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  • nunu2nunu2 Posts: 1,522

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 25,308
    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    ...the "national, centrally funded, care service" was promised by Gordon Brown in the run-up to the 2010 election. If he had won we would have got it by now.

    I'll just leave that there to settle for a bit.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 33,294
    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    Thank you Leon.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 25,308
    Battlebus said:

    viewcode said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Brilliant article in the New Statesman.

    "The MoD’s Afghan data breach shows us who we really are
    The British state remains in thrall to New Labour’s brutal adventurism.
    By Oliver Eagleton

    This sequence of events unfolded not just in Britain but across the Global North, as governments joined foreign wars and delegated authority to big business. It soon gave rise to a paradoxical situation. New forms of international dependency were created, with impoverished client states becoming completely reliant on the imperial powers. At the same time, those powers themselves became dependent on predatory investors and asset-stripping corporations, with dire results for states and wider societies. So, as elites in Kabul looked to Western governments to stabilise their rule, they realised that the latter were grappling with their own set of instabilities, caused by the forward march of neoliberalism. Politicians in the developed world had forfeited their own sovereignty while trying to assert it over others." (£)

    https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/2025/07/afghan-data-breach-shows-us-who-we-really-are

    "...If the government’s main foreign policy ambition is to act as Washington’s henchman, this is in part because its domestic policy is not designed to reclaim the sovereignty that was relinquished during the neoliberal period; it is characterised by the same mix of deregulation and deference to private interests. In this sense, the data leak offers a glimpse of a much wider problem: the ability of Blairism to survive amid the wreckage it has made..."
    A Word salad masquerading as a thought piece.
    Actually, you have a point. When I was reading it I was reminded of an Adam Curtis article written by an AI. But I thought some of the points were good, including the quote.
  • nunu2nunu2 Posts: 1,522

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    Thank you Leon.
    :wink:
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 25,308
    kle4 said:
    Interesting link, thank you
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 25,308
    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    Arthur Darvill International Airport. Twinned with Karen Gillan Airport in Inverness.
  • TazTaz Posts: 19,905
    edited July 25
    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 52,296
    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.
    I wouldn't rename the airport myself.

    Just put a statue of Ozzy somewhere in the city centre.

    Then the doves can get their revenge by shitting on him.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,993
    edited July 25
    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Name it after Richard Hammond, hes a Solihull lad. Hamster International Airport.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 33,294
    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.
    I wouldn't rename the airport myself.

    Just put a statue of Ozzy somewhere in the city centre.

    Then the doves can get their revenge by shitting on him.
    Belfast City Airport is rarely referred to a George Best Airport.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 52,296
    edited July 25

    An quiet evening in for @Leon ?

    Scarred for Life
    @ScarredForLife2
    ·
    2h
    Blimey, BBC Four, what have we done to deserve this? Next Wednesday 30 July, the late evening schedule is devoted to THREADS and THE WAR GAME, two of the most horrifying and bleakly depressing films ever made. There will be documentaries, too. Get the snacks in!

    https://x.com/ScarredForLife2/status/1948710590886695251

    80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bomb, so a suitably sombre nights viewing.

    Youngsters have never really known the dark days when nuclear apocalypse was just minutes away.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,960
    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,548
    Hmmm. Lee Anderson's weekly programme on GB News started at 7pm.

    I wonder if he will comment.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUsmVbCnDYI
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 18,228
    JD Vance:


    ... it's bogus for the WSJ to publish a hit piece without showing us the letter.

    I have no idea if the book exists--WSJ won't show it to us. I have no idea if the letter exists--WSJ won't show it to us. What I find absurd is the idea that Donald Trump was writing poems to Epstein, and I find it equally absurd that a major American paper would attack the President of the United States without revealing the basis for the attack


    Vance is transparently urging the WSJ to publish the smoking gun. If it does, Trump is destroyed to the possible benefit of Vance; if it doesn't, he can say, told you so.

    Can presidents get rid of their VPs?

    https://x.com/JDVance/status/1948563653440991355
  • TazTaz Posts: 19,905
    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.
    I wouldn't rename the airport myself.

    Just put a statue of Ozzy somewhere in the city centre.

    Then the doves can get their revenge by shitting on him.
    There’s a Hancock tribute. Not a statue but some metal thing. By the law courts.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 52,296
    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 11,306
    Carnyx said:

    Eabhal said:

    Getting a bit breezy up here. Stunning views of the Forth though; surprising number of seabirds at this altitude.

    Atop the Bridge? I'd be worried about slipping on the shite.
    Hanging underneath it on a Temu carabiner.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 33,294
    FF43 said:

    JD Vance:


    ... it's bogus for the WSJ to publish a hit piece without showing us the letter.

    I have no idea if the book exists--WSJ won't show it to us. I have no idea if the letter exists--WSJ won't show it to us. What I find absurd is the idea that Donald Trump was writing poems to Epstein, and I find it equally absurd that a major American paper would attack the President of the United States without revealing the basis for the attack


    Vance is transparently urging the WSJ to publish the smoking gun. If it does, Trump is destroyed to the possible benefit of Vance; if it doesn't, he can say, told you so.

    Can presidents get rid of their VPs?

    https://x.com/JDVance/status/1948563653440991355

    New York hoods probably have useful connections. Oh you meant fire him...
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 55,885
    Eabhal said:

    Carnyx said:

    Eabhal said:

    Getting a bit breezy up here. Stunning views of the Forth though; surprising number of seabirds at this altitude.

    Atop the Bridge? I'd be worried about slipping on the shite.
    Hanging underneath it on a Temu carabiner.
    I know that tickets for the train are expensive - isn't that taking things a tad far?
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 15,065
    edited July 25
    kle4 said:
    Actually the bit attention is drawn to here is not of itself inherently unsustainable and isn't why we are in trouble. This bit is a local skirmish in a larger war. The skirmish here is government/parliament passing laws that LAs have to obey and spend money on, without allowing them proper funding either from the centre or locally raised. In relation to TME the sums are quite small. In relation to LA funding it is monstrous. Bonkers of course, but there would be a political price to pay in putting it right, so it festers on until something goes pop.

    What is unsustainable is not raising taxes to a level to match TME (total managed expenditure). Loads of sane western countries have TME larger than ours as a % of GDP, and they manage. So could we.

    Having said that, SEND has gone crazy with all sorts of normality being medicalised.

    But it's completely normal for rights and duties within a social democrat society to be enshrined in law. You can't spend 1.3 trillion per annum by extra-statutory guesswork.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,993
    edited July 25
    Foxy said:

    An quiet evening in for @Leon ?

    Scarred for Life
    @ScarredForLife2
    ·
    2h
    Blimey, BBC Four, what have we done to deserve this? Next Wednesday 30 July, the late evening schedule is devoted to THREADS and THE WAR GAME, two of the most horrifying and bleakly depressing films ever made. There will be documentaries, too. Get the snacks in!

    https://x.com/ScarredForLife2/status/1948710590886695251

    80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bomb, so a suitably sombre nights viewing.

    Youngsters have never really known the dark days when nuclear apocalypse was just minutes away.
    Threads of course starts with a military confrontation in Iran.
    Ive got a copy of War Plan UK which is the basis for the post attack civil response in the film. Its grim reading although a lot of it stems from simulations like 1980s Square Leg which saw Britain hit by 150 warheads many of which were multi megaton, there's no chance of such an attack in today's circumstances with a limited number of high yield weapons and far far fewer ready to go - most targets would be counterforce military targets woth very few countervalue civilian targettings - total waste of time and weaponry
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 55,885
    FF43 said:

    JD Vance:


    ... it's bogus for the WSJ to publish a hit piece without showing us the letter.

    I have no idea if the book exists--WSJ won't show it to us. I have no idea if the letter exists--WSJ won't show it to us. What I find absurd is the idea that Donald Trump was writing poems to Epstein, and I find it equally absurd that a major American paper would attack the President of the United States without revealing the basis for the attack


    Vance is transparently urging the WSJ to publish the smoking gun. If it does, Trump is destroyed to the possible benefit of Vance; if it doesn't, he can say, told you so.

    Can presidents get rid of their VPs?

    https://x.com/JDVance/status/1948563653440991355

    Nope - there is no mechanism for firing a VP.

    You can impeach them, but that has never worked - 2/3rd of Congress required.

  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,477
    algarkirk said:

    kle4 said:
    Actually the bit attention is drawn to here is not of itself inherently unsustainable and isn't why we are in trouble. This bit is a local skirmish in a larger war. The skirmish here is government/parliament passing laws that LAs have to obey and spend money on, without allowing them proper funding either from the centre or locally raised. In relation to TME the sums are quite small. In relation to LA funding it is monstrous. Bonkers of course, but there would be a political price to pay in putting it right, so it festers on until something goes pop.

    What is unsustainable is not raising taxes to a level to match TME (total managed expenditure). Loads of sane western countries have TME larger than ours as a % of GDP, and they manage. So could we.

    Having said that, SEND has gone crazy with all sorts of normality being medicalised.
    And again, we are left wondering why our post-covid experience seems to have panned out so much worse than elsewhere. Something you’d expect the National Covid inquiry to be looking into…
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 33,294
    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Quite right! A very active Tory, as is Bev Bevan.

    Birmingham Bev Bevan Airport is quite alliterative.
  • isamisam Posts: 42,256
    edited July 25
    Who would have believed it?

    Extra bank holiday for Brits if England win Euro 2022 backed by Keir Starmer - The Mirror

    https://x.com/timmyvoe/status/1948806575298101295?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q


    Breaking news: Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out granting a Bank Holiday if the Lionesses win the Euros in Switzerland on Sunday

    Read more: trib.al/f8jdkxD


    https://x.com/theipaper/status/1948784328516739189?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 3,772
    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    If neurodivergence is increasing, at some point it will become the norm, so education methods will need to adjust and the people we have traditionally labelled 'normal' will have the special needs.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,993
    isam said:

    Who would have believed it?

    Extra bank holiday for Brits if England win Euro 2022 backed by Keir Starmer - The Mirror

    https://x.com/timmyvoe/status/1948806575298101295?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q


    Breaking news: Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out granting a Bank Holiday if the Lionesses win the Euros in Switzerland on Sunday

    Read more: trib.al/f8jdkxD


    https://x.com/theipaper/status/1948784328516739189?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Working people celebrate by working in a Labour compliant way
  • carnforthcarnforth Posts: 6,711

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Name it after Richard Hammond, hes a Solihull lad. Hamster International Airport.
    Jasper Carrott, surely.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,548
    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    TBH I don't see it, sitting in my office about 1-2 miles from a demonstration that I will have a walk down to check on. That didn't happen last year, and policing has been competent so far.

    There have already been 17 arrests following on from the Epping demonstrations.

    Also worth a note that I think today is the last day of term, so the kids will have been a bit frisky.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 55,885
    AnneJGP said:

    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    If neurodivergence is increasing, at some point it will become the norm, so education methods will need to adjust and the people we have traditionally labelled 'normal' will have the special needs.
    I think it is more a case that we are actually looking for issues. Rather than classing people as work shy or disruptive and binning them.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 46,332

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
  • StillWatersStillWaters Posts: 10,426

    FF43 said:

    JD Vance:


    ... it's bogus for the WSJ to publish a hit piece without showing us the letter.

    I have no idea if the book exists--WSJ won't show it to us. I have no idea if the letter exists--WSJ won't show it to us. What I find absurd is the idea that Donald Trump was writing poems to Epstein, and I find it equally absurd that a major American paper would attack the President of the United States without revealing the basis for the attack


    Vance is transparently urging the WSJ to publish the smoking gun. If it does, Trump is destroyed to the possible benefit of Vance; if it doesn't, he can say, told you so.

    Can presidents get rid of their VPs?

    https://x.com/JDVance/status/1948563653440991355

    Nope - there is no mechanism for firing a VP.

    You can impeach them, but that has never worked - 2/3rd of Congress required.

    Not quite the same but Aaron Burr was a VP who fired the secretary of the Treasury
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,993
    carnforth said:

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Name it after Richard Hammond, hes a Solihull lad. Hamster International Airport.
    Jasper Carrott, surely.
    Nah name the NEC after him
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,086
    HYUFD said:

    Leon said:

    rcs1000 said:

    sarissa said:

    nunu2 said:

    This is a stunning poll! And a Yougov poll to boot!


    🟡 SNP – 29% (-1)
    ➡️ REF – 22% (+15)
    🔴 LAB – 19% (-16)
    🟠 LD – 11% (+1)
    🔵 CON – 10% (-3)
    🟢 GRN – 7% (+3)

    Via
    @YouGov
    /
    @ScotVoting
    , 13-19 Jun (+/- vs GE24)

    https://x.com/LeftieStats/status/1948706156353819074

    Almost perfect fragmentation of Unionist vote.
    I agree that such a result would be great for the SNP (and on this @Leon is quite wrong).

    However, it's quite hard to know exactly how it would play out, because we don't know how concentrated the Reform vote will be, because it's not been tested yet. What we do know, though, is that the LibDems will almost certainly win the same six seats that they have now, simply because their vote is incredibly concentrated.

    We also know that Labour would lose most of their two-way seats to the SNP. I suspect it probably wouldn't be *quite* as bad as predicted. But it would be bad.
    So, you don't actually know if I am wrong, then
    And unless they hold the balance of power in the Commons, Westminster elections are largely irrelevant for the SNP anyway beyond SNP MPs enjoying their expense accounts in the Westminster bars and restaurants
    They stopped being relevant at Westminster when they stopped being a party of protest and became part of the establishment under Sturgeon and Blackford.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 46,368
    Foxy said:

    An quiet evening in for @Leon ?

    Scarred for Life
    @ScarredForLife2
    ·
    2h
    Blimey, BBC Four, what have we done to deserve this? Next Wednesday 30 July, the late evening schedule is devoted to THREADS and THE WAR GAME, two of the most horrifying and bleakly depressing films ever made. There will be documentaries, too. Get the snacks in!

    https://x.com/ScarredForLife2/status/1948710590886695251

    80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bomb, so a suitably sombre nights viewing.

    Youngsters have never really known the dark days when nuclear apocalypse was just minutes away.
    Still the only use. A human achievement of sorts.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,086
    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    As long as it stays in England and doesn’t cross the borders to Scotland and Wales.
  • nunu2nunu2 Posts: 1,522

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    They aren't all racist and many of them will be. And it's happening across the country. So they will be local to somewhere, you can't just dismiss them. There are millions who feel the same way

    We need a law change on the small boats quickly
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,794

    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    Actually, very clever from England

    Leave India totally dispirited. Knock a brisk 50 tomorrow

    England 230 ahead, with almost two days to go

    2 result game and India winning ain't one of them
    If we lose from here, you and @Andy_JS are watching Mad Nad talking about Massive Johnson on a loop for 15 whole minutes.
    If we lose from here I'm in the starting XI for the fifth test
    It's hardly impossible if the pitch continues to deteriorate.

    India scores 350 by early afternoon on Sunday. We get bowled out for 110 on a rapidly worsening pitch.

    Still: 200 up, I'd reckon we'd be more likely to skittle India for 250 or so.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,971
    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/25/two-boys-jailed-london-bus-murder-kelyan-bokassa

    The two killers, both 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to Kelyan’s murder and to having a knife.

    This needs to change once the voting age is lowered.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,086

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Name it after Richard Hammond, hes a Solihull lad. Hamster International Airport.
    Then it would need to be restricted to very short planes.
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 4,740

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Name it after Richard Hammond, hes a Solihull lad. Hamster International Airport.
    Then it would need to be restricted to very short planes.
    ...which crash every now and again...

    Too soon?
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,794
    tlg86 said:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jul/25/two-boys-jailed-london-bus-murder-kelyan-bokassa

    The two killers, both 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to Kelyan’s murder and to having a knife.

    This needs to change once the voting age is lowered.

    Indeed: old enough to vote, old enough for the rope.
  • JosiasJessopJosiasJessop Posts: 46,332
    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    They aren't all racist and many of them will be. And it's happening across the country. So they will be local to somewhere, you can't just dismiss them. There are millions who feel the same way

    We need a law change on the small boats quickly
    I won't dismiss them, but I will call them racist if all they find interest in is abuse by the 'wrong' groups.

    To be clear: this isn't about keeping women and kids safe.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 67,010

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Name it after Richard Hammond, hes a Solihull lad. Hamster International Airport.
    Then it would need to be restricted to very short planes.
    Jaspar Carrot Airport?
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,794
    FF43 said:

    JD Vance:


    ... it's bogus for the WSJ to publish a hit piece without showing us the letter.

    I have no idea if the book exists--WSJ won't show it to us. I have no idea if the letter exists--WSJ won't show it to us. What I find absurd is the idea that Donald Trump was writing poems to Epstein, and I find it equally absurd that a major American paper would attack the President of the United States without revealing the basis for the attack


    Vance is transparently urging the WSJ to publish the smoking gun. If it does, Trump is destroyed to the possible benefit of Vance; if it doesn't, he can say, told you so.

    Can presidents get rid of their VPs?

    https://x.com/JDVance/status/1948563653440991355

    I find it equally absurd that a major American paper would attack the President of the United States without revealing the basis for the attack

    Wait until he hears about Fox News host and what they said about one Trump's predecessors.
  • wooliedyedwooliedyed Posts: 12,993
    rcs1000 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Leon said:

    Actually, very clever from England

    Leave India totally dispirited. Knock a brisk 50 tomorrow

    England 230 ahead, with almost two days to go

    2 result game and India winning ain't one of them
    If we lose from here, you and @Andy_JS are watching Mad Nad talking about Massive Johnson on a loop for 15 whole minutes.
    If we lose from here I'm in the starting XI for the fifth test
    It's hardly impossible if the pitch continues to deteriorate.

    India scores 350 by early afternoon on Sunday. We get bowled out for 110 on a rapidly worsening pitch.

    Still: 200 up, I'd reckon we'd be more likely to skittle India for 250 or so.
    Well obviously its not 'impossible'. Its a two result game though. Any England loss would be due to gross ineptitude. We bat for an hour in the morning and India won't be declaring before tea on Sunday if they survive
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,794

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Name it after Richard Hammond, hes a Solihull lad. Hamster International Airport.
    Then it would need to be restricted to very short planes.
    Jaspar Carrot Airport?
    Did you know that Dawn from The Office (the original, English Office) was played by Jasper Carrot's daughter?
  • ChrisChris Posts: 12,079
    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    You wish.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 52,296

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    They aren't all racist and many of them will be. And it's happening across the country. So they will be local to somewhere, you can't just dismiss them. There are millions who feel the same way

    We need a law change on the small boats quickly
    I won't dismiss them, but I will call them racist if all they find interest in is abuse by the 'wrong' groups.

    To be clear: this isn't about keeping women and kids safe.
    Its notable that there were no similar protests for the other 200+ sexual offences in Epping last year. I wonder why.

    Or indeed the sexual offences committed by some of Yaxley Lennons mates.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,086
    isam said:

    Who would have believed it?

    Extra bank holiday for Brits if England win Euro 2022 backed by Keir Starmer - The Mirror

    https://x.com/timmyvoe/status/1948806575298101295?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q


    Breaking news: Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out granting a Bank Holiday if the Lionesses win the Euros in Switzerland on Sunday

    Read more: trib.al/f8jdkxD


    https://x.com/theipaper/status/1948784328516739189?s=46&t=CW4pL-mMpTqsJXCdjW0Z6Q

    Never mind. The Scots, Welsh and Irish will cancel all leave and work extra hard that day, to avoid watching the TV.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,960
    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    They aren't all racist and many of them will be. And it's happening across the country. So they will be local to somewhere, you can't just dismiss them. There are millions who feel the same way

    We need a law change on the small boats quickly
    What do you mean, a law change? Presumably we wouldn't need legislation if it were to be decided ALL illegal migrants would be arrested and deported without any asylum request being processed.

    Would that stop "the boats"? Not sure but the Greek option seems one which could be followed.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,960
    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    The decision was taken some years ago to integrate special needs children into mainstream schools via the provision of specialised accommodation within mainstream schools.

    Residential schools for children with special needs do still exist I believe but there aren't many.
  • tlg86tlg86 Posts: 26,971
    rcs1000 said:

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Name it after Richard Hammond, hes a Solihull lad. Hamster International Airport.
    Then it would need to be restricted to very short planes.
    Jaspar Carrot Airport?
    Did you know that Dawn from The Office (the original, English Office) was played by Jasper Carrot's daughter?
    She was once asked why she didn’t take her dad’s surname…
  • nunu2nunu2 Posts: 1,522
    Chris said:



    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    You wish.
    No I really don't. No one who isn't white wants this to grow But something must change.

    Reports indicate that gatherings have started outside hotels in various locations, including Leeds, Bournemouth, Ashfield, and Portsmouth.

    This is only growing.
  • nunu2nunu2 Posts: 1,522

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    As long as it stays in England and doesn’t cross the borders to Scotland and Wales.
    How many asylum hotels in Scotland?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 67,010
    nunu2 said:

    Chris said:



    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    You wish.
    No I really don't. No one who isn't white wants this to grow But something must change.

    Reports indicate that gatherings have started outside hotels in various locations, including Leeds, Bournemouth, Ashfield, and Portsmouth.

    This is only growing.
    The rainy season can't come soon enough.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,794
    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    That's not necessarily true: the nueurodivergent might be more likely to end up going down the medical path than students in general.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 67,010
    edited July 25
    rcs1000 said:

    Taz said:

    Foxy said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Nice thought but no.

    "More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed as 'Ozzy Osbourne International'."

    https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-25/thousands-call-for-airport-to-be-renamed-ozzy-osbourne-international

    It should be named Noddy Holder international airport. I know he’s a yam yam but all this revisionist twaddle about Black Sabbath. FFS
    What revisionism has been happening about Black Sabbath?
    That they’re in any way, shape, or form good.

    Adam Boulton has had some good stuff about them on his Twitter.
    Its all a matter of taste, but they were one of the most influential bands of the Seventies, and inspired a whole musical genre.

    I don't think much of his solo stuff, but with Black Sabbath he was a true great. Not really well suited to the role of national treasure in those days.

    I saw them on a couple of their farewell tours, including once at Download.
    Of course it’s partly taste but it’s partly influential fans advocating for them.

    Ozzy Osbourne was a boorish prat. His wife unlikeable. His son was a decent chap.

    There is no way Brums airport. Which is not in Brum but Solihull, should be named after this old soak.

    Maybe name it after Crackerjacks Don McLean
    Name it after Richard Hammond, hes a Solihull lad. Hamster International Airport.
    Then it would need to be restricted to very short planes.
    Jaspar Carrot Airport?
    Did you know that Dawn from The Office (the original, English Office) was played by Jasper Carrot's daughter?
    I did indeed.

    A family member of mine taught her at school.

  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 15,065
    rcs1000 said:

    FF43 said:

    JD Vance:


    ... it's bogus for the WSJ to publish a hit piece without showing us the letter.

    I have no idea if the book exists--WSJ won't show it to us. I have no idea if the letter exists--WSJ won't show it to us. What I find absurd is the idea that Donald Trump was writing poems to Epstein, and I find it equally absurd that a major American paper would attack the President of the United States without revealing the basis for the attack


    Vance is transparently urging the WSJ to publish the smoking gun. If it does, Trump is destroyed to the possible benefit of Vance; if it doesn't, he can say, told you so.

    Can presidents get rid of their VPs?

    https://x.com/JDVance/status/1948563653440991355

    I find it equally absurd that a major American paper would attack the President of the United States without revealing the basis for the attack

    Wait until he hears about Fox News host and what they said about one Trump's predecessors.
    Not quite. We are dealing here with people with infinite access to the law and lawyers. If a media outfit thinks they can stand up a story they on the basis of its being true they are quite entitled to run it without revealing how they know. The issue is not the background work, but whether it is true.

    OTOH in reply the POTUS can sue in the usual way, and the media outfit then has to stand the story up, and POTUS can have discovery as the case proceeds.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,425
    Foxy said:

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    They aren't all racist and many of them will be. And it's happening across the country. So they will be local to somewhere, you can't just dismiss them. There are millions who feel the same way

    We need a law change on the small boats quickly
    I won't dismiss them, but I will call them racist if all they find interest in is abuse by the 'wrong' groups.

    To be clear: this isn't about keeping women and kids safe.
    Its notable that there were no similar protests for the other 200+ sexual offences in Epping last year. I wonder why.

    Or indeed the sexual offences committed by some of Yaxley Lennons mates.
    Oh FFS
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 52,296
    nunu2 said:

    Chris said:



    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    You wish.
    No I really don't. No one who isn't white wants this to grow But something must change.

    Reports indicate that gatherings have started outside hotels in various locations, including Leeds, Bournemouth, Ashfield, and Portsmouth.

    This is only growing.
    It is hard to believe that people can look back at last years race riots and think "let's do that again".

  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 67,010
    Foxy said:

    nunu2 said:

    Chris said:



    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    You wish.
    No I really don't. No one who isn't white wants this to grow But something must change.

    Reports indicate that gatherings have started outside hotels in various locations, including Leeds, Bournemouth, Ashfield, and Portsmouth.

    This is only growing.
    It is hard to believe that people can look back at last years race riots and think "let's do that again".

    Maybe they have forget some of them went down for some serious porridge.
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 44,435

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    Yes, they’ve unaccountably missed out the “pro-racism” cohort.

  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 52,296
    rcs1000 said:

    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    That's not necessarily true: the nueurodivergent might be more likely to end up going down the medical path than students in general.
    In view of the high academic entrance requirements, Clinical Aptitude Tests etc in order to get in, it is hard to see how they have been held back by it.

    Incidentally, there are legitimate concerns about those with dyslexia or dyscalculia rewriting prescription charts in independent practice.
  • algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 15,065
    stodge said:

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    They aren't all racist and many of them will be. And it's happening across the country. So they will be local to somewhere, you can't just dismiss them. There are millions who feel the same way

    We need a law change on the small boats quickly
    What do you mean, a law change? Presumably we wouldn't need legislation if it were to be decided ALL illegal migrants would be arrested and deported without any asylum request being processed.

    Would that stop "the boats"? Not sure but the Greek option seems one which could be followed.
    At the moment it would be against the law (for extremely good reasons) to deport anyone at all without a process to establish it is proper to do so. A moment's rational reflection shows this

    It isn't possible to know that person X is in the UK unlawfully unless person X has the right be heard and to put in a defence to the suggestion that he is present unlawfully. This is not the USA under Trump where the rule of law only applies to some people.

  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 25,454
    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,425
    Primrose Hill looking exquisite, again, in the slant summer sun



    I’ll say it once more: just build loads of Primrose Hills all over the country. Get tae fuck with these red brick semi asphalt Barratt home Leicester-suburb hell holes
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,086
    nunu2 said:

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    As long as it stays in England and doesn’t cross the borders to Scotland and Wales.
    How many asylum hotels in Scotland?
    AFAIK about 20-25. About half of them in Glasgow.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,086

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    I would have a system where assets held in cash and property are used to pay for care. Assets held in stocks and shares are exempt, on the basis that they are benefiting the wider economy.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 46,368

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    Lol, nice spot. Bit of a tell there.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 25,454
    algarkirk said:

    stodge said:

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    They aren't all racist and many of them will be. And it's happening across the country. So they will be local to somewhere, you can't just dismiss them. There are millions who feel the same way

    We need a law change on the small boats quickly
    What do you mean, a law change? Presumably we wouldn't need legislation if it were to be decided ALL illegal migrants would be arrested and deported without any asylum request being processed.

    Would that stop "the boats"? Not sure but the Greek option seems one which could be followed.
    At the moment it would be against the law (for extremely good reasons) to deport anyone at all without a process to establish it is proper to do so. A moment's rational reflection shows this

    It isn't possible to know that person X is in the UK unlawfully unless person X has the right be heard and to put in a defence to the suggestion that he is present unlawfully. This is not the USA under Trump where the rule of law only applies to some people.

    Indeed, if someone is here legally with a visa/passport then they shouldn't be deported and should have the opportunity to demonstrate their legal status.

    If they don't have legal status, then a law could be passed to say they are immediately deported and their asylum claim is heard elsewhere, as other countries have already done.

    Not saying we should do it, but we could if we voted to do so.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,086
    Leon said:

    Primrose Hill looking exquisite, again, in the slant summer sun



    I’ll say it once more: just build loads of Primrose Hills all over the country. Get tae fuck with these red brick semi asphalt Barratt home Leicester-suburb hell holes

    Everywhere looks better beside a canal, apart possibly parts of Birmingham. Even then, they are probably better than they would be if the canals weren’t there.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,477

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    No national service could be viable without those who can pay making a significant contribution - hence where Mrs May got to. If it was remotely possible to provide free care for everyone, Labour would crack on and do it, but obvious it isn’t, and as soon as Labour spells out how people who can will need to pay, it’s the death tax all over again. That’s why Labour is both shunting it off to the long grass and hoping to get the other parties’ fingerprints on it.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 46,368
    Foxy said:

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    They aren't all racist and many of them will be. And it's happening across the country. So they will be local to somewhere, you can't just dismiss them. There are millions who feel the same way

    We need a law change on the small boats quickly
    I won't dismiss them, but I will call them racist if all they find interest in is abuse by the 'wrong' groups.

    To be clear: this isn't about keeping women and kids safe.
    Its notable that there were no similar protests for the other 200+ sexual offences in Epping last year. I wonder why.

    Or indeed the sexual offences committed by some of Yaxley Lennons mates.
    I doubt there's a smaller space on earth than the venn overlap of asylum hotel protesters and support for MeToo type activism.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 25,454
    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    No national service could be viable without those who can pay making a significant contribution - hence where Mrs May got to. If it was remotely possible to provide free care for everyone, Labour would crack on and do it, but obvious it isn’t, and as soon as Labour spells out how people who can will need to pay, it’s the death tax all over again. That’s why Labour is both shunting it off to the long grass and hoping to get the other parties’ fingerprints on it.
    Its a "problem" that does not need addressing. People who can pay for their care should do so, those who can't, there's a backstop. There's nothing wrong with the current situation.

    We could massively reduce costs by giving people an alternative of advanced directives. I would far rather euthanasia than end up in a care home with dementia, but I don't have that choice. We should all get the choice and we should be able to make that choice up front in advance.

    If you want to end up in a care home then that should be your prerogative, if that's how you want to spend your time and money then good for you. If you don't, then there should be an alternative option.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 11,306
    Online safety act petition reaches 100,000. It's like blocking access to food.

    Dundee, Edinburgh North and Westminster have the greatest number of.... ahem.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,477

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    No national service could be viable without those who can pay making a significant contribution - hence where Mrs May got to. If it was remotely possible to provide free care for everyone, Labour would crack on and do it, but obvious it isn’t, and as soon as Labour spells out how people who can will need to pay, it’s the death tax all over again. That’s why Labour is both shunting it off to the long grass and hoping to get the other parties’ fingerprints on it.
    Its a "problem" that does not need addressing. People who can pay for their care should do so, those who can't, there's a backstop. There's nothing wrong with the current situation.

    We could massively reduce costs by giving people an alternative of advanced directives. I would far rather euthanasia than end up in a care home with dementia, but I don't have that choice. We should all get the choice and we should be able to make that choice up front in advance.

    If you want to end up in a care home then that should be your prerogative, if that's how you want to spend your time and money then good for you. If you don't, then there should be an alternative option.
    There is, as clearly set out above. Local councils have legal obligations to provide services without having the means to pay for this.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 25,454
    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    No national service could be viable without those who can pay making a significant contribution - hence where Mrs May got to. If it was remotely possible to provide free care for everyone, Labour would crack on and do it, but obvious it isn’t, and as soon as Labour spells out how people who can will need to pay, it’s the death tax all over again. That’s why Labour is both shunting it off to the long grass and hoping to get the other parties’ fingerprints on it.
    Its a "problem" that does not need addressing. People who can pay for their care should do so, those who can't, there's a backstop. There's nothing wrong with the current situation.

    We could massively reduce costs by giving people an alternative of advanced directives. I would far rather euthanasia than end up in a care home with dementia, but I don't have that choice. We should all get the choice and we should be able to make that choice up front in advance.

    If you want to end up in a care home then that should be your prerogative, if that's how you want to spend your time and money then good for you. If you don't, then there should be an alternative option.
    There is, as clearly set out above. Local councils have legal obligations to provide services without having the means to pay for this.
    That can be easily fixed.

    Those who set the requirement should fund it, Councils haven't set the obligation, Westminster has, so Westminster should fund it. Same with SEND.

    Abolish Local Councils, fund SEN through the Department of Education and care through the Department of Health and Social Care but without creating and new rights or responsibilities or obligations.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 55,885
    stodge said:

    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    The decision was taken some years ago to integrate special needs children into mainstream schools via the provision of specialised accommodation within mainstream schools.

    Residential schools for children with special needs do still exist I believe but there aren't many.
    Non-residential schools as well, for SEND
  • Foxy said:

    nunu2 said:

    Chris said:



    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    You wish.
    No I really don't. No one who isn't white wants this to grow But something must change.

    Reports indicate that gatherings have started outside hotels in various locations, including Leeds, Bournemouth, Ashfield, and Portsmouth.

    This is only growing.
    It is hard to believe that people can look back at last years race riots and think "let's do that again".

    Maybe they have forget some of them went down for some serious porridge.
    The vast majority of people on the marches caused absolutely no trouble and simply exercised their democratic right to voice their opinion..🤨
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,548
    Leon said:

    Primrose Hill looking exquisite, again, in the slant summer sun



    I’ll say it once more: just build loads of Primrose Hills all over the country. Get tae fuck with these red brick semi asphalt Barratt home Leicester-suburb hell holes

    Given PB, someone will be along in a minute to list all the crime and riots which were not prevented by the existence of Georgian London.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 5,137

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    As long as it stays in England and doesn’t cross the borders to Scotland and Wales.
    Possibly too late. The is a UKIP (yes) backed “mass deportation” rally in Glasgow tomorrow. Hopefully not well attended. But it's creeping up on us all the same.
  • stodgestodge Posts: 14,960

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    No national service could be viable without those who can pay making a significant contribution - hence where Mrs May got to. If it was remotely possible to provide free care for everyone, Labour would crack on and do it, but obvious it isn’t, and as soon as Labour spells out how people who can will need to pay, it’s the death tax all over again. That’s why Labour is both shunting it off to the long grass and hoping to get the other parties’ fingerprints on it.
    Its a "problem" that does not need addressing. People who can pay for their care should do so, those who can't, there's a backstop. There's nothing wrong with the current situation.

    We could massively reduce costs by giving people an alternative of advanced directives. I would far rather euthanasia than end up in a care home with dementia, but I don't have that choice. We should all get the choice and we should be able to make that choice up front in advance.

    If you want to end up in a care home then that should be your prerogative, if that's how you want to spend your time and money then good for you. If you don't, then there should be an alternative option.
    There is, as clearly set out above. Local councils have legal obligations to provide services without having the means to pay for this.
    That can be easily fixed.

    Those who set the requirement should fund it, Councils haven't set the obligation, Westminster has, so Westminster should fund it. Same with SEND.

    Abolish Local Councils, fund SEN through the Department of Education and care through the Department of Health and Social Care but without creating and new rights or responsibilities or obligations.
    Presumably we will also need a National Library Service, a National Highways Maintenance Service and a National Refuse Collection & Waste Management Service as well as a National Trading Standards Service and a National Cemetery & Crematorium Service?

    Do you have any conception as to the range of activities undertaken by local councils? Clearly not.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 5,137
    AnneJGP said:

    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    If neurodivergence is increasing, at some point it will become the norm, so education methods will need to adjust and the people we have traditionally labelled 'normal' will have the special needs.
    I faintly hope this also applies to BMI. Then those weird 'thinnos' will be force-fed cake and buttered cheese scones.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 11,306

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    No national service could be viable without those who can pay making a significant contribution - hence where Mrs May got to. If it was remotely possible to provide free care for everyone, Labour would crack on and do it, but obvious it isn’t, and as soon as Labour spells out how people who can will need to pay, it’s the death tax all over again. That’s why Labour is both shunting it off to the long grass and hoping to get the other parties’ fingerprints on it.
    Its a "problem" that does not need addressing. People who can pay for their care should do so, those who can't, there's a backstop. There's nothing wrong with the current situation.

    We could massively reduce costs by giving people an alternative of advanced directives. I would far rather euthanasia than end up in a care home with dementia, but I don't have that choice. We should all get the choice and we should be able to make that choice up front in advance.

    If you want to end up in a care home then that should be your prerogative, if that's how you want to spend your time and money then good for you. If you don't, then there should be an alternative option.
    I guess I agree with your idea but you're forgetting that there is great deal of luck involved. My inheritance has been wiped out** by decades long care costs, while other families are get "lucky" with a big heart attack or a sudden week long deterioration. That's why done form of insurance system should be put in place, with richer* families like mine contributing over a period of 20+ years.

    *Wealth, not income.
    ** I'm not overly fussed by this because I think intergenerational wealth inequality is the biggest issue the country faces. It would be nice if the solution hadn't manifested itself so brutally in my case, hence my advocacy for an insurance system.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 11,306
    MattW said:

    Leon said:

    Primrose Hill looking exquisite, again, in the slant summer sun



    I’ll say it once more: just build loads of Primrose Hills all over the country. Get tae fuck with these red brick semi asphalt Barratt home Leicester-suburb hell holes

    Given PB, someone will be along in a minute to list all the crime and riots which were not prevented by the existence of Georgian London.
    Along that same canal arrived the Peaky Blinders.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 60,794

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    I would have a system where assets held in cash and property are used to pay for care. Assets held in stocks and shares are exempt, on the basis that they are benefiting the wider economy.
    How are they benefiting the wider economy?

    By exempting them, all you do is create a system where by older people get a close to 100% mortgage, with the proceeds ploughed into shares. It's creating an absurd loophole.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 25,454
    edited July 25
    stodge said:

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    No national service could be viable without those who can pay making a significant contribution - hence where Mrs May got to. If it was remotely possible to provide free care for everyone, Labour would crack on and do it, but obvious it isn’t, and as soon as Labour spells out how people who can will need to pay, it’s the death tax all over again. That’s why Labour is both shunting it off to the long grass and hoping to get the other parties’ fingerprints on it.
    Its a "problem" that does not need addressing. People who can pay for their care should do so, those who can't, there's a backstop. There's nothing wrong with the current situation.

    We could massively reduce costs by giving people an alternative of advanced directives. I would far rather euthanasia than end up in a care home with dementia, but I don't have that choice. We should all get the choice and we should be able to make that choice up front in advance.

    If you want to end up in a care home then that should be your prerogative, if that's how you want to spend your time and money then good for you. If you don't, then there should be an alternative option.
    There is, as clearly set out above. Local councils have legal obligations to provide services without having the means to pay for this.
    That can be easily fixed.

    Those who set the requirement should fund it, Councils haven't set the obligation, Westminster has, so Westminster should fund it. Same with SEND.

    Abolish Local Councils, fund SEN through the Department of Education and care through the Department of Health and Social Care but without creating and new rights or responsibilities or obligations.
    Presumably we will also need a National Library Service, a National Highways Maintenance Service and a National Refuse Collection & Waste Management Service as well as a National Trading Standards Service and a National Cemetery & Crematorium Service?

    Do you have any conception as to the range of activities undertaken by local councils? Clearly not.
    I would privatise libraries, waste collection, cemeteries and crematoriums.

    We already pay centralised road tax, so I see no reason why that can't be dealt with through those funds.

    Similarly trading standards are national laws, so why not have it dealt with nationally? Given that most shops on the high street are national brands anyway, why the heck should each local council be duplicating the work dealing with them?
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 11,306
    ohnotnow said:

    AnneJGP said:

    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    If neurodivergence is increasing, at some point it will become the norm, so education methods will need to adjust and the people we have traditionally labelled 'normal' will have the special needs.
    I faintly hope this also applies to BMI. Then those weird 'thinnos' will be force-fed cake and buttered cheese scones.
    Special controversial Eabhal opinion: adverts featuring overweight and obese people should be banned on the same rationale we ban those those with anorexia.

    It's a serious health condition and should not be normalised. Or at least while my taxes go towards the NHS.
  • OT - I supect the new party would take either winning a lot of councillors or costing Labour more with equal pleasure. They don't expect to win an election they want to force Lab back to the left. They can certainly do damage in London and urban areas - at least they can if they can come to an arrangement with the Greens (which is easier said than done),
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,548
    nunu2 said:

    Chris said:



    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    You wish.
    No I really don't. No one who isn't white wants this to grow But something must change.

    Reports indicate that gatherings have started outside hotels in various locations, including Leeds, Bournemouth, Ashfield, and Portsmouth.

    This is only growing.
    There are no asylum hotels in Ashfield AFAIK. The nearest I am aware of was one in Mansfield which closed a year ago.

    Do you have a link to such a report?

    (Though obvs the mouth breathers are thick enough that they would believe it and turn up to holler if someone on social media said so.)

  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 25,454
    Eabhal said:

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    kle4 said:
    The answer being the national, centrally funded, care service that Labour has shunted off until its prospective second term.
    It shouldn't be shunted off into a second-term, it should be axed, never to happen.

    If people are able to pay for their own care, they should do so, it shouldn't be something taxes go towards.

    Its also something we might need a lot less of if we enabled advanced directives for assisted dying, which would be a moral and responsible thing to allow rather than forcing people to remain alive with dementia against their wishes.
    No national service could be viable without those who can pay making a significant contribution - hence where Mrs May got to. If it was remotely possible to provide free care for everyone, Labour would crack on and do it, but obvious it isn’t, and as soon as Labour spells out how people who can will need to pay, it’s the death tax all over again. That’s why Labour is both shunting it off to the long grass and hoping to get the other parties’ fingerprints on it.
    Its a "problem" that does not need addressing. People who can pay for their care should do so, those who can't, there's a backstop. There's nothing wrong with the current situation.

    We could massively reduce costs by giving people an alternative of advanced directives. I would far rather euthanasia than end up in a care home with dementia, but I don't have that choice. We should all get the choice and we should be able to make that choice up front in advance.

    If you want to end up in a care home then that should be your prerogative, if that's how you want to spend your time and money then good for you. If you don't, then there should be an alternative option.
    I guess I agree with your idea but you're forgetting that there is great deal of luck involved. My inheritance has been wiped out** by decades long care costs, while other families are get "lucky" with a big heart attack or a sudden week long deterioration. That's why done form of insurance system should be put in place, with richer* families like mine contributing over a period of 20+ years.

    *Wealth, not income.
    ** I'm not overly fussed by this because I think intergenerational wealth inequality is the biggest issue the country faces. It would be nice if the solution hadn't manifested itself so brutally in my case, hence my advocacy for an insurance system.
    I couldn't care less if someone's inheritance is wiped out. That's their business, not the taxpayers.

    If someone wishes to pay for care, they should be able to do so.
    If someone would rather die, they should be able to do so.

    That should be their choice, they are able to make in advance.

    There is no right to an inheritance. If someone spends all their money on themselves so there's nothing leftover for an inheritance, then so what to be frank? It was their money to spend on themselves.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 52,296

    OT - I supect the new party would take either winning a lot of councillors or costing Labour more with equal pleasure. They don't expect to win an election they want to force Lab back to the left. They can certainly do damage in London and urban areas - at least they can if they can come to an arrangement with the Greens (which is easier said than done),

    By and large they want Labour to be more afraid of losing voters to "Your Party" than to Reform.

    They may well succeed.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,086
    ohnotnow said:

    AnneJGP said:

    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    If neurodivergence is increasing, at some point it will become the norm, so education methods will need to adjust and the people we have traditionally labelled 'normal' will have the special needs.
    I faintly hope this also applies to BMI. Then those weird 'thinnos' will be force-fed cake and buttered cheese scones.
    The scones should have jam and cream on them. 1 Devon style and 1 Cornwall style for comparison.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,184

    nunu2 said:

    nunu2 said:

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    This is a tinder box. All it will take is one false rumour or one 35c heat wave or one viscous crime and we will have chaos across England
    As long as it stays in England and doesn’t cross the borders to Scotland and Wales.
    How many asylum hotels in Scotland?
    AFAIK about 20-25. About half of them in Glasgow.
    Just because someone from England is staying in a hotel in Glasgow, this doesn't mean they are claiming asylum.
  • ohnotnowohnotnow Posts: 5,137

    ohnotnow said:

    AnneJGP said:

    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    If neurodivergence is increasing, at some point it will become the norm, so education methods will need to adjust and the people we have traditionally labelled 'normal' will have the special needs.
    I faintly hope this also applies to BMI. Then those weird 'thinnos' will be force-fed cake and buttered cheese scones.
    The scones should have jam and cream on them. 1 Devon style and 1 Cornwall style for comparison.
    The true citizenship test.
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 3,772

    ohnotnow said:

    AnneJGP said:

    Foxy said:

    stodge said:

    kle4 said:
    I'm not sure whether I agree. There is evidence SEN referrals have risen exponentially since COVID and the system for assessment and the specialist accommodation required just hasn't existed to meet the huge new demand.

    I'm not sure you can make a sweeping series of assertions about the economy and our capitalist model from this.
    Around 15% of our medical students now claim to have some form of neurodivergence, so it must be at least that in schools. I don't see this as sustainable, and it takes resources away from the much smaller minority with major issues.

    Rather than SEN transport, perhaps we need a return to special schools.
    If neurodivergence is increasing, at some point it will become the norm, so education methods will need to adjust and the people we have traditionally labelled 'normal' will have the special needs.
    I faintly hope this also applies to BMI. Then those weird 'thinnos' will be force-fed cake and buttered cheese scones.
    The scones should have jam and cream on them. 1 Devon style and 1 Cornwall style for comparison.
    Not on cheese scones. Yuk.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,425

    Local Ashfield residents and ‘anti-racism’ protesters clash outside a church as demonstrators march to demand an end to illegal migration

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1948784888682885315

    I love the way "anti-racism" is in quotes, but 'local' is not. I bet many of these racist protestors won't be local...
    Why are they "racist", per se?
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