I see Farage says the Barnett formula should be scrapped, with Scotland getting the same per capita as England but be allowed to tax people more
He really isn’t that bright at times
Seems like a very sensible solution, even broken clocks can be right twice a day.
If Scotland wants to spend more per capita than England there's nothing stopping them from putting up taxes. No reason we should be paying for Holyrood to offer free tuition, free prescription or whatever other goodies they want out of our taxes.
Scotland could of course use its devolved tax powers to introduce a special low tax rate on high earners, which might actually increase tax take in Scotland through internal migration while depleting it by more in RUK.
More interestingly, if we devolved corporate tax then Scotland could introduce a 15% rate and might not only attract English businesses North, but some international FDI.
I’m not usually a fan of parody accounts on social media. I’d rather watch Famileigh tik toks. These accounts are Usually run by morons like that cat one but this tweet is a blinder. So many people falling for it. RAF plane to be painted in pride colours 😂😂😂
The Polish paradox: - Poles are most enthusiastic about European Union membership when it comes to thinking the EU will help them face the future - 51% voted for a candidate who will prevent Poland playing its full role in the EU."
Hmm, let's see. Reform voters like a good old fashioned Rich Tea biscuit, Conservative voters will plump for a classic custard cream, Labour voters like a jammie dodger, Lib Dems will have a ginger nut, SNP voters will stick with the shortbread tin and the Greens are too healthy for biscuits. OR SOMETHING.
I see Farage says the Barnett formula should be scrapped, with Scotland getting the same per capita as England but be allowed to tax people more
He really isn’t that bright at times
I don't think Farage is interested in Scotland. He doesn't appear to like the place much. Which is fair enough as an English nationalist fishing in other waters.
What baffles me is the 18% of people in Scotland, some of whom must identify as Scots, who say they will vote for him. Who are these people? I don't know any - and I know plenty of people who will vote for all the other parties.
There is nought as a strange as folk. I always point to the not insignificant percentage of Brexit supporters who were also staunchly Lib Dem throughout.
When the real EEC referendum was held...... the one which gave the right result ...... some of our traditional Nonconformist supporters were put off by the fact that the relevant document was the Treaty of Rome.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
We have talked about how pricy hotels are these days particularly in the US. Also I don't think the Las Vegas-isation helps where all of a sudden its extra for parking, for wifi, breakfast is now £25 a head....
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
We have talked about how pricy hotels are these days particularly in the US. Also I don't think the Las Vegas-isation helps where all of a sudden its extra for parking, for wifi, breakfast is now £25 a head....
I want to stay in Boston, MA for a few days to visit a family member but it's impossible because the least expensive hotel rooms are about £250 a night. (Even the box hotel, the Yotel, is £150 a night).
I see Farage says the Barnett formula should be scrapped, with Scotland getting the same per capita as England but be allowed to tax people more
He really isn’t that bright at times
Seems like a very sensible solution, even broken clocks can be right twice a day.
If Scotland wants to spend more per capita than England there's nothing stopping them from putting up taxes. No reason we should be paying for Holyrood to offer free tuition, free prescription or whatever other goodies they want out of our taxes.
A policy from Farage I agree with. Now I need to go away and sit quietly and rethink...
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
My eldest granddaughter, unmarried but with a partner, childless, mid-thirties, seems to spend a lot more on holidays that her brother, who is married, with one small child.
Of course granddaughter lies in Yorkshire, grandson in SE Essex.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
We have talked about how pricy hotels are these days particularly in the US. Also I don't think the Las Vegas-isation helps where all of a sudden its extra for parking, for wifi, breakfast is now £25 a head....
WiFi I’d say has trended the other way, in Europe at least. Was once expensive, now usually free.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
If you are a retired couple with two private pensions, two state pensions, paid off mortgage, no children to look after and possibly beneficiaries of a previous inheritance from your parents, you will have a lot of disposable income.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
We have talked about how pricy hotels are these days particularly in the US. Also I don't think the Las Vegas-isation helps where all of a sudden its extra for parking, for wifi, breakfast is now £25 a head....
I want to stay in Boston, MA for a few days to visit a family member but it's impossible because the least expensive hotel rooms are about £250 a night. (Even the box hotel, the Yotel, is £150 a night).
And AirBnB is even worse these days in the US with all the fees on top of fees ontop of if you didn't stack the blue plate ontop of the yellow plate that is an extra fine.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
We have talked about how pricy hotels are these days particularly in the US. Also I don't think the Las Vegas-isation helps where all of a sudden its extra for parking, for wifi, breakfast is now £25 a head....
WiFi I’d say has trended the other way, in Europe at least. Was once expensive, now usually free.
We stayed in Wales over the weekend, was fun despite the weather. But on the first night I paid for the WiFi so we could stream shows at night and the WiFi connection that I paid £6 for 24 hours access to was worse than I was getting from my mobile, annoyingly. So rest of the stay I just activated my mobile hotspot.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
We have talked about how pricy hotels are these days particularly in the US. Also I don't think the Las Vegas-isation helps where all of a sudden its extra for parking, for wifi, breakfast is now £25 a head....
WiFi I’d say has trended the other way, in Europe at least. Was once expensive, now usually free.
We stayed in Wales over the weekend, was fun despite the weather. But on the first night I paid for the WiFi so we could stream shows at night and the WiFi connection that I paid £6 for 24 hours access to was worse than I was getting from my mobile, annoyingly. So rest of the stay I just activated my mobile hotspot.
I am wondering how long that WiFi rip off can last. It isn't very expensive to get a mobile plan now with either unlimited or near unlimited data e.g. 25GB a month.
If you travel at all for work, it is a no-brainer. Particularly as UK hotels aren't like Asia, you aren't getting 300Mb/s WiFi (capped by my wifi card) like you do in Asia and you can get 100Mb/s 5G on mobile.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
We have talked about how pricy hotels are these days particularly in the US. Also I don't think the Las Vegas-isation helps where all of a sudden its extra for parking, for wifi, breakfast is now £25 a head....
WiFi I’d say has trended the other way, in Europe at least. Was once expensive, now usually free.
We stayed in Wales over the weekend, was fun despite the weather. But on the first night I paid for the WiFi so we could stream shows at night and the WiFi connection that I paid £6 for 24 hours access to was worse than I was getting from my mobile, annoyingly. So rest of the stay I just activated my mobile hotspot.
I am wondering how long that WiFi rip off can last. It isn't very expensive to get a mobile plan now with either unlimited or near unlimited data e.g. 25GB a month.
I pay £10 for 10GB a month and similar for my wife's but any data I don't use gets rolled into a family pot, which since I'm normally using WiFi at most places anyway that's enough.
This weekend I took a chunk out of the pot but still have about 460GB left in it.
Paid for the WiFi originally as I thought where we were was so remote the mobile signal wouldn't be good, but it turned out to be Ok.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
We have talked about how pricy hotels are these days particularly in the US. Also I don't think the Las Vegas-isation helps where all of a sudden its extra for parking, for wifi, breakfast is now £25 a head....
WiFi I’d say has trended the other way, in Europe at least. Was once expensive, now usually free.
We stayed in Wales over the weekend, was fun despite the weather. But on the first night I paid for the WiFi so we could stream shows at night and the WiFi connection that I paid £6 for 24 hours access to was worse than I was getting from my mobile, annoyingly. So rest of the stay I just activated my mobile hotspot.
The wifi connection my bro-in-law gets in his 'lodge' on Ynys Mon is rubbish. Mobile phone's OK though.
The questions are so tiresome most of the respondents probably just clicked on the first thing that came into their head without thinking about it properly.
I think this is most likely....how else with you eventually get your £50 Amazon gift card after answering your 20000th poll question.
I've often felt opinion polls would be more accurate if pollsters confined themselves to just one simple question.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
We have talked about how pricy hotels are these days particularly in the US. Also I don't think the Las Vegas-isation helps where all of a sudden its extra for parking, for wifi, breakfast is now £25 a head....
WiFi I’d say has trended the other way, in Europe at least. Was once expensive, now usually free.
We stayed in Wales over the weekend, was fun despite the weather. But on the first night I paid for the WiFi so we could stream shows at night and the WiFi connection that I paid £6 for 24 hours access to was worse than I was getting from my mobile, annoyingly. So rest of the stay I just activated my mobile hotspot.
I am wondering how long that WiFi rip off can last. It isn't very expensive to get a mobile plan now with either unlimited or near unlimited data e.g. 25GB a month.
I pay £10 for 10GB a month and similar for my wife's but any data I don't use gets rolled into a family pot, which since I'm normally using WiFi at most places anyway that's enough.
This weekend I took a chunk out of the pot but still have about 460GB left in it.
Paid for the WiFi originally as I thought where we were was so remote the mobile signal wouldn't be good, but it turned out to be Ok.
With all data you might just be able to stream a Bollywood movie from start to finish....
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
If you are a retired couple with two private pensions, two state pensions, paid off mortgage, no children to look after and possibly beneficiaries of a previous inheritance from your parents, you will have a lot of disposable income.
Especially if rent is something you receive off tenants and not something you pay to have a roof over your head.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does, sooner or later turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
By later you mean by the end of the day it was announced?
I’m not usually a fan of parody accounts on social media. I’d rather watch Famileigh tik toks. These accounts are Usually run by morons like that cat one but this tweet is a blinder. So many people falling for it. RAF plane to be painted in pride colours 😂😂😂
I’m not usually a fan of parody accounts on social media. I’d rather watch Famileigh tik toks. These accounts are Usually run by morons like that cat one but this tweet is a blinder. So many people falling for it. RAF plane to be painted in pride colours 😂😂😂
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
I’m not usually a fan of parody accounts on social media. I’d rather watch Famileigh tik toks. These accounts are Usually run by morons like that cat one but this tweet is a blinder. So many people falling for it. RAF plane to be painted in pride colours 😂😂😂
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
These are people who think that any dealis betterthan no deal. And who are quite happy to receive vague future promises.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
I have my window open and I can hear a cuckoo. First one I've heard this year, although when I could walk we once saw one in some nearby woods.
Heard one last week from the unlikely vantage point of one of the Solway Mosses, but quite definitely a cuckoo. In wet winters the mosses are like walking to Mordor.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
That's also true at the hotels local to me too - used by weekday business travellers much more than tourists so emptier at the weekend.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
The logic of Brexit is either be a rule taker or face significant barriers to participating in the European market. That's why leaving the EU was a bad idea.
It’s so brilliantly mad and fitting that Labour people are “looking forward to Pride marches” more than anything else, this summer
Who thinks like that? Seriously? Anyone?
They have become a weird creepy cult of “progressives” - utterly divorced from the mainstream of the UK
No one answered the question "which activity are you looking forward to more than anything else ?".
You invented that.
But they answered the question "which activity are you looking forward to ?" with "Pride marches" more than anything else. Slippery as an eel...
No they didn't. You are misunderstanding the charts.
Oops.
How does one delete one's account ? Asking for a friend.
Some of the most prolific posters on here get almost everything wrong and seem to feel no embarrassment about it whatsoever. Just front it out, you will be fine.
I see Farage says the Barnett formula should be scrapped, with Scotland getting the same per capita as England but be allowed to tax people more
He really isn’t that bright at times
Seems like a very sensible solution, even broken clocks can be right twice a day.
If Scotland wants to spend more per capita than England there's nothing stopping them from putting up taxes. No reason we should be paying for Holyrood to offer free tuition, free prescription or whatever other goodies they want out of our taxes.
A justification for the Barnett Formula was the cost of delivering services to Scotland's remote rural and island communities. The other home nations don't have such a huge and expensive hinterland and that, surely, is fair enough. Money goes to where the needs are.
The problem, of course, is that the money is disbursed via Holyrood, so instead of it going to the Highlands and Islands (which suffers from crumbling infrastructure, rural depopulation and broken ferries), it has been spaffed away by the SNP on freebies to the urban middle-classes such as free uni tution fees, etc.. etc.
If Farage really wanted to send a rocket up the Nats he should promise to send the money directly to the communities concerned. That could really set things off.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
The logic of Brexit is either be a rule taker or face significant barriers to participating in the European market. That's why leaving the EU was a bad idea.
Remaining also left us as a rule taker.
Brexit means that only firms that want to trade with Europe need to meet European rules, and only for those exports, rather than every rule no matter how asinine it is needs to be followed by everyone.
It’s so brilliantly mad and fitting that Labour people are “looking forward to Pride marches” more than anything else, this summer
Who thinks like that? Seriously? Anyone?
They have become a weird creepy cult of “progressives” - utterly divorced from the mainstream of the UK
No one answered the question "which activity are you looking forward to more than anything else ?".
You invented that.
But they answered the question "which activity are you looking forward to ?" with "Pride marches" more than anything else. Slippery as an eel...
No they didn't. You are misunderstanding the charts.
Oops.
How does one delete one's account ? Asking for a friend.
Some of the most prolific posters on here get almost everything wrong and seem to feel no embarrassment about it whatsoever. Just front it out, you will be fine.
"The PB Tories are never wrong. The PB Tories always learn." - tim, once of this parish.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
The logic of Brexit is either be a rule taker or face significant barriers to participating in the European market. That's why leaving the EU was a bad idea.
No, that's why Starmer's deal was a bad idea.
We don't need to do any of this for the sake of £150m a year and, we shouldn't.
It’s so brilliantly mad and fitting that Labour people are “looking forward to Pride marches” more than anything else, this summer
Who thinks like that? Seriously? Anyone?
They have become a weird creepy cult of “progressives” - utterly divorced from the mainstream of the UK
No one answered the question "which activity are you looking forward to more than anything else ?".
You invented that.
But they answered the question "which activity are you looking forward to ?" with "Pride marches" more than anything else. Slippery as an eel...
No they didn't. You are misunderstanding the charts.
Oops.
How does one delete one's account ? Asking for a friend.
Some of the most prolific posters on here get almost everything wrong and seem to feel no embarrassment about it whatsoever. Just front it out, you will be fine.
I see Farage says the Barnett formula should be scrapped, with Scotland getting the same per capita as England but be allowed to tax people more
He really isn’t that bright at times
Seems like a very sensible solution, even broken clocks can be right twice a day.
If Scotland wants to spend more per capita than England there's nothing stopping them from putting up taxes. No reason we should be paying for Holyrood to offer free tuition, free prescription or whatever other goodies they want out of our taxes.
A justification for the Barnett Formula was the cost of delivering services to Scotland's remote rural and island communities. The other home nations don't have such a huge and expensive hinterland and that, surely, is fair enough. Money goes to where the needs are.
The problem, of course, is that the money is disbursed via Holyrood, so instead of it going to the Highlands and Islands (which suffers from crumbling infrastructure, rural depopulation and broken ferries), it has been spaffed away by the SNP on freebies to the urban middle-classes such as free uni tution fees, etc.. etc.
If Farage really wanted to send a rocket up the Nats he should promise to send the money directly to the communities concerned. That could really set things off.
It was spaffed away by Labour before the SNP.
Labour who voted through increased tuition fees for England on a majority only passed by Scottish MPs, while Barnett was used to give free tuition to Scottish students.
Screw Barnett. It should be abolished. If Holyrood wants to spend more on tuition fees, or remote hinterland, let them do so with their own taxes they raise themselves.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
The logic of Brexit is either be a rule taker or face significant barriers to participating in the European market. That's why leaving the EU was a bad idea.
Remaining also left us as a rule taker.
Brexit means that only firms that want to trade with Europe need to meet European rules, and only for those exports, rather than every rule no matter how asinine it is needs to be followed by everyone.
Which is why it was a good idea.
We are always rule takers, well I am at home anyway...
I would argue the cost for having 2 sets of rules is their for all to see.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
The logic of Brexit is either be a rule taker or face significant barriers to participating in the European market. That's why leaving the EU was a bad idea.
Remaining also left us as a rule taker.
Brexit means that only firms that want to trade with Europe need to meet European rules, and only for those exports, rather than every rule no matter how asinine it is needs to be followed by everyone.
Which is why it was a good idea.
We are always rule takers, well I am at home anyway...
I would argue the cost for having 2 sets of rules is their for all to see.
Yeah and since we've grown faster than Europe over the past decade and a half "despite Brexit" that cost is utterly negligible.
Meanwhile the benefits from being able to chuck the bastards out if they don't pass rules we like is there for all to see.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
The logic of Brexit is either be a rule taker or face significant barriers to participating in the European market. That's why leaving the EU was a bad idea.
Remaining also left us as a rule taker.
Brexit means that only firms that want to trade with Europe need to meet European rules, and only for those exports, rather than every rule no matter how asinine it is needs to be followed by everyone.
Which is why it was a good idea.
We are always rule takers, well I am at home anyway...
I would argue the cost for having 2 sets of rules is their for all to see.
Conservatives and the Tdf is interesting, as is Greens and wild swimming.
I'd imagine the sample for each is somewhat limited. Of 2000 respondents how many are ticking a bike race as something they are looking forward to for example?
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
It’s so brilliantly mad and fitting that Labour people are “looking forward to Pride marches” more than anything else, this summer
Who thinks like that? Seriously? Anyone?
They have become a weird creepy cult of “progressives” - utterly divorced from the mainstream of the UK
Not that weird - 19% of Reform voters too!
I think this might be the craziest polling I've seen on PB.
Sorry, it's 19% of people looking forward to a Pride march are Reform voters.
Even crazier.
That's less crazy. "Looking forward to pride marches" is a fairly minority activity. But not clear that it should be a party political one. Therefore small sample size rules apply.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
Jesus Christ. I hate them
They're at 12% approval, bumping along the bottom of 14 years of Tory rule level. Just the Truss meltdown to 6% to target now
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
With regards to Starmer saying Lets Build Bombs, doesn't the Drone Squad attack on Russian strategic bombers change the face of warfare at a fundamental level?
With regards to Starmer saying Lets Build Bombs, doesn't the Drone Squad attack on Russian strategic bombers change the face of warfare at a fundamental level?
Labour - yesterday's solutions tomorrow (but we can't be specific on that timescale)
Checked for data and yes, my assumption that most people who go swimming do so in pools was correct. Indeed, most people who go swimming in the UK do so in indoor pools (unsurprisingly given our climate) and yet about half of the outdoor swimming is still done in outdoor pools.
Swimming in natural bodies of water, as opposed to pools, is a niche hobby. So using an adjective before the word swimming to clarify what kind of swimming it is seems eminently reasonable to me.
Checked for data and yes, my assumption that most people who go swimming do so in pools was correct. Indeed, most people who go swimming in the UK do so in indoor pools (unsurprisingly given our climate) and yet about half of the outdoor swimming is still done in outdoor pools.
Swimming in natural bodies of water, as opposed to pools, is a niche hobby. So using an adjective before the word swimming to clarify what kind of swimming it is seems eminently reasonable to me.
I was one of those spanner kids that couldn't swim further than about a yard so it's all Greek
Simple pleasures of life. I love this time of year. Sitting outside, in the evening light at 9.00 pm. NINE PM! A cool glass of something in hand and taking in the roses first flush. Life is not all about thrill seeking.
I agree with that. I love picnics - possibly my favourite thing about summer. Is that sad?
No it’s simple. Fresh air, countryside, beautiful views, good friends and good chat, a nice glass of cold Mullerthal Pinot Blanc with dreamy creamy grassy Brie de meaux on fresh Borough sourdough
That's just in your imagination. Picnics are never like that in reality. You haven't been on one for years, if at all.
Where picnics do work, however, is at (sporting, social) events where the picnicking is curated (eg Glyndebourne, No.1 Car Park at the Royal Meeting, or a point to point).
Then they are just marvellous. And some of the best such picnics I have had have been in the driving sleet and freezing cold with everyone clutching their glasses of whisky and the rosé still in the car untouched.
They still get plagued by wasps.
Or worse, some idiot who goes insane in the company of a wasp - and insists on swatting it into my face.
The wasp averse (that don't have medical issues with them) are a comical lot - hysterical overreacters
Could be childhood trauma. I'm swan adverse after being attacked by one whilst strapped in my pushchair. My completely loving parents had a terrible record of being somewhere else when bad things happened. They once lost me during an earthquake in Crete as they were sampling the delights of the hotel buffet when it hit.
At our latest family attempt at a picnic my daughter was stung by a wasp and she is now decidedly picnic averse.
Wasps can and do destroy outdoor eating in some summers. The wasp summer of 2022 was one such - we tried and failed to enjoy lunches outside in Germany, Switzerland and France. The last couple of summers have been mercifully quite wasp-free.
Secret to wasp free summers is a cold wet preceding winter.
When I was young we had a bright yellow garden dining table.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
With regards to Starmer saying Lets Build Bombs, doesn't the Drone Squad attack on Russian strategic bombers change the face of warfare at a fundamental level?
Anybody would think that it was just a one-off rather than just the most daring example yet of drone warfare that has been developing at a rapid rate for over 2 years, thus excusing Starmer's out of date defence pitch.
My company has just sent an internal memo around that's utterly scathing of the UK-EU defence pact.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
Remember the Golden Rule of Starmer-Reeves, everything this Labour government does - sooner or later it turns out to be damaging for the UK
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
Key points:
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO, creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
The logic of Brexit is either be a rule taker or face significant barriers to participating in the European market. That's why leaving the EU was a bad idea.
No, that's why Starmer's deal was a bad idea.
We don't need to do any of this for the sake of £150m a year and, we shouldn't.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
Immediately post-COVID I would understand it, everybody locked up, didn't spend much money etc. But now, I can't work out how people are affording it. Same with things like concert and sports tickets (although we are seeing cricket struggling to shift tickets these days for internationals). Are they sticking it all on their flexible friend and paying via Klarna, with a massive crash to hit in a couple of years?
Sorry for an AI thing, but I thought this was one of the better bits of satire I've seen about it... using AI.... (these folk seem to be on a bit of a roll however - their "Influenders" from a few days ago was quite grim)
I’m not usually a fan of parody accounts on social media. I’d rather watch Famileigh tik toks. These accounts are Usually run by morons like that cat one but this tweet is a blinder. So many people falling for it. RAF plane to be painted in pride colours 😂😂😂
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
There was a paper somewhere that shows pandemic savings still haven't been used up. Even while millions were on furlough, the savings rate was something like 5x higher than usual as richer people stopped going out or on holiday.
I think the cost of living crisis was sustained by this effect. Richer households simply haven't felt a pinch, so just keep spending despite all the economic gloom. That continues to properly up hotel and restaurant prices.
(If rich households were a oil & gas company, they'd have been subject to a windfall tax during COVID to induce them to consume and invest).
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
There was a paper somewhere that shows pandemic savings still haven't been used up. Even while millions were on furlough, the savings rate was something like 5x higher than usual as richer people stopped going out or on holiday.
I think the cost of living crisis was sustained by this effect. Richer households simply haven't felt a pinch, so just keep spending despite all the economic gloom.
(If rich households were a oil & gas company, they'd have been subject to a windfall tax during COVID to induce them to consume and invest).
One thing I was told by a few people who work in London and earn 6 figures, they are saving a fortune via WFH just going in 2 days a week on the train (and its not just the train fare, its the morning coffee, lunch, after work drinks), some have even moved to cheaper parts of the country.
So when they do go into town, yes everything is much more expensive, but they haven't spent anywhere near as much day to day.
But that's London and people on really good money. I can't quite get my head around how people are affording £100 rugby ticket for normal league games or a normal concert and that isn't even in London.
Simple pleasures of life. I love this time of year. Sitting outside, in the evening light at 9.00 pm. NINE PM! A cool glass of something in hand and taking in the roses first flush. Life is not all about thrill seeking.
I agree with that. I love picnics - possibly my favourite thing about summer. Is that sad?
No it’s simple. Fresh air, countryside, beautiful views, good friends and good chat, a nice glass of cold Mullerthal Pinot Blanc with dreamy creamy grassy Brie de meaux on fresh Borough sourdough
That's just in your imagination. Picnics are never like that in reality. You haven't been on one for years, if at all.
Where picnics do work, however, is at (sporting, social) events where the picnicking is curated (eg Glyndebourne, No.1 Car Park at the Royal Meeting, or a point to point).
Then they are just marvellous. And some of the best such picnics I have had have been in the driving sleet and freezing cold with everyone clutching their glasses of whisky and the rosé still in the car untouched.
They still get plagued by wasps.
Or worse, some idiot who goes insane in the company of a wasp - and insists on swatting it into my face.
The wasp averse (that don't have medical issues with them) are a comical lot - hysterical overreacters
Could be childhood trauma. I'm swan adverse after being attacked by one whilst strapped in my pushchair. My completely loving parents had a terrible record of being somewhere else when bad things happened. They once lost me during an earthquake in Crete as they were sampling the delights of the hotel buffet when it hit.
Being attacked by a Swan is a bit more serious than a wasp sting though. But trauma would, I guess, constitute a medical issue rather than just being a massive wasp cry baby
Staying in London, I often go for the Doubletree in Ealing. Much nicer than a Travelodge in the city centre for similar money ("within policy") and with the Liz Line taking you to where you need to be.
Ealing also being my former home patch, so I'm a sort of local.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
Immediately post-COVID I would understand it, everybody locked up, didn't spend much money etc. But now, I can't work out how people are affording it. Same with things like concert and sports tickets (although we are seeing cricket struggling to shift tickets these days for internationals). Are they sticking it all on their flexible friend and paying via Klarna, with a massive crash to hit in a couple of years?
Yes it was assumed it was a post pando phenomenon. But it’s just continued
Simple pleasures of life. I love this time of year. Sitting outside, in the evening light at 9.00 pm. NINE PM! A cool glass of something in hand and taking in the roses first flush. Life is not all about thrill seeking.
I agree with that. I love picnics - possibly my favourite thing about summer. Is that sad?
No it’s simple. Fresh air, countryside, beautiful views, good friends and good chat, a nice glass of cold Mullerthal Pinot Blanc with dreamy creamy grassy Brie de meaux on fresh Borough sourdough
That's just in your imagination. Picnics are never like that in reality. You haven't been on one for years, if at all.
Where picnics do work, however, is at (sporting, social) events where the picnicking is curated (eg Glyndebourne, No.1 Car Park at the Royal Meeting, or a point to point).
Then they are just marvellous. And some of the best such picnics I have had have been in the driving sleet and freezing cold with everyone clutching their glasses of whisky and the rosé still in the car untouched.
They still get plagued by wasps.
Or worse, some idiot who goes insane in the company of a wasp - and insists on swatting it into my face.
The wasp averse (that don't have medical issues with them) are a comical lot - hysterical overreacters
Could be childhood trauma. I'm swan adverse after being attacked by one whilst strapped in my pushchair. My completely loving parents had a terrible record of being somewhere else when bad things happened. They once lost me during an earthquake in Crete as they were sampling the delights of the hotel buffet when it hit.
At our latest family attempt at a picnic my daughter was stung by a wasp and she is now decidedly picnic averse.
Wasps can and do destroy outdoor eating in some summers. The wasp summer of 2022 was one such - we tried and failed to enjoy lunches outside in Germany, Switzerland and France. The last couple of summers have been mercifully quite wasp-free.
Secret to wasp free summers is a cold wet preceding winter.
What is needed is anti-wasp microdrones. Just set up your picnic and set half a dozen drones loose
Simple pleasures of life. I love this time of year. Sitting outside, in the evening light at 9.00 pm. NINE PM! A cool glass of something in hand and taking in the roses first flush. Life is not all about thrill seeking.
I agree with that. I love picnics - possibly my favourite thing about summer. Is that sad?
No it’s simple. Fresh air, countryside, beautiful views, good friends and good chat, a nice glass of cold Mullerthal Pinot Blanc with dreamy creamy grassy Brie de meaux on fresh Borough sourdough
That's just in your imagination. Picnics are never like that in reality. You haven't been on one for years, if at all.
Where picnics do work, however, is at (sporting, social) events where the picnicking is curated (eg Glyndebourne, No.1 Car Park at the Royal Meeting, or a point to point).
Then they are just marvellous. And some of the best such picnics I have had have been in the driving sleet and freezing cold with everyone clutching their glasses of whisky and the rosé still in the car untouched.
They still get plagued by wasps.
Or worse, some idiot who goes insane in the company of a wasp - and insists on swatting it into my face.
The wasp averse (that don't have medical issues with them) are a comical lot - hysterical overreacters
Could be childhood trauma. I'm swan adverse after being attacked by one whilst strapped in my pushchair. My completely loving parents had a terrible record of being somewhere else when bad things happened. They once lost me during an earthquake in Crete as they were sampling the delights of the hotel buffet when it hit.
Being attacked by a Swan is a bit more serious than a wasp sting though. But trauma would, I guess, constitute a medical issue rather than just being a massive wasp cry baby
A wasp sting on your tongue is quite a big deal.
Don't eat them? Or at very least don't shriek and flap and give them access to your tongue
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
There was a paper somewhere that shows pandemic savings still haven't been used up. Even while millions were on furlough, the savings rate was something like 5x higher than usual as richer people stopped going out or on holiday.
I think the cost of living crisis was sustained by this effect. Richer households simply haven't felt a pinch, so just keep spending despite all the economic gloom.
(If rich households were a oil & gas company, they'd have been subject to a windfall tax during COVID to induce them to consume and invest).
One thing I was told by a few people who work in London and earn 6 figures, they are saving a fortune via WFH just going in 2 days a week on the train (and its not just the train fare, its the morning coffee, lunch, after work drinks), some have even moved to cheaper parts of the country.
So when they do go into town, yes everything is much more expensive, but they haven't spent anywhere near as much day to day.
But that's London and people on really good money. I can't quite get my head around how people are affording £100 rugby ticket for normal league games or a normal concert and that isn't even in London.
Well, most normal people aren't. Not regularly at least.
The ticket sellers are happy to take inflated fees off those who can afford it and those who can't just don't do it.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
There was a paper somewhere that shows pandemic savings still haven't been used up. Even while millions were on furlough, the savings rate was something like 5x higher than usual as richer people stopped going out or on holiday.
I think the cost of living crisis was sustained by this effect. Richer households simply haven't felt a pinch, so just keep spending despite all the economic gloom.
(If rich households were a oil & gas company, they'd have been subject to a windfall tax during COVID to induce them to consume and invest).
One thing I was told by a few people who work in London and earn 6 figures, they are saving a fortune via WFH just going in 2 days a week on the train (and its not just the train fare, its the morning coffee, lunch, after work drinks), some have even moved to cheaper parts of the country.
So when they do go into town, yes everything is much more expensive, but they haven't spent anywhere near as much day to day.
But that's London and people on really good money. I can't quite get my head around how people are affording £100 rugby ticket for normal league games or a normal concert and that isn't even in London.
I spent £60 on Volbeat at the O2 in November. Apart from the annoyance of having to book my life up that far in advance, when I have added train to London, a few beers and something to eat it is going to cost the best part of £100 extra. And that's without a hotel.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
There was a paper somewhere that shows pandemic savings still haven't been used up. Even while millions were on furlough, the savings rate was something like 5x higher than usual as richer people stopped going out or on holiday.
I think the cost of living crisis was sustained by this effect. Richer households simply haven't felt a pinch, so just keep spending despite all the economic gloom.
(If rich households were a oil & gas company, they'd have been subject to a windfall tax during COVID to induce them to consume and invest).
One thing I was told by a few people who work in London and earn 6 figures, they are saving a fortune via WFH just going in 2 days a week on the train (and its not just the train fare, its the morning coffee, lunch, after work drinks), some have even moved to cheaper parts of the country.
So when they do go into town, yes everything is much more expensive, but they haven't spent anywhere near as much day to day.
But that's London and people on really good money. I can't quite get my head around how people are affording £100 rugby ticket for normal league games or a normal concert and that isn't even in London.
That's a good theory too. A Glasgow - Edinburgh season ticket is £3,000 per year. That's a lot of coffees and hotel beds, plus the savings from not going out for lunch every day.
The broader point is that a large chunk of the population are pretty well off, particularly if you take account of relative housing costs.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
Immediately post-COVID I would understand it, everybody locked up, didn't spend much money etc. But now, I can't work out how people are affording it. Same with things like concert and sports tickets (although we are seeing cricket struggling to shift tickets these days for internationals). Are they sticking it all on their flexible friend and paying via Klarna, with a massive crash to hit in a couple of years?
Yes it was assumed it was a post pando phenomenon. But it’s just continued
Almost like a cartelisation of the market….
Holidays nowadays are prohibitively expensive. My assumption is that hoidays are, at a high level, fungible - and worldwide, the number of people in the market for a nice holiday has increased. So my week in Cornwall is more expensive because there are more rich Asians going to Italy (though rumour has it that there are far fewer Chinese than was previously thought...)
Conservatives and the Tdf is interesting, as is Greens and wild swimming.
Very tempted to flag this post for use of the W word.
I absolutely detest wild swimming as a term, when I was a kid we used to swim in rivers and the sea not because we were trendy but because even outdoor pools you generally had to pay for.....wild swimming as a term just is a repurposing of what the poor used to do as some effete highbrow thing to do to seem trendy.
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
Immediately post-COVID I would understand it, everybody locked up, didn't spend much money etc. But now, I can't work out how people are affording it. Same with things like concert and sports tickets (although we are seeing cricket struggling to shift tickets these days for internationals). Are they sticking it all on their flexible friend and paying via Klarna, with a massive crash to hit in a couple of years?
Yes it was assumed it was a post pando phenomenon. But it’s just continued
Almost like a cartelisation of the market….
More likely, the phenomenon @ff43 pointed to upthread. For some demographics, life is very peachy right now. For others, it sucks majorly. It's not quite as simple as "paid off mortgage = happiness, renting = misery", but that is a pretty decent approximation.
Staying in London, I often go for the Doubletree in Ealing. Much nicer than a Travelodge in the city centre for similar money ("within policy") and with the Liz Line taking you to where you need to be.
Ealing also being my former home patch, so I'm a sort of local.
If I wanted to stay in central London, I’d opt for Bloomsbury, which has plenty of decentish places in the £150 bracket.
Simple pleasures of life. I love this time of year. Sitting outside, in the evening light at 9.00 pm. NINE PM! A cool glass of something in hand and taking in the roses first flush. Life is not all about thrill seeking.
I agree with that. I love picnics - possibly my favourite thing about summer. Is that sad?
No it’s simple. Fresh air, countryside, beautiful views, good friends and good chat, a nice glass of cold Mullerthal Pinot Blanc with dreamy creamy grassy Brie de meaux on fresh Borough sourdough
That's just in your imagination. Picnics are never like that in reality. You haven't been on one for years, if at all.
Where picnics do work, however, is at (sporting, social) events where the picnicking is curated (eg Glyndebourne, No.1 Car Park at the Royal Meeting, or a point to point).
Then they are just marvellous. And some of the best such picnics I have had have been in the driving sleet and freezing cold with everyone clutching their glasses of whisky and the rosé still in the car untouched.
They still get plagued by wasps.
Or worse, some idiot who goes insane in the company of a wasp - and insists on swatting it into my face.
The wasp averse (that don't have medical issues with them) are a comical lot - hysterical overreacters
Could be childhood trauma. I'm swan adverse after being attacked by one whilst strapped in my pushchair. My completely loving parents had a terrible record of being somewhere else when bad things happened. They once lost me during an earthquake in Crete as they were sampling the delights of the hotel buffet when it hit.
Being attacked by a Swan is a bit more serious than a wasp sting though. But trauma would, I guess, constitute a medical issue rather than just being a massive wasp cry baby
A wasp sting on your tongue is quite a big deal.
Don't eat them? Or at very least don't shriek and flap and give them access to your tongue
They settle on food, you don't notice it, and take a bite ...
So Reform voters strong on sport and pubs and holidays. Less so on culture, going to the Proms or Glastonbury and unsurprisingly few going to Pride celebrations
It’s so brilliantly mad and fitting that Labour people are “looking forward to Pride marches” more than anything else, this summer
Who thinks like that? Seriously? Anyone?
They have become a weird creepy cult of “progressives” - utterly divorced from the mainstream of the UK
We had an email letting us know that we could order a rainbow pride lanyard for Pride month. That's right, the Uni is paying for us to show how much we support Pride. I saw a chap wearing one this morning. I couldn't give two figs who does what with who (as long as its consenting adults). I don't need to hear about it all the time just as I don't need to hear about heterosexuals all the time either.
And how much will that cost the university?
(It’s an example of the small pointless accretion of expenditure that could be eliminated)
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
Immediately post-COVID I would understand it, everybody locked up, didn't spend much money etc. But now, I can't work out how people are affording it. Same with things like concert and sports tickets (although we are seeing cricket struggling to shift tickets these days for internationals). Are they sticking it all on their flexible friend and paying via Klarna, with a massive crash to hit in a couple of years?
Yes it was assumed it was a post pando phenomenon. But it’s just continued
Almost like a cartelisation of the market….
Holidays nowadays are prohibitively expensive. My assumption is that hoidays are, at a high level, fungible - and worldwide, the number of people in the market for a nice holiday has increased. So my week in Cornwall is more expensive because there are more rich Asians going to Italy (though rumour has it that there are far fewer Chinese than was previously thought...)
That’s actually one of the better theories I’ve heard. Surely something in that
You can still find amazing places that are cheap. You just gotta be imaginative, daring and flexible
This is not easy for families with young kids, unfortunately
Simple pleasures of life. I love this time of year. Sitting outside, in the evening light at 9.00 pm. NINE PM! A cool glass of something in hand and taking in the roses first flush. Life is not all about thrill seeking.
I agree with that. I love picnics - possibly my favourite thing about summer. Is that sad?
No it’s simple. Fresh air, countryside, beautiful views, good friends and good chat, a nice glass of cold Mullerthal Pinot Blanc with dreamy creamy grassy Brie de meaux on fresh Borough sourdough
That's just in your imagination. Picnics are never like that in reality. You haven't been on one for years, if at all.
Where picnics do work, however, is at (sporting, social) events where the picnicking is curated (eg Glyndebourne, No.1 Car Park at the Royal Meeting, or a point to point).
Then they are just marvellous. And some of the best such picnics I have had have been in the driving sleet and freezing cold with everyone clutching their glasses of whisky and the rosé still in the car untouched.
They still get plagued by wasps.
Or worse, some idiot who goes insane in the company of a wasp - and insists on swatting it into my face.
The wasp averse (that don't have medical issues with them) are a comical lot - hysterical overreacters
Could be childhood trauma. I'm swan adverse after being attacked by one whilst strapped in my pushchair. My completely loving parents had a terrible record of being somewhere else when bad things happened. They once lost me during an earthquake in Crete as they were sampling the delights of the hotel buffet when it hit.
Being attacked by a Swan is a bit more serious than a wasp sting though. But trauma would, I guess, constitute a medical issue rather than just being a massive wasp cry baby
A wasp sting on your tongue is quite a big deal.
Don't eat them? Or at very least don't shriek and flap and give them access to your tongue
They settle on food, you don't notice it, and take a bite ...
That's just bad luck, I was talking about people flipping out over wasps without any good reason (like allergic reaction etc)
On cost of living - a couple of weeks ago I treated myself and my girlfriend to a night in a nice hotel - not super-expensive but more per night than I would usually pay. Nice and comfortable, dinner also a bit on the pricey side, the sort of occasional one-off I used to do for wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when I was married.
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Was this a weekend or in the week ?
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
This was weekend. But it always was! The clue is that I'm still working....
Counterpoint: looking to book a couple of nights in Central London with better half. Decent but not exotic hotels (e.g. Radissons / Park Plazas) £400 a night during the week, £200 a night at weekend.
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
Try the Caesar in Paddington. Both the wife and I use it when in London. Often c.£150 if prebooked. Upgrade for about £20 - the newly done rooms are a delight, the breakfasts are superb, the staff very professional. Very quiet, rarely hear sirens going past. About a 7 minute walk from Paddington, about the same to Lancaster Gate to get on the Central Line.
Thanks, had a look, still £370 a night for 2nd most basic room, with breakfast.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
There was a paper somewhere that shows pandemic savings still haven't been used up. Even while millions were on furlough, the savings rate was something like 5x higher than usual as richer people stopped going out or on holiday.
I think the cost of living crisis was sustained by this effect. Richer households simply haven't felt a pinch, so just keep spending despite all the economic gloom.
(If rich households were a oil & gas company, they'd have been subject to a windfall tax during COVID to induce them to consume and invest).
One thing I was told by a few people who work in London and earn 6 figures, they are saving a fortune via WFH just going in 2 days a week on the train (and its not just the train fare, its the morning coffee, lunch, after work drinks), some have even moved to cheaper parts of the country.
So when they do go into town, yes everything is much more expensive, but they haven't spent anywhere near as much day to day.
But that's London and people on really good money. I can't quite get my head around how people are affording £100 rugby ticket for normal league games or a normal concert and that isn't even in London.
I spent £60 on Volbeat at the O2 in November. Apart from the annoyance of having to book my life up that far in advance, when I have added train to London, a few beers and something to eat it is going to cost the best part of £100 extra. And that's without a hotel.
Last Saturday it was very hot in London; heaving with people having a good time.
I took a two hour trip by ferry from Putney to the O2. £12:50 return. I've never been to the O2 before. It's big! Lots to see and enjoy. And it's free.
Stopped off at Borough Market on return journey for a pint of beer £6.
Simple pleasures of life. I love this time of year. Sitting outside, in the evening light at 9.00 pm. NINE PM! A cool glass of something in hand and taking in the roses first flush. Life is not all about thrill seeking.
I agree with that. I love picnics - possibly my favourite thing about summer. Is that sad?
No it’s simple. Fresh air, countryside, beautiful views, good friends and good chat, a nice glass of cold Mullerthal Pinot Blanc with dreamy creamy grassy Brie de meaux on fresh Borough sourdough
That's just in your imagination. Picnics are never like that in reality. You haven't been on one for years, if at all.
Where picnics do work, however, is at (sporting, social) events where the picnicking is curated (eg Glyndebourne, No.1 Car Park at the Royal Meeting, or a point to point).
Then they are just marvellous. And some of the best such picnics I have had have been in the driving sleet and freezing cold with everyone clutching their glasses of whisky and the rosé still in the car untouched.
They still get plagued by wasps.
Or worse, some idiot who goes insane in the company of a wasp - and insists on swatting it into my face.
The wasp averse (that don't have medical issues with them) are a comical lot - hysterical overreacters
Could be childhood trauma. I'm swan adverse after being attacked by one whilst strapped in my pushchair. My completely loving parents had a terrible record of being somewhere else when bad things happened. They once lost me during an earthquake in Crete as they were sampling the delights of the hotel buffet when it hit.
Being attacked by a Swan is a bit more serious than a wasp sting though. But trauma would, I guess, constitute a medical issue rather than just being a massive wasp cry baby
A wasp sting on your tongue is quite a big deal.
Don't eat them? Or at very least don't shriek and flap and give them access to your tongue
They settle on food, you don't notice it, and take a bite ...
Or the go in soda tins.
Wasps are usually only a problem at the end of summer, when they get hungry and irritable.
Comments
Be a smarty
Come and join
The Reform Party.
More interestingly, if we devolved corporate tax then Scotland could introduce a 15% rate and might not only attract English businesses North, but some international FDI.
@spignal.bsky.social
· 9m
The Polish paradox:
- Poles are most enthusiastic about European Union membership when it comes to thinking the EU will help them face the future
- 51% voted for a candidate who will prevent Poland playing its full role in the EU."
https://bsky.app/profile/spignal.bsky.social
When I used to spend a night like this before, perhaps 10+ years ago, the majority of people staying were the age I am now, 50s. This time, of the people at breakfast, we were clearly the only ones of working age, apart from two of a 3-generation family group who'd been staying for a party the night before. Pensioners have the money now, not working people. O/T that may reflect in some of the answers, e.g. Reform appear to be the travellers - they skew older than average.
Of course granddaughter lies in Yorkshire, grandson in SE Essex.
The bubble surely has to pop.
I have about 800 photos of them around the world
Which is the best? Some are beautiful, some are bucolic, some are blissfully simple in Regent’s Park
This is a good one
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. A sundowner picnic. Note the booze - just enough for the four of us
Note also: the wild elephants gathered at the waterhole beyond
If you travel at all for work, it is a no-brainer. Particularly as UK hotels aren't like Asia, you aren't getting 300Mb/s WiFi (capped by my wifi card) like you do in Asia and you can get 100Mb/s 5G on mobile.
We used to go to hotel/dinner stays at weekends a few years back. Now we go in the week as it’s cheaper and I no longer work. I’m 59 wife 57
https://x.com/MattCartoonist/status/1929582358258204919
This weekend I took a chunk out of the pot but still have about 460GB left in it.
Paid for the WiFi originally as I thought where we were was so remote the mobile signal wouldn't be good, but it turned out to be Ok.
It says it's celebrated by the Government as a triumph but a closer examination of its provisions reveals troubling compromises that may undermine
British sovereignty and military autonomy while offering only marginal economic benefits.
EVERY. SINGLE. THING
2) that's a F35 not a F22
(No I'm not a particular fan of Radisson but got top status with them via a loyalty hack, so they work out good vfm)
https://www.reddit.com/r/LandRover/comments/2lry3o/sas_pink_panther_land_rover/#lightbox
https://www.reddit.com/r/WeirdWings/comments/drfme2/a_pink_supermarine_spitfire_squadrons_of_these/#lightbox
1) Agreement’s provisions represent a shift toward reintegration with EU military structures, bypassing parliament. While HMG touts access to the EU’s €8 billion European Defence Fund (EDF) as a win, enabling UK firms like BAE Systems to bid for collaborative projects in drone tech and cybersecurity, the fine print reveals heavy constraints. British companies must partner with EU-led consortia, often as juniors, with 60% of project work required to occur in EU states, limiting UK roles to niche tasks. Worse, Britain gains no voting rights in the European Defence Agency (EDA), locking it into a “rule-taker” status reminiscent of Norway’s associate membership.
2) Agreement prioritises EU defence coordination mechanisms, potentially constraining Britain’s freedom to leverage global partnerships. By aligning with the EDA, the UK risks gradual entanglement in EU regulatory frameworks for AI and emissions standards. These standards are set without British input, which could erode autonomy in emerging technologies like hypersonic weapons. Britain has traded long-term strategic flexibility for short-term export gains estimated at a modest £150–200 million annually.
3) While HMG highlights EDF access as a lifeline for SMEs, the reality is participation risks tech transfer demands, where EU partners may require sharing proprietary UK intellectual property. Certification alignment, though streamlining exports for firms, tacitly surrenders regulatory autonomy. The defence industrial collaboration appears one-sided: British firms gain limited project slots but must adhere to EU procurement rules, stifling innovation and relegating them to peripheral roles in flagship initiatives like FCAS.
4) Agreement emphasises cooperation with EU structures like PESCO,
creating overlap with NATO without concrete safeguards. Critics argue tailored bilateral deals with France or Germany could have delivered similar benefits without institutional entanglements. Instead, the UK faces a paradox: modest commercial opportunities offset by gradual absorption into Europe’s regulatory orbit, diminishing its independence.
Conclusion: a series of concessions - while deeper security cooperation has merit, this prioritises short term diplomacy over long term strategy. The EDF’s limited revenue streams pale against the risks of sovereignty erosion and regulatory subordination. For a nation that once championed “Global Britain,” this feels less like a rebirth and more like a retreat into Europe’s shadow.
One has been heard locally here but not by me.
How does one delete one's account ? Asking for a friend.
Seems a reasonable adjective to describe what is being done, I don't see an issue with that.
https://www.thecaesarhotel.com/en
Oh...
The problem, of course, is that the money is disbursed via Holyrood, so instead of it going to the Highlands and Islands (which suffers from crumbling infrastructure, rural depopulation and broken ferries), it has been spaffed away by the SNP on freebies to the urban middle-classes such as free uni tution fees, etc.. etc.
If Farage really wanted to send a rocket up the Nats he should promise to send the money directly to the communities concerned. That could really set things off.
Brexit means that only firms that want to trade with Europe need to meet European rules, and only for those exports, rather than every rule no matter how asinine it is needs to be followed by everyone.
Which is why it was a good idea.
We don't need to do any of this for the sake of £150m a year and, we shouldn't.
Labour who voted through increased tuition fees for England on a majority only passed by Scottish MPs, while Barnett was used to give free tuition to Scottish students.
Screw Barnett. It should be abolished. If Holyrood wants to spend more on tuition fees, or remote hinterland, let them do so with their own taxes they raise themselves.
Conservatives and the Tdf is interesting, as is Greens and wild swimming.
I would argue the cost for having 2 sets of rules is their for all to see.
Meanwhile the benefits from being able to chuck the bastards out if they don't pass rules we like is there for all to see.
(Most basic room was 14m2 😲)
Swimming in natural bodies of water, as opposed to pools, is a niche hobby. So using an adjective before the word swimming to clarify what kind of swimming it is seems eminently reasonable to me.
It wasp not a good idea.
My sympathies. Hotel rooms in all great western cities are now insanely expensive. Paris is possibly worse than London
No one in the industry - that I’ve met - has a simple explanation for why
Quite regular rooms in good london hotels are now costing four figures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgMuNmHyHDU
What sort of weird parents must he have had for them to have instilled a fear in him of the postman delivering bills?
I think that it was quite plainly bullshit
* I made this up, but I think it works; ταχυδρόμος is Greek for postman
I think the cost of living crisis was sustained by this effect. Richer households simply haven't felt a pinch, so just keep spending despite all the economic gloom. That continues to properly up hotel and restaurant prices.
(If rich households were a oil & gas company, they'd have been subject to a windfall tax during COVID to induce them to consume and invest).
So when they do go into town, yes everything is much more expensive, but they haven't spent anywhere near as much day to day.
But that's London and people on really good money. I can't quite get my head around how people are affording £100 rugby ticket for normal league games or a normal concert and that isn't even in London.
Ealing also being my former home patch, so I'm a sort of local.
Almost like a cartelisation of the market….
The Rest is Politics.
Enjoy, the many fans of here we have here.
https://x.com/restispolitics/status/1929518998288240902?s=61
The ticket sellers are happy to take inflated fees off those who can afford it and those who can't just don't do it.
The broader point is that a large chunk of the population are pretty well off, particularly if you take account of relative housing costs.
How and why do they eat this flavourless slop? And it’s not cheap
(It’s an example of the small pointless accretion of expenditure that could be eliminated)
You can still find amazing places that are cheap. You just gotta be imaginative, daring and flexible
This is not easy for families with young kids, unfortunately
I took a two hour trip by ferry from Putney to the O2. £12:50 return.
I've never been to the O2 before. It's big! Lots to see and enjoy. And it's free.
Stopped off at Borough Market on return journey for a pint of beer £6.
£18:50 for a enjoyable day out.
Wasps are usually only a problem at the end of summer, when they get hungry and irritable.