You know how the Danes have been wanking on and on about democracy and sovereignty and freedom to choose and “greenland has rights” and “how dare Trump ignore the people” and so on and on and on and on
Turns out that the Faroes had an official referendum after world war 2. They narrowly voted for complete independence from Denmark. At first Denmark seemed to accept this then Denmark decided this was an insult the denmarks pride and they literally overruled the vote. They did a Lib Dem revoke on it. Who cares what the people think. Let’s act like Trump. They annulled the referendum and dissolved the Faroes parliament
What utter steaming hypocrites
Here's another fun fact - we've changed a bit since the 1940s, too.
So no.
And in the 1940s we were busy preventing a lot of places from being independent!
What utterly steaming hypocrites we were. Particularly having given them British values* for centuries in the Caribbean and the like.
*presumably British values like forced labour, loss of lands, rape, racial inequality and the like.
Dunno about you but I’m in sizzling downtown Thorshavn, the mega trendy capital of the Faroes, and I’m up for ACTION. And maybe Greenlandic snow crab
How did you get the idea of visiting the Faroes?
In an act of stunning journalistic genius, I read an email from a travel company which said “Leon, we’d love to send you to the Faroes if you can get a commission”. So I asked my editor and he said Sure sounds fun
And here I am
Tbh I have always wanted to visit, but in this case I didn’t have to sweat for it. Landed in my lap
I think I mentioned I was there a few weeks ago
Are you going to do the "sense of adventure" meal?
What's that - raw puffin eggs on the sea cliff ?
I had the wind dried fermented lamb. It's a bit like Fatty Biltong....
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
No doubt on the doorstep many pensioners have told Labour politicians, including the chancellor, that they simply can’t do without the £200 winter fuel allowance; it’s a choice between heating and eating, according to them. Yet for many pensioners this is simply not true. If we take the bottom 20 per cent of pensioner households we find they spend 17 per cent of their income on recreation, hotels, restaurants, alcohol and tobacco, or, around £2,000 a year. To balance the books, these pensioners could have cut their leisure expenditure by 10 per cent
In reality it was a choice for some between heating and eating out less.
Paying more WFA means more trade for pub chains which do carveries and garden centres which do cooked breakfasts.
It’s a curious cut off point. I was always focused on those who had little private pension (up to say £21-23,000).
£35,000 with no accommodation costs because your mortgage was paid off decades ago gives you a lot of discretionary spending that yep is going to be spent in pubs, cafes and garden centres
Or Gas and Leccy, Water charges, food shopping, Council Tax, TV Licence, home insurance, car insurance, car tax...
Gas leccy £3000 max Water £1000 Food £4000 Council tax £3000
Still leaves £9000 or so of discretionary spending.
Don't forget your bus (and underground / Lizzie line) pass goes a long way to keeping things going.
Add on a partner with the same pension and life would be very pleasant.
See no housing costs what so ever, no wonder you dont understand others points
Note no car, no insurance, a damn sight less council tax due to living in a cheap house, no food, no tv licence though I do have a streaming sub for 9£ a month which is still less than a tv licence
He's said, repeatedly, and originally "with no accommodation costs".
The point is this is welfare you and I and everyone else is being taxed to provide to give to people who overwhelming live with no accommodation costs.
I was more responding to his assertion that we shouldn't begrudge people spending 40 a week on entertainment when a lot of people working their asses off cant
No doubt on the doorstep many pensioners have told Labour politicians, including the chancellor, that they simply can’t do without the £200 winter fuel allowance; it’s a choice between heating and eating, according to them. Yet for many pensioners this is simply not true. If we take the bottom 20 per cent of pensioner households we find they spend 17 per cent of their income on recreation, hotels, restaurants, alcohol and tobacco, or, around £2,000 a year. To balance the books, these pensioners could have cut their leisure expenditure by 10 per cent
In reality it was a choice for some between heating and eating out less.
Paying more WFA means more trade for pub chains which do carveries and garden centres which do cooked breakfasts.
It’s a curious cut off point. I was always focused on those who had little private pension (up to say £21-23,000).
£35,000 with no accommodation costs because your mortgage was paid off decades ago gives you a lot of discretionary spending that yep is going to be spent in pubs, cafes and garden centres
Or Gas and Leccy, Water charges, food shopping, Council Tax, TV Licence, home insurance, car insurance, car tax...
Gas leccy £3000 max Water £1000 Food £4000 Council tax £3000
Still leaves £9000 or so of discretionary spending.
Don't forget your bus (and underground / Lizzie line) pass goes a long way to keeping things going.
Add on a partner with the same pension and life would be very pleasant.
See no housing costs what so ever, no wonder you dont understand others points
Note no car, no insurance, a damn sight less council tax due to living in a cheap house, no food, no tv licence though I do have a streaming sub for 9£ a month which is still less than a tv licence
He's said, repeatedly, and originally "with no accommodation costs".
The point is this is welfare you and I and everyone else is being taxed to provide to give to people who overwhelming live with no accommodation costs.
So looking at your list as a pensioner having bought a house back in the 70/80s when they were cheap
200ct + 20phone +40net + 160 gas/electric no train + water 60 = £480 + £400 for food = £880 a month. Add a car for which insurance is going to be low you are looking at £120 max extra a month.
So that is covered by your state pension - the rest is pocket money.
And that is probably right as the m-i-l isn't rich but also isn't poor and can afford a holiday / 2 a year and trips out when she wants.
My parents meanwhile have 6 cruises booked this year...
As I emphasised previously there are 3 types of pensioners
Those who are single and own their home - who are OK those where both people worked and are now living a live they couldn't afford previously and those who are in rented accommodation and struggling beyond measure
I know all 3 types and 2 of them are my immediate family - luckly not the last type but I know a lot of them through Church..
No doubt on the doorstep many pensioners have told Labour politicians, including the chancellor, that they simply can’t do without the £200 winter fuel allowance; it’s a choice between heating and eating, according to them. Yet for many pensioners this is simply not true. If we take the bottom 20 per cent of pensioner households we find they spend 17 per cent of their income on recreation, hotels, restaurants, alcohol and tobacco, or, around £2,000 a year. To balance the books, these pensioners could have cut their leisure expenditure by 10 per cent
In reality it was a choice for some between heating and eating out less.
Paying more WFA means more trade for pub chains which do carveries and garden centres which do cooked breakfasts.
It’s a curious cut off point. I was always focused on those who had little private pension (up to say £21-23,000).
£35,000 with no accommodation costs because your mortgage was paid off decades ago gives you a lot of discretionary spending that yep is going to be spent in pubs, cafes and garden centres
Or Gas and Leccy, Water charges, food shopping, Council Tax, TV Licence, home insurance, car insurance, car tax...
Gas leccy £3000 max Water £1000 Food £4000 Council tax £3000
Still leaves £9000 or so of discretionary spending.
Don't forget your bus (and underground / Lizzie line) pass goes a long way to keeping things going.
Add on a partner with the same pension and life would be very pleasant.
See no housing costs what so ever, no wonder you dont understand others points
Note no car, no insurance, a damn sight less council tax due to living in a cheap house, no food, no tv licence though I do have a streaming sub for 9£ a month which is still less than a tv licence
He's said, repeatedly, and originally "with no accommodation costs".
The point is this is welfare you and I and everyone else is being taxed to provide to give to people who overwhelming live with no accommodation costs.
I was more responding to his assertion that we shouldn't begrudge people spending 40 a week on entertainment when a lot of people working their asses off cant
That was a different person.
People should be free to spend their money how they choose. I don't expect everyone to make the same choices.
I am sure P2 will enjoy the life of Riley on his State Pension.
No doubt on the doorstep many pensioners have told Labour politicians, including the chancellor, that they simply can’t do without the £200 winter fuel allowance; it’s a choice between heating and eating, according to them. Yet for many pensioners this is simply not true. If we take the bottom 20 per cent of pensioner households we find they spend 17 per cent of their income on recreation, hotels, restaurants, alcohol and tobacco, or, around £2,000 a year. To balance the books, these pensioners could have cut their leisure expenditure by 10 per cent
It seems to me that spending £40 per week on modest pleasures and entertainments is entirely reasonable. Or should pensioners be expected to just huddle around the fire sipping bread and water on their own? Not even an occasional pint or fish and chips?
The point is the rest of us shouldn’t be chipping in a fiver of it
No doubt on the doorstep many pensioners have told Labour politicians, including the chancellor, that they simply can’t do without the £200 winter fuel allowance; it’s a choice between heating and eating, according to them. Yet for many pensioners this is simply not true. If we take the bottom 20 per cent of pensioner households we find they spend 17 per cent of their income on recreation, hotels, restaurants, alcohol and tobacco, or, around £2,000 a year. To balance the books, these pensioners could have cut their leisure expenditure by 10 per cent
In reality it was a choice for some between heating and eating out less.
Paying more WFA means more trade for pub chains which do carveries and garden centres which do cooked breakfasts.
It’s a curious cut off point. I was always focused on those who had little private pension (up to say £21-23,000).
£35,000 with no accommodation costs because your mortgage was paid off decades ago gives you a lot of discretionary spending that yep is going to be spent in pubs, cafes and garden centres
Or Gas and Leccy, Water charges, food shopping, Council Tax, TV Licence, home insurance, car insurance, car tax...
Gas leccy £3000 max Water £1000 Food £4000 Council tax £3000
Still leaves £9000 or so of discretionary spending.
Don't forget your bus (and underground / Lizzie line) pass goes a long way to keeping things going.
Add on a partner with the same pension and life would be very pleasant.
See no housing costs what so ever, no wonder you dont understand others points
Note no car, no insurance, a damn sight less council tax due to living in a cheap house, no food, no tv licence though I do have a streaming sub for 9£ a month which is still less than a tv licence
He's said, repeatedly, and originally "with no accommodation costs".
The point is this is welfare you and I and everyone else is being taxed to provide to give to people who overwhelming live with no accommodation costs.
I was more responding to his assertion that we shouldn't begrudge people spending 40 a week on entertainment when a lot of people working their asses off cant
That was a different person.
People should be free to spend their money how they choose. I don't expect everyone to make the same choices.
I am sure P2 will enjoy the life of Riley on his State Pension.
Absolutely people should feel free to spend their money how they choose.
No doubt on the doorstep many pensioners have told Labour politicians, including the chancellor, that they simply can’t do without the £200 winter fuel allowance; it’s a choice between heating and eating, according to them. Yet for many pensioners this is simply not true. If we take the bottom 20 per cent of pensioner households we find they spend 17 per cent of their income on recreation, hotels, restaurants, alcohol and tobacco, or, around £2,000 a year. To balance the books, these pensioners could have cut their leisure expenditure by 10 per cent
In reality it was a choice for some between heating and eating out less.
Paying more WFA means more trade for pub chains which do carveries and garden centres which do cooked breakfasts.
It’s a curious cut off point. I was always focused on those who had little private pension (up to say £21-23,000).
£35,000 with no accommodation costs because your mortgage was paid off decades ago gives you a lot of discretionary spending that yep is going to be spent in pubs, cafes and garden centres
Or Gas and Leccy, Water charges, food shopping, Council Tax, TV Licence, home insurance, car insurance, car tax...
Gas leccy £3000 max Water £1000 Food £4000 Council tax £3000
Still leaves £9000 or so of discretionary spending.
Don't forget your bus (and underground / Lizzie line) pass goes a long way to keeping things going.
Add on a partner with the same pension and life would be very pleasant.
See no housing costs what so ever, no wonder you dont understand others points
Note no car, no insurance, a damn sight less council tax due to living in a cheap house, no food, no tv licence though I do have a streaming sub for 9£ a month which is still less than a tv licence
He's said, repeatedly, and originally "with no accommodation costs".
The point is this is welfare you and I and everyone else is being taxed to provide to give to people who overwhelming live with no accommodation costs.
I was more responding to his assertion that we shouldn't begrudge people spending 40 a week on entertainment when a lot of people working their asses off cant
That was a different person.
People should be free to spend their money how they choose. I don't expect everyone to make the same choices.
I am sure P2 will enjoy the life of Riley on his State Pension.
Naturally will be living the life of riley as my state pension + my dc pension....they might even between them come close to covering my bills. Of course food is not needed nor even 40 a week for moderate entertainment
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
He thinks the wrong side won the Civil War, and World War II.
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
It's pretty much irrelevant anyway because Swinney wouldn't know what an independence strategy was if it hit him in the face. He's the political equivalent of a cricket nightwatchman, except there's no obvious big hitter waiting their turn.
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
Eventually you can't offer independence as the solution to all the problems because 90% of the problems have your name all over them.
And that's the position that the SNP finds themselves in - the money has run out and there is no possibility of taxing people any more.
Hence the members seeking independence while the end result of a return to obscurity for a few year minimum is unavoidable. Especially as Reform will be more tham fulfilling the none of the above criteria.
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
You appear to have missed my offer of a bet on your assertion that ‘No Way’ would the SNP be the largest party at Holyrood after the next election. Against such certainty I think I’d be entitled to ask for odds but I’m a generous soul so happy to take a straight evens bet. How say you?
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
The troops have got guns. What has the court got?
"The Pope? How many divisions has he got?" - Stalin.
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
Eventually you can't offer independence as the solution to all the problems because 90% of the problems have your name all over them.
And that's the position that the SNP finds themselves in - the money has run out and there is no possibility of taxing people any more.
Hence the members seeking independence while the end result of a return to obscurity for a few year minimum is unavoidable. Especially as Reform will be more tham fulfilling the none of the above criteria.
Reform taking over the devolved administrations but not Westminster would be very amusing.
A group of SNP rebels held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss replacing the FM after last week’s by-election defeat, The Herald has learned. They’ve given him 2 weeks to change course — or face a “bloodbath” at conference.
Remember, this by-election 'win' was very bad news for Labour...
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
Eventually you can't offer independence as the solution to all the problems because 90% of the problems have your name all over them.
And that's the position that the SNP finds themselves in - the money has run out and there is no possibility of taxing people any more.
Hence the members seeking independence while the end result of a return to obscurity for a few year minimum is unavoidable. Especially as Reform will be more tham fulfilling the none of the above criteria.
Reform taking over the devolved administrations but not Westminster would be very amusing.
I think Reform have Wales, Scotland is going to be interesting as I expect the result to be one where no-one can govern with Reform / SNP / Labour on 26-30% of the seats and Tory / Lib Dems with 8-12% each.
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
The troops have got guns. What has the court got?
Realistically, also guns...
Realistically, what guns?
John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.
Given SCOTUS has already passed its own Enabling Judgment, anyone expecting SCOTUS to save America is so far in De Nile they may as well be in the Pharoah Islands.
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
The troops have got guns. What has the court got?
Realistically, also guns...
Realistically, what guns?
John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.
OTT but I was wrong yesterday regarding the Social Care Tax so I apologise to you @BartholomewRoberts ..
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
It's pretty much irrelevant anyway because Swinney wouldn't know what an independence strategy was if it hit him in the face. He's the political equivalent of a cricket nightwatchman, except there's no obvious big hitter waiting their turn.
Wait a minute, I’m sure I read on PB that Kate Forbes was just the gal to get the voters flocking back.
"Regarding Saturday’s parade, Mr. Trump made no distinction between the right to peacefully assemble that is guaranteed by the First Amendment and engaging in violence and vandalism."
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
The troops have got guns. What has the court got?
Realistically, also guns...
Realistically, what guns?
John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.
OTT but I was wrong yesterday regarding the Social Care Tax so I apologise to you @BartholomewRoberts ..
Thank you.
I was wrong about the dates on the NI changes the other day so let's call it a 1-1 draw. We both did better than Tuchel.
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
The troops have got guns. What has the court got?
Realistically, also guns...
Realistically, what guns?
John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.
OTT but I was wrong yesterday regarding the Social Care Tax so I apologise to you @BartholomewRoberts ..
Edit to add - WTF point was there creating a new tax with the exact same collection criteria as national insurance beyond making things awkward for payroll providers.
Never explain, never apologise. Twitter people do not forget not forgive.
I think she cares more about what sponsors think than Twitter people though.
She's just a decent human being. Unlike those giving her crap.
I have no time at all for people who think trans athletes, well let’s be honest trans women, should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. Sorry, but I think the advantages of being born male and gone through puberty with all that that entails leads to bigger, stronger people. You can take all the hormones and hormone blockers you like in later life - it won’t shrink your arms, legs and feet.
Read Biles' tweets. All she's asking is that they be treated as human beings. Those giving her shit just want trans folk to disappear.
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
The troops have got guns. What has the court got?
Realistically, also guns...
Realistically, what guns?
John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.
OTT but I was wrong yesterday regarding the Social Care Tax so I apologise to you @BartholomewRoberts ..
Edit to add - WTF point was there creating a new tax with the exact same collection criteria as national insurance beyond making things awkward for payroll providers.
Political spin to pretend NI wasn't going up, plus a trivial pittance from pensioners who work enough to reach the threshold on earned income.
It was an awful policy and would have been ratcheted up further as it would have been the one tax with the most politically friendly name.
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
It's pretty much irrelevant anyway because Swinney wouldn't know what an independence strategy was if it hit him in the face. He's the political equivalent of a cricket nightwatchman, except there's no obvious big hitter waiting their turn.
Wait a minute, I’m sure I read on PB that Kate Forbes was just the gal to get the voters flocking back.
Of a fairly short list Forbes probably tops out as about the only real alternative to Swinney. Whether that changes the SNP trajectory or not is a different question, but seems quite reasonable that one should look at the headline Yes figures in the polls and then look at the SNP's polling and conclude that something's gone awry somewhere and Swinney isn't the person who's going to turn it all round.
If they want to bleed out slowly, probably still be largest party in Holyrood 2026 but nowhere near a majority which leaves them essentially at the mercy of the other parties anyway, then they should definitely keep doing what they're doing just now. But the suspicion is they'd actually be kind of happy with that.
"Regarding Saturday’s parade, Mr. Trump made no distinction between the right to peacefully assemble that is guaranteed by the First Amendment and engaging in violence and vandalism."
The Mad King is sooo far out of his lane I am starting to wonder if his future is trending Ceaușescu
Ceaușescu looking confused on the balcony just before Christmas 1990 is one of my key memorable political images. Suspect that Trump is too far gone to notice people booing him, let alone processing it.
Good thread on the situation in Georgia. Things have gone sideways since Leon's visit.
A country once seen as the democratic bright spot of the post-Soviet space is now undergoing the fastest authoritarian regression in modern European history. 🧵Here’s a thread to keep you updated on what’s happening - and why it matters... https://x.com/terjehelland/status/1932499708716445928
Never explain, never apologise. Twitter people do not forget not forgive.
I think she cares more about what sponsors think than Twitter people though.
She's just a decent human being. Unlike those giving her crap.
I have no time at all for people who think trans athletes, well let’s be honest trans women, should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. Sorry, but I think the advantages of being born male and gone through puberty with all that that entails leads to bigger, stronger people. You can take all the hormones and hormone blockers you like in later life - it won’t shrink your arms, legs and feet.
Read Biles' tweets. All she's asking is that they be treated as human beings. Those giving her shit just want trans folk to disappear.
You're entitled to choose your side.
I got an Uber the other day with a very obvious man dressed up as a woman. So masculine and large that it would be difficult to describe him as trans. Though I believe in live and let living I could understand how the experience might have been intimidating had I been a woman. It was slightly more odd as he/she only spoke French so it was difficult to judge how masculine the voice. Brave of Uber I suppose.
So the hotel I staying in isn't great (as @Stuartinromford knows) but the staff have just come along and asked if I want another beer and you can't ask for anything more than waiting for the glass to be empty before asking).
Plus it's a £5 a pint for something half decent (Camden Helles)..
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
Swinney also has a lot of ex Westminster MPs who are now candidates desperate to get back on the gravy train at Holyrood.
Laughable that the Government is trotting out a £14 billion cost for Sizewell C.
It will be three times that.
And >>10 years
Upside is Rolls Royce has got a mini nukes project - and I strongly suspect that will be the winning solution because continual production beats one off builds.
Asked about Club World Cup ticket sales and team base camp arrangements, Manolo Zubiria, the World Cup's chief tournament officer, hung up four minutes and five questions into a telephone interview with The Associated Press. Brendan O'Connell, the publicist who arranged the interview, wrote in an email to the AP: "The guest was not prepared for those questions.
Good thread on the situation in Georgia. Things have gone sideways since Leon's visit.
A country once seen as the democratic bright spot of the post-Soviet space is now undergoing the fastest authoritarian regression in modern European history. 🧵Here’s a thread to keep you updated on what’s happening - and why it matters... https://x.com/terjehelland/status/1932499708716445928
And Putin has occupied two regions of Georgia since 2008.
Never explain, never apologise. Twitter people do not forget not forgive.
I think she cares more about what sponsors think than Twitter people though.
She's just a decent human being. Unlike those giving her crap.
I have no time at all for people who think trans athletes, well let’s be honest trans women, should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. Sorry, but I think the advantages of being born male and gone through puberty with all that that entails leads to bigger, stronger people. You can take all the hormones and hormone blockers you like in later life - it won’t shrink your arms, legs and feet.
Read Biles' tweets. All she's asking is that they be treated as human beings. Those giving her shit just want trans folk to disappear.
You're entitled to choose your side.
I got an Uber the other day with a very obvious man dressed up as a woman. So masculine and large that it would be difficult to describe him as trans. Though I believe in live and let living I could understand how the experience might have been intimidating had I been a woman. It was slightly more odd as he/she only spoke French so it was difficult to judge how masculine the voice. Brave of Uber I suppose.
Never explain, never apologise. Twitter people do not forget not forgive.
I think she cares more about what sponsors think than Twitter people though.
She's just a decent human being. Unlike those giving her crap.
I have no time at all for people who think trans athletes, well let’s be honest trans women, should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. Sorry, but I think the advantages of being born male and gone through puberty with all that that entails leads to bigger, stronger people. You can take all the hormones and hormone blockers you like in later life - it won’t shrink your arms, legs and feet.
Read Biles' tweets. All she's asking is that they be treated as human beings. Those giving her shit just want trans folk to disappear.
You're entitled to choose your side.
She’s doing a bit more than that. She’s being rather nasty to someone suggesting trans women shouldn’t be in womens sport.
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
Herald - " Senior SNP figures held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss removing John Swinney as party leader, The Herald has learned, following last week’s defeat in the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse by-election.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
Piss funny. “We’d be doing a lot better if we had a new plan to offer on independence”
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
It's pretty much irrelevant anyway because Swinney wouldn't know what an independence strategy was if it hit him in the face. He's the political equivalent of a cricket nightwatchman, except there's no obvious big hitter waiting their turn.
Wait a minute, I’m sure I read on PB that Kate Forbes was just the gal to get the voters flocking back.
Of a fairly short list Forbes probably tops out as about the only real alternative to Swinney. Whether that changes the SNP trajectory or not is a different question, but seems quite reasonable that one should look at the headline Yes figures in the polls and then look at the SNP's polling and conclude that something's gone awry somewhere and Swinney isn't the person who's going to turn it all round.
If they want to bleed out slowly, probably still be largest party in Holyrood 2026 but nowhere near a majority which leaves them essentially at the mercy of the other parties anyway, then they should definitely keep doing what they're doing just now. But the suspicion is they'd actually be kind of happy with that.
As someone with zero knowledge of Scottish politics I'd be really interested to know why John Swinney is so disliked. On the very few times he ever troubles the news I'm England he always sounds reasonably competent and reassuring. Maybe I just think that because he looks like one of my lovely ex colleagues.
So I'm in Romford and ITV's local news is saying that TfL not getting funding tomorrow is a snub to London.
Well it may be but the rest of the country is owed the equivalent of the Lizzie line funding and given how stupid this (and previous) Governments have been it's an either / or* decision and Liverpool / Manchester** have won.
** because building Manchester Piccadilly's underground terminal & tunnel that is essential for the project and "accidently" makes HS2 way more viable sorts out a lot of problems.
* it shouldn't be an either or but we need a Government to create regional authorities and then give them actual responsibility, delegate responsibility and some tax raising authority .
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
Hard to buy a house as a single person these days, did own co own a house till 2003 with the gf but we split up and she got half. Couldn't afford to buy after that
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
I agree. I'm making lowish pension contributions until I own a flat - against conventional wisdom and the 25% top-up on SIPP contributions. Partly for the security of not being thrown out, of course. Can you imagine two months' notice at age 89?
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
You don't have to get an annuity. But... assuming you're over 55 pagan2, spunk the lot in lump sum and drawdown having fun then go on pension credit and housing benefit.. it makes sense
Never explain, never apologise. Twitter people do not forget not forgive.
I think she cares more about what sponsors think than Twitter people though.
She's just a decent human being. Unlike those giving her crap.
I have no time at all for people who think trans athletes, well let’s be honest trans women, should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. Sorry, but I think the advantages of being born male and gone through puberty with all that that entails leads to bigger, stronger people. You can take all the hormones and hormone blockers you like in later life - it won’t shrink your arms, legs and feet.
Read Biles' tweets. All she's asking is that they be treated as human beings. Those giving her shit just want trans folk to disappear.
You're entitled to choose your side.
I got an Uber the other day with a very obvious man dressed up as a woman. So masculine and large that it would be difficult to describe him as trans. Though I believe in live and let living I could understand how the experience might have been intimidating had I been a woman. It was slightly more odd as he/she only spoke French so it was difficult to judge how masculine the voice. Brave of Uber I suppose.
I'm not sure how Uber works. Was this person the driver?
You know how the Danes have been wanking on and on about democracy and sovereignty and freedom to choose and “greenland has rights” and “how dare Trump ignore the people” and so on and on and on and on
Turns out that the Faroes had an official referendum after world war 2. They narrowly voted for complete independence from Denmark. At first Denmark seemed to accept this then Denmark decided this was an insult the denmarks pride and they literally overruled the vote. They did a Lib Dem revoke on it. Who cares what the people think. Let’s act like Trump. They annulled the referendum and dissolved the Faroes parliament
What utter steaming hypocrites
Here's another fun fact - we've changed a bit since the 1940s, too.
So no.
Not an absolute majority, because of invalid votes:
Laughable that the Government is trotting out a £14 billion cost for Sizewell C.
It will be three times that.
And >>10 years
Upside is Rolls Royce has got a mini nukes project - and I strongly suspect that will be the winning solution because continual production beats one off builds.
Hmmm. The US Nuscale mini-nukes project got canned in 2023 because the economics didn't work.
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
You don't have to get an annuity. But... assuming you're over 55 pagan2, spunk the lot in lump sum and drawdown having fun then go on pension credit and housing benefit.. it makes sense
I am sure there will be a rule somewhere about depriving yourself of income
Laughable that the Government is trotting out a £14 billion cost for Sizewell C.
It will be three times that.
And >>10 years
Upside is Rolls Royce has got a mini nukes project - and I strongly suspect that will be the winning solution because continual production beats one off builds.
Hmmm. The US Nuscale mini-nukes project got canned in 2023 because the economics didn't work.
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
You don't have to get an annuity. But... assuming you're over 55 pagan2, spunk the lot in lump sum and drawdown having fun then go on pension credit and housing benefit.. it makes sense
I am sure there will be a rule somewhere about depriving yourself of income
More annoys me I did the right thing and suspect unlikely to see a single penny of benefit from it
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
You don't have to get an annuity. But... assuming you're over 55 pagan2, spunk the lot in lump sum and drawdown having fun then go on pension credit and housing benefit.. it makes sense
I am sure there will be a rule somewhere about depriving yourself of income
If you use the proceeds to buy a property, and then equity release it, probably not.
Asked about Club World Cup ticket sales and team base camp arrangements, Manolo Zubiria, the World Cup's chief tournament officer, hung up four minutes and five questions into a telephone interview with The Associated Press. Brendan O'Connell, the publicist who arranged the interview, wrote in an email to the AP: "The guest was not prepared for those questions.
Oh I was expecting something about Trump declaring martial law.
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
Hard to buy a house as a single person these days, did own co own a house till 2003 with the gf but we split up and she got half. Couldn't afford to buy after that
Really - my 22 (at the time) daughter did exactly that.
Paying the mortgage off is harder but equally she has 30k of house improvements to pay for so tenants in the 2 spare bedrooms will cover those costs.
Plus she's generous - both students / tenants will be paying well below market rates next year, especially the one who was begging for a discount and even afterwards trying to minimise the weeks she had to pay for,
Never explain, never apologise. Twitter people do not forget not forgive.
I think she cares more about what sponsors think than Twitter people though.
She's just a decent human being. Unlike those giving her crap.
I have no time at all for people who think trans athletes, well let’s be honest trans women, should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. Sorry, but I think the advantages of being born male and gone through puberty with all that that entails leads to bigger, stronger people. You can take all the hormones and hormone blockers you like in later life - it won’t shrink your arms, legs and feet.
Read Biles' tweets. All she's asking is that they be treated as human beings. Those giving her shit just want trans folk to disappear.
You're entitled to choose your side.
I got an Uber the other day with a very obvious man dressed up as a woman. So masculine and large that it would be difficult to describe him as trans. Though I believe in live and let living I could understand how the experience might have been intimidating had I been a woman. It was slightly more odd as he/she only spoke French so it was difficult to judge how masculine the voice. Brave of Uber I suppose.
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
You don't have to get an annuity. But... assuming you're over 55 pagan2, spunk the lot in lump sum and drawdown having fun then go on pension credit and housing benefit.. it makes sense
I am sure there will be a rule somewhere about depriving yourself of income
If you use the proceeds to buy a property, and then equity release it, probably not.
I doubt even if I drewdown the lot it still wouldn't be enough for a house
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
You don't have to get an annuity. But... assuming you're over 55 pagan2, spunk the lot in lump sum and drawdown having fun then go on pension credit and housing benefit.. it makes sense
I am sure there will be a rule somewhere about depriving yourself of income
If you use the proceeds to buy a property, and then equity release it, probably not.
I doubt even if I drewdown the lot it still wouldn't be enough for a house
You know how the Danes have been wanking on and on about democracy and sovereignty and freedom to choose and “greenland has rights” and “how dare Trump ignore the people” and so on and on and on and on
Turns out that the Faroes had an official referendum after world war 2. They narrowly voted for complete independence from Denmark. At first Denmark seemed to accept this then Denmark decided this was an insult the denmarks pride and they literally overruled the vote. They did a Lib Dem revoke on it. Who cares what the people think. Let’s act like Trump. They annulled the referendum and dissolved the Faroes parliament
What utter steaming hypocrites
Reminds me of the way Sweden voted in a referendum against changing to driving on the right in about 1960, and the Swedish government responded by ignoring the vote and changing it anyway.
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
Hard to buy a house as a single person these days, did own co own a house till 2003 with the gf but we split up and she got half. Couldn't afford to buy after that
Really - my 22 (at the time) daughter did exactly that.
Paying the mortgage off is harder but equally she has 30k of house improvements to pay for so tenants in the 2 spare bedrooms will cover those costs.
Plus she's generous - both students / tenants will be paying well below market rates next year, especially the one who was begging for a discount and even afterwards trying to minimise the weeks she had to pay for,
Her name was on the deeds to because I am stupid, she forced the sale as I couldn't buy her out. She picked the wrong time for me as I was made redundant so couldn't even remortgage to buy her out (I hasten to add in her defence it wasn't the redundancy we had been rocky the last year before that and was always heading that way)
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
You don't have to get an annuity. But... assuming you're over 55 pagan2, spunk the lot in lump sum and drawdown having fun then go on pension credit and housing benefit.. it makes sense
I am sure there will be a rule somewhere about depriving yourself of income
If you use the proceeds to buy a property, and then equity release it, probably not.
I doubt even if I drewdown the lot it still wouldn't be enough for a house
£80,000 will get you a 2 bed terrace in Darlington that I would happily BTL.
Hit the villages in county durham and it will be less than that.
Separately we drove through North Cumbria on Sunday (heading slowly to Ambleside from Glasgow) and there were some very acceptable houses for £200,000 ish. and a 8 bedroom farm house that was tempting for £350,000 if it wasn't for a place in Llanfairfechan I'm actually really tempted to buy for it's sea front location).
See one thing that annoys me, I have built up a pension pot just over 200k over the years by forgoing money from my wages.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
I think you'd be much better off if instead of a pension pot you had a house, which shows everything wrong with this country.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
You don't have to get an annuity. But... assuming you're over 55 pagan2, spunk the lot in lump sum and drawdown having fun then go on pension credit and housing benefit.. it makes sense
I am sure there will be a rule somewhere about depriving yourself of income
If you use the proceeds to buy a property, and then equity release it, probably not.
I doubt even if I drewdown the lot it still wouldn't be enough for a house
I hear Hull is nice.
I am however tied down here as my father is in a home here
Comments
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/03/public-support-for-israel-in-western-europe-lowest-ever-recorded-yougov
What utterly steaming hypocrites we were. Particularly having given them British values* for centuries in the Caribbean and the like.
*presumably British values like forced labour, loss of lands, rape, racial inequality and the like.
Tuchel must go.
One of the 25 attendees said the First Minister had two weeks to come up with a new strategy on independence — or risk facing a leadership challenge at the SNP conference in October.
They warned there could be a "clear out” in the internal elections, with challenges for key positions including depute leader and national secretary."
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25229565.snp-rebels-bid-oust-swinney-by-election-defeat/
200ct + 20phone +40net + 160 gas/electric no train + water 60 = £480 + £400 for food = £880 a month. Add a car for which insurance is going to be low you are looking at £120 max extra a month.
So that is covered by your state pension - the rest is pocket money.
And that is probably right as the m-i-l isn't rich but also isn't poor and can afford a holiday / 2 a year and trips out when she wants.
My parents meanwhile have 6 cruises booked this year...
As I emphasised previously there are 3 types of pensioners
Those who are single and own their home - who are OK
those where both people worked and are now living a live they couldn't afford previously
and those who are in rented accommodation and struggling beyond measure
I know all 3 types and 2 of them are my immediate family - luckly not the last type but I know a lot of them through Church..
Tuchel must go.
I am sure P2 will enjoy the life of Riley on his State Pension.
No, that’s what your hardline members want. What your voters - especially former voters - want is for you to fix schools, hospitals, councils, transport.
What’s the proposal? I can’t see a dentist. Ah well we have this plan for independence in 10 years.
A US federal court has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the deployment of troops in Los Angeles after Trump sent marines and the National Guard to the city.
Meanwhile the Mad King is telling troops he is going to rename a bunch of bases back to the names of losers, I mean Confederates
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/live/cx261q49wj8t
3-1?????
Glad to have @Foxy on board as an ally, given his new found support for people being able to choose what happens with their own money.
https://x.com/arisroussinos/status/1932538708902957536
And that's the position that the SNP finds themselves in - the money has run out and there is no possibility of taxing people any more.
Hence the members seeking independence while the end result of a return to obscurity for a few year minimum is unavoidable. Especially as Reform will be more tham fulfilling the none of the above criteria.
A group of SNP rebels held a secret meeting on Monday night to discuss replacing the FM after last week’s by-election defeat, The Herald has learned. They’ve given him 2 weeks to change course — or face a “bloodbath” at conference.
Remember, this by-election 'win' was very bad news for Labour...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-YYroSudUs&t=1s
The (2 14 year olds) spoke through an interpreter in Romanian to confirm their names and ages.
So it's immigration of the type we've had for 20 years not the most recent tyle
John Marshall has made his decision, now let him enforce it.
"Regarding Saturday’s parade, Mr. Trump made no distinction between the right to peacefully assemble that is guaranteed by the First Amendment and engaging in violence and vandalism."
https://x.com/maggieNYT/status/1932544214815900142
The Mad King is sooo far out of his lane I am starting to wonder if his future is trending Ceaușescu
I was wrong about the dates on the NI changes the other day so let's call it a 1-1 draw. We both did better than Tuchel.
All she's asking is that they be treated as human beings. Those giving her shit just want trans folk to disappear.
You're entitled to choose your side.
https://bsky.app/profile/tyschalter.com/post/3lrbsfaetl22f
It was an awful policy and would have been ratcheted up further as it would have been the one tax with the most politically friendly name.
Scrapping it was the one thing Truss did right.
No intention to register to see that, whatever that is.
If they want to bleed out slowly, probably still be largest party in Holyrood 2026 but nowhere near a majority which leaves them essentially at the mercy of the other parties anyway, then they should definitely keep doing what they're doing just now. But the suspicion is they'd actually be kind of happy with that.
Things have gone sideways since Leon's visit.
A country once seen as the democratic bright spot of the post-Soviet space is now undergoing the fastest authoritarian regression in modern European history.
🧵Here’s a thread to keep you updated on what’s happening - and why it matters...
https://x.com/terjehelland/status/1932499708716445928
Plus it's a £5 a pint for something half decent (Camden Helles)..
It will be three times that.
Per wikipedia, the time Labour say the last government spent not building it. Could it be quicker? Much. But to claim nothing was going on...
it needs to be quick consultation as to location out of pick a, b or c (the French approach) and then parliamentary act to implement
Asked about Club World Cup ticket sales and team base camp arrangements, Manolo Zubiria, the World Cup's chief tournament officer, hung up four minutes and five questions into a telephone interview with The Associated Press. Brendan O'Connell, the publicist who arranged the interview, wrote in an email to the AP: "The guest was not prepared for those questions.
Currently my bills however are 21144 a year before food , clothing , entertainment
not much I can do to reduce them
I suspect when I retire and get a state pension and a non index linked annuity of about 11k which is what they are predicting I can get....well I am thinking I am a fool for saving that money as I am not likely going to be any better off for doing so than someone who put away nothing over the years, indeed possibly worse off as they will probably be eligible for benefits I wont get like free prescriptions etc.
Whats the point in putting away 200k to get an annuity which will then be spent on rent?
Well it may be but the rest of the country is owed the equivalent of the Lizzie line funding and given how stupid this (and previous) Governments have been it's an either / or* decision and Liverpool / Manchester** have won.
** because building Manchester Piccadilly's underground terminal & tunnel that is essential for the project and "accidently" makes HS2 way more viable sorts out a lot of problems.
* it shouldn't be an either or but we need a Government to create regional authorities and then give them actual responsibility, delegate responsibility and some tax raising authority .
But... assuming you're over 55 pagan2, spunk the lot in lump sum and drawdown having fun then go on pension credit and housing benefit.. it makes sense
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1946_Faroese_independence_referendum
Paying the mortgage off is harder but equally she has 30k of house improvements to pay for so tenants in the 2 spare bedrooms will cover those costs.
Plus she's generous - both students / tenants will be paying well below market rates next year, especially the one who was begging for a discount and even afterwards trying to minimise the weeks she had to pay for,
Hit the villages in county durham and it will be less than that.
Separately we drove through North Cumbria on Sunday (heading slowly to Ambleside from Glasgow) and there were some very acceptable houses for £200,000 ish. and a 8 bedroom farm house that was tempting for £350,000 if it wasn't for a place in Llanfairfechan I'm actually really tempted to buy for it's sea front location).