A united Ireland, a matter when not if? – politicalbetting.com
Support for reunification in Northern Ireland is the highest on record, according to the Northern Ireland Life & Times Survey.Remain part of the UK: 45% (-28 since 2010)Reunify with Ireland: 32% (+16)Don't know: 14% (+8)Independence: 7% (+4)
Comments
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In the fullness of time although in the short term, for some voters independence has the same NOTA role fulfilled on the mainland by Reform.0
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I think the bigger problem may be persuading those south of the border that they want it.4
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This is Ireland. How many hundred years are you talking?0
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Specifically persuading them that they want to *pay* for itDavidL said:I think the bigger problem may be persuading those south of the border that they want it.
4 -
Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.4 -
Independence has always been a hardline loyalist position. No nationalist would support it.3
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Yep, the Germans very willingly took on the task of rebuilding east Germany but they were able to do so from a position of great economic strength. Not sure Eire is quite in that boat.RochdalePioneers said:
Specifically persuading them that they want to *pay* for itDavidL said:I think the bigger problem may be persuading those south of the border that they want it.
1 -
7% want independence?
I'm sure it was someone on here, possibly RCS, who said an independent Northern Ireland is totally economically unviable - it'd just become a failed state.
(Now, an 'independent' Northern Ireland in the EU was believed to be manageable, but whether that is possible is another thing).0 -
I think it would require a degree of devolution within Ireland and would change the nature of the existing state, but if Northern Ireland did vote for unification it would be hard to refuse.DavidL said:I think the bigger problem may be persuading those south of the border that they want it.
0 -
The tragic tale of Rhianan Rudd, the UK’s youngest female terror suspect
A British schoolgirl was groomed and radicalised by an American white supremacist – and failed by those who were supposed to protect her
In the autumn of 2020, Rhianan Rudd gouged a swastika into her forehead in a declaration of her love for Adolf Hitler.
She had just turned 15. A little more than a year later, she killed herself in a children’s home in Nottinghamshire while in the care of her local authority.
... Hers was a disturbing and disturbed life; a life which presents a chilling insight into the ease with which a teenager can be sucked into the hate-filled world of white supremacists.
By the time of her death at the age of 16, Rhianan was an adherent of two far-Right terror groups: the Atomwaffen Division and the Order of Nine Angles, a bizarre neo-Nazi satanist cult. The youngest girl in the UK ever to be charged with terrorist offences, she had planned to build a bomb and blow up a synagogue.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/25/rhianan-rudd-british-female-terror-suspect/ (£££)
See also the grooming of Shemima Begum, a less sympathetic figure, and also the Prevent guidelines on the far right that some have been railing against in the last day or two.1 -
Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.3 -
Good morning, everyone.
Some say if you listen to the Undercutters podcast you'll have a wonderful day and be 17% more attractive for the entire week*.
Ep24 previews Canada, how the season stands heading into it, plus the possibility Stroll might not race.
Podbean: https://undercutters.podbean.com/e/f1-2025-canadian-grand-prix-preview/
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f1-2025-canadian-grand-prix-preview/id1786574257?i=1000712209658
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3P8qgVM0W9m7SSMmXeElIH
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/bcfe213b-55fb-408a-a823-dc6693ee9f78/episodes/88600e67-df89-4c57-992b-be43a5a92fae/undercutters---f1-podcast-f1-2025-canadian-grand-prix-preview
Transcript: https://morrisf1.blogspot.com/2025/06/f1-2025-canadian-grand-prix-preview.html
*This is in no way legally binding.0 -
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?1 -
They could unite as part of the UK.0
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I am not for one moment suggesting what Trump is doing is right or moral. I was merely pointing out that the argument for State rights was determined somewhat bloodily in 1865 and that there is nothing new in a President using Federal power to uphold the law in a State as they see it.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.2 -
Ireland is convulsed by its own migrant crisis. Ulster won’t be far behind - see the riots in Ballymena yesterday
Think these will supersede any thoughts of “reunification”2 -
It's already been tried, it wasn't a success.Luckyguy1983 said:They could unite as part of the UK.
0 -
Perhaps California should stop encouraging criminality if it wants to avoid federal intervention.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.1 -
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?1 -
From that synopsis, I'm not sure I agree with the idea that the authorities 'failed' her: in reality there was probably little they could do to someone who was evidently rather broken quite early in life. I'm guessing the family and upbringing are much more responsible? (*)DecrepiterJohnL said:The tragic tale of Rhianan Rudd, the UK’s youngest female terror suspect
A British schoolgirl was groomed and radicalised by an American white supremacist – and failed by those who were supposed to protect her
In the autumn of 2020, Rhianan Rudd gouged a swastika into her forehead in a declaration of her love for Adolf Hitler.
She had just turned 15. A little more than a year later, she killed herself in a children’s home in Nottinghamshire while in the care of her local authority.
... Hers was a disturbing and disturbed life; a life which presents a chilling insight into the ease with which a teenager can be sucked into the hate-filled world of white supremacists.
By the time of her death at the age of 16, Rhianan was an adherent of two far-Right terror groups: the Atomwaffen Division and the Order of Nine Angles, a bizarre neo-Nazi satanist cult. The youngest girl in the UK ever to be charged with terrorist offences, she had planned to build a bomb and blow up a synagogue.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/25/rhianan-rudd-british-female-terror-suspect/ (£££)
See also the grooming of Shemima Begum, a less sympathetic figure, and also the Prevent guidelines on the far right that some have been railing against in the last day or two.
I can't read the article: what would the article's writers have done differently?
(*) This might well be wrong...1 -
Morning all.
The Telegraph is having fun this morning placing Yvette on resignation watch after Rachel refused to buy her any new rozzers. I very much doubt she has the you know what though. All not well in paradise though1 -
LA: US policeman shoots a very obvious Channel 9 TV reporter with a rubber bullet, from a few m away. Welcome to Venezuela.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/lauren-tomasi-shot-in-los-angeles-protests-anthony-albanese-responds/428fdfbe-4358-4ba0-8414-40cc4e0254dd3 -
Good morning. Some good news to start the day. BBC:
"World fertility rates in 'unprecedented decline', UN says"0 -
Tiocfaidh ar la.
It probably needs a massive political and/or economic crisis in the rump state of England, Wales and the Isle of Wight to trigger it in the next couple of decades though. So here's hoping.0 -
The deployment of troops in this case has no basis in law.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.
The earlier examples did.
It's not complicated.0 -
What's the legal basis for his action then, David ?DavidL said:
I am not for one moment suggesting what Trump is doing is right or moral. I was merely pointing out that the argument for State rights was determined somewhat bloodily in 1865 and that there is nothing new in a President using Federal power to uphold the law in a State as they see it.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.0 -
Did he tell the Lib Dem selectors?Leon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?0 -
At the moment we have Schrodinger's Ulster. You don't know if it is Britain or Ireland until you open the pub door.2
-
Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns
0 -
It lasted longer than Germany, to be fair.TheScreamingEagles said:
It's already been tried, it wasn't a success.Luckyguy1983 said:They could unite as part of the UK.
0 -
Who will go first though, Reeves or Cooper 🤔wooliedyed said:Morning all.
The Telegraph is having fun this morning placing Yvette on resignation watch after Rachel refused to buy her any new rozzers. I very much doubt she has the you know what though. All not well in paradise though0 -
That wasn't the argument you were attempting to make. Eisenhower sending in the troops to enforce a court order integrating a school is not remotely a precedent for this. Which court order has Newsome broken? Whereas the ICE are now operating explicitly *against* court orders.DavidL said:
I am not for one moment suggesting what Trump is doing is right or moral. I was merely pointing out that the argument for State rights was determined somewhat bloodily in 1865 and that there is nothing new in a President using Federal power to uphold the law in a State as they see it.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.0 -
Dead-heat as part of a wider Cabinet reshuffle.Taz said:
Who will go first though, Reeves or Cooper 🤔wooliedyed said:Morning all.
The Telegraph is having fun this morning placing Yvette on resignation watch after Rachel refused to buy her any new rozzers. I very much doubt she has the you know what though. All not well in paradise though0 -
It's always been an abiding principle of the 2nd Amendment fundamentalists that they need firearms to protect themselves against authoritarian overreach by the government. Well, where the fuck are they now?another_richard said:Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns6 -
He cant get rid of Reeves immeduately after allowing her to do a spending review without totally invalidating itTaz said:
Who will go first though, Reeves or Cooper 🤔wooliedyed said:Morning all.
The Telegraph is having fun this morning placing Yvette on resignation watch after Rachel refused to buy her any new rozzers. I very much doubt she has the you know what though. All not well in paradise though0 -
What does Brexit have to do with it? The issue is what successive Tory MPs did *after* Brexit. Had we become Norway or Iceland or Switzerland - none of whom are in the EU - the we would have had no issues in Ireland or anywhere else.Leon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?0 -
Labour are making a massive mistake here. We can't afford law and order now? Tories broke it, someone needs to fix it, this costs money. Guess what - leaving it broken costs MORE money.wooliedyed said:Morning all.
The Telegraph is having fun this morning placing Yvette on resignation watch after Rachel refused to buy her any new rozzers. I very much doubt she has the you know what though. All not well in paradise though
Why are this generation of politicians so stupid? Does an underfunded police and criminal justice system mean less crime? Or more crime? We know it's the latter and crime costs money.2 -
You literally mention Brexit in your commentRochdalePioneers said:
What does Brexit have to do with it? The issue is what successive Tory MPs did *after* Brexit. Had we become Norway or Iceland or Switzerland - none of whom are in the EU - the we would have had no issues in Ireland or anywhere else.Leon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?1 -
Or kitchen door. Here's Jimmy Carr discovering sectarian differences while touring Ireland. Language NSFW. Video less than 2 minutes.SandyRentool said:At the moment we have Schrodinger's Ulster. You don't know if it is Britain or Ireland until you open the pub door.
Where do you keep your toaster?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rJxC6QppdP40 -
Toss up as to who is the thickest, both should be dumped. Their only saving grace is Milliband.Taz said:
Who will go first though, Reeves or Cooper 🤔wooliedyed said:Morning all.
The Telegraph is having fun this morning placing Yvette on resignation watch after Rachel refused to buy her any new rozzers. I very much doubt she has the you know what though. All not well in paradise though0 -
Amid more reshuffle talk, how Patrick McLoughlin responded when given aviation & shipping at DfT
“There are 2 problems with that: I’ve got the most land-locked constituency in the UK & I’m afraid of flying”
Cecil Parkinson: “Excellent- you’ll bring an open mind to this subject”
https://x.com/JAHeale/status/1932122684189782239
In early 2018, PM Theresa May called me in to make me transport minister.
I replied:
🚘I couldn’t drive
🚲 I couldn’t ride a bike
✈️ Worst, I was one of 4 Government Ministers given a derogation to oppose Government policy on Heathrow expansion - her flagship transport policy!
Having explained these matters, the PM’s conclusion was
“Thank you, Greg. I would like you to remain at the Department for International Trade.”
The key thing in reshuffles is to be ready for any mad suggestions. Fortunately, on this occasion, the Whips Office tipped me off.
https://x.com/GregHands/status/19323236020804075713 -
Labour arent very good, therefore they are prone to doing stupid things. And we payRochdalePioneers said:
Labour are making a massive mistake here. We can't afford law and order now? Tories broke it, someone needs to fix it, this costs money. Guess what - leaving it broken costs MORE money.wooliedyed said:Morning all.
The Telegraph is having fun this morning placing Yvette on resignation watch after Rachel refused to buy her any new rozzers. I very much doubt she has the you know what though. All not well in paradise though
Why are this generation of politicians so stupid? Does an underfunded police and criminal justice system mean less crime? Or more crime? We know it's the latter and crime costs money.0 -
Funny reading about Sizewell C and the town council complaining that the 10,000 well paid jobs will mean it's harder for local businesses to get staff.
I had a similar experience in my home town - efforts to make the High Street a bit more attracting by widening pavements and allowing cafes to put tables out, cycle paths out to the new estates etc are always met with opposition by local businesses. And then the cash just goes somewhere else...1 -
Waiting for Charlton Heston and his cold dead hands to rise from the dead and lead them against the Tyrant.Dura_Ace said:
It's always been an abiding principle of the 2nd Amendment fundamentalists that they need firearms to protect themselves against authoritarian overreach by the government. Well, where the fuck are they now?another_richard said:Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns0 -
Eisenhower, of course, specifically invoked the insurrection clauses of Chapter 15, Title 10 of the federal code.Nigelb said:
The deployment of troops in this case has no basis in law.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.
The earlier examples did.
It's not complicated.
After a Supreme Court decision was defied by the state governor.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/executive-order-10730
Trump has not done that.
And has no such basis to do so anyway.0 -
Guns are the opposite of taxes.Dura_Ace said:
It's always been an abiding principle of the 2nd Amendment fundamentalists that they need firearms to protect themselves against authoritarian overreach by the government. Well, where the fuck are they now?another_richard said:Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns
Guns are for 'people like me', taxes are for 'people like you'.
0 -
In government, getting what they want.Dura_Ace said:
It's always been an abiding principle of the 2nd Amendment fundamentalists that they need firearms to protect themselves against authoritarian overreach by the government. Well, where the fuck are they now?another_richard said:Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns
So by definition, there can't be overreach.2 -
Brexit is leaving the European Union. Norway isn't in the EU. Iceland isn't in the EU. Having the same status as them - and thus completing Brexit - would have left the Irish border operating without major issues.Leon said:
You literally mention Brexit in your commentRochdalePioneers said:
What does Brexit have to do with it? The issue is what successive Tory MPs did *after* Brexit. Had we become Norway or Iceland or Switzerland - none of whom are in the EU - the we would have had no issues in Ireland or anywhere else.Leon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?1 -
The Tories aren't very good and did a lot of stupid things which we are now paying for.wooliedyed said:
Labour arent very good, therefore they are prone to doing stupid things. And we payRochdalePioneers said:
Labour are making a massive mistake here. We can't afford law and order now? Tories broke it, someone needs to fix it, this costs money. Guess what - leaving it broken costs MORE money.wooliedyed said:Morning all.
The Telegraph is having fun this morning placing Yvette on resignation watch after Rachel refused to buy her any new rozzers. I very much doubt she has the you know what though. All not well in paradise though
Why are this generation of politicians so stupid? Does an underfunded police and criminal justice system mean less crime? Or more crime? We know it's the latter and crime costs money.
LabCon - a waste of time flipping between them.1 -
...
0 -
What about a swap? NI to be the 51st state of the USA, then to become the 50th by California joining Canada in the UK of GB, C and C.
BTW, the best solution by far, though tragically impossible, is a United Kingdom of Ireland and Great Britain to be called the United Kingdom of the Irish and British Isles, with parliament alternating annually between London and Dublin. Dissolve the NI problem by enlarging, not splitting.1 -
I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in a Government.RochdalePioneers said:
Labour are making a massive mistake here. We can't afford law and order now? Tories broke it, someone needs to fix it, this costs money. Guess what - leaving it broken costs MORE money.wooliedyed said:Morning all.
The Telegraph is having fun this morning placing Yvette on resignation watch after Rachel refused to buy her any new rozzers. I very much doubt she has the you know what though. All not well in paradise though
Why are this generation of politicians so stupid? Does an underfunded police and criminal justice system mean less crime? Or more crime? We know it's the latter and crime costs money.
They don't seem to know what they want to achieve and equally don't know how to do anything properly.
Everyone on here will know how I would have sorted out tax. but then the other half is spending and you can't police the country on the goodwill of police officers - it costs money.0 -
Ed Miliband: "...we have this massive challenge to get off fossil fuels."
So why is Ed funding new build CCGT power plants and blue hydrogen plants that will consume natural gas for decades to come?1 -
Cosplaying ICE agentsDura_Ace said:
It's always been an abiding principle of the 2nd Amendment fundamentalists that they need firearms to protect themselves against authoritarian overreach by the government. Well, where the fuck are they now?another_richard said:Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns1 -
Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.0 -
His position, AIUI, is that California is deliberately impeding the work of ICE agents seeking to enforce Federal immigration laws there by creating "sanctuaries". The historical analogy most apposite was the use of Federal power to recover escaped slaves and the infamous Dred Scott decision which did much to trigger the Civil war, possibly the last time the US Supreme Court was so out of control.Nigelb said:
What's the legal basis for his action then, David ?DavidL said:
I am not for one moment suggesting what Trump is doing is right or moral. I was merely pointing out that the argument for State rights was determined somewhat bloodily in 1865 and that there is nothing new in a President using Federal power to uphold the law in a State as they see it.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.
In the present another frankly mad SC decision on May 30th let Trump's administration revoke the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants living in the United States. The court put on hold U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani's order halting the administration's move to end the immigration "parole" granted to 532,000 of these migrants by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, potentially exposing many of them to rapid removal, while a legal challenge plays out in lower courts.
It was an appalling decision allowing people to be extradited before their rights are determined by the courts but many in the southern States felt the same about Brown v Board of Education which led to the Little Rock crisis. The ICE officers are seeking to enforce the law as determined by the SC.2 -
Because it's 25 years until 2050 and even after that the UK expects to use gas to support the grid when required, even if we achieve Net Zero. Hopefully he'll announce a big expansion in gas storage too, to even out the price of gas in the winter.SandyRentool said:Ed Miliband: "...we have this massive challenge to get off fossil fuels."
So why is Ed funding new build CCGT power plants and blue hydrogen plants that will consume natural gas for decades to come?0 -
Great seeing so many young Irish on the Cote d'azur working and speaking fluent French. I can't imagine it'll take long before those in the North want some of it if they don't already have it with dual nationality0
-
Yes. At some point. Thing is, the status quo bias is pretty strong, and people are sort of happy with the current situation, rather than full blown integration.
The economics look dreadful, and as it stands it is not a bad compromise. The nationalists retain their cause without actually having to implement it, plus they can point to successive actions by HMG which provide them concessions so for all the world the North looks and feels to be an ever more closely integrated unit with the South, while the Unionists can take comfort in the fact that it hasn't happened yet.1 -
That is to return to the 19th Century when Ireland did used to be part of the United Kingdom. It did not end well but lasted more than a hundred years.algarkirk said:What about a swap? NI to be the 51st state of the USA, then to become the 50th by California joining Canada in the UK of GB, C and C.
BTW, the best solution by far, though tragically impossible, is a United Kingdom of Ireland and Great Britain to be called the United Kingdom of the Irish and British Isles, with parliament alternating annually between London and Dublin. Dissolve the NI problem by enlarging, not splitting.0 -
Some background to partition and why reunification might not be *allowed* to happen. The DUC are merely Westminster's plaything.
https://www.encyclopedia-titanica.org/harland-and-wolff-and-the-partition-of-ulster.html0 -
They're already entitled to take Irish citizenship if they want it. So I'm not sure what your point is.Roger said:Great seeing so many young Irish on the Cote d'azur working and speaking fluent French. I can't imagine it'll take long before those in the North want some of it if they don't already have it.
1 -
Senior Cameroon Tories are not dismissing it out of hand and acknowledging that he would likely pull the party together, while being popular with large parts of the electorate. More in sorrow than anger but it is on the table for discussion, if not quite implementation. Yet.DecrepiterJohnL said:Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.
2 -
This is next. The twats who insist their tiny penis isn't safe from gubbermint violation without an AR15 are cheering on the gubbermint smashing its way all over states rights because they are smashing the Enemies of Murica - Liberals, Latinos and Uppity Women.Scott_xP said:
Cosplaying ICE agentsDura_Ace said:
It's always been an abiding principle of the 2nd Amendment fundamentalists that they need firearms to protect themselves against authoritarian overreach by the government. Well, where the fuck are they now?another_richard said:Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns
They are against the government until they are in favour of it. Look at the government men smashing their way into churches and courtrooms to abduct people without charge - aren't they beautiful? Well I assume they are beautiful under their black fatigues and masks - see how they cosplay real Patriot Muricans in this way?
Black Shirted shock troops is the hallmark of any fascist dictator. And we know that Trump loves the Good Ol Boys who stood up for him in the Capitol. Why not just merge the two and have Trump Guardians and their AR15s and their small penises stationed in every woke city to shoot anyone who looks funny?
It's the American way.1 -
I'd sue him for defamationLeon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?0 -
Creating “sanctuaries” was perhaps the single most stupid decision, taken by left wing Democrats.DavidL said:
His position, AIUI, is that California is deliberately impeding the work of ICE agents seeking to enforce Federal immigration laws there by creating "sanctuaries". The historical analogy most apposite was the use of Federal power to recover escaped slaves and the infamous Dred Scott decision which did much to trigger the Civil war, possibly the last time the US Supreme Court was so out of control.Nigelb said:
What's the legal basis for his action then, David ?DavidL said:
I am not for one moment suggesting what Trump is doing is right or moral. I was merely pointing out that the argument for State rights was determined somewhat bloodily in 1865 and that there is nothing new in a President using Federal power to uphold the law in a State as they see it.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.
In the present another frankly mad SC decision on May 30th let Trump's administration revoke the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants living in the United States. The court put on hold U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani's order halting the administration's move to end the immigration "parole" granted to 532,000 of these migrants by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, potentially exposing many of them to rapid removal, while a legal challenge plays out in lower courts.
It was an appalling decision allowing people to be extradited before their rights are determined by the courts but many in the southern States felt the same about Brown v Board of Education which led to the Little Rock crisis. The ICE officers are seeking to enforce the law as determined by the SC.1 -
Any vote for reunification will pass by a wider margin in the Republic than in the North.DavidL said:I think the bigger problem may be persuading those south of the border that they want it.
But we're a long way from any vote. And TSE's chart shows that the trend can change direction.3 -
Only a matter of time...RochdalePioneers said:Why not just merge the two and have Trump Guardians and their AR15s and their small penises stationed in every woke city to shoot anyone who looks funny?
It's the American way.0 -
OT. I owe you a thank you After you wrote about a classic motorbike you'd bought I took my old DAX which I havent driven for twenty five years to a garage and discobered it was worth four times what it cost so I sold it.Dura_Ace said:
It's always been an abiding principle of the 2nd Amendment fundamentalists that they need firearms to protect themselves against authoritarian overreach by the government. Well, where the fuck are they now?another_richard said:Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns5 -
Boris Johnson returning to lead the Tories would be a glorious victory for anyone wanting to see the formerly Conservative and formerly Unionist Party finally reduced to rump status.TOPPING said:
Senior Cameroon Tories are not dismissing it out of hand and acknowledging that he would likely pull the party together, while being popular with large parts of the electorate. More in sorrow than anger but it is on the table for discussion, if not quite implementation. Yet.DecrepiterJohnL said:Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.
Tony Blair - a political titan of his age. Completely reshaped his party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after he stepped down.
Margaret Thatcher - a political titan of several ages. Completely reshaped her party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after she stepped down.
Boris Johnson - the self-titled World King. Bolloxed up Brexit by accidentally winning it (crumbs!), reduced his party to a minority by sacking his own MPs as not being Conservative enough (including Ken Clarke and Churchill's grandson - cripes!). Won an election with a chunky majority and then proceeded to not actually have a plan for what to do in government. Hounded out of office for one scandal too far.
If they bring him back then they truly are finished. Do it. DO IT!1 -
Why? I DID vote for Brexit. And like most of the people who complain about Brexit after the event, I didn't vote for the mess that was created *after* Brexit. I remain fine with not being in the EU. Not being in the EEA / CU? Madness with no mandate other than the 2019 election which is already a long way into the politically distant past.Roger said:
I'd sue him for defamationLeon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?0 -
You are misrepresenting the purpose of these projects. They are part of the chosen pathway to reach new zero and, in the case of the CCGTs with CCS, the 95% grid decarbonisation target by 2030.Eabhal said:
Because it's 25 years until 2050 and even after that the UK expects to use gas to support the grid when required, even if we achieve Net Zero. Hopefully he'll announce a big expansion in gas storage too, to even out the price of gas in the winter.SandyRentool said:Ed Miliband: "...we have this massive challenge to get off fossil fuels."
So why is Ed funding new build CCGT power plants and blue hydrogen plants that will consume natural gas for decades to come?
Other pathways are possible that do not lock in future demand for natural gas (from Qatar!), but have been rejected.0 -
It's called a Dax because it apparently resembles a dachshund to the eye of a Japanese marketing professional. I crashed my brains out on one when I was 11.Roger said:
OT. I owe you a thank you After you wrote about a classic motorbike you'd bought I took my old DAX which I havent driven for twenty five years to a garage and discobered it was worth four times what it cost so I sold it.Dura_Ace said:
It's always been an abiding principle of the 2nd Amendment fundamentalists that they need firearms to protect themselves against authoritarian overreach by the government. Well, where the fuck are they now?another_richard said:Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns0 -
What I’ve realised is that many Conservative MP’s and apparatchiks don’t think more than 6-12 months ahead, and will clutch at any short term solution.RochdalePioneers said:
Boris Johnson returning to lead the Tories would be a glorious victory for anyone wanting to see the formerly Conservative and formerly Unionist Party finally reduced to rump status.TOPPING said:
Senior Cameroon Tories are not dismissing it out of hand and acknowledging that he would likely pull the party together, while being popular with large parts of the electorate. More in sorrow than anger but it is on the table for discussion, if not quite implementation. Yet.DecrepiterJohnL said:Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.
Tony Blair - a political titan of his age. Completely reshaped his party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after he stepped down.
Margaret Thatcher - a political titan of several ages. Completely reshaped her party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after she stepped down.
Boris Johnson - the self-titled World King. Bolloxed up Brexit by accidentally winning it (crumbs!), reduced his party to a minority by sacking his own MPs as not being Conservative enough (including Ken Clarke and Churchill's grandson - cripes!). Won an election with a chunky majority and then proceeded to not actually have a plan for what to do in government. Hounded out of office for one scandal too far.
If they bring him back then they truly are finished. Do it. DO IT!
This party has to be put out of its misery.2 -
He needs to make some BIG promises to overcome the Faragedozer.TOPPING said:
Senior Cameroon Tories are not dismissing it out of hand and acknowledging that he would likely pull the party together, while being popular with large parts of the electorate. More in sorrow than anger but it is on the table for discussion, if not quite implementation. Yet.DecrepiterJohnL said:Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.
Farage getting quite an outing here in Wales for reopening all the Welsh superpits and both Port Talbot blast furnaces yesterday.
It was a busy day and the Welsh broadcast media are grateful for his service.
Beat that Boris!0 -
The planned lifespan of a CCGT is 25 to 30 years, and many were built in the 1990s. They can be kept running if older, but that gets increasingly expensive. The owners of a CCGT near me are in that position, and have asked the government for permission to build a new plant at the site. Up to now, the answer has been no.Eabhal said:
Because it's 25 years until 2050 and even after that the UK expects to use gas to support the grid when required, even if we achieve Net Zero. Hopefully he'll announce a big expansion in gas storage too, to even out the price of gas in the winter.SandyRentool said:Ed Miliband: "...we have this massive challenge to get off fossil fuels."
So why is Ed funding new build CCGT power plants and blue hydrogen plants that will consume natural gas for decades to come?
Until we get many more renewables, and orders of magnitude more storage, I cannot see an option other than building new CCGT (often replacing existing ones).
And in related news:
"Sizewell C nuclear plant gets go-ahead with £14.2bn of government funding"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3v50qy35pwt2 -
Not being in the EEA / CU was also a 2024 manifesto commitment from Labour.RochdalePioneers said:
Why? I DID vote for Brexit. And like most of the people who complain about Brexit after the event, I didn't vote for the mess that was created *after* Brexit. I remain fine with not being in the EU. Not being in the EEA / CU? Madness with no mandate other than the 2019 election which is already a long way into the politically distant past.Roger said:
I'd sue him for defamationLeon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?2 -
Works for Trump though.Morris_Dancer said:Good morning, everyone.
Some say if you listen to the Undercutters podcast you'll have a wonderful day and be 17% more attractive for the entire week*.
*This is in no way legally binding.
"I will cut your grocery bills, reduce inflation, end the Ukraine war - all in my first 24 hours. If you believe enough to vote for me..."0 -
It's "Don't tread on me", not "us".Dura_Ace said:
It's always been an abiding principle of the 2nd Amendment fundamentalists that they need firearms to protect themselves against authoritarian overreach by the government. Well, where the fuck are they now?another_richard said:Contrasting visions of the two political wings in the USA:
Left - Trans, abortion, illegal immigrants
Right - Jesus, babies, guns0 -
Indeed. Part of the reason why I now describe the parties as LabCon. Practically indistinguishable from each otherwilliamglenn said:
Not being in the EEA / CU was also a 2024 manifesto commitment from Labour.RochdalePioneers said:
Why? I DID vote for Brexit. And like most of the people who complain about Brexit after the event, I didn't vote for the mess that was created *after* Brexit. I remain fine with not being in the EU. Not being in the EEA / CU? Madness with no mandate other than the 2019 election which is already a long way into the politically distant past.Roger said:
I'd sue him for defamationLeon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?0 -
Ha, well, if you listen to the podcast I guess it works for me too.MarqueeMark said:
Works for Trump though.Morris_Dancer said:Good morning, everyone.
Some say if you listen to the Undercutters podcast you'll have a wonderful day and be 17% more attractive for the entire week*.
*This is in no way legally binding.
"I will cut your grocery bills, reduce inflation, end the Ukraine war - all in my first 24 hours. If you believe enough to vote for me..."0 -
Just with reference to the last thread, I’d note that California technically belongs to the Crown (same relationship as the Channel Islands I believe - not part of the UK).
So perhaps they should go for UDI and have the King as their head of state.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drake's_Plate_of_Brass1 -
Considering the PB glitterati are so critical of Labour's performance in Government this is surely just another abject failure for you to add to the list. On this issue, I wouldn't disagree.williamglenn said:
Not being in the EEA / CU was also a 2024 manifesto commitment from Labour.RochdalePioneers said:
Why? I DID vote for Brexit. And like most of the people who complain about Brexit after the event, I didn't vote for the mess that was created *after* Brexit. I remain fine with not being in the EU. Not being in the EEA / CU? Madness with no mandate other than the 2019 election which is already a long way into the politically distant past.Roger said:
I'd sue him for defamationLeon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?1 -
You voted for Labour.Leon said:
You voted for BrexitRochdalePioneers said:
Morning love! You used the word “stupider” against other people. The infra-Irish border was cited as an obvious place that the WE ARE ENGLAND DO WHAT WE SAY plan for Brexit fell apart.Fishing said:Great. The sooner they are gone the better. 3p off income tax if we don't have to prop it up for starters. Also we can revisit the stupider provisions of the Windsor framework that exist mainly because of Ulster.
One of the biggest opportunities we missed when we left the EU was getting rid of the economic and diplomatic blight that is Northern Ireland.
Of course the current government would doubtless insist on paying trillions to the Republic to take it, but hopefully we'd have a more competent one in power by then.
Stupid are the people who insisted it wasn’t a problem, not our responsibility, just ignore it, belittle it - or as we saw with that wazzock Boris Johnson not understand it and lie about it.
Who is worse? The idiot savant who lies his way out of trouble? Or the idiots who think he is a genius?1 -
The CCGT's with CCS will achieve nothing but pump billions into the pockets of the people proposing the systems...SandyRentool said:
You are misrepresenting the purpose of these projects. They are part of the chosen pathway to reach new zero and, in the case of the CCGTs with CCS, the 95% grid decarbonisation target by 2030.Eabhal said:
Because it's 25 years until 2050 and even after that the UK expects to use gas to support the grid when required, even if we achieve Net Zero. Hopefully he'll announce a big expansion in gas storage too, to even out the price of gas in the winter.SandyRentool said:Ed Miliband: "...we have this massive challenge to get off fossil fuels."
So why is Ed funding new build CCGT power plants and blue hydrogen plants that will consume natural gas for decades to come?
Other pathways are possible that do not lock in future demand for natural gas (from Qatar!), but have been rejected.0 -
Nearly. Had a plan about levelling up, you name it, then COVID. So everything changed. We can speculate about what he would have been like under BAU conditions, but he was manifestly unfit to be a crisis leader. But crisis and fiscal near-extinction event there most certainly was. Under Lab and the LDs I think we would still be locked down. Just in case and to save the NHS.RochdalePioneers said:
Boris Johnson returning to lead the Tories would be a glorious victory for anyone wanting to see the formerly Conservative and formerly Unionist Party finally reduced to rump status.TOPPING said:
Senior Cameroon Tories are not dismissing it out of hand and acknowledging that he would likely pull the party together, while being popular with large parts of the electorate. More in sorrow than anger but it is on the table for discussion, if not quite implementation. Yet.DecrepiterJohnL said:Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.
Tony Blair - a political titan of his age. Completely reshaped his party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after he stepped down.
Margaret Thatcher - a political titan of several ages. Completely reshaped her party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after she stepped down.
Boris Johnson - the self-titled World King. Bolloxed up Brexit by accidentally winning it (crumbs!), reduced his party to a minority by sacking his own MPs as not being Conservative enough (including Ken Clarke and Churchill's grandson - cripes!). Won an election with a chunky majority and then proceeded to not actually have a plan for what to do in government. Hounded out of office for one scandal too far.
If they bring him back then they truly are finished. Do it. DO IT!2 -
"Won an election with a chunky majority and then proceeded to not actually have a plan for what to do in government."RochdalePioneers said:
Boris Johnson returning to lead the Tories would be a glorious victory for anyone wanting to see the formerly Conservative and formerly Unionist Party finally reduced to rump status.TOPPING said:
Senior Cameroon Tories are not dismissing it out of hand and acknowledging that he would likely pull the party together, while being popular with large parts of the electorate. More in sorrow than anger but it is on the table for discussion, if not quite implementation. Yet.DecrepiterJohnL said:Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.
Tony Blair - a political titan of his age. Completely reshaped his party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after he stepped down.
Margaret Thatcher - a political titan of several ages. Completely reshaped her party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after she stepped down.
Boris Johnson - the self-titled World King. Bolloxed up Brexit by accidentally winning it (crumbs!), reduced his party to a minority by sacking his own MPs as not being Conservative enough (including Ken Clarke and Churchill's grandson - cripes!). Won an election with a chunky majority and then proceeded to not actually have a plan for what to do in government. Hounded out of office for one scandal too far.
If they bring him back then they truly are finished. Do it. DO IT!
Defending Boris slightly, I think that's unfair. He won the GE in December 2019, and had only three months before the Covid nightmare derailed his government - as it derailed every government. He definitely had a plan; we will never know whether that plan would have worked, as he had virtually no time to deliver it.1 -
The authorities eg Prevent intervened quickly. The genesis was in a broken marriage, then her mother getting into a "prison penfriend" scheme with a neo-Nazi in a US prison, and him or an associate eventually ended up coming to the UK and groomed her daughter. There are a couple of neo-Nazis involved, and other aspects. Social media involved. One of the blokes from the USA has taken up with one of mum's friends who was contributing to the care for the daughter, and is now abroad with him - defending him to the Telegraph.JosiasJessop said:
From that synopsis, I'm not sure I agree with the idea that the authorities 'failed' her: in reality there was probably little they could do to someone who was evidently rather broken quite early in life. I'm guessing the family and upbringing are much more responsible? (*)DecrepiterJohnL said:The tragic tale of Rhianan Rudd, the UK’s youngest female terror suspect
A British schoolgirl was groomed and radicalised by an American white supremacist – and failed by those who were supposed to protect her
In the autumn of 2020, Rhianan Rudd gouged a swastika into her forehead in a declaration of her love for Adolf Hitler.
She had just turned 15. A little more than a year later, she killed herself in a children’s home in Nottinghamshire while in the care of her local authority.
... Hers was a disturbing and disturbed life; a life which presents a chilling insight into the ease with which a teenager can be sucked into the hate-filled world of white supremacists.
By the time of her death at the age of 16, Rhianan was an adherent of two far-Right terror groups: the Atomwaffen Division and the Order of Nine Angles, a bizarre neo-Nazi satanist cult. The youngest girl in the UK ever to be charged with terrorist offences, she had planned to build a bomb and blow up a synagogue.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/04/25/rhianan-rudd-british-female-terror-suspect/ (£££)
See also the grooming of Shemima Begum, a less sympathetic figure, and also the Prevent guidelines on the far right that some have been railing against in the last day or two.
I can't read the article: what would the article's writers have done differently?
(*) This might well be wrong...
(AFAICS it was in Bolsover and Chesterfield - so Derby CC as service provider, and only the referral children's home was Notts - so strange geography from the Telegraph.)
So mum was naive, it's about unwise contact with prisoners, consequences / bounce back from broken relationships, social media, complexity of cases, and perhaps availability of resources for services to catch things early.
It's a bizarre story.
1 -
I think it's perfectly sensible, though I'm interested in what kind of contract the government will go for. Our gas generation had collapsed (currently at 2GW lol), so these new stations are only viable if they are able to charge very high prices to cover what small amounts of energy they do provide.JosiasJessop said:
The planned lifespan of a CCGT is 25 to 30 years, and many were built in the 1990s. They can be kept running if older, but that gets increasingly expensive. The owners of a CCGT near me are in that position, and have asked the government for permission to build a new plant at the site. Up to now, the answer has been no.Eabhal said:
Because it's 25 years until 2050 and even after that the UK expects to use gas to support the grid when required, even if we achieve Net Zero. Hopefully he'll announce a big expansion in gas storage too, to even out the price of gas in the winter.SandyRentool said:Ed Miliband: "...we have this massive challenge to get off fossil fuels."
So why is Ed funding new build CCGT power plants and blue hydrogen plants that will consume natural gas for decades to come?
Until we get many more renewables, and orders of magnitude more storage, I cannot see an option other than building new CCGT (often replacing existing ones).
And in related news:
"Sizewell C nuclear plant gets go-ahead with £14.2bn of government funding"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c3v50qy35pwt
How do we take into account new interconnectors? We're currently importing more from France than we are generating from gas.0 -
Indeed. It is the history which makes it impossible, SFAICS. That was mostly an English imperial project, going back centuries. My suggestion is different, with Ireland and Britain being equals in the same way as the two islands of New Zealand. Looking at a map of the islands of the North Atlantic make it obvious geographically.DecrepiterJohnL said:
That is to return to the 19th Century when Ireland did used to be part of the United Kingdom. It did not end well but lasted more than a hundred years.algarkirk said:What about a swap? NI to be the 51st state of the USA, then to become the 50th by California joining Canada in the UK of GB, C and C.
BTW, the best solution by far, though tragically impossible, is a United Kingdom of Ireland and Great Britain to be called the United Kingdom of the Irish and British Isles, with parliament alternating annually between London and Dublin. Dissolve the NI problem by enlarging, not splitting.2 -
That’s a highly competitive field, I’d need to think about that one. Allowing Biden to remain President when clearly gaga is a contender with long term implications as Trump goes increasingly nuts. But yeah, when your principal critique is that Trump has a long record of breaking the law, joining in was not smart.Sean_F said:
Creating “sanctuaries” was perhaps the single most stupid decision, taken by left wing Democrats.DavidL said:
His position, AIUI, is that California is deliberately impeding the work of ICE agents seeking to enforce Federal immigration laws there by creating "sanctuaries". The historical analogy most apposite was the use of Federal power to recover escaped slaves and the infamous Dred Scott decision which did much to trigger the Civil war, possibly the last time the US Supreme Court was so out of control.Nigelb said:
What's the legal basis for his action then, David ?DavidL said:
I am not for one moment suggesting what Trump is doing is right or moral. I was merely pointing out that the argument for State rights was determined somewhat bloodily in 1865 and that there is nothing new in a President using Federal power to uphold the law in a State as they see it.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.
In the present another frankly mad SC decision on May 30th let Trump's administration revoke the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants living in the United States. The court put on hold U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani's order halting the administration's move to end the immigration "parole" granted to 532,000 of these migrants by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, potentially exposing many of them to rapid removal, while a legal challenge plays out in lower courts.
It was an appalling decision allowing people to be extradited before their rights are determined by the courts but many in the southern States felt the same about Brown v Board of Education which led to the Little Rock crisis. The ICE officers are seeking to enforce the law as determined by the SC.1 -
He's going to Make Wales Great Again, isn't he, the little tinker.Mexicanpete said:
He needs to make some BIG promises to overcome the Faragedozer.TOPPING said:
Senior Cameroon Tories are not dismissing it out of hand and acknowledging that he would likely pull the party together, while being popular with large parts of the electorate. More in sorrow than anger but it is on the table for discussion, if not quite implementation. Yet.DecrepiterJohnL said:Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.
Farage getting quite an outing here in Wales for reopening all the Welsh superpits and both Port Talbot blast furnaces yesterday.
It was a busy day and the Welsh broadcast media are grateful for his service.
Beat that Boris!1 -
Enforcing the law using the federal military goes the law, except for very limited exceptions.DavidL said:
His position, AIUI, is that California is deliberately impeding the work of ICE agents seeking to enforce Federal immigration laws there by creating "sanctuaries". The historical analogy most apposite was the use of Federal power to recover escaped slaves and the infamous Dred Scott decision which did much to trigger the Civil war, possibly the last time the US Supreme Court was so out of control.Nigelb said:
What's the legal basis for his action then, David ?DavidL said:
I am not for one moment suggesting what Trump is doing is right or moral. I was merely pointing out that the argument for State rights was determined somewhat bloodily in 1865 and that there is nothing new in a President using Federal power to uphold the law in a State as they see it.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.
In the present another frankly mad SC decision on May 30th let Trump's administration revoke the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants living in the United States. The court put on hold U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani's order halting the administration's move to end the immigration "parole" granted to 532,000 of these migrants by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, potentially exposing many of them to rapid removal, while a legal challenge plays out in lower courts.
It was an appalling decision allowing people to be extradited before their rights are determined by the courts but many in the southern States felt the same about Brown v Board of Education which led to the Little Rock crisis. The ICE officers are seeking to enforce the law as determined by the SC.
Little Rock was covered by one of those exceptions. The law said that the military could be used to enforce civil rights laws and Little Rock was covered by that.
If the Insurrection Act is invoked, then its covered too.
The problem is that Trump isn't following the law, unlike Eisenhower.1 -
Boris had no plan. Dominic Cummings had a plan but made the crucial error of ridiculing the Prime Minister's love bunny which meant he had to go, taking his plan with him in his cardboard box.JosiasJessop said:
"Won an election with a chunky majority and then proceeded to not actually have a plan for what to do in government."RochdalePioneers said:
Boris Johnson returning to lead the Tories would be a glorious victory for anyone wanting to see the formerly Conservative and formerly Unionist Party finally reduced to rump status.TOPPING said:
Senior Cameroon Tories are not dismissing it out of hand and acknowledging that he would likely pull the party together, while being popular with large parts of the electorate. More in sorrow than anger but it is on the table for discussion, if not quite implementation. Yet.DecrepiterJohnL said:Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.
Tony Blair - a political titan of his age. Completely reshaped his party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after he stepped down.
Margaret Thatcher - a political titan of several ages. Completely reshaped her party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after she stepped down.
Boris Johnson - the self-titled World King. Bolloxed up Brexit by accidentally winning it (crumbs!), reduced his party to a minority by sacking his own MPs as not being Conservative enough (including Ken Clarke and Churchill's grandson - cripes!). Won an election with a chunky majority and then proceeded to not actually have a plan for what to do in government. Hounded out of office for one scandal too far.
If they bring him back then they truly are finished. Do it. DO IT!
Defending Boris slightly, I think that's unfair. He won the GE in December 2019, and had only three months before the Covid nightmare derailed his government - as it derailed every government. He definitely had a plan; we will never know whether that plan would have worked, as he had virtually no time to deliver it.1 -
Oh my God, they are so stupid: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/08/chemtrails-us-states-legislation 8 US states outlaw chemtrails.0
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The way Trump is behaving here shows that fears about the sanctity of the midterms are far from paranoid.Scott_xP said:
Only a matter of time...RochdalePioneers said:Why not just merge the two and have Trump Guardians and their AR15s and their small penises stationed in every woke city to shoot anyone who looks funny?
It's the American way.0 -
Anyone, who as Foreign Secretary (at a time of strained relations with Russia after Salisbury) shakes off his minders to attend a party in an Italian mansion complete with alcoholic drinks and hostesses (both being interests of said Foreign Secretary) and hosted by a Senior KGB Officer, has no business ever touching the levers of power again.TOPPING said:
Nearly. Had a plan about levelling up, you name it, then COVID. So everything changed. We can speculate about what he would have been like under BAU conditions, but he was manifestly unfit to be a crisis leader. But crisis and fiscal near-extinction event there most certainly was. Under Lab and the LDs I think we would still be locked down. Just in case and to save the NHS.RochdalePioneers said:
Boris Johnson returning to lead the Tories would be a glorious victory for anyone wanting to see the formerly Conservative and formerly Unionist Party finally reduced to rump status.TOPPING said:
Senior Cameroon Tories are not dismissing it out of hand and acknowledging that he would likely pull the party together, while being popular with large parts of the electorate. More in sorrow than anger but it is on the table for discussion, if not quite implementation. Yet.DecrepiterJohnL said:Boris Johnson's comeback? Why rumours of his return are growing | Political Currency Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPxGf6plvAo
Ten minutes of George Osborne and Ed Balls discussing the politics and logistics of Boris and Jenrick.
Tony Blair - a political titan of his age. Completely reshaped his party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after he stepped down.
Margaret Thatcher - a political titan of several ages. Completely reshaped her party and won three elections with two of them landslides. Not brought back as leader despite the decline after she stepped down.
Boris Johnson - the self-titled World King. Bolloxed up Brexit by accidentally winning it (crumbs!), reduced his party to a minority by sacking his own MPs as not being Conservative enough (including Ken Clarke and Churchill's grandson - cripes!). Won an election with a chunky majority and then proceeded to not actually have a plan for what to do in government. Hounded out of office for one scandal too far.
If they bring him back then they truly are finished. Do it. DO IT!
1 -
Nice example from the BBC about how for decades there has been worry about the human population. The worry has always been about either too many, or too few, and has gone from one to the other with amazing speed.
This is how news works, but it is impossible to believe there isn't also a middle ground of 'this is OK' which is completely unmentioned.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clynq459wxgo0 -
SCOTUS will rule that he is.BartholomewRoberts said:
Enforcing the law using the federal military goes the law, except for very limited exceptions.DavidL said:
His position, AIUI, is that California is deliberately impeding the work of ICE agents seeking to enforce Federal immigration laws there by creating "sanctuaries". The historical analogy most apposite was the use of Federal power to recover escaped slaves and the infamous Dred Scott decision which did much to trigger the Civil war, possibly the last time the US Supreme Court was so out of control.Nigelb said:
What's the legal basis for his action then, David ?DavidL said:
I am not for one moment suggesting what Trump is doing is right or moral. I was merely pointing out that the argument for State rights was determined somewhat bloodily in 1865 and that there is nothing new in a President using Federal power to uphold the law in a State as they see it.RochdalePioneers said:Can we go back to the Trump vs States Rights issue for a minute. Several people on the last thread arguing Trump is ok to do this because Eisenhower and Johnson did it.
There is a significant difference.
Those two presidents sent in troops over the heads of the state to protect people against the illegal racism in those states. To protect people against racist law enforcement beating them and worse.
In California Trump is sending in the racists to abduct and terrorise and beat them up and worse. He’s trying to claim that his ICE thugs are the law - but the courts keep ruling they are not.
If people want to support black-shirted SA cosplay thugs riding into town abducting people at random off the streets and now commuting violence against people’s first amendment rights then man up and say so openly.
In the present another frankly mad SC decision on May 30th let Trump's administration revoke the temporary legal status of hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan migrants living in the United States. The court put on hold U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani's order halting the administration's move to end the immigration "parole" granted to 532,000 of these migrants by Trump's predecessor Joe Biden, potentially exposing many of them to rapid removal, while a legal challenge plays out in lower courts.
It was an appalling decision allowing people to be extradited before their rights are determined by the courts but many in the southern States felt the same about Brown v Board of Education which led to the Little Rock crisis. The ICE officers are seeking to enforce the law as determined by the SC.
Little Rock was covered by one of those exceptions. The law said that the military could be used to enforce civil rights laws and Little Rock was covered by that.
If the Insurrection Act is invoked, then its covered too.
The problem is that Trump isn't following the law, unlike Eisenhower.
“That which is pleasing to the Prince has the force of law.”0 -
Morning PB.
Bozo coming back.
Yes, that would be fitting for morally confused, compromised times.
It would send a clearer message to the world that Britain is still in a mess.3
