roman times?
Do we have case law?
IANAL, but my guess would be no, based on the fact that existing routes are not public rights of way of they are closed 1 day a year. Unless it has been in continuous use, I think it does not automatically qualify.
Yes, but there are also plenty of PROWs which are not registered - Theresa Villiers was trying to get these closed for eternity by the back door by withdrawing the right to apply.
Here's an application where usage of a Roman Road was cited as part of the established usage (but this is "likely continuous for two millenia" not 20+ years in the 3rd Century):
E.2. The Roman Road remains a minor sealed public road south of the application way at A, and is recorded as a public bridleway north of the application way at B towards Betteshanger. The application way itself is shown on earlier maps as an ordinary part of the local road network, but seems to have been omitted from being given a tarred surface in the early years of the twentieth century, probably because the way north of B was already in decline as a through vehicular route, and because the spur northwest from A towards Willow Road and Tilmanstone sufficiently fulfilled the requirement for connections heading north out of Studdal. However, as a part of the Roman Road, it seems likely that the application way has remained in continuous use for nearly two millenia.
If it has not been in continuous use, it's not a PROW as I understand it
The right to make a spurious application ends 25 years after the CROW Act of 2001. About time too. Always was a nonsense since the Socialist Ramblers Association became the Ramblers Association. Of course Blair's "Right to Roam" has been a complete non-event. That was always going to be the case when the section was added prevented spurious injury claims.
I don't get this at all. Why is there a time limit? It just incentivises landowners to make it as difficult as possible for people to assert their rights.
Where are the Magna Carta types? Usually so noisy.
I'm not actually that bothered, as someone who uses RoW a great deal. In particular, without knowing the local area, that stretch of Roman Road seems utterly pointless to turn into a RoW given the network of paths and roads in the area.
A good many existing footpaths and bridleways are pointless. In my attempt to run all the local paths, I only had one GOML (*). It was when I was attempting to run a short stretch of footpath across a field, that led to and from a good bridleway. It is on the map below, just to the south of Home Farm.
The bridleway is good, and the footpath absolutely pointless. I had a chat with the farmer and headed back.
Instead, I would like to see a little intelligence put into the RoW network. Some areas have a surplus of footpaths; whilst others - notably parts of Lincolnshire - have few. Build new access routes that people will actually use, especially in areas that have few. Talk to Slowways and locals to see where there are massive gaps in the network, and fill them in, rather than spending lots of money trying to get even more RoW's in areas that have lots of them.
Parliament to be recalled to discuss British Steel
This could be fun. Labour: we're broke Tories: HOW DARE LABOUR DESTROY BRITISH INDUSTRY Reform: Just nationalise it before these foreigners ruin Britain LibDems: well SNP: the English already destroyed Scottish steel etc
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
Thaddeus Tungsten, Dame Marigold Smith-Smythe, Craig Stoddy, and Mabel Pea.
And I claim my £5.
Close.
Ah, I've looked it up now. The Green MPs are, of course, Dickie Rotter, Revd. Chlamydia Ferris-Wheel, Don Sunkist, and Myra Fett. Apologies to all of them.
In Chelmsford Hospital A&E. So far queued 30 minutes to book in, let alone see anyone. Fortunately not serious; Mrs C has gashed her leg badly and the GP has dressed it but thinks she’ll need to see the Plastics team. So here we are!
Best wishes to Mrs C. I hope you get seen before the Friday evening rush.
Ugh yeah I had that recently on a Saturday afternoon in Addenbrooks when my husband had a nose bleed which wouldn't stop. I was praying to be out of there before all the drunks and druggies showed up. Just about managed it.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
They've inherited the well meaning beard and sandals image from the Lib Dems (erroneously in my view). The Lib Dems in turn have inherited the naff jumpered Dad at a family barbeque image that certain types of Conservative backbenchers used to cultivate. There's a market for both in comparison to the dead eyed political careerists which makes up the two main parties.
Worth noting that the Republicans are introducing a Bill to tighten up the rules around what sort of identification will be needed to vote in a way which could deprive women of the vote. They are suggesting that passports or birth certificates or driving licences will be needed. But married women who change their name will have a name different to that on their birth certificate. So if they don't have a passport or driving license they could be in difficulties.
The view is that this wont pass the Senate.
Let's hope so.
The Democrats will filibuster it, and there's no way it gets 60 votes.
are you sure? The last time the dems had that chance they caved.
Why would the Republicans not use the nuclear option to allow a 50% majority to be used.
They have quite happily ignored things like the law and the constitution, so I don't see why not.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
They've inherited the well meaning beard and sandals image from the Lib Dems (erroneously in my view). The Lib Dems in turn have inherited the naff jumpered Dad at a family barbeque image that certain types of Conservative backbenchers used to cultivate. There's a market for both in comparison to the dead eyed political careerists which makes up the two main parties.
That’s a useful reference. Lib Dems snaffling the Gyles Brandreth vote.
In Chelmsford Hospital A&E. So far queued 30 minutes to book in, let alone see anyone. Fortunately not serious; Mrs C has gashed her leg badly and the GP has dressed it but thinks she’ll need to see the Plastics team. So here we are!
Best wishes to Mrs C. I hope you get seen before the Friday evening rush.
Update. Being seen now. I’m sitting outside; Eldest Granddaughter, who fortunately was visiting today, and Organises Things, is with her.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
They've inherited the well meaning beard and sandals image from the Lib Dems (erroneously in my view). The Lib Dems in turn have inherited the naff jumpered Dad at a family barbeque image that certain types of Conservative backbenchers used to cultivate. There's a market for both in comparison to the dead eyed political careerists which makes up the two main parties.
That’s a useful reference. Lib Dems snaffling the Gyles Brandreth vote.
In Chelmsford Hospital A&E. So far queued 30 minutes to book in, let alone see anyone. Fortunately not serious; Mrs C has gashed her leg badly and the GP has dressed it but thinks she’ll need to see the Plastics team. So here we are!
Good luck. They have a good reputation for plastic surgery there, so hopefully it's worth the wait.
Thanks. The Burns & Plastics unit moved from Billercay. I worked in the pharmacy there before it moved.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
Thaddeus Tungsten, Dame Marigold Smith-Smythe, Craig Stoddy, and Mabel Pea.
And I claim my £5.
Close.
Ah, I've looked it up now. The Green MPs are, of course, Dickie Rotter, Revd. Chlamydia Ferris-Wheel, Don Sunkist, and Myra Fett. Apologies to all of them.
I think you’ll find the Revd Chlamydia Ferris-Wheel has changed her name by deed poll. She now wishes to be known as the Revd Chlamydia Smith. (This is nicked from The Brand New Monty Python Bok, 1974)
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
They are just the Reform of the left.
Though the planet is fucked is a bit more fact based than we are being destroyed by the woke mind virus.
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I think many of us on here looked at the GE result last year and thought that if it's closer next time, Labour will probably get a chunk of the 2024 Green vote. That might not be the case.
The Green’s electoral success despite virtual media invisibility and a set of policies that make about as much sense as Reform’s remains a mystery to me. Even political hobbyists would struggle to name their MPs.
The Greens lack of media coverage and the nature of their policy platform is not inconsistent with their improving performance; indeed, people being able to project their notion of what the Greens are, without being confronted by the reality, is a positive benefit.
The dollar fell broadly on Friday as ongoing concern about U.S. tariffs undermined confidence in the currency as a safe haven, sending it to its lowest in a decade against the Swiss franc and a three-year low versus the euro.
US 10 year bonds now trading at more than 4.5%, which is about 0.5% up on where they were (which was admittedly in a short-term dip) pre-tariff day. They were also higher - briefly - in mid-January. All the same, it's a figure to keep an eye on, If you have $36trn of federal debt then that's an extra $180bn a year to find* in interest.
* Yes, it doesn't exactly work out like that for the US Treasury and depends on what debt is expiring and needs to be rolled over but it's also not an unreasonable way to visualise it.
If you are interested in understanding what is going on in markets now, this simple chart is illustrative
EURUSD (yellow line) used to trade very closely with the rate differential (here EURUSD shown with the nominal 10 year differential, in white).
But now EURUSD is moving for entirely different reasons. The rate differential is moving sharply, against the EUR (in a naive sense), but the EURUSD is exploding higher.
This is the simplest way to illustrate how the ongoing asset allocation shift (away from US assets) is leading to correlation breakdown...
A random Musing to which I do not know the answer - England and Public Right of Way.
Does the existence of a proven Roman Road mean that there should be public access now on the basis of previous use in Roman times?
Do we have case law?
IANAL, but my guess would be no, based on the fact that existing routes are not public rights of way of they are closed 1 day a year. Unless it has been in continuous use, I think it does not automatically qualify.
Yes, but there are also plenty of PROWs which are not registered - Theresa Villiers was trying to get these closed for eternity by the back door by withdrawing the right to apply.
Here's an application where usage of a Roman Road was cited as part of the established usage (but this is "likely continuous for two millenia" not 20+ years in the 3rd Century):
E.2. The Roman Road remains a minor sealed public road south of the application way at A, and is recorded as a public bridleway north of the application way at B towards Betteshanger. The application way itself is shown on earlier maps as an ordinary part of the local road network, but seems to have been omitted from being given a tarred surface in the early years of the twentieth century, probably because the way north of B was already in decline as a through vehicular route, and because the spur northwest from A towards Willow Road and Tilmanstone sufficiently fulfilled the requirement for connections heading north out of Studdal. However, as a part of the Roman Road, it seems likely that the application way has remained in continuous use for nearly two millenia.
If it has not been in continuous use, it's not a PROW as I understand it
The right to make a spurious application ends 25 years after the CROW Act of 2001. About time too. Always was a nonsense since the Socialist Ramblers Association became the Ramblers Association. Of course Blair's "Right to Roam" has been a complete non-event. That was always going to be the case when the section was added prevented spurious injury claims.
I'm not sure where that 25 years come from (it may have been superseded?) nor what you mean by a "spurious application". That, surely, is defined by the Planning Inspectorate when they assess the application?
Anyhoo, under the previous Govt it hand been such a push-me-pull-you that I rather lost track, with an agreement reached between walkers and landowners, which the Minister then threw out on a whim without consulting anyone, and put in a deadline for I think 2031.
The new Govt committed to removing the reimposition, and announced it on 27 December 2025:
Standard-issue Guardian immigration article deliberately missing out the key information: what visa he was on. He either won't tell the Guardian, or they know and know it would undermine the article.
US 10 year bonds now trading at more than 4.5%, which is about 0.5% up on where they were (which was admittedly in a short-term dip) pre-tariff day. They were also higher - briefly - in mid-January. All the same, it's a figure to keep an eye on, If you have $36trn of federal debt then that's an extra $180bn a year to find* in interest.
* Yes, it doesn't exactly work out like that for the US Treasury and depends on what debt is expiring and needs to be rolled over but it's also not an unreasonable way to visualise it.
Standard-issue Guardian immigration article deliberately missing out the key information: what visa he was on. He either won't tell the Guardian, or they know and know it would undermine the article.
“Trump’s back in town” being totally normal behaviour of course.
Comments
https://x.com/ChristopherJM/status/1910422687165325699
Here's an application where usage of a Roman Road was cited as part of the established usage (but this is "likely continuous for two millenia" not 20+ years in the 3rd Century):
E.2. The Roman Road remains a minor sealed public road south of the application way at A, and is recorded as a public bridleway north of the application way at B towards Betteshanger. The application way itself is shown on earlier maps as an ordinary part of the local road network, but seems to have been omitted from being given a tarred surface in the early years of the twentieth century, probably because the way north of B was already in decline as a through vehicular route, and because the spur northwest from A towards Willow Road and Tilmanstone sufficiently fulfilled the requirement for connections heading north out of Studdal. However, as a part of the Roman Road, it seems likely that the application way has remained in continuous use for nearly two millenia.
https://www.craddocks.co.uk/apps/romanroad/romanroad_sum.pdf
If it has not been in continuous use, it's not a PROW as I understand it
He took it in good part, saying it stood for Big Intelligent Fellow From Offaly.
Reform will also be hit by the fact their best counties like Essex and Norfolk are also now not having elections this year, had they done then Electoral Calculus forecast Reform would have won most council seats in May ahead of the Tories rather than the reverse in the councils that are voting
I have lots of other plans: a 1000 square metre garden to create, finding a publisher for my book, getting my health back after six months of difficulties, planning a trip to the Far East and so on. So if a depression and WW3 could be avoided, that would be great. Otherwise I'll be digging for victory in my potager and orchard and flogging the eggs from my chickens (1000% mark up for Americans).
I remain open to interesting (and, importantly, lucrative) work.
Meanwhile this - https://knowingius.org/p/sex-in-the-supreme-court-762 - is a very clear guide to what the Supreme Court will and, just as importantly, will not be deciding in the For Women Scotland case next week.
But this is a rabbit hole. And I'm off out for a walk
https://x.com/talkingpicstv/status/1910640204555125184?s=61
Former CIO at Soros. He’s a bright guy. He may or may not be right here but it’s not a bad thing Navarro seems to be being sidelined in his favour.
Bessent clearly isn't an idiot - he's a Soros alumnus, and ran his own fund - but I suspect he's more of a palatable mouthpiece for Trump's nonsense, than a significant counterweight in the administration.
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5243503-bessent-trump-tariffs-puase/
...The corporate world sees Bessent as redeeming relative to the Trump loyalists, like Navarro and top adviser Stephen Miller.
“The business community sees Peter Navarro and Stephen Miller as jeopardizing 200 years of economic growth and free enterprise. So anybody who pushes back even a little with the president, like Secretary Bessent, is going to be seen as a possible savior,” a GOP lobbyist told The Hill.
“Last time around there were lots of ‘normal’ voices like [former director of the national economic council] Gary Cohn, [former Treasury secretary] Steve Mnuchin , [former deputy national security adviser] Dina Powell and [former aide] Rob Porter to counter the Navarro-Miller view but Bessent doesn’t have nearly as many like-minded allies now,” the lobbyist added. ..
Let's hope so.
But of course women vote disproportionately for the Democrats, so the intent is pretty transparent.
It's just passed the House, on an overwhelmingly Republican vote.
https://19thnews.org/2025/04/save-act-house-voting/
Hope you have a nice team. Even when the weather is drab it’s lovely there
Definitely set up for possible drought absenting a, OK, very possible, veer in the longer term weather.
P.S. I am not sure it helps you as much as Farage.
That doesn't change the Senate maths.
And I doubt the GOP want to finally nuke the filibuster over this; though it's possible.
If that were to happen, those four representatives would suddenly become a great deal more unpopular.
It's like Manchin, who voted so often for the GOP that he might as well not have been a Democrat. But no other Democrat would have been elected in his place, so they had to live with it.
April showers have been a rarity the last few years. Statistically it’s the driest month of the year here in the South East but we’d still expect a bit of convection. The nights have been bad for frost.
Where are the Magna Carta types? Usually so noisy.
St Ann's - Haringey
🌍 GRN: 55.4% (+14.1)
🌹 LAB: 30.8% (-21.5)
🌳 CON: 4.3% (New)
🔶 LDM: 3.7% (-2.8)
➡️ RFM: 3.6% (New)
🧑🔧 TUSC: 1.8% (New)
⚒️ CL: 0.4% (New)
Longdendale - Tameside
REF: 46.6% (+46.6)
LAB: 25.0% (-28.8)
CON: 12.4% (-9.7)
GRN: 12.1% (-12.0)
IND: 3.9% (+3.9)
Shows how they are vulnerable to different opponents across the country
I was greeted by a charmingly abrupt “why are you here?” and I was pleased to reply “I’m not staying, I’m on my way home to Britain”.
In the spiraling trade war with the US, China sees a chaotic president who is attacking his own allies & trading partners, seems to have only the most tenuous grasp of how global trade works & has shown he will back down when investors get “a bit yippy.”
https://x.com/katiestallard/status/1910675474340098064
And I claim my £5.
I don’t think international connections are much of a thing there. Loads of people making domestic connections, but how many are transiting the US to go abroad again? Only a few going on to Canada, Mexico and maybe the Caribbean. Contrast with say Heathrow, Schiphol or Frankfurt (or Istanbul, Dubai, Changi etc etc) where that’s a big driver of volume.
https://x.com/euromaidanpr/status/1910652913648574788?s=61&t=LYVEHh2mqFy1oUJAdCfe-Q
The default party for rufty-tufty working class folks made good used to be Labour or Conservatives, but now it's Reform
Goodness knows where Labour and Conservatives fit in this new world order... ☹️
A good many existing footpaths and bridleways are pointless. In my attempt to run all the local paths, I only had one GOML (*). It was when I was attempting to run a short stretch of footpath across a field, that led to and from a good bridleway. It is on the map below, just to the south of Home Farm.
https://www.bing.com/maps?&cp=52.25928~-0.166705&lvl=16&style=s&pi=0&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027
The bridleway is good, and the footpath absolutely pointless. I had a chat with the farmer and headed back.
Instead, I would like to see a little intelligence put into the RoW network. Some areas have a surplus of footpaths; whilst others - notably parts of Lincolnshire - have few. Build new access routes that people will actually use, especially in areas that have few. Talk to Slowways and locals to see where there are massive gaps in the network, and fill them in, rather than spending lots of money trying to get even more RoW's in areas that have lots of them.
(*) Get Off My Land.
Labour: we're broke
Tories: HOW DARE LABOUR DESTROY BRITISH INDUSTRY
Reform: Just nationalise it before these foreigners ruin Britain
LibDems: well
SNP: the English already destroyed Scottish steel
etc
They have quite happily ignored things like the law and the constitution, so I don't see why not.
Whoever would have imagined that?
She now wishes to be known as the Revd Chlamydia Smith.
(This is nicked from The Brand New Monty Python Bok, 1974)
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/11/australian-with-us-working-visa-detained-insulted-deported
We are doing really well on our TARIFF POLICY. Very exciting for America, and the World!!! It is moving along quickly. DJT
Not sure "exciting and fast moving" are the usual metrics to measure trade policy.
The dollar fell broadly on Friday as ongoing concern about U.S. tariffs undermined confidence in the currency as a safe haven, sending it to its lowest in a decade against the Swiss franc and a three-year low versus the euro.
https://x.com/Reuters/status/1910689333167661206
* Yes, it doesn't exactly work out like that for the US Treasury and depends on what debt is expiring and needs to be rolled over but it's also not an unreasonable way to visualise it.
@jnordvig
If you are interested in understanding what is going on in markets now, this simple chart is illustrative
EURUSD (yellow line) used to trade very closely with the rate differential (here EURUSD shown with the nominal 10 year differential, in white).
But now EURUSD is moving for entirely different reasons. The rate differential is moving sharply, against the EUR (in a naive sense), but the EURUSD is exploding higher.
This is the simplest way to illustrate how the ongoing asset allocation shift (away from US assets) is leading to correlation breakdown...
https://x.com/jnordvig/status/1910648550066651483
Anyhoo, under the previous Govt it hand been such a push-me-pull-you that I rather lost track, with an agreement reached between walkers and landowners, which the Minister then threw out on a whim without consulting anyone, and put in a deadline for I think 2031.
The new Govt committed to removing the reimposition, and announced it on 27 December 2025:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-steps-in-to-save-historic-rights-of-way-from-being-lost-to-the-nation
I think it was Theresa Villiers who was the poodle of the CLA, but she has now been abolished as an MP herself.
BREAKING: BlackRock's Larry Fink just said he thinks we are either very close to or in a recession now.
Larry Fink: "I think we are very close, if not IN A RECESSION NOW!"
To Clarify for cult members... This is the Trump Recession. It's not the Biden Recession. Biden never had a recession. Trump sparked this.
https://x.com/krassenstein/status/1910688112985993271
What do you reckon to this:
https://shorturl.at/RFllN
Here's the OS map from the 50s...
https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18.8&lat=53.39025&lon=-1.10979&layers=173&b=ESRIWorld&o=70