UK porn site traffic plunges as age verification rules take effect
Pornhub loses more than 1mn visitors in two weeks after Online Safety Act comes into force
Big win for the OSA. We should see a boost to productivity.
More like big boost for VPN companies, who are all foreign owned. Great for the economies of a number of Eastern European countries.
VPN yada yada. Fact is, there'll be fewer men and boys watching porn because some friction has been introduced into the access protocols. A good thing imo.
Not an easy thing to measure, but if I were to bet on the number of people accessing such sites iths month vs last month, I’d say that the number will be pretty much identical.
Making an activity harder to do leads to fewer people doing it.
Why should viewing porn be an exception to this?
It’s the online equivalent of the Chancellor putting 10p on a pack of cigarettes in the Budget.
If you want that (imperfect) comparison it's like a price hike AND having to produce an "I'm a drug addict" card to complete the purchase.
Anyway, we'll see who's right. There will be a consensus on the matter fairly soon.
We know that VPN's became the most downloaded app in the UK, google searches for VPN's went through the roof and so on. Maybe that's all just so we can read the news that's been redacted?
So what. VPN use rises and this mitigates the impact. Mitigates is not the same as eliminates.
What makes you think all porn users are doing this?
Having been 15 during the age of the internet. Using a VPN is trivially easy. Every male over the age of 11 will have figured it out. The older kids in school will have helped the younger ones install them on their phones, probably charged them a fiver of pocket money to do it too.
Yes, but not everyone is a tech bro wanker at that age.
Have you met any kids lately? It's all Fortnite and Roblox. They've literally been raised by the iPhone and iPad. PB is so far behind the times on this its laughable. It's also interesting that the supporters of the government are making these weak arguments in favour of the OSA and the ignorance about tech literacy among kids is about the same level as the government. I guess you're one of those people that believes deleting emails will save water.
If the politicians are managing to install VPNs, I back any teenager to do it.
You truly think "teenagers can use VPNs" means it's futile to try and better regulate the internet?
Yes, make parents take responsibility for their kids. Maybe have a campaign on how dangerous it is to give young children unsupervised access to internet connected devices rather. It's literally pointless because those who want to get around the blocks will find a way and the law abiding citizen suddenly has their government ID, video verifications and details of which websites they have verified with stored somewhere which is an absolutely huge security and potential blackmail risk.
The downsides to the OSA are absolutely huge and the upsides are completely illusory.
OSA - King Canute aberration, will fall into disrepute and be repealed.
OSA - Imperfect initial implementation, will be improved and built upon, becomes accepted as a positive reform.
We will see but my sense is the second.
Worse its a third option.
OSA - Farcical bad policy, an absurdity that will do nothing positive, much negative, but never gets repealed.
There are already some positives so that one is not a runner.
#Trump will offer #Putin access to Alaska's mineral resources and "lifting some of the American sanctions on Russia's aviation industry", allowing Moscow access to crucial spare parts, in exchange for ending the war on #Ukraine on terms unspecified.
Terminally naive malignant narcissist, or actual Russian agent ?
The narcissist bit isn't a question.
"Since 1978 the Kennedy Center honors have been amongst the most prestigious awards. I wanted one, never able to get one. I would have taken it. I waited and waited and waited and I said to hell with it, I'll become chairman. I will give myself an honor. Next year we'll honor trump, okay?" https://x.com/Acyn/status/1955655293607834014
#Trump will offer #Putin access to Alaska's mineral resources and "lifting some of the American sanctions on Russia's aviation industry", allowing Moscow access to crucial spare parts, in exchange for ending the war on #Ukraine on terms unspecified.
#Trump will offer #Putin access to Alaska's mineral resources and "lifting some of the American sanctions on Russia's aviation industry", allowing Moscow access to crucial spare parts, in exchange for ending the war on #Ukraine on terms unspecified.
#Trump will offer #Putin access to Alaska's mineral resources and "lifting some of the American sanctions on Russia's aviation industry", allowing Moscow access to crucial spare parts, in exchange for ending the war on #Ukraine on terms unspecified.
Terminally naive malignant narcissist, or actual Russian agent ?
I posted on Monday morning
Didn't we joke that Russia would be given Alaska as part of the deal (and yes I know the idea was that the EU suggest it to reflect how bad the deal was for the Ukraine).
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
UK porn site traffic plunges as age verification rules take effect
Pornhub loses more than 1mn visitors in two weeks after Online Safety Act comes into force
Big win for the OSA. We should see a boost to productivity.
More like big boost for VPN companies, who are all foreign owned. Great for the economies of a number of Eastern European countries.
VPN yada yada. Fact is, there'll be fewer men and boys watching porn because some friction has been introduced into the access protocols. A good thing imo.
Not an easy thing to measure, but if I were to bet on the number of people accessing such sites iths month vs last month, I’d say that the number will be pretty much identical.
Making an activity harder to do leads to fewer people doing it.
Why should viewing porn be an exception to this?
It’s the online equivalent of the Chancellor putting 10p on a pack of cigarettes in the Budget.
If you want that (imperfect) comparison it's like a price hike AND having to produce an "I'm a drug addict" card to complete the purchase.
Anyway, we'll see who's right. There will be a consensus on the matter fairly soon.
We know that VPN's became the most downloaded app in the UK, google searches for VPN's went through the roof and so on. Maybe that's all just so we can read the news that's been redacted?
So what. VPN use rises and this mitigates the impact. Mitigates is not the same as eliminates.
What makes you think all porn users are doing this?
Having been 15 during the age of the internet. Using a VPN is trivially easy. Every male over the age of 11 will have figured it out. The older kids in school will have helped the younger ones install them on their phones, probably charged them a fiver of pocket money to do it too.
Yes, but not everyone is a tech bro wanker at that age.
Have you met any kids lately? It's all Fortnite and Roblox. They've literally been raised by the iPhone and iPad. PB is so far behind the times on this its laughable. It's also interesting that the supporters of the government are making these weak arguments in favour of the OSA and the ignorance about tech literacy among kids is about the same level as the government. I guess you're one of those people that believes deleting emails will save water.
If the politicians are managing to install VPNs, I back any teenager to do it.
You truly think "teenagers can use VPNs" means it's futile to try and better regulate the internet?
Yes, make parents take responsibility for their kids. Maybe have a campaign on how dangerous it is to give young children unsupervised access to internet connected devices rather. It's literally pointless because those who want to get around the blocks will find a way and the law abiding citizen suddenly has their government ID, video verifications and details of which websites they have verified with stored somewhere which is an absolutely huge security and potential blackmail risk.
The downsides to the OSA are absolutely huge and the upsides are completely illusory.
OSA - King Canute aberration, will fall into disrepute and be repealed.
OSA - Imperfect initial implementation, will be improved and built upon, becomes accepted as a positive reform.
We will see but my sense is the second.
Worse its a third option.
OSA - Farcical bad policy, an absurdity that will do nothing positive, much negative, but never gets repealed.
There are already some positives so that one is not a runner.
What positives? Sites have to pay a lot more attention to what posters post and a lot more people are using VPNs..
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Governor Newsom Press Office @GovPressOffice HUGE “HISTORIC” EVENT — THURSDAY 11:30AM PACIFIC IN LOS ANGELES!!! A “BEAUTIFUL RALLY” / PRESS CONFERENCE WITH GAVIN CHRISTOPHER NEWSOM & STRONG DEMS. DEMOCRATS WILL DESTROY GREG ABBOTT’S “TOTALLY RIGGED MAPS.” TREMENDOUS WORK IS BEING DONE. DONALD TRUMP (THE CRIMINAL PRESIDENT) GET READY FOR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PAYBACK YOU’VE EVER SEEN!!! COULD BE THE WORST DAY OF YOUR LIFE AS YOUR PRESIDENCY ENDS (DEMS RETAKE CONGRESS!). AMERICA WILL BE LIBERATED — “LIBERATION DAY” MANY ARE CALLING IT!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! — GCN
Governor Newsom Press Office @GovPressOffice HUGE “HISTORIC” EVENT — THURSDAY 11:30AM PACIFIC IN LOS ANGELES!!! A “BEAUTIFUL RALLY” / PRESS CONFERENCE WITH GAVIN CHRISTOPHER NEWSOM & STRONG DEMS. DEMOCRATS WILL DESTROY GREG ABBOTT’S “TOTALLY RIGGED MAPS.” TREMENDOUS WORK IS BEING DONE. DONALD TRUMP (THE CRIMINAL PRESIDENT) GET READY FOR THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PAYBACK YOU’VE EVER SEEN!!! COULD BE THE WORST DAY OF YOUR LIFE AS YOUR PRESIDENCY ENDS (DEMS RETAKE CONGRESS!). AMERICA WILL BE LIBERATED — “LIBERATION DAY” MANY ARE CALLING IT!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER! — GCN
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
"BBC apologises over Thought for the Day ‘xenophobia’ claim against Jenrick Corporation says Krish Kandiah’s criticism of senior Tory not appropriate for faith-based radio segment"
$3.8bn seems an awful lot of money for upgrading 48 F-16s.
And it could be more.
https://www.twz.com/air/polands-f-16s-are-about-to-become-more-potent ...The U.S. government had approved the potential sale of items and services required for what was referred to as a “Viper Midlife Upgrade” back in October 2024. At that time, the value of the total package was estimated to be around $7.3 billion, nearly twice as much as ..the stated price tag on the deal announced today. It is very possible that the contract with Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 S.A. is just one part of what will be required to complete the upgrade program...
#Trump will offer #Putin access to Alaska's mineral resources and "lifting some of the American sanctions on Russia's aviation industry", allowing Moscow access to crucial spare parts, in exchange for ending the war on #Ukraine on terms unspecified.
The Tory media team really do need to be sacked. Its been *brutal* all week on X. They put out post after post attacking Labour for things and practically every response calls out that they did the same / they did nothing about it / they had 14 years.
Best one? Attacking a Labour minister for (rightly) saying the weather affects small boat crossings, with someone posting the headline where PM Sunak did the exact same thing.
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
#Trump will offer #Putin access to Alaska's mineral resources and "lifting some of the American sanctions on Russia's aviation industry", allowing Moscow access to crucial spare parts, in exchange for ending the war on #Ukraine on terms unspecified.
But he can't agree a peace deal without Ukraine. I think this 'summit' is just a farce. Its only point is to generate another big moment starring him.
He appears to be offering to help reboot Russia's military industrial complex in return for an unenforceable, and therefore temporary ceasefire.
Neither Ukraine nor Europe are likely to agree to something which is clearly highly damaging to their future security. But it is a mark of Trump's growing rehabilitation of Russia on behalf of the US.
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
UK porn site traffic plunges as age verification rules take effect
Pornhub loses more than 1mn visitors in two weeks after Online Safety Act comes into force
Big win for the OSA. We should see a boost to productivity.
More like big boost for VPN companies, who are all foreign owned. Great for the economies of a number of Eastern European countries.
VPN yada yada. Fact is, there'll be fewer men and boys watching porn because some friction has been introduced into the access protocols. A good thing imo.
Not an easy thing to measure, but if I were to bet on the number of people accessing such sites iths month vs last month, I’d say that the number will be pretty much identical.
Making an activity harder to do leads to fewer people doing it.
Why should viewing porn be an exception to this?
It’s the online equivalent of the Chancellor putting 10p on a pack of cigarettes in the Budget.
If you want that (imperfect) comparison it's like a price hike AND having to produce an "I'm a drug addict" card to complete the purchase.
Anyway, we'll see who's right. There will be a consensus on the matter fairly soon.
We know that VPN's became the most downloaded app in the UK, google searches for VPN's went through the roof and so on. Maybe that's all just so we can read the news that's been redacted?
So what. VPN use rises and this mitigates the impact. Mitigates is not the same as eliminates.
What makes you think all porn users are doing this?
Having been 15 during the age of the internet. Using a VPN is trivially easy. Every male over the age of 11 will have figured it out. The older kids in school will have helped the younger ones install them on their phones, probably charged them a fiver of pocket money to do it too.
Yes, but not everyone is a tech bro wanker at that age.
Have you met any kids lately? It's all Fortnite and Roblox. They've literally been raised by the iPhone and iPad. PB is so far behind the times on this its laughable. It's also interesting that the supporters of the government are making these weak arguments in favour of the OSA and the ignorance about tech literacy among kids is about the same level as the government. I guess you're one of those people that believes deleting emails will save water.
If the politicians are managing to install VPNs, I back any teenager to do it.
You truly think "teenagers can use VPNs" means it's futile to try and better regulate the internet?
Yes, make parents take responsibility for their kids. Maybe have a campaign on how dangerous it is to give young children unsupervised access to internet connected devices rather. It's literally pointless because those who want to get around the blocks will find a way and the law abiding citizen suddenly has their government ID, video verifications and details of which websites they have verified with stored somewhere which is an absolutely huge security and potential blackmail risk.
The downsides to the OSA are absolutely huge and the upsides are completely illusory.
OSA - King Canute aberration, will fall into disrepute and be repealed.
OSA - Imperfect initial implementation, will be improved and built upon, becomes accepted as a positive reform.
We will see but my sense is the second.
Worse its a third option.
OSA - Farcical bad policy, an absurdity that will do nothing positive, much negative, but never gets repealed.
There are already some positives so that one is not a runner.
What positives? Sites have to pay a lot more attention to what posters post and a lot more people are using VPNs..
Well eg the point we were discussing - the drop in porn use?
Harder to see suicide material?
Harder for kids to access vile stuff? Or adults for that matter.
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
Perhaps not, but they are interested in priapric old racists, so probably the best journal for that epistle.
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
I’ve been refurbing my flat. I haven’t really mentioned it but that’s why I’ve barely been on the site
I’ve got a new side table - French, mid 19th century. It’s where I’m keeping important documents and handwritten letters. Please admire the parquetry
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
I’ve been refurbing my flat. I haven’t really mentioned it but that’s why I’ve barely been on the site
I’ve got a new side table - French, mid 19th century. It’s where I’m keeping important documents and handwritten letters. Please admire the parquetry
Nice. And a printed communication peeking out coquettishly!
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
I’ve been refurbing my flat. I haven’t really mentioned it but that’s why I’ve barely been on the site
I’ve got a new side table - French, mid 19th century. It’s where I’m keeping important documents and handwritten letters. Please admire the parquetry
Nice. And a printed communication peeking out coquettishly!
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
Do shut up.
We're gonna end it. Sorry
Why are you so protective of Torode?
Everything you love about "liberal leftwing BBC Britain" is going to be destroyed in a furious alt.right tide. I for one will cheer as you weep for Radio 4
You had it good for decades. But soon it will be your turn to suffer
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
I’ve been refurbing my flat. I haven’t really mentioned it but that’s why I’ve barely been on the site
I’ve got a new side table - French, mid 19th century. It’s where I’m keeping important documents and handwritten letters. Please admire the parquetry
#Trump will offer #Putin access to Alaska's mineral resources and "lifting some of the American sanctions on Russia's aviation industry", allowing Moscow access to crucial spare parts, in exchange for ending the war on #Ukraine on terms unspecified.
But he can't agree a peace deal without Ukraine. I think this 'summit' is just a farce. Its only point is to generate another big moment starring him.
He appears to be offering to help reboot Russia's military industrial complex in return for an unenforceable, and therefore temporary ceasefire.
Neither Ukraine nor Europe are likely to agree to something which is clearly highly damaging to their future security. But it is a mark of Trump's growing rehabilitation of Russia on behalf of the US.
Oh indeed. It's grotesque. I don't think he has a deep strategy to advance Russia's interests as such (it's all big 'I am' showboating) but it's the effect of how he handles himself.
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
Do shut up.
We're gonna end it. Sorry
Why are you so protective of Torode?
Everything you love about "liberal leftwing BBC Britain" is going to be destroyed in a furious alt.right tide. I for one will cheer as you weep for Radio 4
You had it good for decades. But soon it will be your turn to suffer
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
I’ve been refurbing my flat. I haven’t really mentioned it but that’s why I’ve barely been on the site
I’ve got a new side table - French, mid 19th century. It’s where I’m keeping important documents and handwritten letters. Please admire the parquetry
Parquetry or marquetry ?
Mate, honestly? I didn't even know "parquetry" existed until about 2 days ago
But I am buying up antique furniture and learning. Apparently "parquetry" is a thing and my new fancy French lady is an example
She really is a stunner. A courtesan in fine silk. She also cost me £650 so it wasn't cheap
However across the room I now have a elegant English Arts and Crafts Whatnot, just as handsome in its way, which cost me £125. On John Lewis that would get me a couple of posh pillowslips, which need replacing in 2 years
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
Do shut up.
We're gonna end it. Sorry
Why are you so protective of Torode?
Everything you love about "liberal leftwing BBC Britain" is going to be destroyed in a furious alt.right tide. I for one will cheer as you weep for Radio 4
You had it good for decades. But soon it will be your turn to suffer
2029. And it's a maybe.
You know it's likely coming. You've said as much, and it's one of the relatively few reasons I respect you. That is to say: you are intelligent and honest enough to realise this is what's in the post for the UK, if trends continue (and this goes way beyond transient polling)
Trouble is you maybe aren't intelligent and honest enough to admit that insane leftwing policies have led us to this cliff edge? But hey. Whatevs. We are all deeply flawed and often mistaken. I used to think Boris Johnson would be a good, maybe great Prime Minister. I used to vote for the fecking Tories
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
In that you could perhaps claim incorrectly that he was fired for singing along to a Kanye song at a karioke party.
May as well. Everybody else seems to. It's up there with VPNs rule ok! and 4 star asylum hotels.
Frankly the OSA impact on online porn is nothing. I’m much more upset that by its chilling impact on online discussion on PB where certain topics are verboten. I understand the reasons and support the site owner(s) but it’s a dreadful state of affairs in a country with a reputation for supporting freedom of speech.
Er, we don’t have that reputation any more
We are literally laughed at, online, as the country where you get arrested and jailed for naughty tweets. Laughed at by everyone, worldwide
Not sure we ever did. The last conviction for blasphemy was in 1977. There was never a golden age.
2001. The gov't getting back in for the grand loss of 6 whole seats indicates people were pretty content with their lot. Interest rates were a touch higher than now but coming down, houses were actually affordable before the rocketing prices of 2003 odd (In real terms); tuition fees were a thing but affordable and not going to land the holders in a lifetime of debt. University was fun, rents were affordable. The music wasn't quite as good as a few years earlier but festivals were again... affordable. You could have 2002 too or the late 90s (Worse economics, better music) and 2012 was the best year since. Immigration wasn't a big issue. The whole vibe was just... relaxed..
But the Torygraph, Express and Mail would still have been claiming we were going to hell in a handcart.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthick"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
Let's be blunt here - we didn't chase @williamglenn away. He went full on National Front which meant under the new OSA legislation he posed a significant risk to the owners of this site..
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthick"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
Let's be blunt here - we didn't chase @williamglenn away. He went full on National Front which meant under the new OSA legislation he posed a significant risk to the owners of this site..
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
I’ve been refurbing my flat. I haven’t really mentioned it but that’s why I’ve barely been on the site
I’ve got a new side table - French, mid 19th century. It’s where I’m keeping important documents and handwritten letters. Please admire the parquetry
Parquetry or marquetry ?
Mate, honestly? I didn't even know "parquetry" existed until about 2 days ago
But I am buying up antique furniture and learning. Apparently "parquetry" is a thing and my new fancy French lady is an example..
Hard to say from the partial pic. Plus there's a definitional overlap between the two, I think ?
UK porn site traffic plunges as age verification rules take effect
Pornhub loses more than 1mn visitors in two weeks after Online Safety Act comes into force
Big win for the OSA. We should see a boost to productivity.
More like big boost for VPN companies, who are all foreign owned. Great for the economies of a number of Eastern European countries.
VPN yada yada. Fact is, there'll be fewer men and boys watching porn because some friction has been introduced into the access protocols. A good thing imo.
Not an easy thing to measure, but if I were to bet on the number of people accessing such sites iths month vs last month, I’d say that the number will be pretty much identical.
Making an activity harder to do leads to fewer people doing it.
Why should viewing porn be an exception to this?
It’s the online equivalent of the Chancellor putting 10p on a pack of cigarettes in the Budget.
If you want that (imperfect) comparison it's like a price hike AND having to produce an "I'm a drug addict" card to complete the purchase.
Anyway, we'll see who's right. There will be a consensus on the matter fairly soon.
We know that VPN's became the most downloaded app in the UK, google searches for VPN's went through the roof and so on. Maybe that's all just so we can read the news that's been redacted?
So what. VPN use rises and this mitigates the impact. Mitigates is not the same as eliminates.
What makes you think all porn users are doing this?
Having been 15 during the age of the internet. Using a VPN is trivially easy. Every male over the age of 11 will have figured it out. The older kids in school will have helped the younger ones install them on their phones, probably charged them a fiver of pocket money to do it too.
Yes, but not everyone is a tech bro wanker at that age.
Have you met any kids lately? It's all Fortnite and Roblox. They've literally been raised by the iPhone and iPad. PB is so far behind the times on this its laughable. It's also interesting that the supporters of the government are making these weak arguments in favour of the OSA and the ignorance about tech literacy among kids is about the same level as the government. I guess you're one of those people that believes deleting emails will save water.
If the politicians are managing to install VPNs, I back any teenager to do it.
You truly think "teenagers can use VPNs" means it's futile to try and better regulate the internet?
Yes, make parents take responsibility for their kids. Maybe have a campaign on how dangerous it is to give young children unsupervised access to internet connected devices rather. It's literally pointless because those who want to get around the blocks will find a way and the law abiding citizen suddenly has their government ID, video verifications and details of which websites they have verified with stored somewhere which is an absolutely huge security and potential blackmail risk.
The downsides to the OSA are absolutely huge and the upsides are completely illusory.
OSA - King Canute aberration, will fall into disrepute and be repealed.
OSA - Imperfect initial implementation, will be improved and built upon, becomes accepted as a positive reform.
We will see but my sense is the second.
Worse its a third option.
OSA - Farcical bad policy, an absurdity that will do nothing positive, much negative, but never gets repealed.
There are already some positives so that one is not a runner.
What positives? Sites have to pay a lot more attention to what posters post and a lot more people are using VPNs..
Well eg the point we were discussing - the drop in porn use?
Harder to see suicide material?
Harder for kids to access vile stuff? Or adults for that matter.
It wasn't done gratuitously for no reason.
Shouldn't the burden be on the megacorps who host the stuff? Making everyone in the UK who wants to see legal-but-adult content upload official ID's (many of which count as voter ID's) to websites owned by rando foreign entities seems somewhat sub-optimal.
"I make a billion dollars a year from hosting harmful content with zero moral f*cks given! And now I have your voter ID!" seems like a 'not great' solution to the underlying problem.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
The tone on here is more strident, more Reformy, more populist and less Centrist Dad (outdated term btw) than at any time since I joined in 2018. So that's flat out nonsense, I'm afraid.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
I don’t know if that is the reason, but it does feel like the peak is behind us. In the early to mid 2010s, leading up to the referendum it was brilliant on here, despite me being banned about a hundred times for one thing or another.
Richard Nabavi, Tim, Antifrank, Southam Observer, Charles, Mike Smithson, Plato; these were big characters that have been written out or left and not replaced. Can’t think why really, but it is a shame
BBC4 is currently showing an interesting 1999 Stephen Poliakoff 3 part drama called Shooting The Past. Stars Lindsay Duncan, Timothy Spall, Emilia Fox.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
The tone on here is more strident, more Reformy, more populist and less Centrist Dad (outdated term btw) than at any time since I joined in 2018. So that's flat out nonsense, I'm afraid.
No one gives a fuck what you think as you've only been here about a year, so shut up
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
I’ve been refurbing my flat. I haven’t really mentioned it but that’s why I’ve barely been on the site
I’ve got a new side table - French, mid 19th century. It’s where I’m keeping important documents and handwritten letters. Please admire the parquetry
Parquetry or marquetry ?
Mate, honestly? I didn't even know "parquetry" existed until about 2 days ago
But I am buying up antique furniture and learning. Apparently "parquetry" is a thing and my new fancy French lady is an example..
Hard to say from the partial pic. Plus there's a definitional overlap between the two, I think ?
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
I don’t know if that is the reason, but it does feel like the peak is behind us. In the early to mid 2010s, leading up to the referendum it was brilliant on here, despite me being banned about a hundred times for one thing or another.
Richard Nabavi, Tim, Antifrank, Southam Observer, Charles, Mike Smithson, Plato; these were big characters that have been written out or left and not replaced. Can’t think why really, but it is a shame
On that timeframe things went downhill about when I joined. Troubling thought. I hope it was coincidence.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
I don’t know if that is the reason, but it does feel like the peak is behind us. In the early to mid 2010s, leading up to the referendum it was brilliant on here, despite me being banned about a hundred times for one thing or another.
Richard Nabavi, Tim, Antifrank, Southam Observer, Charles, Mike Smithson, Plato; these were big characters that have been written out or left and not replaced. Can’t think why really, but it is a shame
Rod Crosby increased my bank balance significantly...just don't mention the war.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
I don’t know if that is the reason, but it does feel like the peak is behind us. In the early to mid 2010s, leading up to the referendum it was brilliant on here, despite me being banned about a hundred times for one thing or another.
Richard Nabavi, Tim, Antifrank, Southam Observer, Charles, Mike Smithson, Plato; these were big characters that have been written out or left and not replaced. Can’t think why really, but it is a shame
Perhaps it is the natural end of all things and PB aproaches its quietus. But before we all sign off, it's worth making an effort to see why the decline
For example, no one, in my memory, has been banned for being "too left wing". All kinds of leftwing opinions are tolerated. But if you're right wing you are constantly in danger of being banned....
And very arguably that's fair enough - it's a private site after all, no one is forced to comment, no one pays a penny, and the founder - Our Beloved and Genial Host - @MikeSmithson - was a centrist liberal mildly lefty Remainer Lib Dem. His DNA lives on in the site? - and if so Peace Be Upon Him
However the world has become more polarised and considerably more rightwing since then, yet rightwing voices are consistently silenced or menaced. eg @williamglenn
This makes the place
1. unrepresentative
2. boring
3. useless for proper debate
These are killer blows, especially if taken together. Even @theweirdodogguy has stopped posting his dog photos
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
I don’t know if that is the reason, but it does feel like the peak is behind us. In the early to mid 2010s, leading up to the referendum it was brilliant on here, despite me being banned about a hundred times for one thing or another.
Richard Nabavi, Tim, Antifrank, Southam Observer, Charles, Mike Smithson, Plato; these were big characters that have been written out or left and not replaced. Can’t think why really, but it is a shame
They were all great posters. The site was more interesting when they were here.
"With the aim of boosting backbench morale..." doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
It's actually a sensible approach - solve the expensive bit of getting a cross Manchester tunnel with suitable platforms built as part of 1 project knowing that it makes the economic argument for HS2 that much easier if £20bn of the cost has now been shifted elsewhere.
It's one of the issues I've continually rabbited on about - HS2 going to Euston is actually 3 different (all important projects) bundled into 1 budget..
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
The tone on here is more strident, more Reformy, more populist and less Centrist Dad (outdated term btw) than at any time since I joined in 2018. So that's flat out nonsense, I'm afraid.
No one gives a fuck what you think as you've only been here about a year, so shut up
True. I suppose it's like in life generally. Just as I can't conceive of a world before I was born I can't see PB before me as being real. It just doesn't compute. But in both cases I know it did exist. Odd one.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
I don’t know if that is the reason, but it does feel like the peak is behind us. In the early to mid 2010s, leading up to the referendum it was brilliant on here, despite me being banned about a hundred times for one thing or another.
Richard Nabavi, Tim, Antifrank, Southam Observer, Charles, Mike Smithson, Plato; these were big characters that have been written out or left and not replaced. Can’t think why really, but it is a shame
Perhaps it is the natural end of all things and PB aproaches its quietus. But before we all sign off, it's worth making an effort to see why the decline
For example, no one, in my memory, has been banned for being "too left wing". All kinds of leftwing opinions are tolerated. But if you're right wing you are constantly in danger of being banned....
And very arguably that's fair enough - it's a private site after all, no one is forced to comment, no one pays a penny, and the founder - Our Beloved and Genial Host - @MikeSmithson - was a centrist liberal mildly lefty Remainer Lib Dem. His DNA lives on in the site? - and if so Peace Be Upon Him
However the world has become more polarised and considerably more rightwing since then, yet rightwing voices are consistently silenced or menaced. eg @williamglenn
This makes the place
1. unrepresentative
2. boring
3. useless for proper debate
These are killer blows, especially if taken together. Even @theweirdodogguy has stopped posting his dog photos
"With the aim of boosting backbench morale..." doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
I thought they had already re-re-re-anounced it?
They announced it without any money being attached - this time there appears to be some money attached...
Now they just need to work out how to sort out a train network because if you are building 1 tunnel you may as well keep them around and build another couple of tunnels at the same time for local trains.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
I don’t know if that is the reason, but it does feel like the peak is behind us. In the early to mid 2010s, leading up to the referendum it was brilliant on here, despite me being banned about a hundred times for one thing or another.
Richard Nabavi, Tim, Antifrank, Southam Observer, Charles, Mike Smithson, Plato; these were big characters that have been written out or left and not replaced. Can’t think why really, but it is a shame
They were all great posters. The site was more interesting when they were here.
It seems like people then were expressing their true feelings, albeit often in a provocative way, and arguing their case intellectually rather than just trolling from entrenched positions. Maybe it’s just everyone’s getting old; I certainly can’t be bothered as often to have a ding dong on here, and I used to on a daily basis.
Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by Crosby, Stills and Nash; what a song.
Stephen Stills absolutely pouring his heart out over Judy Collins, for no reward.
I’m going through a break up and have no such pent up feelings of love that I need to release! But it has reminded me what it was like to feel that way
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
The tone on here is more strident, more Reformy, more populist and less Centrist Dad (outdated term btw) than at any time since I joined in 2018. So that's flat out nonsense, I'm afraid.
No one gives a fuck what you think as you've only been here about a year, so shut up
True. I suppose it's like in life generally. Just as I can't conceive of a world before I was born I can't see PB before me as being real. It just doesn't compute. But in both cases I know it did exist. Odd one.
There were some great posters. And there still are.
The site I believe was always well hung to the right but had more than it's fair share of Liberal Democrats. It was never very Labour centric but Labour posters were always reluctantly tolerated barring a few worthy exceptions. The infamous SeanT was always fairly hostile. Thankfully his brand of bile left the building a while ago. There are a few more Trump/ Farage branded Conservatives than there once were, and every now and again one or two particularly unpleasant examples of racism comes to the fore. And by the way, if posters feel that cap fits, it probably does.
I suspect the most enthusiastic right wingers, the Brexit and Johnson enthusiasts don't like to hear the alternative to their dreary story. Left of centre posters appear to be less than welcome here these days. I certainly find that to be true for myself, and this mini thread within the main thread is a case in point for you. Of course being as the site is full of right wing intellectuals it might just be biting satire.
"With the aim of boosting backbench morale..." doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
I thought they had already re-re-re-anounced it?
They announced it without any money being attached - this time there appears to be some money attached...
Now they just need to work out how to sort out a train network because if you are building 1 tunnel you may as well keep them around and build another couple of tunnels at the same time for local trains.
If you finish a tunnel project one week the next tunnel project should be ready to go the following week. Look at how it was done in Norway and the Faroes.
Instead we dither for a couple of years until the contractors get bored and wander off, then wonder why everything now costs 3x as much.
"With the aim of boosting backbench morale..." doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
I thought they had already re-re-re-anounced it?
They announced it without any money being attached - this time there appears to be some money attached...
Now they just need to work out how to sort out a train network because if you are building 1 tunnel you may as well keep them around and build another couple of tunnels at the same time for local trains.
If you finish a tunnel project one week the next tunnel project should be ready to go the following week. Look at how it was done in Norway and the Faroes.
Instead we dither for a couple of years until the contractors get bored and wander off, then wonder why everything now costs 3x as much.
Also look at Copenhagen where a lot of metro has been built over the past 10 years..
BBC4 is currently showing an interesting 1999 Stephen Poliakoff 3 part drama called Shooting The Past. Stars Lindsay Duncan, Timothy Spall, Emilia Fox.
Damn I'm in weekday digs with no telly. It's one of my favourites.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
The tone on here is more strident, more Reformy, more populist and less Centrist Dad (outdated term btw) than at any time since I joined in 2018. So that's flat out nonsense, I'm afraid.
No one gives a fuck what you think as you've only been here about a year, so shut up
True. I suppose it's like in life generally. Just as I can't conceive of a world before I was born I can't see PB before me as being real. It just doesn't compute. But in both cases I know it did exist. Odd one.
There were some great posters. And there still are.
The site I believe was always well hung to the right but had more than it's fair share of Liberal Democrats. It was never very Labour centric but Labour posters were always reluctantly tolerated barring a few worthy exceptions. The infamous SeanT was always fairly hostile. Thankfully his brand of bile left the building a while ago. There are a few more Trump/ Farage branded Conservatives than there once were, and every now and again one or two particularly unpleasant examples of racism comes to the fore. And by the way, if posters feel that cap fits, it probably does.
I suspect the most enthusiastic right wingers, the Brexit and Johnson enthusiasts don't like to hear the alternative to their dreary story. Left of centre posters appear to be less than welcome here these days. I certainly find that to be true for myself, and this mini thread within the main thread is a case in point for you. Of course being as the site is full of right wing intellectuals it might just be biting satire.
There are more Labour and LD backers than Reform backers on here certainly, indeed probably still more Tory than Reform backers as well
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
As I commented yesterday, my granddaughter with her new degree from Leeds University has applied for 60 jobs and is now on UC and none of her fellow students have manged to find a position
It does raise the question how much a degree is worth, when you can go to a FE and have possibly better prospects and no student debt
As I noted on Monday, my youngest son was home for the weekend with some friends and they were telling me that the biggest concern now in their age group is simple being able to get a job and hang onto it in the current economic climate.
Welcome to Scotland... X Lorna Hughes@DailyMailLorna So we have an arts venue who want to cancel the Deputy First Minister cos she’s so scary and the National Library banning a best selling book cos their staff don’t like it. And to top it off, a newspaper, denying it all. For shame. https://x.com/DailyMailLorna/status/1955716868116746364
BBC4 is currently showing an interesting 1999 Stephen Poliakoff 3 part drama called Shooting The Past. Stars Lindsay Duncan, Timothy Spall, Emilia Fox.
Damn I'm in weekday digs with no telly. It's one of my favourites.
Darn.
I missed episode 1, just seen 2 and the start of 3.
Funny how within seconds of seeing it I thought this must be late 90s just from the style of it. Such a distinctive period of time in many ways.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
The tone on here is more strident, more Reformy, more populist and less Centrist Dad (outdated term btw) than at any time since I joined in 2018. So that's flat out nonsense, I'm afraid.
No one gives a fuck what you think as you've only been here about a year, so shut up
True. I suppose it's like in life generally. Just as I can't conceive of a world before I was born I can't see PB before me as being real. It just doesn't compute. But in both cases I know it did exist. Odd one.
I'm the complete opposite. I spend a lot of time thinking what life was like in previous decades, centuries, etc.
It saddens me, but this site - this pub - is dying. Visitors are in major decline
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
The tone on here is more strident, more Reformy, more populist and less Centrist Dad (outdated term btw) than at any time since I joined in 2018. So that's flat out nonsense, I'm afraid.
No one gives a fuck what you think as you've only been here about a year, so shut up
True. I suppose it's like in life generally. Just as I can't conceive of a world before I was born I can't see PB before me as being real. It just doesn't compute. But in both cases I know it did exist. Odd one.
There were some great posters. And there still are.
The site I believe was always well hung to the right but had more than it's fair share of Liberal Democrats. It was never very Labour centric but Labour posters were always reluctantly tolerated barring a few worthy exceptions. The infamous SeanT was always fairly hostile. Thankfully his brand of bile left the building a while ago. There are a few more Trump/ Farage branded Conservatives than there once were, and every now and again one or two particularly unpleasant examples of racism comes to the fore. And by the way, if posters feel that cap fits, it probably does.
I suspect the most enthusiastic right wingers, the Brexit and Johnson enthusiasts don't like to hear the alternative to their dreary story. Left of centre posters appear to be less than welcome here these days. I certainly find that to be true for myself, and this mini thread within the main thread is a case in point for you. Of course being as the site is full of right wing intellectuals it might just be biting satire.
In terms of numbers, I never thought most people on here were right-wing, although the ones that were may have been more strident than everyone else.
As I commented yesterday, my granddaughter with her new degree from Leeds University has applied for 60 jobs and is now on UC and none of her fellow students have manged to find a position
It does raise the question how much a degree is worth, when you can go to a FE and have possibly better prospects and no student debt
As I noted on Monday, my youngest son was home for the weekend with some friends and they were telling me that the biggest concern now in their age group is simple being able to get a job and hang onto it in the current economic climate.
Twin B is off volunteering in Iceland at the end of the month (because as you say the job market is beyond awful).
I'm not kidding when I suggested she should see if she can get a permanent job there as the work permit should be straightforward (she already has their scout / guiding long service award from her last voluntary work there).
As I commented yesterday, my granddaughter with her new degree from Leeds University has applied for 60 jobs and is now on UC and none of her fellow students have manged to find a position
It does raise the question how much a degree is worth, when you can go to a FE and have possibly better prospects and no student debt
As I noted on Monday, my youngest son was home for the weekend with some friends and they were telling me that the biggest concern now in their age group is simple being able to get a job and hang onto it in the current economic climate.
Twin B is off volunteering in Iceland at the end of the month (because as you say the job market is beyond awful).
I'm not kidding when I suggested she should see if she can get a permanent job there as the work permit should be straightforward (she already has their scout / guiding long service award from her last voluntary work there).
I am trying to work out why is the job market so bad for graduates. The NI / minimum wage increases by the government don't effect those kind of jobs in the way it does a part-time supermarket self stacker role.
Lots of economic signals are flashing warning signals, but its still looks like it is bumping along, albeit struggle for real growth. Is the economy already worse than it seems? Or is it still COVID log jams filtering through, where all those people didn't get hired / furloughed and after 2 years flooded the market so employers had loads of choice to hire and so don't need to hire as much now?
As I commented yesterday, my granddaughter with her new degree from Leeds University has applied for 60 jobs and is now on UC and none of her fellow students have manged to find a position
It does raise the question how much a degree is worth, when you can go to a FE and have possibly better prospects and no student debt
As I noted on Monday, my youngest son was home for the weekend with some friends and they were telling me that the biggest concern now in their age group is simple being able to get a job and hang onto it in the current economic climate.
Twin B is off volunteering in Iceland at the end of the month (because as you say the job market is beyond awful).
I'm not kidding when I suggested she should see if she can get a permanent job there as the work permit should be straightforward (she already has their scout / guiding long service award from her last voluntary work there).
I am trying to work out why is the job market so bad for graduates. The NI / minimum wage increases by the government don't effect those kind of jobs in the way it does a part-time supermarket self stacker role.
Lots of economic signals are flashing warning signals, but its still looks like it is bumping along, albeit no real growth. Is the economy already worse than it seems? Or is it still COVID log jams filtering through, where all those people didn't get hired / furloughed and after 2 years flooded the market so employers had loads of choice to hire and so don't need to hire as much now?
I don't think it is just a problem for graduates, the job market is now looking depressingly bleak for that whole age group right now whether you left school and went into further education or you did not and went straight into your first job. That age group not only tends to be the cheapest to hire, but it is also usually the cheapest to let go when businesses are trying to trim their work force in the current economic climate.
Drug dealers offered “contactless” payments for ketamine, cocaine and ecstasy to young music fans at a festival just days after a coroner expressed concerns about the overt trade of drugs at the event, a Times investigation has found.
An undercover reporter witnessed the open sale and consumption of class A drugs at Boomtown Fair, a festival held near Winchester, Hampshire, often just metres away from security who failed to intervene in most instances.
Drug dealers offered “contactless” payments for ketamine, cocaine and ecstasy to young music fans at a festival just days after a coroner expressed concerns about the overt trade of drugs at the event, a Times investigation has found.
An undercover reporter witnessed the open sale and consumption of class A drugs at Boomtown Fair, a festival held near Winchester, Hampshire, often just metres away from security who failed to intervene in most instances.
As I commented yesterday, my granddaughter with her new degree from Leeds University has applied for 60 jobs and is now on UC and none of her fellow students have manged to find a position
It does raise the question how much a degree is worth, when you can go to a FE and have possibly better prospects and no student debt
As I noted on Monday, my youngest son was home for the weekend with some friends and they were telling me that the biggest concern now in their age group is simple being able to get a job and hang onto it in the current economic climate.
Twin B is off volunteering in Iceland at the end of the month (because as you say the job market is beyond awful).
I'm not kidding when I suggested she should see if she can get a permanent job there as the work permit should be straightforward (she already has their scout / guiding long service award from her last voluntary work there).
eek, I think that is a great idea in the current economic climate and I hope your daughter has a great experience over there. In fact there is no better time for anyone in that age group seeking an adventure post Uni if they are struggling to find a job here, I have been amazed at the amount of my sons friends who have over the last decade at various stages and ages who went over to work, travel and explore Australia.
Gap years are not a thing in Scotland, but after graduating my middle son and his best friend both headed home and went back to the student jobs they had throughout their time at Uni and saved up and then headed to the US to walk the Appalachian Trail which they completed in five and half months along with the two lovely American lads they met and teamed up with two weeks into it and who had also just graduated. And then just before Covid hit our son headed off to Australia in 2019 and fell in love with the country and an Aussie lass, and so I had to overcome my terrible fear of flying which had developed over the last twenty years and then get on a plane to attend their wedding over Christmas and New Year there. An amazing experience I would not have missed for the world.
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
You should print off a strongly worded letter. Oh.
Or write a column in a major, prestigious and influential magazine, but alas I cannot do that of course
Oh
Granite Cocks Quarterly is a major, prestigious and influential magazine?
I’ve been refurbing my flat. I haven’t really mentioned it but that’s why I’ve barely been on the site
I’ve got a new side table - French, mid 19th century. It’s where I’m keeping important documents and handwritten letters. Please admire the parquetry
Parquetry or marquetry ?
Mate, honestly? I didn't even know "parquetry" existed until about 2 days ago
But I am buying up antique furniture and learning. Apparently "parquetry" is a thing and my new fancy French lady is an example
She really is a stunner. A courtesan in fine silk. She also cost me £650 so it wasn't cheap
However across the room I now have a elegant English Arts and Crafts Whatnot, just as handsome in its way, which cost me £125. On John Lewis that would get me a couple of posh pillowslips, which need replacing in 2 years
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
Wes Streeting – fiddling the figures since September 2023.
That isn't really the claim. It seems more like the way the NHS deals with the data can give a false impression of the situation on the ground that is reported to the government, who then parrot these figures.
It is another example of general poor and inconsistent data across the public sector. The Nuffield Trust had to do a load of manual data cleaning to get this more accurate picture out.
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
Isn't that perfectly normal? I.e. people will die or move, or be removed from waiting lists all the time. Now, is it possible there was a one-off big purge? Sure, that's possible. But waiting lists are always going to be affected by people moving and dying.
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
Isn't that perfectly normal? I.e. people will die or move, or be removed from waiting lists all the time. Now, is it possible there was a one-off big purge? Sure, that's possible. But waiting lists are always going to be affected by people moving and dying.
Of course, the issue is about the poor way the data is being recorded and then collected.
"The researchers had to calculate the figures manually because they are not explicitly reported in NHS data"
The real trends are been hidden because it isn't being collated correctly. It seems incredibly surprising that the obvious things that will happen are not being incorporated correctly into the figures given to the minister.
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
Isn't that perfectly normal? I.e. people will die or move, or be removed from waiting lists all the time. Now, is it possible there was a one-off big purge? Sure, that's possible. But waiting lists are always going to be affected by people moving and dying.
Of course, the issue is about the poor way the data is being recorded and then collected.
"The researchers had to calculate the figures manually because they are not explicitly reported in NHS data"
The real trends are been hidden because it isn't being collated correctly. It seems incredibly surprising that the obvious things that will happen are not being incorporated correctly into the figures given to the minister.
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
Isn't that perfectly normal? I.e. people will die or move, or be removed from waiting lists all the time. Now, is it possible there was a one-off big purge? Sure, that's possible. But waiting lists are always going to be affected by people moving and dying.
Of course, the issue is about the poor way the data is being recorded and then collected.
"The researchers had to calculate the figures manually because they are not explicitly reported in NHS data"
The real trends are been hidden because it isn't being collated correctly. It seems incredibly surprising that the obvious things that will happen are not being incorporated correctly into the figures given to the minister.
ETA that's not the clip I was looking for but it's late, bordering on early!
What we learned from COVID is more cock up rather than conspiracy....or rather just general very poor and inconsistent management of data. Its something Patrick Vallance has been banging on about for ages.
It was mind bending that central government had no mechanism to access case numbers and deaths at the start of the pandemic without physically phoning around health trusts on a daily basis and the head of NHS England writing them on a wheelie white board in #10. And the eventual high-tech solution became filling in Excel spreadsheets that still required data cleaning / processing for many hours before those daily stats could be produced.
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
Isn't that perfectly normal? I.e. people will die or move, or be removed from waiting lists all the time. Now, is it possible there was a one-off big purge? Sure, that's possible. But waiting lists are always going to be affected by people moving and dying.
Of course, the issue is about the poor way the data is being recorded and then collected.
"The researchers had to calculate the figures manually because they are not explicitly reported in NHS data"
The real trends are been hidden because it isn't being collated correctly. It seems incredibly surprising that the obvious things that will happen are not being incorporated correctly into the figures given to the minister.
ETA that's not the clip I was looking for but it's late, bordering on early!
What we learned from COVID is more cock up rather than conspiracy....or rather just general very poor and inconsistent management of data. Its something Patrick Vallance has been banging on about for ages.
It was mind bending that central government had no mechanism to access case numbers and deaths at the start of the pandemic without physically phoning around health trusts on a daily basis and the head of NHS England writing them on a wheelie white board in #10. And the eventual high-tech solution became filling in Excel spreadsheets that still required data cleaning / processing for many hours before those daily stats could be produced.
It does, but we should also remember the Afghanistan data leak whose root cause was information from various sources being collated into a spreadsheet, no doubt for very good reasons.
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
Isn't that perfectly normal? I.e. people will die or move, or be removed from waiting lists all the time. Now, is it possible there was a one-off big purge? Sure, that's possible. But waiting lists are always going to be affected by people moving and dying.
Of course, the issue is about the poor way the data is being recorded and then collected.
"The researchers had to calculate the figures manually because they are not explicitly reported in NHS data"
The real trends are been hidden because it isn't being collated correctly. It seems incredibly surprising that the obvious things that will happen are not being incorporated correctly into the figures given to the minister.
ETA that's not the clip I was looking for but it's late, bordering on early!
What we learned from COVID is more cock up rather than conspiracy....or rather just general very poor and inconsistent management of data. Its something Patrick Vallance has been banging on about for ages.
It was mind bending that central government had no mechanism to access case numbers and deaths at the start of the pandemic without physically phoning around health trusts on a daily basis and the head of NHS England writing them on a wheelie white board in #10. And the eventual high-tech solution became filling in Excel spreadsheets that still required data cleaning / processing for many hours before those daily stats could be produced.
It does, but we should also remember the Afghanistan data leak whose root cause was information from various sources being collated into a spreadsheet, no doubt for very good reasons.
The issue being in both cases sticking this bloody data in Excel spreadsheets....
Remember when the daily data couldn't be released because they had overshot the max number of rows in the old Excel format that PHE were using.
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson has told of her shock at the "brazen boldness" of a shoplifter she witnessed in Hull.
Dame Diana told BBC Breakfast she was in Marks & Spencer when "a man came in and took a really large bunch of flowers" before walking out.
The MP for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham, who said she immediately told a shop assistant what had happened, urged others who saw shoplifting to report it. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy5r2722nwo
What planet are these people on? Three things that apply to too many politicians across all parties:-
Living in a news-free bubble, unaware of rising crime trends.
Professional incuriosity. You'd think her first task on being appointed police minister would be to find out what was happening in the worlds of crime and policing.
No common sense. She reported the theft to a shop assistant and urged others to do the same. What's the shop assistant supposed to do? Abandon the till and chase the floral thief who had a couple of minutes' head start?
It's not just her, it was the same with the last lot and trade ministers not knowing about the Dover/Calais route, or Northern Ireland ministers not knowing Catholics and Protestants had different voting patterns. It's Nadine Dorries not checking how peerages are awarded. It's the Online Safety Act.
Comments
"Since 1978 the Kennedy Center honors have been amongst the most prestigious awards. I wanted one, never able to get one. I would have taken it. I waited and waited and waited and I said to hell with it, I'll become chairman. I will give myself an honor. Next year we'll honor trump, okay?"
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1955655293607834014
I just wonder if that will be derailed slightly by Vance pulling the 25th first
Didn't we joke that Russia would be given Alaska as part of the deal (and yes I know the idea was that the EU suggest it to reflect how bad the deal was for the Ukraine).
Torode and Gregg as pro as ever. They will be hard to replace. In particular, the way the BBC has treated Torode is scandalous and poisonous. The BBC really is a despicable piece of Woke-infested shit. End it
Oh.
Corporation says Krish Kandiah’s criticism of senior Tory not appropriate for faith-based radio segment"
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/aug/13/bbc-apologises-thought-for-the-day-xenophobia-claim-robert-jenrick
And it could be more.
https://www.twz.com/air/polands-f-16s-are-about-to-become-more-potent
...The U.S. government had approved the potential sale of items and services required for what was referred to as a “Viper Midlife Upgrade” back in October 2024. At that time, the value of the total package was estimated to be around $7.3 billion, nearly twice as much as ..the stated price tag on the deal announced today. It is very possible that the contract with Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 2 S.A. is just one part of what will be required to complete the upgrade program...
Apparently
Neither Ukraine nor Europe are likely to agree to something which is clearly highly damaging to their future security. But it is a mark of Trump's growing rehabilitation of Russia on behalf of the US.
Oh
We can concentrate on the league...
Harder to see suicide material?
Harder for kids to access vile stuff? Or adults for that matter.
It wasn't done gratuitously for no reason.
I’ve got a new side table - French, mid 19th century. It’s where I’m keeping important documents and handwritten letters. Please admire the parquetry
And a printed communication peeking out coquettishly!
Fnarr
You had it good for decades. But soon it will be your turn to suffer
https://www.channel4.com/news/we-have-got-to-document-illegal-migrants-says-reform-uk-mayor
But I am buying up antique furniture and learning. Apparently "parquetry" is a thing and my new fancy French lady is an example
https://www.woodandbeyond.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-parquetry-and-marquetry/?srsltid=AfmBOoqQJxOZhW1hF6-qVabranMkJV3urBYIy3lX8je4YQ4NMIV4-9NW
She really is a stunner. A courtesan in fine silk. She also cost me £650 so it wasn't cheap
However across the room I now have a elegant English Arts and Crafts Whatnot, just as handsome in its way, which cost me £125. On John Lewis that would get me a couple of posh pillowslips, which need replacing in 2 years
Trouble is you maybe aren't intelligent and honest enough to admit that insane leftwing policies have led us to this cliff edge? But hey. Whatevs. We are all deeply flawed and often mistaken. I used to think Boris Johnson would be a good, maybe great Prime Minister. I used to vote for the fecking Tories
May as well. Everybody else seems to. It's up there with VPNs rule ok! and 4 star asylum hotels.
The deadly PB centrist Dads chased away @williamglenn and he has not returned. And he was an absolutely key, crucial commenter. You stupid fucking fools banned him, simply because you didn't like his rightwing opinions. And now look where we are. He didn't even break any rules - he was banned for "wrongthink"
You are utter fucking imbeciles. You have turned this place into Bluesky. And no one uses Bluesky. Morons
Plus there's a definitional overlap between the two, I think ?
But no marquetry flooring...
"I make a billion dollars a year from hosting harmful content with zero moral f*cks given! And now I have your voter ID!" seems like a 'not great' solution to the underlying problem.
If I live that long.
Labour to revive Northern Powerhouse Rail project
Exclusive: Starmer and Reeves expected to announce move before Labour conference, with aim of boosting backbench morale
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/aug/13/labour-to-revive-northern-powerhouse-rail-project-trains
"With the aim of boosting backbench morale..." doesn't exactly fill me with confidence.
Richard Nabavi, Tim, Antifrank, Southam Observer, Charles, Mike Smithson, Plato; these were big characters that have been written out or left and not replaced. Can’t think why really, but it is a shame
For example, no one, in my memory, has been banned for being "too left wing". All kinds of leftwing opinions are tolerated. But if you're right wing you are constantly in danger of being banned....
And very arguably that's fair enough - it's a private site after all, no one is forced to comment, no one pays a penny, and the founder - Our Beloved and Genial Host - @MikeSmithson - was a centrist liberal mildly lefty Remainer Lib Dem. His DNA lives on in the site? - and if so Peace Be Upon Him
However the world has become more polarised and considerably more rightwing since then, yet rightwing voices are consistently silenced or menaced. eg @williamglenn
This makes the place
1. unrepresentative
2. boring
3. useless for proper debate
These are killer blows, especially if taken together. Even @theweirdodogguy has stopped posting his dog photos
RIP, PB
It's one of the issues I've continually rabbited on about - HS2 going to Euston is actually 3 different (all important projects) bundled into 1 budget..
Now they just need to work out how to sort out a train network because if you are building 1 tunnel you may as well keep them around and build another couple of tunnels at the same time for local trains.
Stephen Stills absolutely pouring his heart out over Judy Collins, for no reward.
I’m going through a break up and have no such pent up feelings of love that I need to release! But it has reminded me what it was like to feel that way
The site I believe was always well hung to the right but had more than it's fair share of Liberal Democrats. It was never very Labour centric but Labour posters were always reluctantly tolerated barring a few worthy exceptions. The infamous SeanT was always fairly hostile. Thankfully his brand of bile left the building a while ago. There are a few more Trump/ Farage branded Conservatives than there once were, and every now and again one or two particularly unpleasant examples of racism comes to the fore. And by the way, if posters feel that cap fits, it probably does.
I suspect the most enthusiastic right wingers, the Brexit and Johnson enthusiasts don't like to hear the alternative to their dreary story. Left of centre posters appear to be less than welcome here these days. I certainly find that to be true for myself, and this mini thread within the main thread is a case in point for you. Of course being as the site is full of right wing intellectuals it might just be biting satire.
Instead we dither for a couple of years until the contractors get bored and wander off, then wonder why everything now costs 3x as much.
X
Lorna Hughes@DailyMailLorna
So we have an arts venue who want to cancel the Deputy First Minister cos she’s so scary and the National Library banning a best selling book cos their staff don’t like it. And to top it off, a newspaper, denying it all. For shame.
https://x.com/DailyMailLorna/status/1955716868116746364
I missed episode 1, just seen 2 and the start of 3.
Funny how within seconds of seeing it I thought this must be late 90s just from the style of it. Such a distinctive period of time in many ways.
I'm not kidding when I suggested she should see if she can get a permanent job there as the work permit should be straightforward (she already has their scout / guiding long service award from her last voluntary work there).
Lots of economic signals are flashing warning signals, but its still looks like it is bumping along, albeit struggle for real growth. Is the economy already worse than it seems? Or is it still COVID log jams filtering through, where all those people didn't get hired / furloughed and after 2 years flooded the market so employers had loads of choice to hire and so don't need to hire as much now?
"Why bad ideas are always with us
Tariffs, Nimbyism, high debt — the victims of these things don’t even know what they’re losing
Janan Ganesh" (£)
https://www.ft.com/content/584cac88-0c22-457b-a7a2-ca1d5ca997c5
An undercover reporter witnessed the open sale and consumption of class A drugs at Boomtown Fair, a festival held near Winchester, Hampshire, often just metres away from security who failed to intervene in most instances.
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/drug-dealers-contactless-payments-boomtown-festival-srvhktmwj
Even drug dealers aren't using cash anymore.
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/channel-migrant-dinghy-106-record-g33f2hgzw
Clearly didn't get the memo from Starmer that no more than 80 per boat.
Gap years are not a thing in Scotland, but after graduating my middle son and his best friend both headed home and went back to the student jobs they had throughout their time at Uni and saved up and then headed to the US to walk the Appalachian Trail which they completed in five and half months along with the two lovely American lads they met and teamed up with two weeks into it and who had also just graduated. And then just before Covid hit our son headed off to Australia in 2019 and fell in love with the country and an Aussie lass, and so I had to overcome my terrible fear of flying which had developed over the last twenty years and then get on a plane to attend their wedding over Christmas and New Year there. An amazing experience I would not have missed for the world.
Public ‘misled’ over fall in NHS waiting lists
Figures fell because patients who had died, moved abroad or no longer needed treatment were removed from lists, Quality Watch report finds
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/13/labour-misled-public-nhs-waiting-lists-fall-deaths/
Exclusive: Ministers using ‘misleading indicator’ to champion waiting list reduction
The recent reduction in the waiting list repeatedly cited by ministers as evidence of the NHS’s recovery has given a “misleading” impression to the public about the service’s underlying performance, two leading think tanks have warned.
https://www.hsj.co.uk/quality-and-performance/exclusive-ministers-using-misleading-indicator-to-champion-waiting-list-reduction/7039851.article
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_7qWfKDlDQ
“Since September 2023, this shift has helped the NHS get control of the waiting list, even while according to its own data it is still treating fewer patients than are being referred,” the report said.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/08/13/labour-misled-public-nhs-waiting-lists-fall-deaths/ (£££)
Wes Streeting – fiddling the figures since September 2023.
It is another example of general poor and inconsistent data across the public sector. The Nuffield Trust had to do a load of manual data cleaning to get this more accurate picture out.
"The researchers had to calculate the figures manually because they are not explicitly reported in NHS data"
The real trends are been hidden because it isn't being collated correctly. It seems incredibly surprising that the obvious things that will happen are not being incorporated correctly into the figures given to the minister.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMCOv5ekRkA
ETA that's not the clip I was looking for but it's late, bordering on early!
It was mind bending that central government had no mechanism to access case numbers and deaths at the start of the pandemic without physically phoning around health trusts on a daily basis and the head of NHS England writing them on a wheelie white board in #10. And the eventual high-tech solution became filling in Excel spreadsheets that still required data cleaning / processing for many hours before those daily stats could be produced.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crlz56n9798o
Remember when the daily data couldn't be released because they had overshot the max number of rows in the old Excel format that PHE were using.
Dame Diana told BBC Breakfast she was in Marks & Spencer when "a man came in and took a really large bunch of flowers" before walking out.
The MP for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham, who said she immediately told a shop assistant what had happened, urged others who saw shoplifting to report it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy5r2722nwo
What planet are these people on? Three things that apply to too many politicians across all parties:-
- Living in a news-free bubble, unaware of rising crime trends.
- Professional incuriosity. You'd think her first task on being appointed police minister would be to find out what was happening in the worlds of crime and policing.
- No common sense. She reported the theft to a shop assistant and urged others to do the same. What's the shop assistant supposed to do? Abandon the till and chase the floral thief who had a couple of minutes' head start?
It's not just her, it was the same with the last lot and trade ministers not knowing about the Dover/Calais route, or Northern Ireland ministers not knowing Catholics and Protestants had different voting patterns. It's Nadine Dorries not checking how peerages are awarded. It's the Online Safety Act.https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/aug/13/labour-to-revive-northern-powerhouse-rail-project-trains
The guy Trump nominated to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics at January 6, amazing scoop by Ryan Reilly
https://x.com/Fritschner/status/1955788956643233841
Trump Bureau of Labor Statistics nominee was a 'bystander' outside Capitol on Jan. 6, White House says
The White House said E.J. Antoni was in town for meetings unrelated to Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/trump-bureau-labor-statistics-nominee-ej-antoni-jan-6-bystander-rcna224645
He used to be interesting.