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London 2028 and beyond – politicalbetting.com

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  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 63,504
    eek said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Basingstoke must be one of the biggest towns in the country I've never visited. Is there any reason to?

    No.
    To compare it to Stoke, Blackpool and Slough in a competition for worse large town in the country?
    I was born there. It's a shithole.

    It was once a fairly thriving Hampshire market town and trading centre, and then become a New Town par excellence in the 1960s.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 63,504
    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Basingstoke must be one of the biggest towns in the country I've never visited. Is there any reason to?

    Ueful interchange between the Southwest Main Line and the Cross-Country route.
    Not much to see then I take it, lol.
    There's Milestones Museum, but even that's a bit shit: like a Victorian Millenium Dome.

    It's a dull static husk. An empty shell.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,908
    Have to hand it to Reform, even their fallouts get more attention than anyone else can get right now.
  • eekeek Posts: 30,224
    The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!

    https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114632206992330264

    Elon's comments are going down well and seem to have hit a nerve.

  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,908

    Some years ago, I observed that those who followed the Loser risked losing their money, their health, or even their freedom. Musk is smart enough so that he should have been able to come to the same conclusion.

    He's smart, and has had plenty of successes, but how is his judgement thesedays?
  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,561
    glw said:

    Leon said:

    Can I just put in a word for Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” being a work of TV genius?

    Episode 2, with its layers of meta and irony which nonetheless manages to be narratively pleasing, highly observant, loving and wry and very funny, is some of the best TV comedy-drama I have ever seen, up there with the best episodes of Community

    Also @rcs1000 is the spit of S Rogan

    Best thing I've seen on Apple TV+. Apple TV+ doesn't have a lot but they sure as hell do spend a lot of money on the shows they make, and when they are good as well they are some of the best shows on TV/streaming today.

    I wasn't even interested in the show until I heard the review on Kermode & Mayo, and when I realised Catherine O'Hara and Kathryn Hahn were in it I thought I'd better check it out. Not only did it live up to the hype I think it exceeded it for me at least.
    Yes. It’s brilliant. I’m rationing myself to one episode a week

    On the other hand I’ve got a horrible feeling the Woke have ruined The Last of Us

    Just getting into season 2 and hmmmm. Hope I’m wrong

  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 11,035
    Leon said:

    glw said:

    Leon said:

    Can I just put in a word for Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” being a work of TV genius?

    Episode 2, with its layers of meta and irony which nonetheless manages to be narratively pleasing, highly observant, loving and wry and very funny, is some of the best TV comedy-drama I have ever seen, up there with the best episodes of Community

    Also @rcs1000 is the spit of S Rogan

    Best thing I've seen on Apple TV+. Apple TV+ doesn't have a lot but they sure as hell do spend a lot of money on the shows they make, and when they are good as well they are some of the best shows on TV/streaming today.

    I wasn't even interested in the show until I heard the review on Kermode & Mayo, and when I realised Catherine O'Hara and Kathryn Hahn were in it I thought I'd better check it out. Not only did it live up to the hype I think it exceeded it for me at least.
    Yes. It’s brilliant. I’m rationing myself to one episode a week

    On the other hand I’ve got a horrible feeling the Woke have ruined The Last of Us

    Just getting into season 2 and hmmmm. Hope I’m wrong

    Lol give up now. Its unbearable drivel
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,908

    Leon said:

    glw said:

    Leon said:

    Can I just put in a word for Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” being a work of TV genius?

    Episode 2, with its layers of meta and irony which nonetheless manages to be narratively pleasing, highly observant, loving and wry and very funny, is some of the best TV comedy-drama I have ever seen, up there with the best episodes of Community

    Also @rcs1000 is the spit of S Rogan

    Best thing I've seen on Apple TV+. Apple TV+ doesn't have a lot but they sure as hell do spend a lot of money on the shows they make, and when they are good as well they are some of the best shows on TV/streaming today.

    I wasn't even interested in the show until I heard the review on Kermode & Mayo, and when I realised Catherine O'Hara and Kathryn Hahn were in it I thought I'd better check it out. Not only did it live up to the hype I think it exceeded it for me at least.
    Yes. It’s brilliant. I’m rationing myself to one episode a week

    On the other hand I’ve got a horrible feeling the Woke have ruined The Last of Us

    Just getting into season 2 and hmmmm. Hope I’m wrong

    Lol give up now. Its unbearable drivel
    Wasn't that in part due to the game's story not being as well received in any case? (I seem to recall it was still critically acclaimed, but not as much)
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 11,035
    kle4 said:

    Leon said:

    glw said:

    Leon said:

    Can I just put in a word for Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” being a work of TV genius?

    Episode 2, with its layers of meta and irony which nonetheless manages to be narratively pleasing, highly observant, loving and wry and very funny, is some of the best TV comedy-drama I have ever seen, up there with the best episodes of Community

    Also @rcs1000 is the spit of S Rogan

    Best thing I've seen on Apple TV+. Apple TV+ doesn't have a lot but they sure as hell do spend a lot of money on the shows they make, and when they are good as well they are some of the best shows on TV/streaming today.

    I wasn't even interested in the show until I heard the review on Kermode & Mayo, and when I realised Catherine O'Hara and Kathryn Hahn were in it I thought I'd better check it out. Not only did it live up to the hype I think it exceeded it for me at least.
    Yes. It’s brilliant. I’m rationing myself to one episode a week

    On the other hand I’ve got a horrible feeling the Woke have ruined The Last of Us

    Just getting into season 2 and hmmmm. Hope I’m wrong

    Lol give up now. Its unbearable drivel
    Wasn't that in part due to the game's story not being as well received in any case? (I seem to recall it was still critically acclaimed, but not as much)
    Yeah that's probably true
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 77,986
    eek said:

    The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!

    https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114632206992330264

    Elon's comments are going down well and seem to have hit a nerve.

    Another Bill of Attainder on the way.
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 30,350
    MuskTrumpWar escalates

    https://x.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1930697238038110560

    "The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!"
  • MattWMattW Posts: 27,631
    edited June 5
    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    The public transport from Heathrow to the South and South West is monumentally shite.

    A bus to Woking and Guildford every 30 minutes, if you're lucky, that can take up to one hour and a half just to get to Woking. I'm one of the mugs on it with 9 other desperate people because I don't have a car today.

    How on earth is this acceptable?

    Just get the Liz Line or HRXPRSS to Paddo and then go by rail?! Surely?
    My line comes out of Waterloo, so I'd have to go all the way back into central London and out again.

    However, as is becoming clear, that would have been quicker than these bus wankers.
    Going anywhere but London out of LHR on public transport has always been a nightmare. However the Liz Line does make that option cheap and quick, then you go to your preferred station
    Heathrow do free cycle parking. :smile:

    I think it may be OK to leave it for a weekend, but I'm not sure beyond that.

    What it needs is Brompton Bike Hire lockers repurposed as Brompton storage for travellers.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,561

    Leon said:

    glw said:

    Leon said:

    Can I just put in a word for Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” being a work of TV genius?

    Episode 2, with its layers of meta and irony which nonetheless manages to be narratively pleasing, highly observant, loving and wry and very funny, is some of the best TV comedy-drama I have ever seen, up there with the best episodes of Community

    Also @rcs1000 is the spit of S Rogan

    Best thing I've seen on Apple TV+. Apple TV+ doesn't have a lot but they sure as hell do spend a lot of money on the shows they make, and when they are good as well they are some of the best shows on TV/streaming today.

    I wasn't even interested in the show until I heard the review on Kermode & Mayo, and when I realised Catherine O'Hara and Kathryn Hahn were in it I thought I'd better check it out. Not only did it live up to the hype I think it exceeded it for me at least.
    Yes. It’s brilliant. I’m rationing myself to one episode a week

    On the other hand I’ve got a horrible feeling the Woke have ruined The Last of Us

    Just getting into season 2 and hmmmm. Hope I’m wrong

    Lol give up now. Its unbearable drivel
    Oh god no really??? I was trusting on this to see me through a tv week
  • FishingFishing Posts: 5,602
    edited June 5
    I see the Russian ambassador has speculated, without evidence, that we helped the Ukrainians with their attacks at the weekend.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/05/russia-uk-ambassador-london-involved-ukraine-drone-attack/

    He's probably wrong, but I hope he's right. If we did, it's the best use of my tax money I've heard of in a while.

    Glory to Ukraine.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,694

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    The public transport from Heathrow to the South and South West is monumentally shite.

    A bus to Woking and Guildford every 30 minutes, if you're lucky, that can take up to one hour and a half just to get to Woking. I'm one of the mugs on it with 9 other desperate people because I don't have a car today.

    How on earth is this acceptable?

    Just get the Liz Line or HRXPRSS to Paddo and then go by rail?! Surely?
    My line comes out of Waterloo, so I'd have to go all the way back into central London and out again.

    However, as is becoming clear, that would have been quicker than these bus wankers.
    Going anywhere but London out of LHR on public transport has always been a nightmare. However the Liz Line does make that option cheap and quick, then you go to your preferred station
    Well, I worked hard on it.
    You did! And it's a noble thing

    You can sincerely be proud, you made the lives of a lot of people just that little bit better
    Thanks. Me and tens of thousands of others.
    Indeed.

    And it is important to remember how the delays and cost overruns to Crossrail were big news stories a few years ago, but are now naught but distant memories. The line's been an immense success, and I wonder how much a retrospective BCR would come out with the current passenger numbers.

    We should remember that with other infrastructure projects.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 10,114

    eek said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Basingstoke must be one of the biggest towns in the country I've never visited. Is there any reason to?

    No.
    To compare it to Stoke, Blackpool and Slough in a competition for worse large town in the country?
    I was born there. It's a shithole.

    It was once a fairly thriving Hampshire market town and trading centre, and then become a New Town par excellence in the 1960s.
    It’s dull, but not a shithole.

    I used to have fun kicking a football against Owen & Owen…
  • vikvik Posts: 465
    eek said:

    The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!

    https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114632206992330264

    Elon's comments are going down well and seem to have hit a nerve.

    Lol.

    Elon really is incredibly stupid.

    He somehow imagined that he was dealing with Biden, who kept Elon's government contracts even while Elon was publicly attacking Biden & the Democrats.

    Elon is now going to find out how much his companies are reliant on government contracts, and the immense damage that will be caused to those companies when he makes an enemy of a vindictive president like Trump.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 77,986
    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    glw said:

    Leon said:

    Can I just put in a word for Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” being a work of TV genius?

    Episode 2, with its layers of meta and irony which nonetheless manages to be narratively pleasing, highly observant, loving and wry and very funny, is some of the best TV comedy-drama I have ever seen, up there with the best episodes of Community

    Also @rcs1000 is the spit of S Rogan

    Best thing I've seen on Apple TV+. Apple TV+ doesn't have a lot but they sure as hell do spend a lot of money on the shows they make, and when they are good as well they are some of the best shows on TV/streaming today.

    I wasn't even interested in the show until I heard the review on Kermode & Mayo, and when I realised Catherine O'Hara and Kathryn Hahn were in it I thought I'd better check it out. Not only did it live up to the hype I think it exceeded it for me at least.
    Yes. It’s brilliant. I’m rationing myself to one episode a week

    On the other hand I’ve got a horrible feeling the Woke have ruined The Last of Us

    Just getting into season 2 and hmmmm. Hope I’m wrong

    Lol give up now. Its unbearable drivel
    Oh god no really??? I was trusting on this to see me through a tv week
    Timothy Spall in Death Valley is a hoot.

    It's lightweight nonsense, but worth watching just for him.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,908
    Fishing said:

    I see the Russian ambassador has speculated, without evidence, that we helped the Ukrainians with their attacks at the weekend.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/05/russia-uk-ambassador-london-involved-ukraine-drone-attack/

    He's probably wrong, but I hope he's right. If we did, it's the best use of my tax money I've heard of in a while.

    Glory to Ukraine.

    Not the first time they've attributed British intelligence or operations to a Ukrainian attack.

    I assume in such cases it is one part not wanting to suggest the Ukrainians can do something without it being run by outsiders, and one part not wanting to directly blame the USA (though they have different reasons to be more circumspect in attacking the USA now).
  • TazTaz Posts: 18,744
    Nigelb said:

    Trump Appoints 22-Year-Old Ex-Gardener and Grocery Store Assistant to Lead U.S. Terror Prevention
    https://x.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1930620651183673677

    In The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin he appointed an Irish Labourer called Seamus (amazingly, for a seventies sit com) and he turned out to be a genius. So you never know
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 18,846
    edited June 5
    kle4 said:

    Some years ago, I observed that those who followed the Loser risked losing their money, their health, or even their freedom. Musk is smart enough so that he should have been able to come to the same conclusion.

    He's smart, and has had plenty of successes, but how is his judgement thesedays?
    Clearly not that great.

    Musk gave Trump what he wanted (a path back to.the White House) before Trump gave him what he wanted (whatever that was).

    It was always going to end with someone being stiffed, and DJT is the expert.
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 10,114

    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Basingstoke must be one of the biggest towns in the country I've never visited. Is there any reason to?

    Ueful interchange between the Southwest Main Line and the Cross-Country route.
    Not much to see then I take it, lol.
    There's Milestones Museum, but even that's a bit shit: like a Victorian Millenium Dome.

    It's a dull static husk. An empty shell.
    Basing House
    The Vyne
    The Anvil
    Beacon Hill
    The Bombay Sapphire Distillery tour
    Jane Austen’s birthplace

    I just think that @Casino_Royale was spurned by a girl he fancied…
  • MattWMattW Posts: 27,631
    edited June 5

    Scott_xP said:

    @ZiaYusufUK
    11 months ago I became Chairman of Reform. I’ve worked full time as a volunteer to take the party from 14 to 30%, quadrupled its membership and delivered historic electoral results.

    I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office.

    WTF?
    Does that actually mean he has got outa Doge?

    Yusuf is classic ex-LBS/LSE then Goldmans then start a business, and then he timed his exit well. I'm not sure if Velocity Black would have worked well over the last 5-6 years.

    IMO it leaves Reform Councils high and dry from Doge, which may be a good thing - as efficiency is about a grinder not a chainsaw.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,908
    Probably true

    Labour and Tories celebrating the lack of organisation at the heart of Reform are delighted they have a stronger attack line….

    …. but they forget 95% of Reform voters won’t have a clue who Zia Yusuf is.

    https://nitter.poast.org/tomhfh/status/1930679350669570210#m
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 77,986
    kle4 said:

    Fishing said:

    I see the Russian ambassador has speculated, without evidence, that we helped the Ukrainians with their attacks at the weekend.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/06/05/russia-uk-ambassador-london-involved-ukraine-drone-attack/

    He's probably wrong, but I hope he's right. If we did, it's the best use of my tax money I've heard of in a while.

    Glory to Ukraine.

    Not the first time they've attributed British intelligence or operations to a Ukrainian attack.

    I assume in such cases it is one part not wanting to suggest the Ukrainians can do something without it being run by outsiders, and one part not wanting to directly blame the USA (though they have different reasons to be more circumspect in attacking the USA now).
    I think you're right - their worldview, bizarrely sees Ukrainians as whatever the Russian equivalent of untermensch is.

    And they've got Trump where they want him. No sense in antagonising him unnecessarily.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 18,846
    edited June 5

    I have escaped from the heathens of rural Aberdeenshire with their lack of WiFi and mobile signal.

    So have I missed anything important in the last 48 hours?

    Oh, quiet...
    https://youtu.be/iKb3J9mctlo
  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,561
    Jesus. @dyedwoolie is right

    It’s already terrible

    Zero story telling chops from the get go. Confusing contradictory strange and silly. How bizarre. Ah well, thats the Last of Us in the Westworld category: a great season 1 then a catastrophic season 2, and there it ends
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,908

    kle4 said:

    Some years ago, I observed that those who followed the Loser risked losing their money, their health, or even their freedom. Musk is smart enough so that he should have been able to come to the same conclusion.

    He's smart, and has had plenty of successes, but how is his judgement thesedays?
    Clearly not that great.

    Musk gave Trump what he wanted (a path back to.the White House) before Trump gave him what he wanted (whatever that was).

    It was always going to end with someone being stiffed, and DJT is the expert.
    If he was banking on gratitude from Trump he really must have been high on Ketamine like the internet suggests he is. Love Trump or hate him he is known for flipping positions and moving on from people who used to work for him if he thinks he should.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 98,908
    edited June 5
    Leon said:

    Jesus. @dyedwoolie is right

    It’s already terrible

    Zero story telling chops from the get go. Confusing contradictory strange and silly. How bizarre. Ah well, thats the Last of Us in the Westworld category: a great season 1 then a catastrophic season 2, and there it ends

    Internet commentators claim the original creator basically had no restraints for game 2, which he needed, and that has carried over to the show. I don't know if that is true, but then again I think the story was overhyped anyway.

    I maintain Westworld Season 1 was terribly written as well, it was just very well produced and acted, and people didn't pick up on the flaws until it got even worse.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 61,561
    Joel is in therapy in episode ONE

    LOL

  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 10,114
    Leon said:

    glw said:

    Leon said:

    Can I just put in a word for Seth Rogan’s “The Studio” being a work of TV genius?

    Episode 2, with its layers of meta and irony which nonetheless manages to be narratively pleasing, highly observant, loving and wry and very funny, is some of the best TV comedy-drama I have ever seen, up there with the best episodes of Community

    Also @rcs1000 is the spit of S Rogan

    Best thing I've seen on Apple TV+. Apple TV+ doesn't have a lot but they sure as hell do spend a lot of money on the shows they make, and when they are good as well they are some of the best shows on TV/streaming today.

    I wasn't even interested in the show until I heard the review on Kermode & Mayo, and when I realised Catherine O'Hara and Kathryn Hahn were in it I thought I'd better check it out. Not only did it live up to the hype I think it exceeded it for me at least.
    Yes. It’s brilliant. I’m rationing myself to one episode a week

    On the other hand I’ve got a horrible feeling the Woke have ruined The Last of Us

    Just getting into season 2 and hmmmm. Hope I’m wrong


    My wife’s in The Studio 😊
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,694
    eek said:

    The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elon’s Governmental Subsidies and Contracts. I was always surprised that Biden didn’t do it!

    https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114632206992330264

    Elon's comments are going down well and seem to have hit a nerve.

    If Elon really wanted to save the US government money, he could stop taking their handouts for Tesla and SpaceX. The only reason Tesla made any profit last quarter was due to regulatory credits. Doge could save the US government billions a year just by stopping those).

    And now Trump is more interested in Mars than the Moon, there's zero reason to pay SapceX for a lunar lander, and some of the money can go back into NASA's science!
  • solarflaresolarflare Posts: 3,982
    Absolutely no-one in the Western world had "Trump and Elon fall out bigly" on their political bingo card. Completely unforeseeable. Shocked, I tells ya.
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 30,350
    Oh

    "Time to drop the really big bomb:

    @realDonaldTrump
    is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.

    Have a nice day, DJT!"

    https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1930706186266890457
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 122,246

    NEW THREAD

  • MattWMattW Posts: 27,631
    edited June 5
    If you are interested in Kent, there was a decent interview with the new (ex-Tory Council candidate) voted as Council Leader at the Telegraph:

    To give her her due, she does talk a good game & it's worth a listen.

    Like Starmer's Govt, they have 4 years to deliver, and that is how they will be judged.

    One of the things Linden Kemkaran does is to swat Camilla Tominey's speculation about "hundreds of millions" of savings and cuts in Council Tax with a suggestion of "at least £75m". That is 3% of KCC spending and sounds to me like the type of number they will have to save just to meet Rachel Reeves' efficiency requirements. It sounds to me as if they will aim to simply withdraw from offering certain services, if they think it can be palmed off.

    I think the real thing that RefUK need to do if they are serious is benchmarking across their Councils, but they have punched all their staff on the nose with threats before even taking over.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=La9ZlDkxXT4
  • numbertwelvenumbertwelve Posts: 7,498
    edited June 5
    algarkirk said:

    HYUFD said:

    Yusuf might already be in a Tory safe house singing like a bird!
    He was a Tory party member till last summer.......

    Oh dear! Clearly it's all been kicking off at Reform Towers whilst I've been too busy to look at PB!

    I have always been very impressed with Zia Yusuf - with a couple of exceptions, the Rupert Lowe episode (not saying Lowe was entirely in the right either) being the main one.

    He interviews really well, and seemed to bave real ambitions for Reform and the country. Wonder what happened - it's not like he wasn't backed to the hilt over Lowe...
    Yusuf resigned after a Reform MP called for the burka to be banned.

    Clearly he could see Reform was moving in a more white nationalist direction and didn't like it
    If he didn't see Reform moving in a more white nationalist direction, then he's absolutely stupid.
    And, in particular, Yusuf seems to have been rather slow in recognising that a lot of Reform supporters really don't like Muslims, of which he is one.

    His parting statement, in particular "no longer a good use of my time", is subtly savage. No best wishes or hope for electoral success there. Looks like a serious rift to me, especially as I think he was primarily responsible for professionalising Reform and softening its edges.
    Farage and Oakeshott are insinuating his departure is due to the role being too much for him if you read their tweetings.
    Seems odd in that case that he randomly exploded on a Thursday afternoon of a by election day rather than agreeing a step back with everyone
    Quite. If Farage and Oakeshott are right, then Yusuf's parting line makes no sense:
    I no longer believe working to get a Reform government elected is a good use of my time, and hereby resign the office.
    If that's not a bloke who's seriously pissed off, I don't know what is.
    The whole burqa dispute is a presenting issue of a much deeper dilemma.

    FWIW I think Farage has decided he wants to be PM, and can only do so on an agenda which relies on the following credentials:

    Trust us because we have not failed unlike all others.

    We are in fact Christian democrats supporting post WWII big spend social welfare democracy, not UK as Singapore. That was a front. We want what the dimmer people of Clacton and 90% of voters want - free stuff. For now we need you to believe we can do it a lot cheaper, but you will find out later that we can't.

    We are GB nationalists and want almost closed borders BUT we are not opposed to any group among the present lawfully resident population because the ultra right alternative is too violent to contemplate.


    Opposition to the burqa trashes Farage's current intentions.
    Hmm. I almost wonder the opposite.

    I’m wondering if Farage is actually thinking of coming out in favour of a ban, and it made Yusuf feel undermined given he had just tweeted it wasn’t party policy.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 63,504

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    The public transport from Heathrow to the South and South West is monumentally shite.

    A bus to Woking and Guildford every 30 minutes, if you're lucky, that can take up to one hour and a half just to get to Woking. I'm one of the mugs on it with 9 other desperate people because I don't have a car today.

    How on earth is this acceptable?

    Just get the Liz Line or HRXPRSS to Paddo and then go by rail?! Surely?
    My line comes out of Waterloo, so I'd have to go all the way back into central London and out again.

    However, as is becoming clear, that would have been quicker than these bus wankers.
    Going anywhere but London out of LHR on public transport has always been a nightmare. However the Liz Line does make that option cheap and quick, then you go to your preferred station
    Well, I worked hard on it.
    You did! And it's a noble thing

    You can sincerely be proud, you made the lives of a lot of people just that little bit better
    Thanks. Me and tens of thousands of others.
    Indeed.

    And it is important to remember how the delays and cost overruns to Crossrail were big news stories a few years ago, but are now naught but distant memories. The line's been an immense success, and I wonder how much a retrospective BCR would come out with the current passenger numbers.

    We should remember that with other infrastructure projects.
    This is one of my hobbyhorses at the moment: the final outturn cost was £19bn or so rather than the original £15bn budget but the benefits will be massively higher due to huge usage.

    No-one has ever gone back to revise the original £42bn in the business case.

    My argument is the BCR would be higher, meaning that it exceeded the benefits set out in its business case.

    Why is that important? Because it would reframe the whole project as a massive success generating a much bigger economic return than expected.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 77,986
    Taz said:

    Nigelb said:

    Trump Appoints 22-Year-Old Ex-Gardener and Grocery Store Assistant to Lead U.S. Terror Prevention
    https://x.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1930620651183673677

    In The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin he appointed an Irish Labourer called Seamus (amazingly, for a seventies sit com) and he turned out to be a genius. So you never know
    Yes, DJ.

  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 63,504

    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Basingstoke must be one of the biggest towns in the country I've never visited. Is there any reason to?

    Ueful interchange between the Southwest Main Line and the Cross-Country route.
    Not much to see then I take it, lol.
    There's Milestones Museum, but even that's a bit shit: like a Victorian Millenium Dome.

    It's a dull static husk. An empty shell.
    Basing House
    The Vyne
    The Anvil
    Beacon Hill
    The Bombay Sapphire Distillery tour
    Jane Austen’s birthplace

    I just think that @Casino_Royale was spurned by a girl he fancied…
    Those aren't in Basingstoke mate, except the Anvil. Old Basing, Steventon and one is in Laverstoke!
  • MoonRabbitMoonRabbit Posts: 14,299
    On topic. I’m 100% sure it won’t be a first past the post election.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 54,412

    This thread has resigned because it feels it's no longer a good use of its time.

  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 5,806
    Andy_JS said:

    Basingstoke must be one of the biggest towns in the country I've never visited. Is there any reason to?

    Birthplace of John Arlott, the greatest ever cricket commentator.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 45,694

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    The public transport from Heathrow to the South and South West is monumentally shite.

    A bus to Woking and Guildford every 30 minutes, if you're lucky, that can take up to one hour and a half just to get to Woking. I'm one of the mugs on it with 9 other desperate people because I don't have a car today.

    How on earth is this acceptable?

    Just get the Liz Line or HRXPRSS to Paddo and then go by rail?! Surely?
    My line comes out of Waterloo, so I'd have to go all the way back into central London and out again.

    However, as is becoming clear, that would have been quicker than these bus wankers.
    Going anywhere but London out of LHR on public transport has always been a nightmare. However the Liz Line does make that option cheap and quick, then you go to your preferred station
    Well, I worked hard on it.
    You did! And it's a noble thing

    You can sincerely be proud, you made the lives of a lot of people just that little bit better
    Thanks. Me and tens of thousands of others.
    Indeed.

    And it is important to remember how the delays and cost overruns to Crossrail were big news stories a few years ago, but are now naught but distant memories. The line's been an immense success, and I wonder how much a retrospective BCR would come out with the current passenger numbers.

    We should remember that with other infrastructure projects.
    This is one of my hobbyhorses at the moment: the final outturn cost was £19bn or so rather than the original £15bn budget but the benefits will be massively higher due to huge usage.

    No-one has ever gone back to revise the original £42bn in the business case.

    My argument is the BCR would be higher, meaning that it exceeded the benefits set out in its business case.

    Why is that important? Because it would reframe the whole project as a massive success generating a much bigger economic return than expected.
    The treasury will not like that kind of thinking though, as it means more projects might get the go-ahead. And they *hate* infrastructure projects.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 32,161

    OK, so who will be the next Reform big-wig to resign?

    :lol:

    Anderson must have itchy feet by now
    Where next? Is there anything "righter" than Reform?
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 24,275
    Leon said:

    Leon said:


    Leon said:

    I fear this is a credible scenario.

    "We could end up with the axis powers — Russia and China, supported potentially by Iran and North Korea — collaborating to create a war on two fronts.

    “It would start with a large-scale confrontation in the Indo-Pacific, like a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which draws off what remains of US forces in Europe. An opportunistic Russia would then move against some part of a Nato territory where they know they can actually win by achieving local dominance, like the Baltics or somewhere in the high north like Svalbard."



    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/military-chiefs-double-war-china-russia-l3bc5crgt

    Horribly plausible
    Lucky we are so well prepared for it.
    Something like this is, sadly, more likely than not

    Why? Because various advances in tech mean that very shortly one power is going to achieve total full spectrum, all domain dominance over the other. It is likely to be the USA, but there is a pretty good chance it will be China

    Whichever power fears being crushed will move first. If China is that fearful power - again, likely - a move against Taiwan is not only desirable but obvious to the point of necessity, as it will stall or halt western tech progress (all those chipmakers)

    If China does this then it will surely do it in concert with Russia, as described, so as to distract the West and dilute its response

    On the whole, I think that calls for a

    BRACE
    I would like to have seen Montana...
    Yeah, me too

    If we are all gonna cop it, I have a few regrets, then again too few to mention, OK I’ll mention them


    1. Never experienced zero gravity. Let alone zero gravity sex

    2. Er

    3. More time with kids etc

    4. Should have had more sex. I had a lot, but even more would have been great. At least I had more than Sir John Betjeman

    5. I would like to have seen Wyoming
    You regret spending more time with the kids?
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 24,732
    edited June 5
    maxh said:

    Leon said:

    maxh said:

    Leon said:

    maxh said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:


    Leon said:

    I fear this is a credible scenario.

    "We could end up with the axis powers — Russia and China, supported potentially by Iran and North Korea — collaborating to create a war on two fronts.

    “It would start with a large-scale confrontation in the Indo-Pacific, like a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which draws off what remains of US forces in Europe. An opportunistic Russia would then move against some part of a Nato territory where they know they can actually win by achieving local dominance, like the Baltics or somewhere in the high north like Svalbard."



    https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/military-chiefs-double-war-china-russia-l3bc5crgt

    Horribly plausible
    Lucky we are so well prepared for it.
    Something like this is, sadly, more likely than not

    Why? Because various advances in tech mean that very shortly one power is going to achieve total full spectrum, all domain dominance over the other. It is likely to be the USA, but there is a pretty good chance it will be China

    Whichever power fears being crushed will move first. If China is that fearful power - again, likely - a move against Taiwan is not only desirable but obvious to the point of necessity, as it will stall or halt western tech progress (all those chipmakers)

    If China does this then it will surely do it in concert with Russia, as described, so as to distract the West and dilute its response

    On the whole, I think that calls for a

    BRACE
    I would like to have seen Montana...
    Yeah, me too

    If we are all gonna cop it, I have a few regrets, then again too few to mention, OK I’ll mention them


    1. Never experienced zero gravity. Let alone zero gravity sex

    2. Er

    3. More time with kids etc

    4. Should have had more sex. I had a lot, but even more would have been great. At least I had more than Sir John Betjeman

    5. I would like to have seen Wyoming
    Meh, you'd have said the same (BRACE) as the Soviet Union was collapsing. That turned out okay for a bit.

    I suspect we'll be fine. The odds aren't quite as nailed on as I'd like them to be, though.
    The coming years are way more dangerous than the breakup of the USSR

    Indeed they are almost certainly the most dangerous we have ever faced, as a species
    I'm not sure. I've not read up on the history enough so may be wrong, but my impression is that the breakup of USSR was incredibly messy and there must have been many small actors set to lose their fiefdoms (and possibly their lives) with the ability to access and use nuclear warheads. It's impressive that none have gone off since.

    By contrast the next few years feel like an inevitable slide into the grasp of a highly authoritarian and disciplined Chinese state (yes I know about the aging population but I suspect that will be overcome). I doubt there will be a point of crisis that would prompt a global war - it is just not in China's interest to stoke this. Instead I suspect that we will all wake up one day to realise we have become a satellite state of China, learning Mandarin in schools and using Chinese tech with accompanying surveillance.

    It will be unutterably shit if you're an out-of-favour minority but for most people it will be hard to generate the necessary outrage to spark a major conflict.
    You really don’t understand what I am talking about. Ask @viewcode
    Yeah now I look back I missed the tech reference in your first post. Sorry.
    Indeed. Some of you may remember ai2027, a speculative paper on the possible outcomes of AI, one of which was apocalyptic. It was mentioned by JT Vance which perked up further interest. Links are below

    https://ai-2027.com/
    https://www.reddit.com/r/singularity/comments/1jrbx6q/ai_2027_a_deeply_researched_monthbymonth_scenario/
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_onqn68GHY
    https://garymarcus.substack.com/p/the-ai-2027-scenario-how-realistic
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