They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
Though Reform received more votes at the last election than the Lib Dems
It was the same in the 1980s as I recall. The then Alliance led the polls but it was always Conservatives and Labour. After 1997, despite winning 46 seats, the LDs were ignored.
The problem is what it has always been - a plurality takes time and effort, a binary is easier. To be fair to your party, even the Conservatives, as His Majesty's Opposition, don't get the air time they deserve and you'd be forgiven for thinking Reform were the leading opposition to Labour in Parliament.
Creating and maintaining a binary choice is what the media in all its form has always been about - one voice for, one voice against. Perhaps the broadcasters think that's all our poor little brains can manage.
I am not unduly concerned about the conservatives coverage as they need time, but Farage is the media's star and also Labour and, today the Unions, and now the Lib Dems do not realise that when they keep him in the news he just laps it up and adds votes
I am convinced that in the next few years he will be found out, but in the meantime the government needs to get on governing and not giving Farage more oxygen
That's a fair point and I do agree Davey should be attacking the Government more particularly over its failings on health and social care (where he can speak with authority and conviction).
It's not just about giving Farage and Reform "oxygen" as you put it - it's perfectly reasonable to point out the many issues in their policy announcements.
One of the Reform shrills on here was regaling us all last evening about Reform going after local Government pensions or rather the management of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LPGS). Needless to say, it was an attack line riddled with inaccuracies, half truths and misconceptions.
New Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood first interview - rules out running for deputy leader - says UK will suspend visas for counties that don’t do return deals - spells out long standing support for ID cards - says will go further than Yvette Copper on boats - styles herself the “whatever it takes” Home Secretary
Why don't you like ID cards - we've covered this a lot in the past and it solves a lot of problems that we have with migration - as it would allow people to confirm they can work and live in the UK...
I do find it very strange that the people who dislike ID cards the most also seem to dislike migrants illegally working but can't work out why they are able to work illegally.
ID cards does Jack Shit to stop illegal working.
Requiring proof of right to work in the UK has been the law for the past twenty years.
Cash in hand criminal employers are why people are able to work illegally and ID cards don't answer that.
So what questions do they actually answer or will this be like other stuff, like money laundering regs, something that causes hassle for normal people and the crims get around it ?
Gives more power to the authoritarian state, does nothing for the public.
Anyone hiring anyone illegally can be prosecuted under existing laws, there's literally nothing new that ID cards would help with there.
Which is exactly what happened, twice, to a restaurant about a mile from where I live.
They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
If the LibDems were small but polling high they would be arguing polling numbers. Because they have lots of seats and Reform are polling high they are arguing seat numbers.
When the facts are on your side etc.
The Lib Dems get control of 70 odd more constituencies on fewer votes than Reform; they should be happy enough with that not to complain about tv coverage. There were more Reform voters than Lib Dems at the last election, and the gap will likely be wider at the next, so of course Reform deserve more coverage
They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
If the LibDems were small but polling high they would be arguing polling numbers. Because they have lots of seats and Reform are polling high they are arguing seat numbers.
When the facts are on your side etc.
The Lib Dems get control of 70 odd more constituencies on fewer votes than Reform; they should be happy enough with that not to complain about tv coverage. There were more Reform voters than Lib Dem’s at the last election, and the gap will likely be wider at the next, so of course Reform deserve more coverage
They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
Though Reform received more votes at the last election than the Lib Dems
It was the same in the 1980s as I recall. The then Alliance led the polls but it was always Conservatives and Labour. After 1997, despite winning 46 seats, the LDs were ignored.
The problem is what it has always been - a plurality takes time and effort, a binary is easier. To be fair to your party, even the Conservatives, as His Majesty's Opposition, don't get the air time they deserve and you'd be forgiven for thinking Reform were the leading opposition to Labour in Parliament.
Creating and maintaining a binary choice is what the media in all its form has always been about - one voice for, one voice against. Perhaps the broadcasters think that's all our poor little brains can manage.
I am not unduly concerned about the conservatives coverage as they need time, but Farage is the media's star and also Labour and, today the Unions, and now the Lib Dems do not realise that when they keep him in the news he just laps it up and adds votes
I am convinced that in the next few years he will be found out, but in the meantime the government needs to get on governing and not giving Farage more oxygen
That's a fair point and I do agree Davey should be attacking the Government more particularly over its failings on health and social care (where he can speak with authority and conviction).
It's not just about giving Farage and Reform "oxygen" as you put it - it's perfectly reasonable to point out the many issues in their policy announcements.
One of the Reform shrills on here was regaling us all last evening about Reform going after local Government pensions or rather the management of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LPGS). Needless to say, it was an attack line riddled with inaccuracies, half truths and misconceptions.
Hi everyone, I've just spent 4 busy days doing the North Coast 500 (and shooting 6 videos along the way).
Glad to see this poll getting an airing - as always the trend in your friend, and whilst the SNP have been out trumpeting this as signs that everyone backs them, its a poll showing them losing almost 25% of their support vs last time out.
Their strategy now is: VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE. That's it. They keep mentioning bits of policy achievement but the sole reasongiven so far to vote for them is VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Based on talking to people in the GE last year there's an awful lot of pissed off voters more concerned by the state of things than the jam tomorrow promise of independence.
At the GE they lost 40% of their vote. So 25% in this poll may be just the start of their losses. DYOR...
We’ve been thinking of doing it. We’ve thought about it for a while hiring a VW Camper to do it.
I’d guess there’s plenty of stopping places.
People stopping wherever there is a nice view, regardless of inconvenience, are provoking a bit of a backlash. Use the recommended campsites and put some money into the local economy.
Based on what virtually everyone is saying now about it, I'd deliberately avoid it and pick a route that explores other stunning bits of the Highlands.
TBH the best bit is just from lochcarron to kylesku anyway. Inverness to lochcarron is just gentle introduction, and after kylesku, well roughly after that, the landscape starts to get less impressive again.
I honestly think the good old A82 from Glasgow to fort William is more impressive than the second half of the nc500 route.
How would ID cards, the Blairite solution to all ills, stop the local takeaway from employing workers who have no right to be working ?
Presumably it would include nationality and visa status.
But to make use of that you'd have to insist everyone carries them - so the authorities can turn up to the shop and check right to work.
Forced carrying wasn't suggested under Blair's scheme, IIRC. And many more would be against it if it were.
(Fun fact, in Spain it's a constitutional requirement to carry a Spanish ID card, EU ID card or passport on one's person at all times. Even when we were in the EU, driving licenses didn't count.)
No: the *employer* checks. Or if not, then no excuse and a whacking fine - even less excuse than the whacking fine that already happens.
I understand. But that happens already. How do ID cards add anything?
Easier to understand than some HO bumf that nobody knows what it is suppose3d to look like. Plus it works both ways, as already noted - the sheep can be separated from the goats, without one having to hand over ones
It actually works - I know, terrifying for a government IT project.
The big problem is people not using it. Because it would tell them 100% of their workforce is illegal.
Hence my proposal to increase the fine to £100k. And used the proceeds of crime stuff to remove the protection of limited companies etc. And give half to the reporter. Who also get indefinite leave to remain if they need it.
You'd have half the population reporting every firm in the country for a chance to enter your £100,000 lotto.
They’d need some of that evidence stuff.
Mind you, the number of firms that are complicit in this is huge. Which is why government has only ever nibbled at the edges of the issue.
Could be wrong but I'm guessing that a lot of people who would have been appalled by the idea of ID cards 20 years ago are now completely fine with them because since then they've become addicted to using smartphones and they can't see the difference between being tracked on a smartphone and tracked by an ID card.
I was broadly ok with the principle of one back then and I still am. ID cards would solve a lot of issues and they could be done quickly and cheaply:
1. Have the DVLA remit enlarged and create a “driving license” for people not entitled to drive. 2. Have an official digital version so that I don’t have to take a photo of the sodding thing every time a bank want to recheck my ID
Our daughter has just gone through a divorce after 26 years, is selling their home and buying one in her own name
You wouldn't believe the number of demands for sight of her passport and driving licence throughout this process
This experience has convinced me ID is the way forward
I would perfectly ok with ID cards.
Just so long at the “one database” types at the Home Office are interned, for life, without trial. And randomly waterboarded. For LOLs.
How would ID cards, the Blairite solution to all ills, stop the local takeaway from employing workers who have no right to be working ?
Presumably it would include nationality and visa status.
But to make use of that you'd have to insist everyone carries them - so the authorities can turn up to the shop and check right to work.
Forced carrying wasn't suggested under Blair's scheme, IIRC. And many more would be against it if it were.
(Fun fact, in Spain it's a constitutional requirement to carry a Spanish ID card, EU ID card or passport on one's person at all times. Even when we were in the EU, driving licenses didn't count.)
No: the *employer* checks. Or if not, then no excuse and a whacking fine - even less excuse than the whacking fine that already happens.
I understand. But that happens already. How do ID cards add anything?
Easier to understand than some HO bumf that nobody knows what it is suppose3d to look like. Plus it works both ways, as already noted - the sheep can be separated from the goats, without one having to hand over ones
It actually works - I know, terrifying for a government IT project.
The big problem is people not using it. Because it would tell them 100% of their workforce is illegal.
Hence my proposal to increase the fine to £100k. And used the proceeds of crime stuff to remove the protection of limited companies etc. And give half to the reporter. Who also get indefinite leave to remain if they need it.
You'd have half the population reporting every firm in the country for a chance to enter your £100,000 lotto.
It was good enough for the Romans. But (a) you would risk catching it in the neck if the accusation failed and (b) had to do the actial prosecution, so (c) would need to budget for M. T. Cicero to do the talking in court.
G. Caesar would do a good job for a lower rate. A real man-of-the-people, that one.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy of the Socialist Campaign Group has in the last hour announced she is standing has the backing of 2020 deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon, also SCG, who will not stand
See she chairs the APPG on Afrikan Reparations
I might need to complete my header "White Privilege, Intersectional Feminism and Colonial Reparations" to mark her elevation.
They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
If the LibDems were small but polling high they would be arguing polling numbers. Because they have lots of seats and Reform are polling high they are arguing seat numbers.
When the facts are on your side etc.
The Lib Dems get control of 70 odd more constituencies on fewer votes than Reform; they should be happy enough with that not to complain about tv coverage. There were more Reform voters than Lib Dem’s at the last election, and the gap will likely be wider at the next, so of course Reform deserve more coverage
Lib Dem’s are always entitled whiners.
No other party would ever do something as, gasp, political as complaining to Ofcom about broadcast coverage now would they?
A years-long succession battle for control of Rupert Murdoch's conservative media empire has drawn to a close, with his son Lachlan set to control the news empire.
They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
If the LibDems were small but polling high they would be arguing polling numbers. Because they have lots of seats and Reform are polling high they are arguing seat numbers.
When the facts are on your side etc.
The Lib Dems get control of 70 odd more constituencies on fewer votes than Reform; they should be happy enough with that not to complain about tv coverage. There were more Reform voters than Lib Dem’s at the last election, and the gap will likely be wider at the next, so of course Reform deserve more coverage
Lib Dem’s are always entitled whiners.
And you'll always be there to have a pop at the party.
For us to have to bring in ID cards solely because the government hasn't been able to control immigration over the last 20 years or so is like something out of a horror film imo.
I assume you have a passport or a driving licence which you have to show for banking, mortgage, driving issues, and other day to day requests for ID so a nationwide ID is hardly something from a horror film
I don't have a passport or driving license. I'm not madly against an ID card - but am just a bit suspect that it'd be an info-grab by various departments and all fall on the regular person to comply with whatever Byzantine rules, fines, jail-term they came up with on a whim. Not to mention the arguments about which particular shade of blue it should be, and if it should be the BritCard or the ScotCard or the CitizenCard or the.....
Imagine how much they could fine you for having the old BritCard when you should actually have a GBCard. Ker-ching!
I assume you haven't had any dealings with banks, mortgages, house sales or any of the many other issues that require passport or driving licence ID then
Consider checking into a hotel. In many countries this requires ID. Here it (mostly) doesn't.
If we get ID cards, even if we don't have to carry them, hotels will start asking. This and a thousand other things will end with us carrying them all the time anyway. And not doing so will come to be considered suspicious.
Personally, I find it pretty bloody suspcious that you're asking these questions. What do you have to hide?
Hi everyone, I've just spent 4 busy days doing the North Coast 500 (and shooting 6 videos along the way).
Glad to see this poll getting an airing - as always the trend in your friend, and whilst the SNP have been out trumpeting this as signs that everyone backs them, its a poll showing them losing almost 25% of their support vs last time out.
Their strategy now is: VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE. That's it. They keep mentioning bits of policy achievement but the sole reasongiven so far to vote for them is VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Based on talking to people in the GE last year there's an awful lot of pissed off voters more concerned by the state of things than the jam tomorrow promise of independence.
At the GE they lost 40% of their vote. So 25% in this poll may be just the start of their losses. DYOR...
We’ve been thinking of doing it. We’ve thought about it for a while hiring a VW Camper to do it.
I’d guess there’s plenty of stopping places.
People stopping wherever there is a nice view, regardless of inconvenience, are provoking a bit of a backlash. Use the recommended campsites and put some money into the local economy.
Based on what virtually everyone is saying now about it, I'd deliberately avoid it and pick a route that explores other stunning bits of the Highlands.
TBH the best bit is just from lochcarron to kylesku anyway. Inverness to lochcarron is just gentle introduction, and after kylesku, well roughly after that, the landscape starts to get less impressive again.
I honestly think the good old A82 from Glasgow to fort William is more impressive than the second half of the nc500 route.
This may not be a popular opinion...
Add the Mallaig route (but don't stop in Glenfinnan when the steam train is due) to get the views of the Small Isles and the Cuillin of Skye and Rùm - maybe a day cruise or short visit on the ferry to Eigg or Rùm.
Perfectly reasonable suggestion, anyway. I was effectively saying earlier I'd bypass the NC500 and do the eastern seaboard of Ross from Tain down to Fortrose and cut over through Dingwall and Strathpeffer, for instance.
They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
If the LibDems were small but polling high they would be arguing polling numbers. Because they have lots of seats and Reform are polling high they are arguing seat numbers.
When the facts are on your side etc.
The Lib Dems get control of 70 odd more constituencies on fewer votes than Reform; they should be happy enough with that not to complain about tv coverage. There were more Reform voters than Lib Dem’s at the last election, and the gap will likely be wider at the next, so of course Reform deserve more coverage
Lib Dem’s are always entitled whiners.
And you'll always be there to have a pop at the party.
Whenever I read Taz on the subject of the LibDems, I hear Ewan McGregor from Trainspotting in my head.
How would ID cards, the Blairite solution to all ills, stop the local takeaway from employing workers who have no right to be working ?
Presumably it would include nationality and visa status.
But to make use of that you'd have to insist everyone carries them - so the authorities can turn up to the shop and check right to work.
Forced carrying wasn't suggested under Blair's scheme, IIRC. And many more would be against it if it were.
(Fun fact, in Spain it's a constitutional requirement to carry a Spanish ID card, EU ID card or passport on one's person at all times. Even when we were in the EU, driving licenses didn't count.)
No: the *employer* checks. Or if not, then no excuse and a whacking fine - even less excuse than the whacking fine that already happens.
I understand. But that happens already. How do ID cards add anything?
Easier to understand than some HO bumf that nobody knows what it is suppose3d to look like. Plus it works both ways, as already noted - the sheep can be separated from the goats, without one having to hand over ones
It actually works - I know, terrifying for a government IT project.
The big problem is people not using it. Because it would tell them 100% of their workforce is illegal.
Hence my proposal to increase the fine to £100k. And used the proceeds of crime stuff to remove the protection of limited companies etc. And give half to the reporter. Who also get indefinite leave to remain if they need it.
You'd have half the population reporting every firm in the country for a chance to enter your £100,000 lotto.
It was good enough for the Romans. But (a) you would risk catching it in the neck if the accusation failed and (b) had to do the actial prosecution, so (c) would need to budget for M. T. Cicero to do the talking in court.
G. Caesar would do a good job for a lower rate. A real man-of-the-people, that one.
On a technicality (but fatal for an ID card, obvs), it was C. Caesar. But Gaius Caesar.
Could be wrong but I'm guessing that a lot of people who would have been appalled by the idea of ID cards 20 years ago are now completely fine with them because since then they've become addicted to using smartphones and they can't see the difference between being tracked on a smartphone and tracked by an ID card.
I was broadly ok with the principle of one back then and I still am. ID cards would solve a lot of issues and they could be done quickly and cheaply:
1. Have the DVLA remit enlarged and create a “driving license” for people not entitled to drive. 2. Have an official digital version so that I don’t have to take a photo of the sodding thing every time a bank want to recheck my ID
Our daughter has just gone through a divorce after 26 years, is selling their home and buying one in her own name
You wouldn't believe the number of demands for sight of her passport and driving licence throughout this process
This experience has convinced me ID is the way forward
Only had to do it once for my late dad's house, or at least once each for Mrs C and me (the two executors). But then we were using an Eidnburgh firm with family law solicitor, estate agent, conveyancer, CGT specialist, and no doubt a window tax specialist if we had needed one, all in the one firm. The things one does to avoid being dumped from the Cabinet.
How would ID cards, the Blairite solution to all ills, stop the local takeaway from employing workers who have no right to be working ?
Presumably it would include nationality and visa status.
But to make use of that you'd have to insist everyone carries them - so the authorities can turn up to the shop and check right to work.
Forced carrying wasn't suggested under Blair's scheme, IIRC. And many more would be against it if it were.
(Fun fact, in Spain it's a constitutional requirement to carry a Spanish ID card, EU ID card or passport on one's person at all times. Even when we were in the EU, driving licenses didn't count.)
No: the *employer* checks. Or if not, then no excuse and a whacking fine - even less excuse than the whacking fine that already happens.
I understand. But that happens already. How do ID cards add anything?
Easier to understand than some HO bumf that nobody knows what it is suppose3d to look like. Plus it works both ways, as already noted - the sheep can be separated from the goats, without one having to hand over ones
It actually works - I know, terrifying for a government IT project.
The big problem is people not using it. Because it would tell them 100% of their workforce is illegal.
Hence my proposal to increase the fine to £100k. And used the proceeds of crime stuff to remove the protection of limited companies etc. And give half to the reporter. Who also get indefinite leave to remain if they need it.
You'd have half the population reporting every firm in the country for a chance to enter your £100,000 lotto.
It was good enough for the Romans. But (a) you would risk catching it in the neck if the accusation failed and (b) had to do the actial prosecution, so (c) would need to budget for M. T. Cicero to do the talking in court.
G. Caesar would do a good job for a lower rate. A real man-of-the-people, that one.
On a technicality (but fatal for an ID card, obvs), it was C. Caesar. But Gaius Caesar.
C Julius Caesar. Cognomen on its own or the full tres nomina. (so M Tullius Cicero)
The "middle" name was the official surname, the cognomen even if hereditary (like Caesar's) was technically a nickname
The seat numbers are basically the "Red" bloc headed by Labour 88, the "Blue" bloc, now led by Progress 81.
The Conservatives have had their worst result since 2005 dropping from 36 seats to 24 while the agrarian Centre Party has fallen from 28 to 9 and the Liberals from 8 to 3.
Labour have gained 6 to 54 and should be able to continue to govern as a minority.
Hi everyone, I've just spent 4 busy days doing the North Coast 500 (and shooting 6 videos along the way).
Glad to see this poll getting an airing - as always the trend in your friend, and whilst the SNP have been out trumpeting this as signs that everyone backs them, its a poll showing them losing almost 25% of their support vs last time out.
Their strategy now is: VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE. That's it. They keep mentioning bits of policy achievement but the sole reasongiven so far to vote for them is VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Based on talking to people in the GE last year there's an awful lot of pissed off voters more concerned by the state of things than the jam tomorrow promise of independence.
At the GE they lost 40% of their vote. So 25% in this poll may be just the start of their losses. DYOR...
We’ve been thinking of doing it. We’ve thought about it for a while hiring a VW Camper to do it.
I’d guess there’s plenty of stopping places.
People stopping wherever there is a nice view, regardless of inconvenience, are provoking a bit of a backlash. Use the recommended campsites and put some money into the local economy.
Based on what virtually everyone is saying now about it, I'd deliberately avoid it and pick a route that explores other stunning bits of the Highlands.
TBH the best bit is just from lochcarron to kylesku anyway. Inverness to lochcarron is just gentle introduction, and after kylesku, well roughly after that, the landscape starts to get less impressive again.
I honestly think the good old A82 from Glasgow to fort William is more impressive than the second half of the nc500 route.
This may not be a popular opinion...
Add the Mallaig route (but don't stop in Glenfinnan when the steam train is due) to get the views of the Small Isles and the Cuillin of Skye and Rùm - maybe a day cruise or short visit on the ferry to Eigg or Rùm.
Perfectly reasonable suggestion, anyway. I was effectively saying earlier I'd bypass the NC500 and do the eastern seaboard of Ross from Tain down to Fortrose and cut over through Dingwall and Strathpeffer, for instance.
Yep, all good suggestions.
I have very fond memories of bagging peaks all across the Highlands nearly 40 years ago. And I got my longing for the Highlands from a family holiday way back in 1976 when our extended family hired Cluanie lodge and we had 2 weeks of unbroken sunshine. Not so much traffic on the roads back then...
Here's another one who is no friend of the LDs. Which former Conservative constituency are you in, I wonder?
Lewisham east. Satisfied? Twas Tory in the 80s from memory.
I once attempted some leafleting there, when there was a by-election a few years back (around 2018 I think?).
Interesting seat, about 2/3 very Labour inner suburbs and 1/3 Tory outer London beyond the Victorian-1930s housing border. Not many Lib Dems in that neck of the woods (or indeed in my patch of Lewisham North).
How would ID cards, the Blairite solution to all ills, stop the local takeaway from employing workers who have no right to be working ?
Presumably it would include nationality and visa status.
But to make use of that you'd have to insist everyone carries them - so the authorities can turn up to the shop and check right to work.
Forced carrying wasn't suggested under Blair's scheme, IIRC. And many more would be against it if it were.
(Fun fact, in Spain it's a constitutional requirement to carry a Spanish ID card, EU ID card or passport on one's person at all times. Even when we were in the EU, driving licenses didn't count.)
No: the *employer* checks. Or if not, then no excuse and a whacking fine - even less excuse than the whacking fine that already happens.
I understand. But that happens already. How do ID cards add anything?
Easier to understand than some HO bumf that nobody knows what it is suppose3d to look like. Plus it works both ways, as already noted - the sheep can be separated from the goats, without one having to hand over ones
It actually works - I know, terrifying for a government IT project.
The big problem is people not using it. Because it would tell them 100% of their workforce is illegal.
Hence my proposal to increase the fine to £100k. And used the proceeds of crime stuff to remove the protection of limited companies etc. And give half to the reporter. Who also get indefinite leave to remain if they need it.
You'd have half the population reporting every firm in the country for a chance to enter your £100,000 lotto.
It was good enough for the Romans. But (a) you would risk catching it in the neck if the accusation failed and (b) had to do the actial prosecution, so (c) would need to budget for M. T. Cicero to do the talking in court.
G. Caesar would do a good job for a lower rate. A real man-of-the-people, that one.
On a technicality (but fatal for an ID card, obvs), it was C. Caesar. But Gaius Caesar.
C Julius Caesar. Cognomen on its own or the full tres nomina. (so M Tullius Cicero)
The "middle" name was the official surname, the cognomen even if hereditary (like Caesar's) was technically a nickname
Luke Tryl on Newsnight has it right I think: Lab's new deputy has to be a campaigner who will take the fight out into the country and take on Farage. Government ministers are too tied up with their departments to do this 24/7
How would ID cards, the Blairite solution to all ills, stop the local takeaway from employing workers who have no right to be working ?
Presumably it would include nationality and visa status.
But to make use of that you'd have to insist everyone carries them - so the authorities can turn up to the shop and check right to work.
Forced carrying wasn't suggested under Blair's scheme, IIRC. And many more would be against it if it were.
(Fun fact, in Spain it's a constitutional requirement to carry a Spanish ID card, EU ID card or passport on one's person at all times. Even when we were in the EU, driving licenses didn't count.)
No: the *employer* checks. Or if not, then no excuse and a whacking fine - even less excuse than the whacking fine that already happens.
I understand. But that happens already. How do ID cards add anything?
Easier to understand than some HO bumf that nobody knows what it is suppose3d to look like. Plus it works both ways, as already noted - the sheep can be separated from the goats, without one having to hand over ones
It actually works - I know, terrifying for a government IT project.
The big problem is people not using it. Because it would tell them 100% of their workforce is illegal.
Hence my proposal to increase the fine to £100k. And used the proceeds of crime stuff to remove the protection of limited companies etc. And give half to the reporter. Who also get indefinite leave to remain if they need it.
You'd have half the population reporting every firm in the country for a chance to enter your £100,000 lotto.
It was good enough for the Romans. But (a) you would risk catching it in the neck if the accusation failed and (b) had to do the actial prosecution, so (c) would need to budget for M. T. Cicero to do the talking in court.
G. Caesar would do a good job for a lower rate. A real man-of-the-people, that one.
On a technicality (but fatal for an ID card, obvs), it was C. Caesar. But Gaius Caesar.
C Julius Caesar. Cognomen on its own or the full tres nomina. (so M Tullius Cicero)
The "middle" name was the official surname, the cognomen even if hereditary (like Caesar's) was technically a nickname
Bell Ribeiro-Addy of the Socialist Campaign Group has in the last hour announced she is standing has the backing of 2020 deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon, also SCG, who will not stand
Starmer would not like that. Were she to win, popcorn sales round here would go up
How would ID cards, the Blairite solution to all ills, stop the local takeaway from employing workers who have no right to be working ?
Presumably it would include nationality and visa status.
But to make use of that you'd have to insist everyone carries them - so the authorities can turn up to the shop and check right to work.
Forced carrying wasn't suggested under Blair's scheme, IIRC. And many more would be against it if it were.
(Fun fact, in Spain it's a constitutional requirement to carry a Spanish ID card, EU ID card or passport on one's person at all times. Even when we were in the EU, driving licenses didn't count.)
No: the *employer* checks. Or if not, then no excuse and a whacking fine - even less excuse than the whacking fine that already happens.
I understand. But that happens already. How do ID cards add anything?
Easier to understand than some HO bumf that nobody knows what it is suppose3d to look like. Plus it works both ways, as already noted - the sheep can be separated from the goats, without one having to hand over ones
It actually works - I know, terrifying for a government IT project.
The big problem is people not using it. Because it would tell them 100% of their workforce is illegal.
Hence my proposal to increase the fine to £100k. And used the proceeds of crime stuff to remove the protection of limited companies etc. And give half to the reporter. Who also get indefinite leave to remain if they need it.
You'd have half the population reporting every firm in the country for a chance to enter your £100,000 lotto.
It was good enough for the Romans. But (a) you would risk catching it in the neck if the accusation failed and (b) had to do the actial prosecution, so (c) would need to budget for M. T. Cicero to do the talking in court.
G. Caesar would do a good job for a lower rate. A real man-of-the-people, that one.
On a technicality (but fatal for an ID card, obvs), it was C. Caesar. But Gaius Caesar.
C Julius Caesar. Cognomen on its own or the full tres nomina. (so M Tullius Cicero)
The "middle" name was the official surname, the cognomen even if hereditary (like Caesar's) was technically a nickname
They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
Though Reform received more votes at the last election than the Lib Dems
It was the same in the 1980s as I recall. The then Alliance led the polls but it was always Conservatives and Labour. After 1997, despite winning 46 seats, the LDs were ignored.
The problem is what it has always been - a plurality takes time and effort, a binary is easier. To be fair to your party, even the Conservatives, as His Majesty's Opposition, don't get the air time they deserve and you'd be forgiven for thinking Reform were the leading opposition to Labour in Parliament.
Creating and maintaining a binary choice is what the media in all its form has always been about - one voice for, one voice against. Perhaps the broadcasters think that's all our poor little brains can manage.
I am not unduly concerned about the conservatives coverage as they need time, but Farage is the media's star and also Labour and, today the Unions, and now the Lib Dems do not realise that when they keep him in the news he just laps it up and adds votes
I am convinced that in the next few years he will be found out, but in the meantime the government needs to get on governing and not giving Farage more oxygen
That's a fair point and I do agree Davey should be attacking the Government more particularly over its failings on health and social care (where he can speak with authority and conviction).
It's not just about giving Farage and Reform "oxygen" as you put it - it's perfectly reasonable to point out the many issues in their policy announcements.
One of the Reform shrills on here was regaling us all last evening about Reform going after local Government pensions or rather the management of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LPGS). Needless to say, it was an attack line riddled with inaccuracies, half truths and misconceptions.
Was I 'regaling you all' ducks? I think I made a single post.
The 'industry response' as far as any intelligent reading of it is concerned is proof that Reform are completely correct.
It said the LGPS is "one of the world's most successful pension schemes" ((meaningless)) and was already on a reform journey ((we know it's shit but look we're already fixing it)) projected to save millions and further enhance the effectiveness of the scheme ((admission that it's wasting millions and is ineffective)).
The rest reads exactly the same. That's before you even get to the crazies at the end who think it's the job of pension funds to solve global warming.
Luke Tryl on Newsnight has it right I think: Lab's new deputy has to be a campaigner who will take the fight out into the country and take on Farage. Government ministers are too tied up with their departments to do this 24/7
Looking at the early names it seems like they're more likely to take on Starmer than Farage!
How would ID cards, the Blairite solution to all ills, stop the local takeaway from employing workers who have no right to be working ?
Presumably it would include nationality and visa status.
But to make use of that you'd have to insist everyone carries them - so the authorities can turn up to the shop and check right to work.
Forced carrying wasn't suggested under Blair's scheme, IIRC. And many more would be against it if it were.
(Fun fact, in Spain it's a constitutional requirement to carry a Spanish ID card, EU ID card or passport on one's person at all times. Even when we were in the EU, driving licenses didn't count.)
No: the *employer* checks. Or if not, then no excuse and a whacking fine - even less excuse than the whacking fine that already happens.
I understand. But that happens already. How do ID cards add anything?
Easier to understand than some HO bumf that nobody knows what it is suppose3d to look like. Plus it works both ways, as already noted - the sheep can be separated from the goats, without one having to hand over ones
It actually works - I know, terrifying for a government IT project.
The big problem is people not using it. Because it would tell them 100% of their workforce is illegal.
Hence my proposal to increase the fine to £100k. And used the proceeds of crime stuff to remove the protection of limited companies etc. And give half to the reporter. Who also get indefinite leave to remain if they need it.
You'd have half the population reporting every firm in the country for a chance to enter your £100,000 lotto.
It was good enough for the Romans. But (a) you would risk catching it in the neck if the accusation failed and (b) had to do the actial prosecution, so (c) would need to budget for M. T. Cicero to do the talking in court.
G. Caesar would do a good job for a lower rate. A real man-of-the-people, that one.
On a technicality (but fatal for an ID card, obvs), it was C. Caesar. But Gaius Caesar.
C Julius Caesar. Cognomen on its own or the full tres nomina. (so M Tullius Cicero)
The "middle" name was the official surname, the cognomen even if hereditary (like Caesar's) was technically a nickname
Luke Tryl on Newsnight has it right I think: Lab's new deputy has to be a campaigner who will take the fight out into the country and take on Farage. Government ministers are too tied up with their departments to do this 24/7
Looking at the early names it seems like they're more likely to take on Starmer than Farage!
Hi everyone, I've just spent 4 busy days doing the North Coast 500 (and shooting 6 videos along the way).
Glad to see this poll getting an airing - as always the trend in your friend, and whilst the SNP have been out trumpeting this as signs that everyone backs them, its a poll showing them losing almost 25% of their support vs last time out.
Their strategy now is: VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE. That's it. They keep mentioning bits of policy achievement but the sole reasongiven so far to vote for them is VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Based on talking to people in the GE last year there's an awful lot of pissed off voters more concerned by the state of things than the jam tomorrow promise of independence.
At the GE they lost 40% of their vote. So 25% in this poll may be just the start of their losses. DYOR...
Sounds like an interesting journey. Heading over to the YouTube channel.
The seat numbers are basically the "Red" bloc headed by Labour 88, the "Blue" bloc, now led by Progress 81.
The Conservatives have had their worst result since 2005 dropping from 36 seats to 24 while the agrarian Centre Party has fallen from 28 to 9 and the Liberals from 8 to 3.
Labour have gained 6 to 54 and should be able to continue to govern as a minority.
Previous election was red bloc on 100 seats and blue 68.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy of the Socialist Campaign Group has in the last hour announced she is standing has the backing of 2020 deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon, also SCG, who will not stand
Starmer would not like that. Were she to win, popcorn sales round here would go up
Pretty unlikely, though. 80 nominations needed, after all. In theory, that probably allows four candidates, but it might be fewer?
(Presumably, Starmer would like exactly one candidate to emerge from the nomination bunfight, as long as it isn't a stitch-up. Definitely not that.)
Luke Tryl on Newsnight has it right I think: Lab's new deputy has to be a campaigner who will take the fight out into the country and take on Farage. Government ministers are too tied up with their departments to do this 24/7
Looking at the early names it seems like they're more likely to take on Starmer than Farage!
Quite.
The backbenchers are looking for a figure head. Not a loyalist. I suspect the lack of love for Starmer in the unions and constituencies means that they will look for someone who will fight Starmer not fight for him.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy of the Socialist Campaign Group has in the last hour announced she is standing has the backing of 2020 deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon, also SCG, who will not stand
Starmer would not like that. Were she to win, popcorn sales round here would go up
Pretty unlikely, though. 80 nominations needed, after all. In theory, that probably allows four candidates, but it might be fewer?
(Presumably, Starmer would like exactly one candidate to emerge from the nomination bunfight, as long as it isn't a stitch-up. Definitely not that.)
As I understand it the appointment will be decided on the 25th October
Are we going to have red v red till then because that is not going to help Starmer or Reeves try to steady the titanic, err ship
Luke Tryl on Newsnight has it right I think: Lab's new deputy has to be a campaigner who will take the fight out into the country and take on Farage. Government ministers are too tied up with their departments to do this 24/7
Looking at the early names it seems like they're more likely to take on Starmer than Farage!
Hi everyone, I've just spent 4 busy days doing the North Coast 500 (and shooting 6 videos along the way).
Glad to see this poll getting an airing - as always the trend in your friend, and whilst the SNP have been out trumpeting this as signs that everyone backs them, its a poll showing them losing almost 25% of their support vs last time out.
Their strategy now is: VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE. That's it. They keep mentioning bits of policy achievement but the sole reasongiven so far to vote for them is VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Based on talking to people in the GE last year there's an awful lot of pissed off voters more concerned by the state of things than the jam tomorrow promise of independence.
At the GE they lost 40% of their vote. So 25% in this poll may be just the start of their losses. DYOR...
We’ve been thinking of doing it. We’ve thought about it for a while hiring a VW Camper to do it.
I’d guess there’s plenty of stopping places.
I did it with my older daughter a couple of years ago (plus a stay in the Orkneys)
It's one of those happy travel cliches, where the reality is actually better than the promise. At least - it was for us, but we had dazzling weather all the way
Take the risk, have a go. Just remember it is V popular
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
The risk is the criteria will involve a politicisation of the civil service
I've got an appointment at the hospital tomorrow morning when the x-ray will hopefully give me the all clear to start weight-bearing on my ankle, and so walking, again
It's been six weeks since I was last walking, and my calf muscle has shrunk to around the same size as my forearm. I need to get it built back up a bit before I get back to work, but more importantly get back to full foot fitness at work for my annual Spring peregrination
I'm planning to walk the west coast of France from Vannes to Biarritz, to join up my Brittany walk with last year's Pyrenees walk. I've been checking out the route for the first time. The centre of Nantes looks lovely, and I have to visit La Rochelle
I can't remember the name of my first French school book in the mid-eighties (Latin was Ecce Romani), but everything in it happened in La Rochelle
The centre of Nantes is indeed lovely, as is the case with most French cities
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
The risk is the criteria will involve a politicisation of the civil service
As well as making it as cheap and as crap as possible. Where no one of any ability would ever dream of working.
Hi everyone, I've just spent 4 busy days doing the North Coast 500 (and shooting 6 videos along the way).
Glad to see this poll getting an airing - as always the trend in your friend, and whilst the SNP have been out trumpeting this as signs that everyone backs them, its a poll showing them losing almost 25% of their support vs last time out.
Their strategy now is: VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE. That's it. They keep mentioning bits of policy achievement but the sole reasongiven so far to vote for them is VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Based on talking to people in the GE last year there's an awful lot of pissed off voters more concerned by the state of things than the jam tomorrow promise of independence.
At the GE they lost 40% of their vote. So 25% in this poll may be just the start of their losses. DYOR...
We’ve been thinking of doing it. We’ve thought about it for a while hiring a VW Camper to do it.
I’d guess there’s plenty of stopping places.
I did it with my older daughter a couple of years ago (plus a stay in the Orkneys)
It's one of those happy travel cliches, where the reality is actually better than the promise. At least - it was for us, but we had dazzling weather all the way
Take the risk, have a go. Just remember it is V popular
As a child in the 70s we had holidays in the Torridon area and I very much remember happy hours on Gairloch beach.
There were a few fellow tourists in the same area but basically pretty much untouched by the wider world.
The roads were still mostly passing place single track. The EU ERDF had not arrived yet.
The last summer I was there was the marriage of Prince Charles and Dianna. The only sign of it in the area was a single box of special edition chocolates selection available in the local grocer shop.
Hi everyone, I've just spent 4 busy days doing the North Coast 500 (and shooting 6 videos along the way).
Glad to see this poll getting an airing - as always the trend in your friend, and whilst the SNP have been out trumpeting this as signs that everyone backs them, its a poll showing them losing almost 25% of their support vs last time out.
Their strategy now is: VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE. That's it. They keep mentioning bits of policy achievement but the sole reasongiven so far to vote for them is VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Based on talking to people in the GE last year there's an awful lot of pissed off voters more concerned by the state of things than the jam tomorrow promise of independence.
At the GE they lost 40% of their vote. So 25% in this poll may be just the start of their losses. DYOR...
We’ve been thinking of doing it. We’ve thought about it for a while hiring a VW Camper to do it.
I’d guess there’s plenty of stopping places.
I did it with my older daughter a couple of years ago (plus a stay in the Orkneys)
It's one of those happy travel cliches, where the reality is actually better than the promise. At least - it was for us, but we had dazzling weather all the way
Take the risk, have a go. Just remember it is V popular
As a child in the 70s we had holidays in the Torridon area and I very much remember happy hours on Gairloch beach.
There were a few fellow tourists in the same area but basically pretty much untouched by the wider world.
The roads were still mostly passing place single track. The EU ERDF had not arrived yet.
The last summer I was there was the marriage of Prince Charles and Dianna. The only sign of it in the area was a single box of special edition chocolates selection available in the local grocer shop.
It sounds ruined these days to be honest.
It's not ruined, it is popular
You can still find large stretches where you will be entirely alone, with some of the greatest coastal views in Europe, indeed the world, plus all the noomy history, which makes it unique
I was there in August two years ago, in beautiful weather, and had no problem with traffic or crowds. The only issue was accommodation, which really is booked ahead and thus very expensive if you leave it late. Our answer was basically to stay in John O Groats, which is so hideous and tacky (and close to Wick) everyone avoids it
Thinking about the Farage house in Clacton, I’m sure it must be a ruse of some kind that his girlfriend bought it, but am I alone in thinking that I’d do the same without hesitation? If a property was going to cost £1m if I bought it, or 930k if the person I was going to live there with did, I can’t imagine why I’d choose to do the former
But what I find surprising about the whole thing is; why did he/she buy a house there anyway? They could have rented, it’s not as if he’s going to live there long term really
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
Like an English DOGE you mean. Hmm, how's DOGE working?
Some of us keep carping on about fash friendly would-be Dictators coming up on the rails. It could be worse, a sympathetic friend of the Communist Maduro might one day get close to the levers of power.
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
The risk is the criteria will involve a politicisation of the civil service
Honestly it can't be worse than what we have today.
For example, my dad is executor for his best friend's will, he died a year or so ago. The estate value was barely over the IHT limit, the tax is all paid and yet a year later the probate office is still in jobsworth mode asking for the original will, even though multiple copies have been provided, they had the original previously and have sent it back but for whatever reason they need it again.
This is a tiny, tiny bit of officialdom needed for a nothing size estate where the tax has already all been paid and yet the probate office, the state, is making nonsense paperwork and hassle for my dad as executor and the beneficiaries who still can't close the book on the death of their father.
In what world is this a good job? How have the civil servants in the probate office helped anyone with their nonsense bureaucracy in this instance? Who benefits from them not just getting it done, there isn't going to be some mad revelation which means the estate will suddenly be worth 10x more and loads of tax will be payable. It's this kind of shit that's causing the nation to slow down, these useless bureaucrats sticking their noses in to justify their jobs and pensions and making life miserable for ordinary people.
Get rid of them all I say, 50% cuts in the bureaucracy and stop interfering in people's lives.
Hi everyone, I've just spent 4 busy days doing the North Coast 500 (and shooting 6 videos along the way).
Glad to see this poll getting an airing - as always the trend in your friend, and whilst the SNP have been out trumpeting this as signs that everyone backs them, its a poll showing them losing almost 25% of their support vs last time out.
Their strategy now is: VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE. That's it. They keep mentioning bits of policy achievement but the sole reasongiven so far to vote for them is VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Based on talking to people in the GE last year there's an awful lot of pissed off voters more concerned by the state of things than the jam tomorrow promise of independence.
At the GE they lost 40% of their vote. So 25% in this poll may be just the start of their losses. DYOR...
We’ve been thinking of doing it. We’ve thought about it for a while hiring a VW Camper to do it.
I’d guess there’s plenty of stopping places.
People stopping wherever there is a nice view, regardless of inconvenience, are provoking a bit of a backlash. Use the recommended campsites and put some money into the local economy.
Based on what virtually everyone is saying now about it, I'd deliberately avoid it and pick a route that explores other stunning bits of the Highlands.
TBH the best bit is just from lochcarron to kylesku anyway. Inverness to lochcarron is just gentle introduction, and after kylesku, well roughly after that, the landscape starts to get less impressive again.
I honestly think the good old A82 from Glasgow to fort William is more impressive than the second half of the nc500 route.
This may not be a popular opinion...
Add the Mallaig route (but don't stop in Glenfinnan when the steam train is due) to get the views of the Small Isles and the Cuillin of Skye and Rùm - maybe a day cruise or short visit on the ferry to Eigg or Rùm.
Perfectly reasonable suggestion, anyway. I was effectively saying earlier I'd bypass the NC500 and do the eastern seaboard of Ross from Tain down to Fortrose and cut over through Dingwall and Strathpeffer, for instance.
I once did Lairg to Laxford Bridge without seeing any other vehicle on the road. 38 miles. In daylight.
Used to holiday every year up somewhere in the Highlands, and many times ended up in Sutherland or Assynt.
I remember 'Rock the Route' being added and thinking that was correctly aimed at the sort of tourists you would see at that time, particularly when you encountered groups of 20 geology students at one of the road cuttings. Peach and Horne and all that.
Will I go back now? Probably not, unless I'm wild camping (and I mean wild camping, 10km from the road), and that of course means joining the NC500 hordes in not spending any money locally.
Harris / Lewis are going the same way, too. Did a cycle tour many years ago and camped on the beach at Horgabost, with a single loo that the queen allegedly used when Britannia used to moor offshore. There was one small camper van at the other end of the bay.
Stupidly went back after about 20 years. Horgabost was now a sprawling and slightly shabby campsite, and some idiot was hooning up and down the beach in a 4x4 scattering those wanting some peace and quiet.
I used to think I'd upgrade to a small VW camper when the tent started getting a bit too low to the ground. Now I'm not sure I want to be associated with the genre.
What to do about it? Sarek? Greenland? Baffin Island? Off planet?
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
The risk is the criteria will involve a politicisation of the civil service
Honestly it can't be worse than what we have today.
For example, my dad is executor for his best friend's will, he died a year or so ago. The estate value was barely over the IHT limit, the tax is all paid and yet a year later the probate office is still in jobsworth mode asking for the original will, even though multiple copies have been provided, they had the original previously and have sent it back but for whatever reason they need it again.
This is a tiny, tiny bit of officialdom needed for a nothing size estate where the tax has already all been paid and yet the probate office, the state, is making nonsense paperwork and hassle for my dad as executor and the beneficiaries who still can't close the book on the death of their father.
In what world is this a good job? How have the civil servants in the probate office helped anyone with their nonsense bureaucracy in this instance? Who benefits from them not just getting it done, there isn't going to be some mad revelation which means the estate will suddenly be worth 10x more and loads of tax will be payable. It's this kind of shit that's causing the nation to slow down, these useless bureaucrats sticking their noses in to justify their jobs and pensions and making life miserable for ordinary people.
Get rid of them all I say, 50% cuts in the bureaucracy and stop interfering in people's lives.
Hear Hear
Remember when Elon came in and sacked 80% of Twitter staff and everyone said “oh it will collapse now”
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
What are the specific function that the service currently does that you think should be discarded? There is a continual myth that the Blob can be defeated by doing more with less, but the actual requirement is to do less with less. That requires understanding what the service does, and what can be discarded. I think Zia will not do this.
Hi everyone, I've just spent 4 busy days doing the North Coast 500 (and shooting 6 videos along the way).
Glad to see this poll getting an airing - as always the trend in your friend, and whilst the SNP have been out trumpeting this as signs that everyone backs them, its a poll showing them losing almost 25% of their support vs last time out.
Their strategy now is: VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE. That's it. They keep mentioning bits of policy achievement but the sole reasongiven so far to vote for them is VOTE FOR INDEPENDENCE.
Based on talking to people in the GE last year there's an awful lot of pissed off voters more concerned by the state of things than the jam tomorrow promise of independence.
At the GE they lost 40% of their vote. So 25% in this poll may be just the start of their losses. DYOR...
We’ve been thinking of doing it. We’ve thought about it for a while hiring a VW Camper to do it.
I’d guess there’s plenty of stopping places.
I did it with my older daughter a couple of years ago (plus a stay in the Orkneys)
It's one of those happy travel cliches, where the reality is actually better than the promise. At least - it was for us, but we had dazzling weather all the way
Take the risk, have a go. Just remember it is V popular
As a child in the 70s we had holidays in the Torridon area and I very much remember happy hours on Gairloch beach.
There were a few fellow tourists in the same area but basically pretty much untouched by the wider world.
The roads were still mostly passing place single track. The EU ERDF had not arrived yet.
The last summer I was there was the marriage of Prince Charles and Dianna. The only sign of it in the area was a single box of special edition chocolates selection available in the local grocer shop.
It sounds ruined these days to be honest.
It's not ruined, it is popular
You can still find large stretches where you will be entirely alone, with some of the greatest coastal views in Europe, indeed the world, plus all the noomy history, which makes it unique
I was there in August two years ago, in beautiful weather, and had no problem with traffic or crowds. The only issue was accommodation, which really is booked ahead and thus very expensive if you leave it late. Our answer was basically to stay in John O Groats, which is so hideous and tacky (and close to Wick) everyone avoids it
Totally agree, we go over to the west coast for a week most years and its not ruined, its just far more popular now. In fact the only complaint I have is the state of the road on the main route to Skye. We had a lovely week in Gairloch at the beginning of October last year, stunning weather the whole week and barely a breeze off the Atlantic which was a first in all the years we have visited the area. We took a drive to Rua Reidh Lighthouse while we there, absolutely stunning views but a warning, this road is not for the faint hearted and it beats the hair raising Applecross pass! But my favourite part of the the West Coast is the Summer Isles, but you cannot visit without taking the mad road to Lochinver from there, again it offers stunning views around every windy corner.
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
The risk is the criteria will involve a politicisation of the civil service
Honestly it can't be worse than what we have today.
For example, my dad is executor for his best friend's will, he died a year or so ago. The estate value was barely over the IHT limit, the tax is all paid and yet a year later the probate office is still in jobsworth mode asking for the original will, even though multiple copies have been provided, they had the original previously and have sent it back but for whatever reason they need it again.
This is a tiny, tiny bit of officialdom needed for a nothing size estate where the tax has already all been paid and yet the probate office, the state, is making nonsense paperwork and hassle for my dad as executor and the beneficiaries who still can't close the book on the death of their father.
In what world is this a good job? How have the civil servants in the probate office helped anyone with their nonsense bureaucracy in this instance? Who benefits from them not just getting it done, there isn't going to be some mad revelation which means the estate will suddenly be worth 10x more and loads of tax will be payable. It's this kind of shit that's causing the nation to slow down, these useless bureaucrats sticking their noses in to justify their jobs and pensions and making life miserable for ordinary people.
Get rid of them all I say, 50% cuts in the bureaucracy and stop interfering in people's lives.
As I mentioned a couple of weeks back I'm going through this as executor for my own father. I expect to encounter much state stupidity along the way, including I am told a wait of 16 weeks from submission to probate being granted.
Today I've had a letter from the DWP. It says "yes, we owe the estate some money, please tell us where to send it along with a probate letter".
Except nowhere in the letter does it state a how much they owe. A number which I need in order to obtain said probate.
So, I will have to ring them up, and ask them to send another letter. At which point they will no doubt demand several reams of paperwork to prove I am permitted to see said value. Why not just send everything needed the first time? Even Yorkshire Water, yes, Yorkshire Water managed that.
I can of course calculate it roughly myself - approximately 1 week of state pension, a trivial amount in the grand scheme of things - but HMRC will want the exact figure in writing so that they can claim their 40%.
Ho hum. At least I'm not paying for a solicitor to chase this up (yet).
Is it any wonder I'm thinking of giving enough away to stop the government getting a penny?
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
The risk is the criteria will involve a politicisation of the civil service
It's already politicised, to be mixture of soft left + process state, whilst pretending to be impartial.
It probably needs cutting down to 10% of its current size, and made to focus on results rather than proccess, with people being for the chop if they are ineffectual, rather than mollycoddled till they can be pensioned off.
What we will do as a country with thousands of unemployed duffers I've no idea, but at least it won't cost so much if they are on the dole...
"Drea points out that Ireland relies on a secretive agreement with the United Kingdom, which allows the Royal Air Force (RAF) to manage air defence on Ireland’s behalf. “Ireland has outsourced its security to Britain,” Drea claims, suggesting that this arrangement effectively cedes control of Irish airspace to the RAF."
They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
Though Reform received more votes at the last election than the Lib Dems
It was the same in the 1980s as I recall. The then Alliance led the polls but it was always Conservatives and Labour. After 1997, despite winning 46 seats, the LDs were ignored.
The problem is what it has always been - a plurality takes time and effort, a binary is easier. To be fair to your party, even the Conservatives, as His Majesty's Opposition, don't get the air time they deserve and you'd be forgiven for thinking Reform were the leading opposition to Labour in Parliament.
Creating and maintaining a binary choice is what the media in all its form has always been about - one voice for, one voice against. Perhaps the broadcasters think that's all our poor little brains can manage.
I am not unduly concerned about the conservatives coverage as they need time, but Farage is the media's star and also Labour and, today the Unions, and now the Lib Dems do not realise that when they keep him in the news he just laps it up and adds votes
I am convinced that in the next few years he will be found out, but in the meantime the government needs to get on governing and not giving Farage more oxygen
That's a fair point and I do agree Davey should be attacking the Government more particularly over its failings on health and social care (where he can speak with authority and conviction).
It's not just about giving Farage and Reform "oxygen" as you put it - it's perfectly reasonable to point out the many issues in their policy announcements.
One of the Reform shrills on here was regaling us all last evening about Reform going after local Government pensions or rather the management of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LPGS). Needless to say, it was an attack line riddled with inaccuracies, half truths and misconceptions.
They have a point . The Lib Dem’s have over 70 MPs v Reforms 4 . The BBC seems determined to piss of those who defend it and want the corporation to continue and acts as cheerleaders for those who want to destroy it.
If the LibDems were small but polling high they would be arguing polling numbers. Because they have lots of seats and Reform are polling high they are arguing seat numbers.
When the facts are on your side etc.
The Lib Dems get control of 70 odd more constituencies on fewer votes than Reform; they should be happy enough with that not to complain about tv coverage. There were more Reform voters than Lib Dem’s at the last election, and the gap will likely be wider at the next, so of course Reform deserve more coverage
Lib Dem’s are always entitled whiners.
And you'll always be there to have a pop at the party.
Whenever I read Taz on the subject of the LibDems, I hear Ewan McGregor from Trainspotting in my head.
Bell Ribeiro-Addy of the Socialist Campaign Group has in the last hour announced she is standing has the backing of 2020 deputy leadership candidate Richard Burgon, also SCG, who will not stand
One limitation on that is that SCG now only has 25 members, 4 of whom are suspended from the Labour Whip. I make that 1/20 of Labour MPs.
That perhaps also means that Clive Lewis is not standing?
@ZiaYusufUK · 7h Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
On the face of it, this doesn't sound like anything to be worried about. What do you see as problematic with it?
A brief perusal of recent posts suggests that this misuse of harassment law is not unusual.
For example Northants Police hauled a female journalist in for an interview under caution, accusing her of HARASSMENT for reporting that Cllr Matthew Binney was investigated for "sex with an underage girl" + offering him a right to reply, aka literally doing her job. https://x.com/DrRebeccaTidy/status/1960245255308988796
The other question it raises is simply one of police competence.
They just don't seem to be very good at recognising the line between legitimate behaviour and harassment. And while that is to the rest of us a matter of common sense, is it quite so easy to define in legal terms which are logically clear about the difference ?
Tim Davie and especially Robbie Gibb were partisan political appointees. Another mark of this Government's uselessness is Davie and Gibb are still in place.
A trove of leaked data from Boris Johnson’s private office reveals how the former prime minister has been profiting from contacts and influence he gained in office in a possible breach of ethics and lobbying rules.
The Boris Files contain emails, letters, invoices, speeches and business contracts. They shine a spotlight on the inner workings of a publicly subsidised company Johnson established after leaving Downing Street in September 2022.
The trove reveals how Johnson has used the company to manage an array of highly paid jobs and business ventures. They raise questions for the former Conservative leader about whether he has breached “revolving door” rules governing post-ministerial careers
And some welcome overnight electoral news from Norway:
The Norwegian Labour party has secured four more years in government after seeing off a surge of support for the populist right in a polarised election.
Soon after the polls closed, the centre left was projected to win with 89 seats with the centre right taking 80 seats. A minimum of 85 seats are needed for a majority.
Just two hours later, with 99% of the vote counted, the result had held, according to state broadcaster NRK.
Comments
It's not just about giving Farage and Reform "oxygen" as you put it - it's perfectly reasonable to point out the many issues in their policy announcements.
One of the Reform shrills on here was regaling us all last evening about Reform going after local Government pensions or rather the management of the Local Government Pensions Scheme (LPGS). Needless to say, it was an attack line riddled with inaccuracies, half truths and misconceptions.
This was the industry's response:
https://www.professionalpensions.com/news/4518384/industry-rejects-reform-uk-lgps-claims
President calls Hanks ‘woke’ in vitriolic post after US Military Academy calls off ceremony with little explanation
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/08/trump-tom-hanks-woke
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly0279yervo
"How a shoot-out ended a four-year search for a NZ bushman and his three children"
TBH the best bit is just from lochcarron to kylesku anyway. Inverness to lochcarron is just gentle introduction, and after kylesku, well roughly after that, the landscape starts to get less impressive again.
I honestly think the good old A82 from Glasgow to fort William is more impressive than the second half of the nc500 route.
This may not be a popular opinion...
Mind you, the number of firms that are complicit in this is huge. Which is why government has only ever nibbled at the edges of the issue.
Just so long at the “one database” types at the Home Office are interned, for life, without trial. And randomly waterboarded. For LOLs.
I might need to complete my header "White Privilege, Intersectional Feminism and Colonial Reparations" to mark her elevation.
The Bomber Harris quote applies.
BBC News - Murdochs reach deal in succession battle, cementing conservative lean
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn825x71g4do
Perfectly reasonable suggestion, anyway. I was effectively saying earlier I'd bypass the NC500 and do the eastern seaboard of Ross from Tain down to Fortrose and cut over through Dingwall and Strathpeffer, for instance.
https://www.nrk.no/video/valgnatt-2025_75fa4caa-51d0-49ee-9bc4-1d05b9677245
https://bsky.app/profile/benmathislilley.bsky.social/post/3lydxxsfsfk2r
Oops
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/sep/08/keir-starmer-reshuffle-labour-tory-reform
Is such talk still permitted?
I know it's exactly the same same as the antisemitism law, except it's obviously not
I think that what becomes law here is important and could be dangerous
The "middle" name was the official surname, the cognomen even if hereditary (like Caesar's) was technically a nickname
The Conservatives have had their worst result since 2005 dropping from 36 seats to 24 while the agrarian Centre Party has fallen from 28 to 9 and the Liberals from 8 to 3.
Labour have gained 6 to 54 and should be able to continue to govern as a minority.
I have very fond memories of bagging peaks all across the Highlands nearly 40 years ago. And I got my longing for the Highlands from a family holiday way back in 1976 when our extended family hired Cluanie lodge and we had 2 weeks of unbroken sunshine. Not so much traffic on the roads back then...
Interesting seat, about 2/3 very Labour inner suburbs and 1/3 Tory outer London beyond the Victorian-1930s housing border. Not many Lib Dems in that neck of the woods (or indeed in my patch of Lewisham North).
The 'industry response' as far as any intelligent reading of it is concerned is proof that Reform are completely correct.
The rest reads exactly the same. That's before you even get to the crazies at the end who think it's the job of pension funds to solve global warming.
(Presumably, Starmer would like exactly one candidate to emerge from the nomination bunfight, as long as it isn't a stitch-up. Definitely not that.)
The backbenchers are looking for a figure head. Not a loyalist. I suspect the lack of love for Starmer in the unions and constituencies means that they will look for someone who will fight Starmer not fight for him.
Are we going to have red v red till then because that is not going to help Starmer or Reeves try to steady the titanic, err ship
It's one of those happy travel cliches, where the reality is actually better than the promise. At least - it was for us, but we had dazzling weather all the way
Take the risk, have a go. Just remember it is V popular
Zia Yusuf
@ZiaYusufUK
·
7h
Reform will transform the civil service from a bloated, failed organisation hostile to the interests of the British people into a lean, performant machine that makes our country proud. 🇬🇧
Where no one of any ability would ever dream of working.
There were a few fellow tourists in the same area but basically pretty much untouched by the wider world.
The roads were still mostly passing place single track. The EU ERDF had not arrived yet.
The last summer I was there was the marriage of Prince Charles and Dianna. The only sign of it in the area was a single box of special edition chocolates selection available in the local grocer shop.
It sounds ruined these days to be honest.
You can still find large stretches where you will be entirely alone, with some of the greatest coastal views in Europe, indeed the world, plus all the noomy history, which makes it unique
I was there in August two years ago, in beautiful weather, and had no problem with traffic or crowds. The only issue was accommodation, which really is booked ahead and thus very expensive if you leave it late. Our answer was basically to stay in John O Groats, which is so hideous and tacky (and close to Wick) everyone avoids it
The union’s list of demands includes access to a travel card which also gives its holders ticket deals at theme parks around the country"
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09/08/two-for-one-legoland-tickets-unions-tube-strike-demands
Darren Grimes
@darrengrimes_
·
2h
I love Jacob Rees-Mogg, but Reform needs a pact with the Tories like a lion needs a chihuahua to help with the hunt.
https://x.com/darrengrimes_/status/1965140882124144661
But what I find surprising about the whole thing is; why did he/she buy a house there anyway? They could have rented, it’s not as if he’s going to live there long term really
🧵Last week I was interviewed under caution on suspicion of harassing an ex-Devon + Cornwall Police sergeant.
All I did was post 4 accurate, professional tweets stating he was arrested + charged with harassing a woman.
It raises big questions about free speech + public interest
https://x.com/DrRebeccaTidy/status/1964986652947812853
https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/boris-johnson-leaked-emails-saudi-venezuela-lockdown-mrrtth7r3
For example, my dad is executor for his best friend's will, he died a year or so ago. The estate value was barely over the IHT limit, the tax is all paid and yet a year later the probate office is still in jobsworth mode asking for the original will, even though multiple copies have been provided, they had the original previously and have sent it back but for whatever reason they need it again.
This is a tiny, tiny bit of officialdom needed for a nothing size estate where the tax has already all been paid and yet the probate office, the state, is making nonsense paperwork and hassle for my dad as executor and the beneficiaries who still can't close the book on the death of their father.
In what world is this a good job? How have the civil servants in the probate office helped anyone with their nonsense bureaucracy in this instance? Who benefits from them not just getting it done, there isn't going to be some mad revelation which means the estate will suddenly be worth 10x more and loads of tax will be payable. It's this kind of shit that's causing the nation to slow down, these useless bureaucrats sticking their noses in to justify their jobs and pensions and making life miserable for ordinary people.
Get rid of them all I say, 50% cuts in the bureaucracy and stop interfering in people's lives.
Used to holiday every year up somewhere in the Highlands, and many times ended up in Sutherland or Assynt.
I remember 'Rock the Route' being added and thinking that was correctly aimed at the sort of tourists you would see at that time, particularly when you encountered groups of 20 geology students at one of the road cuttings. Peach and Horne and all that.
Will I go back now? Probably not, unless I'm wild camping (and I mean wild camping, 10km from the road), and that of course means joining the NC500 hordes in not spending any money locally.
Harris / Lewis are going the same way, too. Did a cycle tour many years ago and camped on the beach at Horgabost, with a single loo that the queen allegedly used when Britannia used to moor offshore. There was one small camper van at the other end of the bay.
Stupidly went back after about 20 years. Horgabost was now a sprawling and slightly shabby campsite, and some idiot was hooning up and down the beach in a 4x4 scattering those wanting some peace and quiet.
I used to think I'd upgrade to a small VW camper when the tent started getting a bit too low to the ground. Now I'm not sure I want to be associated with the genre.
What to do about it? Sarek? Greenland? Baffin Island? Off planet?
Remember when Elon came in and sacked 80% of Twitter staff and everyone said “oh it will collapse now”
It didn’t
Though I have to say, AI is still incredibly shit - how many mistakes here?
Today I've had a letter from the DWP. It says "yes, we owe the estate some money, please tell us where to send it along with a probate letter".
Except nowhere in the letter does it state a how much they owe. A number which I need in order to obtain said probate.
So, I will have to ring them up, and ask them to send another letter. At which point they will no doubt demand several reams of paperwork to prove I am permitted to see said value. Why not just send everything needed the first time? Even Yorkshire Water, yes, Yorkshire Water managed that.
I can of course calculate it roughly myself - approximately 1 week of state pension, a trivial amount in the grand scheme of things - but HMRC will want the exact figure in writing so that they can claim their 40%.
Ho hum. At least I'm not paying for a solicitor to chase this up (yet).
Is it any wonder I'm thinking of giving enough away to stop the government getting a penny?
The FOUR Prime Ministers since 2016 are Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak.
What about Starmer? I'll come in again.
It probably needs cutting down to 10% of its current size, and made to focus on results rather than proccess, with people being for the chop if they are ineffectual, rather than mollycoddled till they can be pensioned off.
What we will do as a country with thousands of unemployed duffers I've no idea, but at least it won't cost so much if they are on the dole...
Lodges up and down the land will prevent Reform from getting anywhere near the corridors of power.
Farage, like soooooo many PBers posting tonight, really don’t have a clue who the bourgeoisie who run this country really are.
"Drea points out that Ireland relies on a secretive agreement with the United Kingdom, which allows the Royal Air Force (RAF) to manage air defence on Ireland’s behalf. “Ireland has outsourced its security to Britain,” Drea claims, suggesting that this arrangement effectively cedes control of Irish airspace to the RAF."
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/ireland-branded-the-ultimate-defence-freeloader-in-report
Pensions UK led the industry response – saying Reform had made claims about the LGPS that it did not recognise.
How dare they !
Unfortunately Ofcom lacks teeth. GB News can take the fines as a cost of doing business, and fake Youtube medical adverts / scams do not get caught.
But it was funny last week watching Trump's mushroom's stolidly taking Farage's free speech BS seriously as he fed them a dinner of pork pies.
That perhaps also means that Clive Lewis is not standing?
For example
Northants Police hauled a female journalist in for an interview under caution, accusing her of HARASSMENT for reporting that Cllr Matthew Binney was investigated for "sex with an underage girl" + offering him a right to reply, aka literally doing her job.
https://x.com/DrRebeccaTidy/status/1960245255308988796
The other question it raises is simply one of police competence.
They just don't seem to be very good at recognising the line between legitimate behaviour and harassment.
And while that is to the rest of us a matter of common sense, is it quite so easy to define in legal terms which are logically clear about the difference ?
https://bylinetimes.com/2025/06/09/bbc-news-tim-davie-robbie-gibb-reform-voters-nigel-farage-trust/
Tim Davie and especially Robbie Gibb were partisan political appointees. Another mark of this Government's uselessness is Davie and Gibb are still in place.
https://x.com/qcwynter/status/1964991589195162098?s=61
A trove of leaked data from Boris Johnson’s private office reveals how the former prime minister has been profiting from contacts and influence he gained in office in a possible breach of ethics and lobbying rules.
The Boris Files contain emails, letters, invoices, speeches and business contracts. They shine a spotlight on the inner workings of a publicly subsidised company Johnson established after leaving Downing Street in September 2022.
The trove reveals how Johnson has used the company to manage an array of highly paid jobs and business ventures. They raise questions for the former Conservative leader about whether he has breached “revolving door” rules governing post-ministerial careers
The Norwegian Labour party has secured four more years in government after seeing off a surge of support for the populist right in a polarised election.
Soon after the polls closed, the centre left was projected to win with 89 seats with the centre right taking 80 seats. A minimum of 85 seats are needed for a majority.
Just two hours later, with 99% of the vote counted, the result had held, according to state broadcaster NRK.