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Could Canada join the EU? – politicalbetting.com

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  • eekeek Posts: 30,856

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    It’s also for the EU to decide if they want to expand in that direction.

    So it’s simply not going to happen as the EI won’t agree.

    But Canada adopting the Euro would be fun to watch
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 14,690

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Another small boats crackdown.

    It will be as effective as all the others.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2y24xjgko

    I'm looking at https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25359000.four-illegal-workers-found-oak-tree-near-darlington/ and I'm starting to think that @Malmesbury approach needs to be announced - give illegal workers a massive incentive to report themselves for illegal working as that is going to be the only way to remove the incentive for employers.

    Also from the article above - the employer really isn't that bright given the statement "She claimed that two workers have since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed."
    Looks a perfect microcosm, there - we have a small boats guy, an asylum seeker and a couple of non-working-visas-and-overstayed. Cash in hand and less than minimum wage.
    Not quite perfect. Needs a rape.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593
    edited August 3
    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 32,241
    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    So? The EU is a collection of foreign countries and Canada is another foreign country. How they agglomerate or don't agglomerate peacefully isn't my concern.
  • TazTaz Posts: 20,061
    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Eabhal said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Another small boats crackdown.

    It will be as effective as all the others.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2y24xjgko

    I'm looking at https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25359000.four-illegal-workers-found-oak-tree-near-darlington/ and I'm starting to think that @Malmesbury approach needs to be announced - give illegal workers a massive incentive to report themselves for illegal working as that is going to be the only way to remove the incentive for employers.

    Also from the article above - the employer really isn't that bright given the statement "She claimed that two workers have since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed."
    A local Indian Restaurant to me was done twice within 12 months and lost its license.

    Malmesburys suggestion has a lot of merit. It should be consider. Obviously it won’t be.
    Strict liability (£1000 fine) for customers too.
    It’s hardly the customers fault but if your aim is to destroy hospitality then crack on, that’s an insane suggestion.
    Well I don’t use JustEat or similar so it wouldn’t impact me and I suspect that’s the area @Eabhal is thinking about
    Given his comment was in response to a post about a restaurant if that was his intent, and it’s equally crazy, then it needs to be clearer.

    You order a few quids worth of food on Just Eat and end up with a fine because their employment procedures failed. Nuts

  • eekeek Posts: 30,856

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    The conclusive critique of Syd's jeans from an expert.
    Tl;dr: American Eagle jeans are shit.

    https://x.com/dieworkwear/status/1951786899884130464

    The fact people are still talking about that ad means it worked. American Eagle has always been lower tier quality apparel, but that hasn't stopped the likes of Shein crushing it with youngsters.
    That's a different conversation, ie it's great that we can sell loads of shit to the gullible.
    The righties tend to choose these battles over really terrible stuff, AE, Bud Light and, let's face it, Jags. Knock yourself out guys, they are forever your territory.
    Its not a right thing, its a terminally online thing both left and right e.g. the Guardian writing articles about how racist the jeans ad is.

    The Bud Light though went really massive because the executive openly said well yes but our current customers are all knuckle dragging morons with outdated views who we don't want drinking our beer, literally insulting the customer base of the largest beer brand in the US.
    The AE thing seems to have passed me by. It seems an actress did an ad and it’s triggered a lot of loons online. Is the ad really racist ?

    Jaguar I don’t blame them trying something different. Their cars are crap, they have a declining customer base they need to do something or put the brand out to pasture. I see it as a last roll of the dice.

    The Bud Light thing was hilarious. They Ratnered the brand for nothing.
    No. Its just a a bit of word play on hot woman is hot because of her jeans / genes. Very similar things have been used in relation to non-white hot people advertising things.

    But a proportion of the terminally online lot have a thing against Sydney Sweeney because a) she is hot white woman that is getting lots of attention, b) is unapologetic about using her hotness to advertise things (this is far from the first time she has done these kind of ads) and c) might not be far left in her politics although she stays clear of most of that stuff thus why people suspect that, instead shoots guns and stuff.

    I suspect some clever management have realised there is a big opportunity for a hot celebrity to make a lot of money that takes this path.
    I may have to check the ad out for the purposes of ‘research’ 👍
    My main takeaway is that Derek Guy (the menswear guy) https://bsky.app/profile/dieworkwear.bsky.social/post/3lvhezbrwjk2v says they are cheaply made....
    I generally try to avoid products that I see advertised.
    TSE is going to hate this but the last few shirts I've bought have been premium brands (Liberty and similar) from Vinted where I'm paying 10% of the original price...
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725
    edited August 3
    Ideally I'd like it to be about 225 for 4 at the end of play today. That would involve a few rain delays.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    edited August 3
    eek said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    The conclusive critique of Syd's jeans from an expert.
    Tl;dr: American Eagle jeans are shit.

    https://x.com/dieworkwear/status/1951786899884130464

    The fact people are still talking about that ad means it worked. American Eagle has always been lower tier quality apparel, but that hasn't stopped the likes of Shein crushing it with youngsters.
    That's a different conversation, ie it's great that we can sell loads of shit to the gullible.
    The righties tend to choose these battles over really terrible stuff, AE, Bud Light and, let's face it, Jags. Knock yourself out guys, they are forever your territory.
    Its not a right thing, its a terminally online thing both left and right e.g. the Guardian writing articles about how racist the jeans ad is.

    The Bud Light though went really massive because the executive openly said well yes but our current customers are all knuckle dragging morons with outdated views who we don't want drinking our beer, literally insulting the customer base of the largest beer brand in the US.
    The AE thing seems to have passed me by. It seems an actress did an ad and it’s triggered a lot of loons online. Is the ad really racist ?

    Jaguar I don’t blame them trying something different. Their cars are crap, they have a declining customer base they need to do something or put the brand out to pasture. I see it as a last roll of the dice.

    The Bud Light thing was hilarious. They Ratnered the brand for nothing.
    No. Its just a a bit of word play on hot woman is hot because of her jeans / genes. Very similar things have been used in relation to non-white hot people advertising things.

    But a proportion of the terminally online lot have a thing against Sydney Sweeney because a) she is hot white woman that is getting lots of attention, b) is unapologetic about using her hotness to advertise things (this is far from the first time she has done these kind of ads) and c) might not be far left in her politics although she stays clear of most of that stuff thus why people suspect that, instead shoots guns and stuff.

    I suspect some clever management have realised there is a big opportunity for a hot celebrity to make a lot of money that takes this path.
    I may have to check the ad out for the purposes of ‘research’ 👍
    My main takeaway is that Derek Guy (the menswear guy) https://bsky.app/profile/dieworkwear.bsky.social/post/3lvhezbrwjk2v says they are cheaply made....
    I generally try to avoid products that I see advertised.
    TSE is going to hate this but the last few shirts I've bought have been premium brands (Liberty and similar) from Vinted where I'm paying 10% of the original price...
    Are you sure they are genuine? Vinted is rammed full of fakes these days.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 11,394
    edited August 3
    Taz said:

    Eabhal said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Another small boats crackdown.

    It will be as effective as all the others.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2y24xjgko

    I'm looking at https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25359000.four-illegal-workers-found-oak-tree-near-darlington/ and I'm starting to think that @Malmesbury approach needs to be announced - give illegal workers a massive incentive to report themselves for illegal working as that is going to be the only way to remove the incentive for employers.

    Also from the article above - the employer really isn't that bright given the statement "She claimed that two workers have since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed."
    A local Indian Restaurant to me was done twice within 12 months and lost its license.

    Malmesburys suggestion has a lot of merit. It should be consider. Obviously it won’t be.
    Strict liability (£1000 fine) for customers too.
    It’s hardly the customers fault but if your aim is to destroy hospitality then crack on, that’s an insane suggestion.

    You could go out for a couple of drinks in a couple of bars, have a meal, and end up 3 grand in debt through no fault of your own 😱
    I made an edit above to reflect that point.

    But ultimately, strict liability is the kind of thing that kills demand for illegal practices. It takes the enforcement burden away from the police, and means you don't have to have exceptionally complicated investigations.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,851
    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    They will be looking for a detached agreement like us, being in both CPTPP and the USMCA already.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 23,213
    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 32,241

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,774
    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But isn't formally part of the UK tbf
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    edited August 3
    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,166

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way.
    It’s the disappointment from people that had hoped for something better than the Tories.
  • eekeek Posts: 30,856
    edited August 3

    eek said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Taz said:

    The conclusive critique of Syd's jeans from an expert.
    Tl;dr: American Eagle jeans are shit.

    https://x.com/dieworkwear/status/1951786899884130464

    The fact people are still talking about that ad means it worked. American Eagle has always been lower tier quality apparel, but that hasn't stopped the likes of Shein crushing it with youngsters.
    That's a different conversation, ie it's great that we can sell loads of shit to the gullible.
    The righties tend to choose these battles over really terrible stuff, AE, Bud Light and, let's face it, Jags. Knock yourself out guys, they are forever your territory.
    Its not a right thing, its a terminally online thing both left and right e.g. the Guardian writing articles about how racist the jeans ad is.

    The Bud Light though went really massive because the executive openly said well yes but our current customers are all knuckle dragging morons with outdated views who we don't want drinking our beer, literally insulting the customer base of the largest beer brand in the US.
    The AE thing seems to have passed me by. It seems an actress did an ad and it’s triggered a lot of loons online. Is the ad really racist ?

    Jaguar I don’t blame them trying something different. Their cars are crap, they have a declining customer base they need to do something or put the brand out to pasture. I see it as a last roll of the dice.

    The Bud Light thing was hilarious. They Ratnered the brand for nothing.
    No. Its just a a bit of word play on hot woman is hot because of her jeans / genes. Very similar things have been used in relation to non-white hot people advertising things.

    But a proportion of the terminally online lot have a thing against Sydney Sweeney because a) she is hot white woman that is getting lots of attention, b) is unapologetic about using her hotness to advertise things (this is far from the first time she has done these kind of ads) and c) might not be far left in her politics although she stays clear of most of that stuff thus why people suspect that, instead shoots guns and stuff.

    I suspect some clever management have realised there is a big opportunity for a hot celebrity to make a lot of money that takes this path.
    I may have to check the ad out for the purposes of ‘research’ 👍
    My main takeaway is that Derek Guy (the menswear guy) https://bsky.app/profile/dieworkwear.bsky.social/post/3lvhezbrwjk2v says they are cheaply made....
    I generally try to avoid products that I see advertised.
    TSE is going to hate this but the last few shirts I've bought have been premium brands (Liberty and similar) from Vinted where I'm paying 10% of the original price...
    Are you sure they are genuine? Vinted is rammed full of fakes these days.
    Yep I know the risk but I don't see these brands on the counterfeit websites I know about so I have little reason to suspect issues (unlike say Paul Smith where it's an issue)

    Also the liberty shirt material match the ones I've bought direct from them in the past but given I'm paying Primark / Tesco prices for these shirts I don't see any real problem..
  • eekeek Posts: 30,856

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    My view is that Starmer actually arrived in No 10 and the Government seemingly did nothing for x months. He went for a steady as you go approach which has made this Government Rishi episode 2 (all the actors have changed but the plot, story and end result are the same).
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 35,427

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Suggested back in the '50s. The French do it, of course, which is probably why we don't.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,044
    Siraj once again looking unplayable to me. If India get the drawn series he may well be the man of the series. Duckett looking desperate right now.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,402
    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    London is closer to Washington DC than Honolulu is.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 35,427
    edited August 3
    DavidL said:

    Siraj once again looking unplayable to me. If India get the drawn series he may well be the man of the series. Duckett looking desperate right now.

    Does his hand still hurt a bit, I wonder?

    Wonder if there's a chance of rain later.

    Edit. Met Office says not.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,138
    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Another small boats crackdown.

    It will be as effective as all the others.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2y24xjgko

    I'm looking at https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25359000.four-illegal-workers-found-oak-tree-near-darlington/ and I'm starting to think that @Malmesbury approach needs to be announced - give illegal workers a massive incentive to report themselves for illegal working as that is going to be the only way to remove the incentive for employers.

    Also from the article above - the employer really isn't that bright given the statement "She claimed that two workers have since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed."
    A local Indian Restaurant to me was done twice within 12 months and lost its license.

    Malmesburys suggestion has a lot of merit. It should be consider. Obviously it won’t be.
    I need to finish my piece on populists policies.

    My policy would be classified, under my own definition, as partly populist.

    The “part” comes from ignoring consequences. Several industries in the U.K. would collapse. Hundreds of thousands of people would have no means of support, overnight.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,044

    DavidL said:

    Siraj once again looking unplayable to me. If India get the drawn series he may well be the man of the series. Duckett looking desperate right now.

    Does his hand still hurt a bit, I wonder?

    Wonder if there's a chance of rain later.
    I thought it was his non bowling hand he hurt. That was a fabulous over. He could have had Duckett's wicket pretty much any ball.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Another small boats crackdown.

    It will be as effective as all the others.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2y24xjgko

    I'm looking at https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25359000.four-illegal-workers-found-oak-tree-near-darlington/ and I'm starting to think that @Malmesbury approach needs to be announced - give illegal workers a massive incentive to report themselves for illegal working as that is going to be the only way to remove the incentive for employers.

    Also from the article above - the employer really isn't that bright given the statement "She claimed that two workers have since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed."
    A local Indian Restaurant to me was done twice within 12 months and lost its license.

    Malmesburys suggestion has a lot of merit. It should be consider. Obviously it won’t be.
    I need to finish my piece on populists policies.

    My policy would be classified, under my own definition, as partly populist.

    The “part” comes from ignoring consequences. Several industries in the U.K. would collapse. Hundreds of thousands of people would have no means of support, overnight.
    Is Jeremy Corbyn a populist? Always wondered about that question.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593
    edited August 3
    eek said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    My view is that Starmer actually arrived in No 10 and the Government seemingly did nothing for x months. He went for a steady as you go approach which has made this Government Rishi episode 2 (all the actors have changed but the plot, story and end result are the same).
    The problem started way before the election, when Labour realised that the Tories were so terrible that they could tiptoe into a huge majority without doing any hard thinking or taking any hard decisions, provided they didn't upset anyone.

    Since being elected they have continued to dodge the hard thinking and hard decisions but have nevertheless managed to upset all sorts of people, in addition to the masses of us who simply hoped for something better.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,774

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,402

    Foxy said:

    Carnyx said:

    IanB2 said:

    Foxy said:

    I don't think Canada can or would join the full EU, but some sort of associate status might work, as indeed it might for us, Norway, Ukraine, Turkey etc.

    Good morning

    Our son and Canadian daughter in law live in Vancouver and I doubt they have any interest in being part of the EU

    Trump is a time limited problem and the US will come to it's senses in due course

    The EU seems a very long way away from British Columbia which of course it is
    But you will know the quiz question, with which country does France have the longest border? To which the answer is Brazil, also a long way away
    Mind, a chunk of France, namely the Collectivité territoriale de Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, is actually right next to Canada, indeed closer to it than the UK is to France ...
    I have long found this curious. Is there a reason that we let the French keep these two islands when we booted them out of Quebec and Acadia?
    Apparently we didn't, but gave them back to France after the 7 Years War as a part of restoring French fishing rights. See Wikipedia.
    They were British for 50 years 1713-1763.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725
    edited August 3
    It's going to be difficult for Duckett to bat slowly, which is what's required of him today. Like expecting Chris Tavare to score at more than one an over.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,402
    Andy_JS said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Another small boats crackdown.

    It will be as effective as all the others.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2y24xjgko

    I'm looking at https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25359000.four-illegal-workers-found-oak-tree-near-darlington/ and I'm starting to think that @Malmesbury approach needs to be announced - give illegal workers a massive incentive to report themselves for illegal working as that is going to be the only way to remove the incentive for employers.

    Also from the article above - the employer really isn't that bright given the statement "She claimed that two workers have since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed."
    A local Indian Restaurant to me was done twice within 12 months and lost its license.

    Malmesburys suggestion has a lot of merit. It should be consider. Obviously it won’t be.
    I need to finish my piece on populists policies.

    My policy would be classified, under my own definition, as partly populist.

    The “part” comes from ignoring consequences. Several industries in the U.K. would collapse. Hundreds of thousands of people would have no means of support, overnight.
    Is Jeremy Corbyn a populist? Always wondered about that question.
    He was less "popular" than TMay and Boris :lol:
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,138

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Another small boats crackdown.

    It will be as effective as all the others.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2y24xjgko

    I'm looking at https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25359000.four-illegal-workers-found-oak-tree-near-darlington/ and I'm starting to think that @Malmesbury approach needs to be announced - give illegal workers a massive incentive to report themselves for illegal working as that is going to be the only way to remove the incentive for employers.

    Also from the article above - the employer really isn't that bright given the statement "She claimed that two workers have since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed."
    A local Indian Restaurant to me was done twice within 12 months and lost its license.

    Malmesburys suggestion has a lot of merit. It should be consider. Obviously it won’t be.
    Went to a new Indian restaurant in Keswick while on holiday. The food was pretty good and it wasn't expensive. The manager was an obviously British Asian, he spoke with some sort of Lancastrian accent. The staff... well their English wasn't too good and they didn't understand how we might mispronounce the menu. My guess is they were recent arrivals and I did wonder how legal they might be. I am sure you can get work permits for curry cooks, but I am not so sure about waitstaff
    Its a huge loophole that is massively abused. Many of these people then have large portions of their wages taken for food and rent. Its a total racket.

    Whenever the government attempt to restrict it there is a big outcry that they can't get the "skilled" staff in the UK, despite there being very high levels of unemployment among Bangleshi community (who run most Indian restaurants).
    Your regular reminder that if anyone is using abusive employment practices on members of a community, the employer nearly always comes from that community/ethnic group as well.

    This is because the basic feature of such abuse is control. The victims don’t speak the host country language and the employer understands all the cultural and social nuances - this adds up to a powerful package of control.

    This has been observed in many, many countries. With many many groups.

    This needs to be understood and promulgated generally. When the Chinese cocklepickers drowned, it seemed that many were expecting the employers to be top-hat-and-monocle-wearing aristocrats or something. It was entirely unsurprising to find out that they were Chinese -and from the same region of China as the victims.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725

    Andy_JS said:

    "Sponsoring the Waterloo and City Line
    Jago Hazzard"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKsTI1dMrU

    Dyno-Rod would be obvious (assuming they still exist)
    One of my favourite tube lines because you're never quite sure when you're going under the river. Mysterious.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593
    edited August 3
    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    Johnson and Truss were both truly terrible; Starmer has just proved to be terribly mediocre, rather like Mrs May and Sunak before him.
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,851

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Off-topic. The Falklands need to model on the Faroes, and reach a more viable population level - maybe 50k :-) .
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,044
    DavidL said:

    DavidL said:

    Siraj once again looking unplayable to me. If India get the drawn series he may well be the man of the series. Duckett looking desperate right now.

    Does his hand still hurt a bit, I wonder?

    Wonder if there's a chance of rain later.
    I thought it was his non bowling hand he hurt. That was a fabulous over. He could have had Duckett's wicket pretty much any ball.
    And his next over goes for 11. I love Test cricket.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,138

    In other "shocking" news...

    BBC investigates ‘cocaine use’ by Strictly stars
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/03/bbc-launches-probe-into-cocaine-use-strictly-stars/

    For efficiency, shouldn’t they investigate evidence of non-cocaine use by the Talent?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 14,690
    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Off-topic. The Falklands need to model on the Faroes, and reach a more viable population level - maybe 50k :-) .
    The FI are fucking bleak and a long way from anywhere. There's one flight per week to Punta Arenas and that's not exactly the centre of the universe. Why would anybody move there on a permanent basis?
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,138
    edited August 3
    Eabhal said:

    Taz said:

    Eabhal said:

    Taz said:

    eek said:

    Taz said:

    Another small boats crackdown.

    It will be as effective as all the others.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgm2y24xjgko

    I'm looking at https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/25359000.four-illegal-workers-found-oak-tree-near-darlington/ and I'm starting to think that @Malmesbury approach needs to be announced - give illegal workers a massive incentive to report themselves for illegal working as that is going to be the only way to remove the incentive for employers.

    Also from the article above - the employer really isn't that bright given the statement "She claimed that two workers have since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed."
    A local Indian Restaurant to me was done twice within 12 months and lost its license.

    Malmesburys suggestion has a lot of merit. It should be consider. Obviously it won’t be.
    Strict liability (£1000 fine) for customers too.
    It’s hardly the customers fault but if your aim is to destroy hospitality then crack on, that’s an insane suggestion.

    You could go out for a couple of drinks in a couple of bars, have a meal, and end up 3 grand in debt through no fault of your own 😱
    I made an edit above to reflect that point.

    But ultimately, strict liability is the kind of thing that kills demand for illegal practices. It takes the enforcement burden away from the police, and means you don't have to have exceptionally complicated investigations.
    I’m not sure of the optics of demanding the whole staff of the bar stands in line for each customer, so they can inspect their papers.

    Perhaps they could sing a rousing chorus of the Panzerlied - https://youtu.be/8JDkdc246QQ?t=51&si=Jqyyji5rnouztLCh

    Going after employers works, because they have to a bunch of paperwork to employee people, anyway. The actual check for employment status is quick and simple. Yes, even in the Process State.
  • eekeek Posts: 30,856

    In other "shocking" news...

    BBC investigates ‘cocaine use’ by Strictly stars
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/03/bbc-launches-probe-into-cocaine-use-strictly-stars/

    For efficiency, shouldn’t they investigate evidence of non-cocaine use by the Talent?
    Can I ask who in reality actually cares - people with money using cocaine, given that the guideline sentence if caught the first time is a caution - um its not exactly big news.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 55,402
    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Sponsoring the Waterloo and City Line
    Jago Hazzard"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKsTI1dMrU

    Dyno-Rod would be obvious (assuming they still exist)
    One of my favourite tube lines because you're never quite sure when you're going under the river. Mysterious.
    Fun fact(s):

    When opened in 1898, was the second deep-level Tube line after the City & South London (now part of the Northern Line).

    Waterloo & City was part of the LSWR 1898 to 1923, SR from 1923 to 1948, and BR from 1948 to 1994.

    The current trains are almost exactly the same as the Central Line 1992 Stock, except they retain arm rests and run as 4-car instead of 8-car.

    The "& City" name is because the LSWR Bank station platforms were known as "City" until 1940.
  • JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 6,929

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Suggested back in the '50s. The French do it, of course, which is probably why we don't.
    We have always made our overseas territories into separate jurisdictions. Gibraltar isn't in the UK either. Not sure why but there are obvious legal benefits.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 18,245

    Malcolm Shaw KC, a leading lawyer, said that the recognition plan “would create a troublesome precedent and could well challenge and ultimately destabilise an international system founded upon a common understanding of what it is to be a state”.

    The fresh legal opinion, seen by The Telegraph, was circulated to the Prime Minister, Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, and dozens of influential Labour MPs.

    It was commissioned by Lord Mendelsohn, the Labour peer, in response to Sir Keir’s decision to recognise a State of Palestine in September unless Israel meets certain conditions.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/08/03/recognising-palestinian-state-international-law/

    We know how keen Lord Hermer is all government policies being in accordance with international law....

    Well, I wouldn't expect a report commissioned by a professional lobbyist, former boss of Derek Draper, and former Chair of Labour Friends of Israel to conclude, actually recognising Palestine as 147 of the 192 states in the United Nations have already done, is obviously within international law.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 35,427
    Duckett gone. 83-2
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502

    Duckett gone. 83-2

    Its the hope that kills you.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725
    edited August 3

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
    Starmer's main selling point to Labour supporters is that he "annoys all the right people" on the right and far-left.
  • FlatlanderFlatlander Posts: 5,174
    eek said:

    In other "shocking" news...

    BBC investigates ‘cocaine use’ by Strictly stars
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/03/bbc-launches-probe-into-cocaine-use-strictly-stars/

    For efficiency, shouldn’t they investigate evidence of non-cocaine use by the Talent?
    Can I ask who in reality actually cares - people with money using cocaine, given that the guideline sentence if caught the first time is a caution - um its not exactly big news.
    Given it is the BBC, I hope it is all fair trade approved and fully organic.

    Funny how they don't mind funding violence when it suits.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Suggested back in the '50s. The French do it, of course, which is probably why we don't.
    We have always made our overseas territories into separate jurisdictions. Gibraltar isn't in the UK either. Not sure why but there are obvious legal benefits.
    They allow dodgy Brits to do dodgy financial stuff without having to go fully abroad to do it?
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 14,690
    Andy_JS said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
    Starmer's main selling point to Labour supporters is that he "annoys all the right people" on the right and far-left.
    His room for maneuver is incredibly tight. He's hemmed by the minimalist manifesto, a PLP who are too numerous to be disciplined, the six monitor wankers who buy government debt, the Fukker surge and the necessity to keep rimming Trump. Constructing and executing a visionary political program to transform the nation within the confines of that policy salient is impossible
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,138
    FF43 said:

    Malcolm Shaw KC, a leading lawyer, said that the recognition plan “would create a troublesome precedent and could well challenge and ultimately destabilise an international system founded upon a common understanding of what it is to be a state”.

    The fresh legal opinion, seen by The Telegraph, was circulated to the Prime Minister, Lord Hermer, the Attorney General, and dozens of influential Labour MPs.

    It was commissioned by Lord Mendelsohn, the Labour peer, in response to Sir Keir’s decision to recognise a State of Palestine in September unless Israel meets certain conditions.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/08/03/recognising-palestinian-state-international-law/

    We know how keen Lord Hermer is all government policies being in accordance with international law....

    Well, I wouldn't expect a report commissioned by a professional lobbyist, former boss of Derek Draper, and former Chair of Labour Friends of Israel to conclude, actually recognising Palestine as 147 of the 192 states in the United Nations have already done, is obviously within international law.
    It apparently might or might not breach a 1933 convention on recognition of states. That the U.K. is not a signatory to.

    I presume the next step in Activist International Law is that laws don’t need to be voted on?

    In which case,I find the entire world in breach of the Malmesbury Convention of 2025.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 35,427
    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Suggested back in the '50s. The French do it, of course, which is probably why we don't.
    We have always made our overseas territories into separate jurisdictions. Gibraltar isn't in the UK either. Not sure why but there are obvious legal benefits.
    They allow dodgy Brits to do dodgy financial stuff without having to go fully abroad to do it?
    See the Guardian's story on the boss of Yorkshire Water.

    "Revealed: Yorkshire Water boss was paid extra £1.3m via offshore parent firm"
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,138

    eek said:

    In other "shocking" news...

    BBC investigates ‘cocaine use’ by Strictly stars
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/03/bbc-launches-probe-into-cocaine-use-strictly-stars/

    For efficiency, shouldn’t they investigate evidence of non-cocaine use by the Talent?
    Can I ask who in reality actually cares - people with money using cocaine, given that the guideline sentence if caught the first time is a caution - um its not exactly big news.
    Given it is the BBC, I hope it is all fair trade approved and fully organic.

    Funny how they don't mind funding violence when it suits.
    But is the violence fair trade and organic?

    Are the drug cartels in the supply chain persisting in using lead in their bullets?

    Which does suggest an amusing route for prosecuting drug users….
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593
    edited August 3
    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Off-topic. The Falklands need to model on the Faroes, and reach a more viable population level - maybe 50k :-) .
    As was pointed out at the time, we could have resettled the Falklanders into hill farms in North Wales and the Scottish Highlands - both areas suffering population loss - and given them a £million each, and it would still have been hugely cheaper than sending that taskforce all that way, not to mention the avoided death toll.

    But of course, despite all the nationalistic posturing which was also politically most timely and expedient, we already suspected there would be a lot of oil beneath the seas around the FI, as indeed there subsequently proved to be. Sadly, however, what with the depth and the climate and the geology, it appears highly uneconomic to go and extract it.

    Who the Argies expected would go live there was never clear
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593
    edited August 3

    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Suggested back in the '50s. The French do it, of course, which is probably why we don't.
    We have always made our overseas territories into separate jurisdictions. Gibraltar isn't in the UK either. Not sure why but there are obvious legal benefits.
    They allow dodgy Brits to do dodgy financial stuff without having to go fully abroad to do it?
    See the Guardian's story on the boss of Yorkshire Water.

    "Revealed: Yorkshire Water boss was paid extra £1.3m via offshore parent firm"
    That appears quite shocking.

    Ditto Mr Baroness Mone's Gibraltar slushtrust fund
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    Dura_Ace said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
    Starmer's main selling point to Labour supporters is that he "annoys all the right people" on the right and far-left.
    His room for maneuver is incredibly tight. He's hemmed by the minimalist manifesto, a PLP who are too numerous to be disciplined, the six monitor wankers who buy government debt, the Fukker surge and the necessity to keep rimming Trump. Constructing and executing a visionary political program to transform the nation within the confines of that policy salient is impossible
    As always you put it so delicately...
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593
    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Sponsoring the Waterloo and City Line
    Jago Hazzard"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKsTI1dMrU

    Dyno-Rod would be obvious (assuming they still exist)
    One of my favourite tube lines because you're never quite sure when you're going under the river. Mysterious.
    Isn't that true of all tube lines?
  • TheuniondivvieTheuniondivvie Posts: 44,562
    edited August 3
    Dura_Ace said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
    Starmer's main selling point to Labour supporters is that he "annoys all the right people" on the right and far-left.
    His room for maneuver is incredibly tight. He's hemmed by the minimalist manifesto, a PLP who are too numerous to be disciplined, the six monitor wankers who buy government debt, the Fukker surge and the necessity to keep rimming Trump. Constructing and executing a visionary political program to transform the nation within the confines of that policy salient is impossible
    Is impossible even if you had the capacity for a visionary political program* to transform the nation which in any case Starmer does not possess.

    *kept that in just for luckguy.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    edited August 3
    Pope moves onto 27 - it's already his second-highest score in a fourth innings.... and gone.

    Game over.
  • JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 6,929
    IanB2 said:

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Suggested back in the '50s. The French do it, of course, which is probably why we don't.
    We have always made our overseas territories into separate jurisdictions. Gibraltar isn't in the UK either. Not sure why but there are obvious legal benefits.
    They allow dodgy Brits to do dodgy financial stuff without having to go fully abroad to do it?
    Indeed. For example, Gibraltar's offshore gambling. Off course it originated from court decisions from the seventeenth century that some* of the laws of England didn't apply to the colonies. Slavery being preeminent.

    *Only some, I am sure murder was illegal, and the Colony of Massachussetts notioriously hanged a lot of people for witchcraft.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 56,044
    My prediction of India by 80 is looking increasingly optimistic.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 24,977

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Suggested back in the '50s. The French do it, of course, which is probably why we don't.
    We have always made our overseas territories into separate jurisdictions. Gibraltar isn't in the UK either. Not sure why but there are obvious legal benefits.
    It is not hard to work out why given the obvious tax benefits for the ruling classes.....
  • eekeek Posts: 30,856
    Dura_Ace said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
    Starmer's main selling point to Labour supporters is that he "annoys all the right people" on the right and far-left.
    His room for maneuver is incredibly tight. He's hemmed by the minimalist manifesto, a PLP who are too numerous to be disciplined, the six monitor wankers who buy government debt, the Fukker surge and the necessity to keep rimming Trump. Constructing and executing a visionary political program to transform the nation within the confines of that policy salient is impossible
    Except it wasn't the manifesto that's screwed him up - it was the promise to not increases any of about 14 different taxes which meant reversing the £bns Hunt gave away to win a few votes is impossible.

    Basically taxes need to rise and Starmer made that impossible even before he won the election.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725
    Rubbish play from England. Hitting 4 fours in a couple of overs and then getting out isn't what we need at this stage.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 35,427
    edited August 3
    Oh dear. Pope out (No, those involved in religion, not that one.)

    106-3. Still another almost 300 to get. Small chance of rain, though.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 79,907
    Cripes what a shocker of a review
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 24,977
    eek said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
    Starmer's main selling point to Labour supporters is that he "annoys all the right people" on the right and far-left.
    His room for maneuver is incredibly tight. He's hemmed by the minimalist manifesto, a PLP who are too numerous to be disciplined, the six monitor wankers who buy government debt, the Fukker surge and the necessity to keep rimming Trump. Constructing and executing a visionary political program to transform the nation within the confines of that policy salient is impossible
    Except it wasn't the manifesto that's screwed him up - it was the promise to not increases any of about 14 different taxes which meant reversing the £bns Hunt gave away to win a few votes is impossible.

    Basically taxes need to rise and Starmer made that impossible even before he won the election.
    Why do people think he would have won the election if he was promising or even hinting at (same thing to the Tory press) tax rises?

    He got 33% promising none, I'd expect that to drop to 27% ish with tax rises.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593
    edited August 3
    I hadn't rated Stockholm prior, but it really does have a spectacular setting amid its archipelago, appearing to be inland from a casual glance at the map but in reality built across islands with arms of the sea everywhere.

    The continuing Scandinavian heatwave helps, of course, with the entire population out enjoying the city and parks and beaches, on a warm summer Sunday, as if it's always like this.

    In latitude, it's up there level with the Orkneys, but the combination of good weather and after a month spent in the true north, it feels like being back in central Europe.

    Somewhere to return to, for more than a short stopover on the drive home.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    Pulpstar said:

    Cripes what a shocker of a review

    England are absolutely the worst at reviews, especially if Joe Root is anywhere near the action.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,774
    edited August 3

    Dura_Ace said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
    Starmer's main selling point to Labour supporters is that he "annoys all the right people" on the right and far-left.
    His room for maneuver is incredibly tight. He's hemmed by the minimalist manifesto, a PLP who are too numerous to be disciplined, the six monitor wankers who buy government debt, the Fukker surge and the necessity to keep rimming Trump. Constructing and executing a visionary political program to transform the nation within the confines of that policy salient is impossible
    Is impossible even if you had the capacity for a visionary political program* to transform the nation which in any case Starmer does not possess.

    *kept that in just for luckguy.
    The word “program” is actually from the Old English so neither of these spellings is correct

    “Program” - from the pseudo-West Saxon prō- (before, in advance) + -gæræmþ (a suffix from gær = “year” or “season” and ræmþ = “arrangement”, hence: a structured reckoning of time or events).


    Hence the correct spelling is prōgæræmþscrybb

    Usage: “Have you looked at Netflix, there’s an interesting prōgæræmþscrybb on Scottish campervans”

    I use it this way - ie correctly - all the time
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725

    Pulpstar said:

    Cripes what a shocker of a review

    England are absolutely the worst at reviews, especially if Joe Root is anywhere near the action.
    It's almost like if you're a top order batsman and there are 3 reviews remaining, you take the review no matter how unlikely it is to be successful.
  • Jim_MillerJim_Miller Posts: 3,442
    edited August 3
    If Canada did join the EU, the EU might get better prices on maple syrup. (Good stuff. I had some yesterday on cornbread.)
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    edited August 3
    On this, he isn't wrong. It is madness that Western government operate this way.

    So the Business Secretary expenses Nord VPN for official business thinking this will shield his activity from adversaries like China. A consumer VPN like Nord is not certified, not end-to-end secure, and not built for hostile-state threat actors. Is the UK the only country where cabinet ministers don’t use government issued secured VPNs on hardened devices? Clowns run our country.

    https://x.com/ZiaYusufUK/status/1951958926976504108
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725
    "Get Involved
    published at 12:22 British Summer Time
    12:22 BST

    And with that, Ollie Pope’s England place should be over. This Test and series has proved he’s not good enough as a VC or as a No3 batter. The longer he stays in the side, the more it’s hindering the team. Time for Bethell to be moulded into the new No3.

    Sevie from Essex"

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/live/c30q4j4zz4rt#LiveReporting
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,851
    edited August 3
    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Sponsoring the Waterloo and City Line
    Jago Hazzard"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKsTI1dMrU

    Dyno-Rod would be obvious (assuming they still exist)
    One of my favourite tube lines because you're never quite sure when you're going under the river. Mysterious.
    Isn't that true of all tube lines?
    OK. Pedants' Underground Puzzle Time.

    How can you tell when the Central Line is not going under the river?

    :wink:
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    edited August 3
    Andy_JS said:

    "Get Involved
    published at 12:22 British Summer Time
    12:22 BST

    And with that, Ollie Pope’s England place should be over. This Test and series has proved he’s not good enough as a VC or as a No3 batter. The longer he stays in the side, the more it’s hindering the team. Time for Bethell to be moulded into the new No3.

    Sevie from Essex"

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/live/c30q4j4zz4rt#LiveReporting

    Crawley and Pope are consistently exposed as not good enough.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 32,094
    Leon said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
    Starmer's main selling point to Labour supporters is that he "annoys all the right people" on the right and far-left.
    His room for maneuver is incredibly tight. He's hemmed by the minimalist manifesto, a PLP who are too numerous to be disciplined, the six monitor wankers who buy government debt, the Fukker surge and the necessity to keep rimming Trump. Constructing and executing a visionary political program to transform the nation within the confines of that policy salient is impossible
    Is impossible even if you had the capacity for a visionary political program* to transform the nation which in any case Starmer does not possess.

    *kept that in just for luckguy.
    The word “program” is actually from the Old English so neither of these spellings is correct

    “Program” - from the pseudo-West Saxon prō- (before, in advance) + -gæræmþ (a suffix from gær = “year” or “season” and ræmþ = “arrangement”, hence: a structured reckoning of time or events).


    Hence the correct spelling is prōgæræmþscrybb

    Usage: “Have you looked at Netflix, there’s an interesting prōgæræmþscrybb on Scottish campervans”

    I use it this way - ie correctly - all the time
    Or call them films, as in Scottish TV Cannot Make Films Concerning Nice Cute Zebras (a mnemonic for transition metals: Sc Ti V Cr Mn Fe Co Ni Cu Zn).
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,851
    edited August 3

    If Canada did join the EU, the EU might get better prices on maple syrup. (Good stuff. I had some yesterday on cornbread.)

    Cornbread?

    I have some Jiffy Corn Muffins on the shelf. They are like sponge cake with 3x as much sugar.

    I'm gradually trying to convert the Yanks one by one to Bero Pancakes, rather than stacks of pan-CAKES.
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,138

    If Canada did join the EU, the EU might get better prices on maple syrup. (Good stuff. I had some yesterday on cornbread.)

    The maple syrup cartel would be illegal under EU competition law.
  • FairlieredFairliered Posts: 6,166
    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Sponsoring the Waterloo and City Line
    Jago Hazzard"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKsTI1dMrU

    Dyno-Rod would be obvious (assuming they still exist)
    One of my favourite tube lines because you're never quite sure when you're going under the river. Mysterious.
    Isn't that true of all tube lines?
    Apart from the majority that don’t cross the river.
  • LeonLeon Posts: 63,774
    IanB2 said:

    I hadn't rated Stockholm prior, but it really does have a spectacular setting amid its archipelago, appearing to be inland from a casual glance at the map but in reality built across islands with arms of the sea everywhere.

    The continuing Scandinavian heatwave helps, of course, with the entire population out enjoying the city and parks and beaches, on a warm summer Sunday, as if it's always like this.

    In latitude, it's up there level with the Orkneys, but the combination of good weather and after a month spent in the true north, it feels like being back in central Europe.

    Somewhere to return to, for more than a short stopover on the drive home.

    Stockholm is definitely the best Nordic capital. It’s also surprisingly sunny: 1900 hours a year - more than Paris and comparable to Lyon

    However I am told the winters are fucking miserable and grey
  • TazTaz Posts: 20,061

    Andy_JS said:

    "Get Involved
    published at 12:22 British Summer Time
    12:22 BST

    And with that, Ollie Pope’s England place should be over. This Test and series has proved he’s not good enough as a VC or as a No3 batter. The longer he stays in the side, the more it’s hindering the team. Time for Bethell to be moulded into the new No3.

    Sevie from Essex"

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/live/c30q4j4zz4rt#LiveReporting

    Crawley and Pope are consistently exposed as not good enough.
    Is Rory Burns still available ?
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    edited August 3

    If Canada did join the EU, the EU might get better prices on maple syrup. (Good stuff. I had some yesterday on cornbread.)

    Proper maple syrup i.e The Canadian stuff, isn't a free market, so no I doubt it will.

    The Canadian maple syrup cartel is a government-sanctioned organization that controls the production and sale of maple syrup in Canada. The cartel is made up of over 10,000 maple syrup producers in Quebec, and it has a monopoly on the sale of maple syrup in Canada. The cartel sets the price of maple syrup, and it also controls the amount of maple syrup that is produced.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 36,725
    Pope definitely has a problem with his technique because he's LBW or bowled so often.
  • BurgessianBurgessian Posts: 3,083
    IanB2 said:

    I hadn't rated Stockholm prior, but it really does have a spectacular setting amid its archipelago, appearing to be inland from a casual glance at the map but in reality built across islands with arms of the sea everywhere.

    The continuing Scandinavian heatwave helps, of course, with the entire population out enjoying the city and parks and beaches, on a warm summer Sunday, as if it's always like this.

    In latitude, it's up there level with the Orkneys, but the combination of good weather and after a month spent in the true north, it feels like being back in central Europe.

    Somewhere to return to, for more than a short stopover on the drive home.

    When I visited the Baltic a few years ago (Helsinki) I was very struck at how all those capitals stare at each other across the sea - Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallin, Riga - very much a world within a world. Quite intimate in a way. And Russia seems very close indeed. Edgy. You do wonder what could go down...
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,138
    edited August 3
    IanB2 said:

    MattW said:

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    If Canada wants to join the EU, absolutely they should do it - it's for them to decide.

    But Canada isn't in Europe.
    Hawaii isn't in America
    The Falklands isn't in the British Isles.
    But perhaps it should be. Maybe the remaining overseas territories should be represented in parliament. Tricky tax wise.
    Off-topic. The Falklands need to model on the Faroes, and reach a more viable population level - maybe 50k :-) .
    As was pointed out at the time, we could have resettled the Falklanders into hill farms in North Wales and the Scottish Highlands - both areas suffering population loss - and given them a £million each, and it would still have been hugely cheaper than sending that taskforce all that way, not to mention the avoided death toll.

    But of course, despite all the nationalistic posturing which was also politically most timely and expedient, we already suspected there would be a lot of oil beneath the seas around the FI, as indeed there subsequently proved to be. Sadly, however, what with the depth and the climate and the geology, it appears highly uneconomic to go and extract it.

    Who the Argies expected would go live there was never clear
    The oil was never going to be exploitable - too expensive.

    The real value of the Falklands (and South Georgia, which Argentina has no claim to, but invaded anyway) was that they give the U.K. a say in Antarctic policy. Where, for 3/4 of century, UK policy has been “no development”.

    Argentina, as state policy, wants full bore development, mineral extraction etc.

    Gaining the UKs share of Antarctic sovereignty would have been useful in the politics of this.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    edited August 3
    The Leader of Warwickshire County Council has said:

    "Yesterday, I wrote to urge the Home Secretary and the Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police to disclose the immigration statuses of the two men charged in connection with the rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton on 22nd July"

    https://x.com/GBPolitcs/status/1951961738577899815
  • eekeek Posts: 30,856

    eek said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Leon said:

    Leon said:

    Something more cheerful


    “Sunday reading: Starmer now polls worse in Wales than in England

    britainelects.substack.com/p/death-spiral…

    https://x.com/britainelects/status/1951926516801011990?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    I am still genuinely surprised just how unpopular Starmer is so quickly. I don't know if it is the voice or what that rubs people up the wrong way. If you are in a union or work for the public sector, he isn't been bad for you. Those on low pay, at least for now the slow motion car crash hasn't occurred yet, you done ok.
    His X account is now totally bonkers: resembles a malfunctioning chatbot from about 2017. Tinged with fascinating & increasing craziness

    “For too long clouds have filled our skies with gloom. By using tractors and trained seagulls, I will bring back sunshine.

    That’s my promise to angry picnickers”

    How is that any different from:

    “For too long, criminal people-smuggling gangs have got away with using social media to sell the false promise of safe passage to the UK.

    I’m putting an end to it.”

    https://x.com/keir_starmer/status/1951945684250169497?s=46&t=bulOICNH15U6kB0MwE6Lfw

    Starmer has multiple issues. He is genuinely dislikeable - stiff, unfunny, censorious, prissy, not as smart as he thinks he is. Also hypocritical, venal and greedy

    Add to that a total lack of political skill or charm, and personal political instincts (cf Chagos) entirely at odds with most British voters and you get the most unpopular prime minister in British history. He’s a disaster
    He recently did Jimmy's Job of the Future podcast, he didn't come across very well at all. And although Jimmy is former #10 insider under a Tory government, he gives people a really easy ride, there is no real attempts at gotchas and has had plenty of Labour supporters on.
    Starmer's main selling point to Labour supporters is that he "annoys all the right people" on the right and far-left.
    His room for maneuver is incredibly tight. He's hemmed by the minimalist manifesto, a PLP who are too numerous to be disciplined, the six monitor wankers who buy government debt, the Fukker surge and the necessity to keep rimming Trump. Constructing and executing a visionary political program to transform the nation within the confines of that policy salient is impossible
    Except it wasn't the manifesto that's screwed him up - it was the promise to not increases any of about 14 different taxes which meant reversing the £bns Hunt gave away to win a few votes is impossible.

    Basically taxes need to rise and Starmer made that impossible even before he won the election.
    Why do people think he would have won the election if he was promising or even hinting at (same thing to the Tory press) tax rises?

    He got 33% promising none, I'd expect that to drop to 27% ish with tax rises.
    My problem is that he promised it and then didn't actually change his plans in July / August when they came and cut the WFA.

    That was the time when they should have held their hands up and said what needed to be done. Because raising money would allow them to actually spend money. And you win elections if people think they are better off (and given most people's time frames they could feel awful in 2026 if by 2028 they feel wealthier than they did in 2026).
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,851

    IanB2 said:

    I hadn't rated Stockholm prior, but it really does have a spectacular setting amid its archipelago, appearing to be inland from a casual glance at the map but in reality built across islands with arms of the sea everywhere.

    The continuing Scandinavian heatwave helps, of course, with the entire population out enjoying the city and parks and beaches, on a warm summer Sunday, as if it's always like this.

    In latitude, it's up there level with the Orkneys, but the combination of good weather and after a month spent in the true north, it feels like being back in central Europe.

    Somewhere to return to, for more than a short stopover on the drive home.

    When I visited the Baltic a few years ago (Helsinki) I was very struck at how all those capitals stare at each other across the sea - Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallin, Riga - very much a world within a world. Quite intimate in a way. And Russia seems very close indeed. Edgy. You do wonder what could go down...
    The Hanseatic League Returns.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Sponsoring the Waterloo and City Line
    Jago Hazzard"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKsTI1dMrU

    Dyno-Rod would be obvious (assuming they still exist)
    One of my favourite tube lines because you're never quite sure when you're going under the river. Mysterious.
    Isn't that true of all tube lines?
    Apart from the majority that don’t cross the river.
    But when on it, are you "sure"?
  • MalmesburyMalmesbury Posts: 56,138
    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Sponsoring the Waterloo and City Line
    Jago Hazzard"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKsTI1dMrU

    Dyno-Rod would be obvious (assuming they still exist)
    One of my favourite tube lines because you're never quite sure when you're going under the river. Mysterious.
    Isn't that true of all tube lines?
    The East London line has the visibly different Brunel tunnel.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593
    Leon said:

    IanB2 said:

    I hadn't rated Stockholm prior, but it really does have a spectacular setting amid its archipelago, appearing to be inland from a casual glance at the map but in reality built across islands with arms of the sea everywhere.

    The continuing Scandinavian heatwave helps, of course, with the entire population out enjoying the city and parks and beaches, on a warm summer Sunday, as if it's always like this.

    In latitude, it's up there level with the Orkneys, but the combination of good weather and after a month spent in the true north, it feels like being back in central Europe.

    Somewhere to return to, for more than a short stopover on the drive home.

    Stockholm is definitely the best Nordic capital. It’s also surprisingly sunny: 1900 hours a year - more than Paris and comparable to Lyon

    However I am told the winters are fucking miserable and grey
    Sounds like you should be going there in winter, then?
  • TazTaz Posts: 20,061

    IanB2 said:

    Andy_JS said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Sponsoring the Waterloo and City Line
    Jago Hazzard"

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKsTI1dMrU

    Dyno-Rod would be obvious (assuming they still exist)
    One of my favourite tube lines because you're never quite sure when you're going under the river. Mysterious.
    Isn't that true of all tube lines?
    The East London line has the visibly different Brunel tunnel.
    Was that not superseded by Overground ?

    When I worked in London at Alstom, many years ago, I took an afternoon off to watch The Mousetrap and ride the East London line.
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    edited August 3
    Taz said:

    Andy_JS said:

    "Get Involved
    published at 12:22 British Summer Time
    12:22 BST

    And with that, Ollie Pope’s England place should be over. This Test and series has proved he’s not good enough as a VC or as a No3 batter. The longer he stays in the side, the more it’s hindering the team. Time for Bethell to be moulded into the new No3.

    Sevie from Essex"

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/live/c30q4j4zz4rt#LiveReporting

    Crawley and Pope are consistently exposed as not good enough.
    Is Rory Burns still available ?
    Top 3 run scorers in County Championship Division One so far this year

    Hameed
    Sibley
    Lyth

    Who have all had a go at international level already and found wanting or won't fit Bazball.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593

    If Canada did join the EU, the EU might get better prices on maple syrup. (Good stuff. I had some yesterday on cornbread.)

    Proper maple syrup i.e The Canadian stuff, isn't a free market, so no I doubt it will.

    The Canadian maple syrup cartel is a government-sanctioned organization that controls the production and sale of maple syrup in Canada. The cartel is made up of over 10,000 maple syrup producers in Quebec, and it has a monopoly on the sale of maple syrup in Canada. The cartel sets the price of maple syrup, and it also controls the amount of maple syrup that is produced.
    There's also tons of the stuff in Vermont
  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 86,502
    edited August 3
    IanB2 said:

    If Canada did join the EU, the EU might get better prices on maple syrup. (Good stuff. I had some yesterday on cornbread.)

    Proper maple syrup i.e The Canadian stuff, isn't a free market, so no I doubt it will.

    The Canadian maple syrup cartel is a government-sanctioned organization that controls the production and sale of maple syrup in Canada. The cartel is made up of over 10,000 maple syrup producers in Quebec, and it has a monopoly on the sale of maple syrup in Canada. The cartel sets the price of maple syrup, and it also controls the amount of maple syrup that is produced.
    There's also tons of the stuff in Vermont
    That is why I said the proper stuff....or so all my Canadians friend tell me.

    I believe there are some differences in taste due to differing sugar contents, but not that much.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 52,593
    edited August 3

    IanB2 said:

    I hadn't rated Stockholm prior, but it really does have a spectacular setting amid its archipelago, appearing to be inland from a casual glance at the map but in reality built across islands with arms of the sea everywhere.

    The continuing Scandinavian heatwave helps, of course, with the entire population out enjoying the city and parks and beaches, on a warm summer Sunday, as if it's always like this.

    In latitude, it's up there level with the Orkneys, but the combination of good weather and after a month spent in the true north, it feels like being back in central Europe.

    Somewhere to return to, for more than a short stopover on the drive home.

    When I visited the Baltic a few years ago (Helsinki) I was very struck at how all those capitals stare at each other across the sea - Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallin, Riga - very much a world within a world. Quite intimate in a way. And Russia seems very close indeed. Edgy. You do wonder what could go down...
    I did a double take seeing roadsigns for St Petersburg when driving out near Porvoo. Three hundred and something kilometres, it was, which in miles isn't very much at all

    The Finnish air force was out doing some low flying training, but other than that there no sign of a military build up obviously noticeable to the casual traveller
  • MattWMattW Posts: 28,851
    FPT:
    Andy_JS said:

    MattW said:

    Can anyone define "woke" yet, in say 60 words?

    That is, the white cloud that Danny Kruger MP wishes to push out of publIC life and deny Government funding.

    Yes. (Slightly less than 60 words).

    “An ideology underpinned by the postmodernist notion that our understanding of reality is produced in the context of linguistic and cultural frameworks, that knowledge is a construct of power wielded oppressively through language, and therefore censorship and other authoritarian measures are necessary to reshape society.”

    https://lawliberty.org/book-review/wokeisms-deeper-roots
    Thank-you. This is helpful as an example of a definition from the Right. The Liberty Fund is neoliberal-libertarian, so this is roughly from the interventionist US Right (say Dubya).

    To my eye "ideology" is better than inventing a competitor religion as done by Maga, which is less rational.

    The actual defintion is by Andrew Doyle, and the piece by Theodore Dalyrymple (see famous Teddies from the other day). He uses my analogy of a cloud as the concept of "woke", around which he perambulates.
  • TazTaz Posts: 20,061
    Summer Transfer dunces Newcastle about to lose out for another player.

    https://x.com/jacobsben/status/1951939038706811186?s=61
  • JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 6,929
    Leon said:

    IanB2 said:

    I hadn't rated Stockholm prior, but it really does have a spectacular setting amid its archipelago, appearing to be inland from a casual glance at the map but in reality built across islands with arms of the sea everywhere.

    The continuing Scandinavian heatwave helps, of course, with the entire population out enjoying the city and parks and beaches, on a warm summer Sunday, as if it's always like this.

    In latitude, it's up there level with the Orkneys, but the combination of good weather and after a month spent in the true north, it feels like being back in central Europe.

    Somewhere to return to, for more than a short stopover on the drive home.

    Stockholm is definitely the best Nordic capital. It’s also surprisingly sunny: 1900 hours a year - more than Paris and comparable to Lyon

    However I am told the winters are fucking miserable and grey
    A conversation I once had with a Swede in a bar - winters in Stockholm used to be fun, lots of snow so bright and light, and you could go skating on a frozen Mälaren. Now it seems grim, rather like London in the winter.
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