Pineapple on pizza is great, though. It’s a kind of snobbish retardation to profess horror at it.
Naples is probably my favourite city to visit.
Wonderful place. Funiculi funicula!
The only place I know where I can get a suite, with outstanding sea views, in a luxury hotel with its own art gallery (San Francesco Al Monte) for £249 a night. The food is generally excellent, the city full of interesting places, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum and the Amalfi coast are on its doorstep, along with three beautiful islands.
I always walk up to the Villa Iovis to pay my respects to Tiberius.
Fuck me, even Woman's Hour is coming live from Glasto! What next, Yesterday in Parliament and The Archers? The shameless jollying really is, well, shameless.
Well, as it happens, in The Archers Ed Grundy is trying to reform his old band, brilliantly named Dross. The storyline is too late, however, for Dross to be invited to Glastonbury this year; maybe lining it up for 2026?
Trump doesn't seem to be planning on fighting any wars. Or defending any allies.
DoD: AMRAAM inventories are critically low.
USAF & USN: Cuts FY25 AMRAAM procurement.
The FY25 USN buy went from 261 to 154 & the USAF buy went from 462 to 290. With expected FMS orders this year still just 350, this lot will be a measly 782.
Even more shocking, they expect to put just 300 FMS missiles on contract next production lot. That's compared to at least 2900 AMRAAMs which have been approved for Foreign Military Sale this calendar year so far. https://x.com/ColbyBadhwar/status/1938228253166043162
What's the inventory?
I recall an 80s discussion on anti-submarine torpedoes. The manufacturers wanted the US Navy to buy X amount. The *USN* pointed out that this would be enough to sink every submarine, friendly or hostile) on the planet, several times over.
If it was the early WW2 Mk 14 torpedoes, they'd need double that...
"Should we stop the UK’s best talent moving to London? The capital has been skewing Britain’s economic geography for more than a century Chris Giles" (£)
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
And they've spent years in a bubble mostly only talking to each other and their social media echo chambers.
This is a problem with politics generally - it's similar on the right, which is why they lean so heavily on the latest GOP madness - that the pool of people getting involved continues to shrink, and so there isn't the breadth of experience to understand the country, let alone work out how to improve it.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
And they've spent years in a bubble mostly only talking to each other and their social media echo chambers.
This is a problem with politics generally - it's similar on the right, which is why they lean so heavily on the latest GOP madness - that the pool of people getting involved continues to shrink, and so there isn't the breadth of experience to understand the country, let alone work out how to improve it.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
And they've spent years in a bubble mostly only talking to each other and their social media echo chambers.
This is a problem with politics generally - it's similar on the right, which is why they lean so heavily on the latest GOP madness - that the pool of people getting involved continues to shrink, and so there isn't the breadth of experience to understand the country, let alone work out how to improve it.
You’re right, it’s not reserved to Labour. The Tories had/have their own version.
Four anecdotes from my travels - first, the old Jetfoil from Dover to Ostend, the only way to travel, Straight off the ferry onto an old sleeper train with carriages from East Germany, Poland the USSR for the trip to Cologne - happy days.
Second, the Scillonian from Penzance to St Mary's - lovely ride on a flat calm day. I must admit I did the helicopter from the Penzance Heliport one morning and was in time for a decent breakfast at The Bishop.
Third, the old DFDS overnight sailing from Harwich to Esbjerg. The smorgasbord for the glutton in us all - fortunately once again a smooth sailing.
Fourth - sailing from Ostend on the night the Penlee Lifeboat went down in 1981. The roughest sea crossing I've ever experienced - vomit everywhere. So windy we ended up at Folkestone as we couldn't dock at Dover and I remember walking up the hill to Folkestone Central station in a gale to catch the early train to Victoria.
Fuck me, even Woman's Hour is coming live from Glasto! What next, Yesterday in Parliament and The Archers? The shameless jollying really is, well, shameless.
I guess if you're a jew this year's glasto isn't so much "come all ye".
OTOH, and picking up on a point from @wooliedyed, if one of the issues for the Conservatives in the 2024 GE was the share of their vote which, rather than moving to Reform, LDs and Greens simply stayed at home it's possible the polls are understating those ex-Conservatives who abstained in 2024 but who might in 2028-9 be willing to come out and vote for the party. At this stage, of course, it's all conjecture.
Thats part of the reason (the others being 4th party squeeze and potential tactical unwind if it occurs) i expect the blue wall (broadly speaking) to be a bit unprecictable and competitive twixt LD and Con. However i would not suggest Con Central put all their hopes in it!
I'm sure we will be discussing these seats at length between now and the next GE. There are a number of factors favouring the LDs and a number favouring the Conservatives as the likely challengers. Each seat is unique - some have larger Labour votes to consider, in others Reform are close behind the Conservatives and Labour are nowhere.
Obviously, the national picture will be of considerable significance.
How was the trip? On my Scandinavian ferry crossing (Stockholm-Helsinki) with a bunch of Scandinavians, I was told the only purpose was to get drunk. A reaction to the high taxes on alcohol there. The Finns were finished by the end of the trip.
The drivers are breathalised coming off the ferry
I'd have thought the booze cruisers go as foot passengers. The ferries used to have conference facilities, many years ago some former colleagues utterly embarrassed themselves at a "user group meeting".
My trip was a conference too. But we didn't realise it was a 'conference' with a heavy nudge. No one lost overboard so that was a plus.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
OTOH, and picking up on a point from @wooliedyed, if one of the issues for the Conservatives in the 2024 GE was the share of their vote which, rather than moving to Reform, LDs and Greens simply stayed at home it's possible the polls are understating those ex-Conservatives who abstained in 2024 but who might in 2028-9 be willing to come out and vote for the party. At this stage, of course, it's all conjecture.
Thats part of the reason (the others being 4th party squeeze and potential tactical unwind if it occurs) i expect the blue wall (broadly speaking) to be a bit unprecictable and competitive twixt LD and Con. However i would not suggest Con Central put all their hopes in it!
I'm sure we will be discussing these seats at length between now and the next GE. There are a number of factors favouring the LDs and a number favouring the Conservatives as the likely challengers. Each seat is unique - some have larger Labour votes to consider, in others Reform are close behind the Conservatives and Labour are nowhere.
Obviously, the national picture will be of considerable significance.
Quite. Buckinghamshire will be very different to Devon etc Only 4 years (or less) to wait
Still, as noted above, no Lab voter is going anywhere. They waited long enough for Lab to be in power they aren't going to jettison them now as they are still basking in the glory of rubbing the Cons' noses in it.
Starmer can do what he wants. Whether that = a second term depends on the opposition. I would ofc like the Cons to return to the centre, while accepting that like it or not (I don't particularly) Jenrick has presence and seems to hold firm beliefs which is attractive and will become moreso if Starmer continues his flip-flop and it becomes a thing.
We know that worse that criticism for a politician is ridicule (unless you can get out in front of the ridicule a la BoJo and Starmer ain't no BoJo).
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
I suspect that many of them believe that wealth is created by the government and that business activity is some form of inefficient exploitation by transferring money from those the government deems to be 'deserving' to those that it doesn't.
Modern monetary theory being some pseudo-intellectualism to justify this - although MMT at least emphasises job creation rather than the welfarism leftist politicians love.
How was the trip? On my Scandinavian ferry crossing (Stockholm-Helsinki) with a bunch of Scandinavians, I was told the only purpose was to get drunk. A reaction to the high taxes on alcohol there. The Finns were finished by the end of the trip.
Still an hour to go; this last bit up the fjord is very scenic, and this large ferry is extraordinarily near to the coast and the rocky islands; the fjord must go straight down deep.
For the number of cabins, the ship has a myriad of restaurants and bars; plenty of ways to get drunk. You have probably explained why, although alcohol prices on the ship aren’t particularly cheap. They’ve just done the tannoy announcement for those going straight back on the ship, which would be two nights on board with basically lunchtime ashore. So perhaps Scandi booze cruising is a thing, indeed.
I did the Helsinki to Stockholm ferry trip about 10 years ago after someone on PB recommended it to me, but I can't remember who it was. I don't think they're on here now. If they are I'd love to hear from them again.
I'll be doing the shorter Finland to Stockholm route in about a month's time
Reeves should be fired. She’s not bright enough, clumsy, imprisoned by Treasury orthodoxy, has a bad attitude, and will secure a Reform victory unless she goes.
I presume there is some deep Labour party factional Gnosticism at work and that is unapparent to non-members.
Being CotE is essentially a sales and presentation job since the Treasury is rammed full of nerds who can do all the spreadsheet wanker stuff. Whatever RR is, she is not a selling machine. Mitch and Murray would not send her from downtown to inspire and motivate other sales professionals.
I have to say that two tier benefits is really shit. Who on earth thought that was a good idea?
I don't see it lasting. The press are bound to find some examples where people with identical issues get radically different benefits.
It will be challenged under the Equality act in court immediately. They cant Primary legislation their way out of its provisions and we will see what they make of it. If it survives this weekend/Tuesday. Not all rebels are convinced, and not all of them are Socialist Campaign Group types.
They could, of course, go back to cutting PIP for everyone.
No-one seems to be making the obvious point that the PIP provisions only apply to people with the very lowest level of disability who maybe don't need additional support at all.
I think that's entirely the wrong way to look at it. PIP is there to provide disabled people with just enough to live their daily lives and work without being a further cost to the state. If you take it away most won't suddenly take up their mat and walk straight back to full time employment, they'll become more economically inactive and a further cost to the state. The problem in my view is that it is inadequate to provide support with mental health issues because it's very inflexible. It takes a long time to get and there's no mechanism for coming off of it if things improve and going back on again during any relapse. Once you have PIP and think you might need it in the future then you're almost obliged to stay on it. I would separate out the mental health component and make it so that a diagnosis means you're automatically eligible. Then issue a grant for a limited time based on a doctor's report. I know that would be administratively difficult but it would be a much fairer and more helpful system.
Interesting point. Mental health does feel qualitatively different in some way.
An expert I was talking to, who could be totally wrong, was convinced we are on the cusp of a mental health revolution with digital tools dramatically lowering cost/increasing access to CBT. I was surprised how bullish he was. And of course digital tools you could just give access immediately. Maybe a half decent CBT bot immediately is better than a psychiatrist in 6 months.
I personally eschew pineapple on a pizza. It's a pretty clear position of mine. I'm not in two minds about it.
Bless you.
(Sorry, it's my instinctive reaction to whenever someone uses the word 'eschew'. Which sadly happens far too rarely.)
Thank you. I got a lovely little buzz of satisfaction when it popped into my head and I realized I could use it there. Probably be several months until the chance comes again.
Opponents of the Welfare bill would probably be best employed focusing on the Two Teir aspect applying worst to disabled children who cannot apply until age 16 and this flying in the face of Starmers obvious glaring contradictions about lifting Children out of poverty being what he is all about etc
PIP is in-work. DLA is for Children. The system is confusing which is probably why there is so much noise about something that needs simplified - which was the idea behind Universal Credit. But people are all different with different needs. So you could ask the question if the Government should compensate anyone for anything.
If you’re under 16 You can only apply for DLA if you’re under 16 and you live in England or Wales.
If you live in Scotland, you can apply for Child Disability Payment.
If you’re over 16 You cannot apply for DLA. You can apply for:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you live in England or Wales and have not reached State Pension age Adult Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and have not reached State Pension age Attendance Allowance if you’re State Pension age or older and do not get DLA Pension Age Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and you’re State Pension age or older
Having a little ponder this morning on potential next GE dates. Obviously May 2029 most likely if Labour do not recover but what if they go early? May 2028 seems out - London election and 10 other mayors, all the PCCs and a lot of councils and Lab will likely have a very bad night ruling out the rest of 2028 as they would be running into the storm. So, if early, I can only see October 2027 if Labour enter conference season 27 with a healthy recovery otherwise we are going full term (collapse notwithstanding) Lay 2028!
How was the trip? On my Scandinavian ferry crossing (Stockholm-Helsinki) with a bunch of Scandinavians, I was told the only purpose was to get drunk. A reaction to the high taxes on alcohol there. The Finns were finished by the end of the trip.
Still an hour to go; this last bit up the fjord is very scenic, and this large ferry is extraordinarily near to the coast and the rocky islands; the fjord must go straight down deep.
For the number of cabins, the ship has a myriad of restaurants and bars; plenty of ways to get drunk. You have probably explained why, although alcohol prices on the ship aren’t particularly cheap. They’ve just done the tannoy announcement for those going straight back on the ship, which would be two nights on board with basically lunchtime ashore. So perhaps Scandi booze cruising is a thing, indeed.
I did the Helsinki to Stockholm ferry trip about 10 years ago after someone on PB recommended it to me, but I can't remember who it was. I don't think they're on here now. If they are I'd love to hear from them again.
Still, as noted above, no Lab voter is going anywhere. They waited long enough for Lab to be in power they aren't going to jettison them now as they are still basking in the glory of rubbing the Cons' noses in it.
Starmer can do what he wants. Whether that = a second term depends on the opposition. I would ofc like the Cons to return to the centre, while accepting that like it or not (I don't particularly) Jenrick has presence and seems to hold firm beliefs which is attractive and will become moreso if Starmer continues his flip-flop and it becomes a thing.
We know that worse that criticism for a politician is ridicule (unless you can get out in front of the ridicule a la BoJo and Starmer ain't no BoJo).
Although Jenrick's "firm beliefs" are flexible and highly correlated to what's needed for personal advancement. Rather like SKS's "socialism without magic grandpa" pitch for the Labour leadership.
Opponents of the Welfare bill would probably be best employed focusing on the Two Teir aspect applying worst to disabled children who cannot apply until age 16 and this flying in the face of Starmers obvious glaring contradictions about lifting Children out of poverty being what he is all about etc
PIP is in-work. DLA is for Children. The system is confusing which is probably why there is so much noise about something that needs simplified - which was the idea behind Universal Credit. But people are all different with different needs. So you could ask the question if the Government should compensate anyone for anything.
If you’re under 16 You can only apply for DLA if you’re under 16 and you live in England or Wales.
If you live in Scotland, you can apply for Child Disability Payment.
If you’re over 16 You cannot apply for DLA. You can apply for:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you live in England or Wales and have not reached State Pension age Adult Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and have not reached State Pension age Attendance Allowance if you’re State Pension age or older and do not get DLA Pension Age Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and you’re State Pension age or older
When children reach 16 they come off DLA then apply for PIP. So disabled children now will fall under the inferior system on reaching 16 is the point. Two teir on when you apply, two teir on age
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Soft soap Starmer interview with Tom Baldwin. He’s trying to blame the ‘Island of Strangers’ comment on him not reading the speech properly first. I thought he was Mr Forensic?
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
“It’s fair to say I wasn’t in the best state to make a big speech,” he says. “I was really, really worried. I almost said: ‘I won’t do the bloody press conference.’ Vic was really shaken up as, in truth, was I. It was just a case of reading the words out and getting through it somehow …” – his voice trails off – “… so I could get back to them.”
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Reeves should be reshuffled to the Home Office, with a mandate to stop the boats. If she fails, she can start looking for a new career.
Welfare changes could cost £3.2bn per year by 2030, Resolution Foundation warns Changes to the welfare bill announced overnight could cost between £2.6bn and £3.2bn per year by 2030, the Resolution Foundation has warned.
The group said the changes to the welfare bill "will create a two-tier system to prevent existing claimants from suffering income losses as a result of changes to universal credit and personal independent payments (PIP)".
However, they warned that while the changes are "welcome", they could cost between £2.6bn and £3.2bn per year by 2029/30.
This will "make it even tougher for the chancellor to meet her fiscal rules this autumn", the group said.
Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, said: "The concessions today mean that over two million people currently receiving support due to ill-health or a disability will no longer suffer income losses from forthcoming welfare changes.
"This is a welcome change that will reassure vulnerable claimants, as is the commitment to bringing forward employment support.
"The concessions aren’t cheap, costing as much as £3bn and more than halving the medium-term savings from the overall set of reforms announced just three months ago. "
Reeves should be fired. She’s not bright enough, clumsy, imprisoned by Treasury orthodoxy, has a bad attitude, and will secure a Reform victory unless she goes.
Britain continues to look like an absolute shit-show.
Nine years and counting.
Briefings from allies of Starmer this morning via Peston very much 'Liz Kendall tried her best for reforms but the Chancellor is shit' Not sure i agree Kendall tried her best, she just seems to hate the disabled
I’m minded to agree with the briefings. On the other hand, I think Peston simply makes up a lot of his so-called news.
I can see a very easy argument that Kendall was given an impossible request from the Treasury, and then suggested a solution that was overridden because it wasn’t quick enough.
And reflecting a forthcoming announcement that I know the background of - it strikes me that that argument may be 100% correct. The Treasury are currently after the quickest of quick wins.
Fuck me, even Woman's Hour is coming live from Glasto! What next, Yesterday in Parliament and The Archers? The shameless jollying really is, well, shameless.
Take it they are in a tent with a live audience - at which point I can see why they are doing it.
Still, as noted above, no Lab voter is going anywhere. They waited long enough for Lab to be in power they aren't going to jettison them now as they are still basking in the glory of rubbing the Cons' noses in it.
Starmer can do what he wants. Whether that = a second term depends on the opposition. I would ofc like the Cons to return to the centre, while accepting that like it or not (I don't particularly) Jenrick has presence and seems to hold firm beliefs which is attractive and will become moreso if Starmer continues his flip-flop and it becomes a thing.
We know that worse that criticism for a politician is ridicule (unless you can get out in front of the ridicule a la BoJo and Starmer ain't no BoJo).
Even if no Labour voter goes anywhere, they can still lose next time; Starmer got fewer votes than either of Corbyn’s defeats
Opponents of the Welfare bill would probably be best employed focusing on the Two Teir aspect applying worst to disabled children who cannot apply until age 16 and this flying in the face of Starmers obvious glaring contradictions about lifting Children out of poverty being what he is all about etc
PIP is in-work. DLA is for Children. The system is confusing which is probably why there is so much noise about something that needs simplified - which was the idea behind Universal Credit. But people are all different with different needs. So you could ask the question if the Government should compensate anyone for anything.
If you’re under 16 You can only apply for DLA if you’re under 16 and you live in England or Wales.
If you live in Scotland, you can apply for Child Disability Payment.
If you’re over 16 You cannot apply for DLA. You can apply for:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you live in England or Wales and have not reached State Pension age Adult Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and have not reached State Pension age Attendance Allowance if you’re State Pension age or older and do not get DLA Pension Age Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and you’re State Pension age or older
When children reach 16 they come off DLA then apply for PIP. So disabled children now will fall under the inferior system on reaching 16 is the point. Two teir on when you apply, two teir on age
Don't disagree but this has always been the way they've handled it - a sort of benefit 'fade'
If you get deeper into the system, it relies on 'sui generis' groups which are likely not homogenous in they way the legislation is enacted. So legal challenges are launched and the number of exceptions multiplies each with a tribunal/lower court backing.
You could spend a whole lifetime complaining about the unfairness or the two/three/four tier system but once there is a Judicial Review or a Tribunal result, then it gets paid.
Do you want to spend the rest of your life in this area - 6 years was enough for me.
What's the Kremlinology here? Michael Gove levers Kemi into the leadership, becomes Spectator editor, lures Shippers away from the Times, and runs a story that Kemi might be for the chop.
That Dave (pbuh) thinks Jenrick should lead the Tories at the next election, that's a biggie, especially as Dave has been helping Kemi at PMQs.
Coincidentally Gove admits to being a duplicitous snake in today's Times.
What [Gove] regrets now, he says, is being “insufficiently clear” to Cameron that he would campaign for Leave.
Cant figure why anyone would listen to Cameron, he destroyed the Conservatives.
Nope, that was the Brexiteers, which even Gove privately admits.
Cameron signed up to a Blair agenda and did nothing to reverse the creeping expansion of the state. He lost the troops on the ground as what he offered wasnt conservatiism. He could quite happilu have stood up to the various factions in his party but that required a backbone and he didnt have one. He was crap a party management and hence we had the Brexit vote something we can all be grateful for and which is his overarching legacy.
Cameron spent and taxed less as a percentage of gdp than any UK PM this century
Still, as noted above, no Lab voter is going anywhere. They waited long enough for Lab to be in power they aren't going to jettison them now as they are still basking in the glory of rubbing the Cons' noses in it.
Starmer can do what he wants. Whether that = a second term depends on the opposition. I would ofc like the Cons to return to the centre, while accepting that like it or not (I don't particularly) Jenrick has presence and seems to hold firm beliefs which is attractive and will become moreso if Starmer continues his flip-flop and it becomes a thing.
We know that worse that criticism for a politician is ridicule (unless you can get out in front of the ridicule a la BoJo and Starmer ain't no BoJo).
Even if no Labour voter goes anywhere, they can still lose next time; Starmer got fewer votes than either of Corbyn’s defeats
Labour's 50 weakest seats have a cumulative majority of 52k. For the next 50 it's 167k. Neither feels that much.
What's the Kremlinology here? Michael Gove levers Kemi into the leadership, becomes Spectator editor, lures Shippers away from the Times, and runs a story that Kemi might be for the chop.
That Dave (pbuh) thinks Jenrick should lead the Tories at the next election, that's a biggie, especially as Dave has been helping Kemi at PMQs.
Coincidentally Gove admits to being a duplicitous snake in today's Times.
What [Gove] regrets now, he says, is being “insufficiently clear” to Cameron that he would campaign for Leave.
Cant figure why anyone would listen to Cameron, he destroyed the Conservatives.
Brexit destroyed the Conservatives.
No, they triumphed in 2019 because of it.
They were crushed in 2024 because of the hangover from the pandemic and mostly Liz Truss, and they have failed to recover because they have no serious plan for reducing immigration.
Immigration is now starting to fall due to the tighter visa requirements Rishi brought in
Personally, I think Starmer should have gone with:
Archipelago of Awkward Acquaintances
Firstly, the United Kingdom is not an island. Secondly, we're all bloody awkward. Thirdly, often we prefer strangers, so we don't have to engage in conversation. Fourthly, acquaintances are literally the worst, because one has to talk to them, but you never know what to say
The paradox is that depending how you count, Britain is either a high- or low-tax country.
Statistics can usually be viewed in a way that supports either left-wing or right-wing viewpoints.
Read it. Play with the interactive graphs. Note it recalls what we have said before about French families having pooled tax allowances (in relation to family size). And wonder why the flip Dan Neidle uses the word ‘wedge’.
What's the Kremlinology here? Michael Gove levers Kemi into the leadership, becomes Spectator editor, lures Shippers away from the Times, and runs a story that Kemi might be for the chop.
That Dave (pbuh) thinks Jenrick should lead the Tories at the next election, that's a biggie, especially as Dave has been helping Kemi at PMQs.
Coincidentally Gove admits to being a duplicitous snake in today's Times.
What [Gove] regrets now, he says, is being “insufficiently clear” to Cameron that he would campaign for Leave.
Cant figure why anyone would listen to Cameron, he destroyed the Conservatives.
Nope, that was the Brexiteers, which even Gove privately admits.
Cameron signed up to a Blair agenda and did nothing to reverse the creeping expansion of the state. He lost the troops on the ground as what he offered wasnt conservatiism. He could quite happilu have stood up to the various factions in his party but that required a backbone and he didnt have one. He was crap a party management and hence we had the Brexit vote something we can all be grateful for and which is his overarching legacy.
Cameron spent and taxed less as a percentage of gdp than any UK PM this century
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
Looking for recommendations for a Nespresso machine, primarily for espressos. Advice welcome. Thanks.
We had one at the office (3-6 people). Keep a variety of pods for visitors. Do not in any circumstances be upsold to one of those brass contraptions that look like they belong in a 1950s coffee bar, or diverted to Ipcress File faff gadgets (that's the technical term).
Hypothetical question: if someone donated all their earnings to charity, would they still have to pay tax on their earnings? (Don't know why this question has just sprung to mind, but it has).
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
Starmer is about the same height as Donald Trump, iirc from recent news coverage of dropped papers. That's not short.
What's the Kremlinology here? Michael Gove levers Kemi into the leadership, becomes Spectator editor, lures Shippers away from the Times, and runs a story that Kemi might be for the chop.
That Dave (pbuh) thinks Jenrick should lead the Tories at the next election, that's a biggie, especially as Dave has been helping Kemi at PMQs.
Coincidentally Gove admits to being a duplicitous snake in today's Times.
What [Gove] regrets now, he says, is being “insufficiently clear” to Cameron that he would campaign for Leave.
Cant figure why anyone would listen to Cameron, he destroyed the Conservatives.
Nope, that was the Brexiteers, which even Gove privately admits.
Cameron signed up to a Blair agenda and did nothing to reverse the creeping expansion of the state. He lost the troops on the ground as what he offered wasnt conservatiism. He could quite happilu have stood up to the various factions in his party but that required a backbone and he didnt have one. He was crap a party management and hence we had the Brexit vote something we can all be grateful for and which is his overarching legacy.
Cameron spent and taxed less as a percentage of gdp than any UK PM this century
“It’s fair to say I wasn’t in the best state to make a big speech,” he says. “I was really, really worried. I almost said: ‘I won’t do the bloody press conference.’ Vic was really shaken up as, in truth, was I. It was just a case of reading the words out and getting through it somehow …” – his voice trails off – “… so I could get back to them.”
The context
"...And, if those responsible for the arson attack probably didn’t realise how important Starmer’s front door was to how he viewed the world, setting it on fire had an immediate effect on politics.
The prime minister, who had arrived back from a three-day trip to Ukraine the night before, was due to unveil the government’s new immigration policy that morning. “It’s fair to say I wasn’t in the best state to make a big speech,” he says. “I was really, really worried. I almost said: ‘I won’t do the bloody press conference.’ Vic was really shaken up as, in truth, was I. It was just a case of reading the words out and getting through it somehow …” – his voice trails off – “… so I could get back to them.”
The prime minister’s words included a long section on the importance of having “fair rules” that “give shape to our values” and hold diverse nations such as Britain together. But then he went on to warn that without such rules, “we risk becoming an island of strangers”. To many ears, that sounded a lot like Enoch Powell’s infamous “rivers of blood” speech half a century earlier, when he said Britain’s white population would be “strangers in their own country”...."
The point
He's doing too much. You can't have a schedule like that (arson attack, three days in Ukraine, immigration speech) and still function. He needs to delegate. I understand his need to clean his dead brother's house by hand - also outlined in the article - but you can't spread yourself too thin.
"Should we stop the UK’s best talent moving to London? The capital has been skewing Britain’s economic geography for more than a century Chris Giles" (£)
Reform UK have had two big fiscal policy announcements in recent weeks: on how they would pay for lots of things by cancelling net zero, and the golden visa idea. Both have been ridiculed by analysts for sums that don't remotely add up. Does this matter? Has it dented Reform UK at all? There is material here for Badenoch to go on the offensive, if she wanted to.
Yes, I've seen very little evidence of Badenoch, or the Tories generally, attacking Reform. Is it down to fear of Farage, fear of Jenrick, or is it that Badenoch agrees with Reform? Whichever it is, it's a losing strategy, because if the Tories don't differentiate themselves from Reform then voters to the right of centre may as well vote Reform.
What's the Kremlinology here? Michael Gove levers Kemi into the leadership, becomes Spectator editor, lures Shippers away from the Times, and runs a story that Kemi might be for the chop.
That Dave (pbuh) thinks Jenrick should lead the Tories at the next election, that's a biggie, especially as Dave has been helping Kemi at PMQs.
Coincidentally Gove admits to being a duplicitous snake in today's Times.
What [Gove] regrets now, he says, is being “insufficiently clear” to Cameron that he would campaign for Leave.
Cant figure why anyone would listen to Cameron, he destroyed the Conservatives.
Nope, that was the Brexiteers, which even Gove privately admits.
Cameron signed up to a Blair agenda and did nothing to reverse the creeping expansion of the state. He lost the troops on the ground as what he offered wasnt conservatiism. He could quite happilu have stood up to the various factions in his party but that required a backbone and he didnt have one. He was crap a party management and hence we had the Brexit vote something we can all be grateful for and which is his overarching legacy.
Cameron spent and taxed less as a percentage of gdp than any UK PM this century
One thing AI going to destroy is people who depend on writing gigantic volumes of inane drivel to look busy at work.
I'm on page 65 of the world's most boring report and it's obvious the whole thing is AI. I might wait till Monday before I send my feedback in because right now it's vicious.
Starmer made the "island of strangers" comment just 46 days ago on the 12th May. So another u-turn after a ridiculously short interval of time.
I'd quite like a u-turn on "Island of Strangers". Rhetorically anyway.
"Peninsula of Acquaintances" "Continent of Friends" "Planet of the Spiders"
Lol, I know.
All of that 'national character and identity' stuff is bollox imo and I'd rather politicians didn't fart around with it.
We're all strangers apart from people who know each other. Same as any other country.
But we haves shared points of reference that are not universal.
True to an extent. Perhaps swap out the "bollox" in my post for "nebulous, exaggerated in importance, and constantly misused by politicians seeking to appeal to bigotry and cheap sentiment".
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
Starmer is about the same height as Donald Trump, iirc from recent news coverage of dropped papers. That's not short.
He's five eight, I believe. MaxiMoron is six three.
Looking for recommendations for a Nespresso machine, primarily for espressos. Advice welcome. Thanks.
We had one at the office (3-6 people). Keep a variety of pods for visitors. Do not in any circumstances be upsold to one of those brass contraptions that look like they belong in a 1950s coffee bar, or diverted to Ipcress File faff gadgets (that's the technical term).
For home use, a moka pot is very cheap and easy to use. Plus you can grind your own coffee to spec.
Hypothetical question: if someone donated all their earnings to charity, would they still have to pay tax on their earnings? (Don't know why this question has just sprung to mind, but it has).
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Well, like I say, it was probably a case of 'needs must' ... down there at The Pineapple.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
Starmer is about the same height as Donald Trump, iirc from recent news coverage of dropped papers. That's not short.
Umm.. in pictures on the TV he's about the same height as Macron, which is not tall
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
Starmer is about the same height as Donald Trump, iirc from recent news coverage of dropped papers. That's not short.
Umm.. in pictures on the TV he's about the same height as Macron, which is not tall
"Beaver activists claim they are 'doing God's work'"
There is, apparently, an underground network where members risk arrest, jail and hefty fines by carrying out covert and unlicensed releases of beavers.
Shakes head sadly.
Agree. I bet you they are furious when someone shoots a Hen Harrier too.
I have to say that two tier benefits is really shit. Who on earth thought that was a good idea?
I don't see it lasting. The press are bound to find some examples where people with identical issues get radically different benefits.
It will be challenged under the Equality act in court immediately. They cant Primary legislation their way out of its provisions and we will see what they make of it. If it survives this weekend/Tuesday. Not all rebels are convinced, and not all of them are Socialist Campaign Group types.
They could, of course, go back to cutting PIP for everyone.
No-one seems to be making the obvious point that the PIP provisions only apply to people with the very lowest level of disability who maybe don't need additional support at all.
I think that's entirely the wrong way to look at it. PIP is there to provide disabled people with just enough to live their daily lives and work without being a further cost to the state. If you take it away most won't suddenly take up their mat and walk straight back to full time employment, they'll become more economically inactive and a further cost to the state. The problem in my view is that it is inadequate to provide support with mental health issues because it's very inflexible. It takes a long time to get and there's no mechanism for coming off of it if things improve and going back on again during any relapse. Once you have PIP and think you might need it in the future then you're almost obliged to stay on it. I would separate out the mental health component and make it so that a diagnosis means you're automatically eligible. Then issue a grant for a limited time based on a doctor's report. I know that would be administratively difficult but it would be a much fairer and more helpful system.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Good morning
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Big G, you forgot the bit where Starmer is "looking haunted".
Actually at yestedays PMQs Reeves looked grim, haunted and near tears
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
I went to what used to be his local in NW5 - The Pineapple - yesterday. Yes, honestly, not just saying that because of the 'pizza' thing coming up again. Anyway, quite a buzzy place, characterful, bit louche. Great pub. But with one odd and unsatisfactory feature, the urinals were ridiculously high up, such that even I (a man of above average height) had to get on my tiptoes. And Keir Starmer is on the short side. So I don't know how he would have managed.
I think he’s more a “sit down to have a piss” type.
Well as one of the few Starmer fans on here... I'm worried. The WFA reversal was probably bad policy but sensible pragmatism. This latest u turn looks unworkable. And this is policy they have taken time to prepare. They still haven't explained the changes in any detail.
And yet they've come up with something they now obviously think they can't get support for. And actually welfare is a chance for them to be popular, the public wants reform here. So looks like a fail on policy and politics.
Not to sound like a complete right wing loon, but one problem for Labour is that the MP intake is overwhelmingly now just public sector and activist hacks.
Finding a single person there with an inkling of how wealth is created or enabled may no longer be possible.
Yes, and it's a problem in society more broadly.
There are awful lot of people in the 3rd sector as well, and even sometimes in the private, who've never ever done anything but policy and process compliance.
Looking for recommendations for a Nespresso machine, primarily for espressos. Advice welcome. Thanks. Is a dark bitter coffee called an Abbott, btw?
I bought a Philips Barista Nespresso - 60 quid, simple and works well. I'm not a coffee freak before the aficionados and purists pile in and say you must spend a grand at least!
Comments
I always walk up to the Villa Iovis to pay my respects to Tiberius.
A shame, because it’s the single interesting thing he’s said in the past year, and possibly ever.
Wish he'd realize he's a politician now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_14_torpedo#Problems
This is a problem with politics generally - it's similar on the right, which is why they lean so heavily on the latest GOP madness - that the pool of people getting involved continues to shrink, and so there isn't the breadth of experience to understand the country, let alone work out how to improve it.
The Tories had/have their own version.
Interesting and not entirely unexpected
Labour favoured on public services broadly speaking
Reform on Crime and Immigration
Tories on 'the economy'
The standout bet to have done though was my one - laying a 2025 exit at 2.7. That was never happening. Amazing value.
(Sorry, it's my instinctive reaction to whenever someone uses the word 'eschew'. Which sadly happens far too rarely.)
Four anecdotes from my travels - first, the old Jetfoil from Dover to Ostend, the only way to travel, Straight off the ferry onto an old sleeper train with carriages from East Germany, Poland the USSR for the trip to Cologne - happy days.
Second, the Scillonian from Penzance to St Mary's - lovely ride on a flat calm day. I must admit I did the helicopter from the Penzance Heliport one morning and was in time for a decent breakfast at The Bishop.
Third, the old DFDS overnight sailing from Harwich to Esbjerg. The smorgasbord for the glutton in us all - fortunately once again a smooth sailing.
Fourth - sailing from Ostend on the night the Penlee Lifeboat went down in 1981. The roughest sea crossing I've ever experienced - vomit everywhere. So windy we ended up at Folkestone as we couldn't dock at Dover and I remember walking up the hill to Folkestone Central station in a gale to catch the early train to Victoria.
https://taxpolicy.org.uk/2025/06/27/uk-workers-tax-wedge-infographics/
The paradox is that depending how you count, Britain is either a high- or low-tax country.
https://x.com/LukeTryl/status/1938530301262889231?s=19
Obviously, the national picture will be of considerable significance.
That it?
I don't think it is necessarily right wing to regret that Labour's MP intake is overwhelmingly public sector and activists
I had great hopes for Starmer, but from his first day in office he has singularly failed to live up to his promises beginning with his love of embarrasing gifts of clothes and glasses, then his failure to prevent Reeves making the catastrophic political decision (though it was correct) on WFP, to his fawning over Trump, and now his lack of backbone to face down his rebels over the benefit changes
The country is spending, borrowing and taxing at 'eye watering levels' and it should have been Starmer, elected on a landslide less than year ago, who had the opportunity to effect proper 'change' but he simply talks incessantly about it but little will happen for years and this morning he stands as a much weakened PM with a haunted Chancellor, who must be in line to be sacked or moved within cabinet
And it doesn't matter who you support, we are all in this together with nobody providing inspiring leadership in government or opposition
Indeed after Badenoch's recent intervention I have sadly changed my view to the many who say she is not upto it, and I do expect her resignation or removal post Holyrood and Senedd 2026 elections (Indeed Starmer may also be underwater by then)
And finally, we can be as partisan as we want but frankly anyone who thinks PM Farage is the answer is asking the wrong question
Only 4 years (or less) to wait
Starmer can do what he wants. Whether that = a second term depends on the opposition. I would ofc like the Cons to return to the centre, while accepting that like it or not (I don't particularly) Jenrick has presence and seems to hold firm beliefs which is attractive and will become moreso if Starmer continues his flip-flop and it becomes a thing.
We know that worse that criticism for a politician is ridicule (unless you can get out in front of the ridicule a la BoJo and Starmer ain't no BoJo).
Police raids, taxpayer-funded activism, and mass surveillance: critics say Berlin is reviving Stasi tactics to silence political opposition.
Zoltán Kottász"
https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/germanys-war-on-dissent-citizens-told-to-snitch-on-each-other/
Our engineers may not be great but that stat certainly shows that quantity and quality are not reliably correlated.
Modern monetary theory being some pseudo-intellectualism to justify this - although MMT at least emphasises job creation rather than the welfarism leftist politicians love.
An expert I was talking to, who could be totally wrong, was convinced we are on the cusp of a mental health revolution with digital tools dramatically lowering cost/increasing access to CBT. I was surprised how bullish he was. And of course digital tools you could just give access immediately. Maybe a half decent CBT bot immediately is better than a psychiatrist in 6 months.
You can only apply for DLA if you’re under 16 and you live in England or Wales.
If you live in Scotland, you can apply for Child Disability Payment.
If you’re over 16
You cannot apply for DLA. You can apply for:
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) if you live in England or Wales and have not reached State Pension age
Adult Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and have not reached State Pension age
Attendance Allowance if you’re State Pension age or older and do not get DLA
Pension Age Disability Payment if you live in Scotland and you’re State Pension age or older
May 2028 seems out - London election and 10 other mayors, all the PCCs and a lot of councils and Lab will likely have a very bad night ruling out the rest of 2028 as they would be running into the storm.
So, if early, I can only see October 2027 if Labour enter conference season 27 with a healthy recovery otherwise we are going full term (collapse notwithstanding)
Lay 2028!
Two teir on when you apply, two teir on age
https://pedestrianobservations.com/2011/06/02/comparative-rail-safety/
"Continent of Friends"
"Planet of the Spiders"
https://x.com/forwardnotback/status/1938530547321737474?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
I would just say Starmer also looks haunted at times and no wonder
“It’s fair to say I wasn’t in the best state to make a big speech,” he says. “I was really, really worried. I almost said: ‘I won’t do the bloody press conference.’ Vic was really shaken up as, in truth, was I. It was just a case of reading the words out and getting through it somehow …” – his voice trails off – “… so I could get back to them.”
Welfare changes could cost £3.2bn per year by 2030, Resolution Foundation warns
Changes to the welfare bill announced overnight could cost between £2.6bn and £3.2bn per year by 2030, the Resolution Foundation has warned.
The group said the changes to the welfare bill "will create a two-tier system to prevent existing claimants from suffering income losses as a result of changes to universal credit and personal independent payments (PIP)".
However, they warned that while the changes are "welcome", they could cost between £2.6bn and £3.2bn per year by 2029/30.
This will "make it even tougher for the chancellor to meet her fiscal rules this autumn", the group said.
Ruth Curtice, chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, said: "The concessions today mean that over two million people currently receiving support due to ill-health or a disability will no longer suffer income losses from forthcoming welfare changes.
"This is a welcome change that will reassure vulnerable claimants, as is the commitment to bringing forward employment support.
"The concessions aren’t cheap, costing as much as £3bn and more than halving the medium-term savings from the overall set of reforms announced just three months ago. "
And reflecting a forthcoming announcement that I know the background of - it strikes me that that argument may be 100% correct. The Treasury are currently after the quickest of quick wins.
All of that 'national character and identity' stuff is bollox imo and I'd rather politicians didn't fart around with it.
We're all strangers apart from people who know each other. Same as any other country.
Is a dark bitter coffee called an Abbott, btw?
If you get deeper into the system, it relies on 'sui generis' groups which are likely not homogenous in they way the legislation is enacted. So legal challenges are launched and the number of exceptions multiplies each with a tribunal/lower court backing.
You could spend a whole lifetime complaining about the unfairness or the two/three/four tier system but once there is a Judicial Review or a Tribunal result, then it gets paid.
Do you want to spend the rest of your life in this area - 6 years was enough for me.
Archipelago of Awkward Acquaintances
Firstly, the United Kingdom is not an island. Secondly, we're all bloody awkward. Thirdly, often we prefer strangers, so we don't have to engage in conversation. Fourthly, acquaintances are literally the worst, because one has to talk to them, but you never know what to say
I agree with some on here who have said it has to be increasingly unlikely he fights the next GE.
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hmrc-tax-and-nics-receipts-for-the-uk/hmrc-tax-receipts-and-national-insurance-contributions-for-the-uk-new-annual-bulletin
"...And, if those responsible for the arson attack probably didn’t realise how important Starmer’s front door was to how he viewed the world, setting it on fire had an immediate effect on politics.
The prime minister, who had arrived back from a three-day trip to Ukraine the night before, was due to unveil the government’s new immigration policy that morning. “It’s fair to say I wasn’t in the best state to make a big speech,” he says. “I was really, really worried. I almost said: ‘I won’t do the bloody press conference.’ Vic was really shaken up as, in truth, was I. It was just a case of reading the words out and getting through it somehow …” – his voice trails off – “… so I could get back to them.”
The prime minister’s words included a long section on the importance of having “fair rules” that “give shape to our values” and hold diverse nations such as Britain together. But then he went on to warn that without such rules, “we risk becoming an island of strangers”. To many ears, that sounded a lot like Enoch Powell’s infamous “rivers of blood” speech half a century earlier, when he said Britain’s white population would be “strangers in their own country”...."
The point
He's doing too much. You can't have a schedule like that (arson attack, three days in Ukraine, immigration speech) and still function. He needs to delegate. I understand his need to clean his dead brother's house by hand - also outlined in the article - but you can't spread yourself too thin.
The article
https://observer.co.uk/news/politics/article/keir-starmers-deep-regret-over-island-of-strangers-speech
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/kemi-badenoch-nigel-farage-keir-starmer-prime-minister-welfare-b1230396.html
I'm on page 65 of the world's most boring report and it's obvious the whole thing is AI. I might wait till Monday before I send my feedback in because right now it's vicious.
WRT last night's byes, they match the polls, showing Reform falling back a bit from its post local election high, and the Tories going up a bit.
Four weeks ago, Reform would have won both Conservative-held seats, probably Bedwell, too, and Basildon by a bigger margin.
But one in stainless steel. They last forever.
There's payroll giving which my last employer offered from a menu.
https://www.gov.uk/donating-to-charity/donating-straight-from-your-wages-or-pension
Especially if done by a royal Prince.
"It's not my fault my house has massively appreciated in value". Etc etc
And yet they've come up with something they now obviously think they can't get support for. And actually welfare is a chance for them to be popular, the public wants reform here. So looks like a fail on policy and politics.
There are awful lot of people in the 3rd sector as well, and even sometimes in the private, who've never ever done anything but policy and process compliance.
You might say that is an advantage in the head of government. But his job is to change the law.