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Oil be back, terminating the Net Zero targets North of the border – politicalbetting.com

SystemSystem Posts: 13,175
edited April 9 in General
Oil be back, terminating the Net Zero targets North of the border – politicalbetting.com

Scots tend to think that it's more important for the Scottish government to prioritise extracting all North Sea oil it can than to meet its target of net zero carbon emissions by 2045Extracting all North Sea oil: 51%Meeting net zero by 2045: 36%yougov.com/en-gb/articl…

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Comments

  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,840
    First like Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz
  • RochdalePioneersRochdalePioneers Posts: 32,342
    There's a division of opinion. We had a government who pledged rapid Net Zero and the destruction of Scotland's oil and gas sector, as well as presiding over the closure of Grangemouth. And the people opposed to those things then say they will vote for that very same government *because* all those things happened but definitely not done by the SNP no no no must have been the English.

    Had we had independence already then the SNP government would have been free to pursue a policy of extracting oil and gas and having an oil refinery. My delivered today SNP leaflet says they will deliver lower energy bills. Presumably by doing the opposite of their actual policies.

    Nat voters are stupid...
  • Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,828
    FPT
    AnthonyT said:



    nico67 said:

    I think we know what life will be like under Reform .

    A further move towards capitalism on steroids , continued othering of groups wheeled out as punchbags and blamed for the UKs problems.

    An orgy of hate and performative cruelty .

    Is this the country people want to live in ?

    We already do. Have you missed the hatred and performative cruelty - and serious criminality, including murder and attempted murder - aimed at the Jewish community for the last few years? Or don't they count in your eyes?
    Absolutely. And Muslim people merely going about their business being harassed and harangued by Tiny Tom types.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 19,661
    edited April 9
    Net Zero by 2045 and continuing O&G extraction for now aren't necessarily exclusive, and likely won't be*

    The question was about priorities, so fair enough. I think most Scots are wrong on the priorities.

    *Because there's a limited amount of oil and gas that can still be extracted profitably
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,887
    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,202

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    No more or less depressing than any other main party. We’re fucked whoever gets in.
  • DecrepiterJohnLDecrepiterJohnL Posts: 36,380
    FPT
    .

    Genuine question, why do elderly people get a reduced price season ticket?

    One off travel I can understand but this one baffles me.

    To boost off-peak travel.
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 22,035
    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 5,448
    Fair enough. The days when people accepted redistribution of finances are ending. I suppose all areas have depended on London's bounty too long.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 79,514

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 5,448

    FPT
    .

    Genuine question, why do elderly people get a reduced price season ticket?

    One off travel I can understand but this one baffles me.

    To boost off-peak travel.
    I didn't know season tickets for off-peak travel were a thing.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,828

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    Almost three more years of Trump to demonstrate why the Trump adjacent Farage is not fit to be anywhere near the levers of Government.

    TBF to Farage he has done very well to quietly condemn the Iran catastrophe without stirring up the ire of Trump.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 27,958

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    Almost three more years of Trump to demonstrate why the Trump adjacent Farage is not fit to be anywhere near the levers of Government.

    TBF to Farage he has done very well to quietly condemn the Iran catastrophe without stirring up the ire of Trump.
    You have faith in the electorate to make the comparison? Bless.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,755
    edited April 9

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    Almost three more years of Trump to demonstrate why the Trump adjacent Farage is not fit to be anywhere near the levers of Government.

    TBF to Farage he has done very well to quietly condemn the Iran catastrophe without stirring up the ire of Trump.
    Well he leavened his reluctant criticism by pointedly comparing his foul mouthed tirade and threat of genocide to the inspiring WW2 rhetoric of Winston Churchill. You know, that great man who Donald Trump has observed that Sir Keir Starmer isn't.
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 28,791
    Net zero and extracting oil and gas are not completely contradictory aims.

    Imports should be counted just as much as extractions against the "net" figure, or it is completely dishonest.

    It is the burning of oil and gas that should be counted as a negative in the net column, not the extraction of it. Importing oil and gas is not "cleaner" than extracting it ourselves.

    We need to phase out burning, not production.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,828
    edited April 9
    kinabalu said:

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    Almost three more years of Trump to demonstrate why the Trump adjacent Farage is not fit to be anywhere near the levers of Government.

    TBF to Farage he has done very well to quietly condemn the Iran catastrophe without stirring up the ire of Trump.
    Well he leavened his reluctant criticism by pointedly comparing his foul mouthed tirade and threat of genocide to the inspiring WW2 rhetoric of Winston Churchill. You know, that great man who Donald Trump has observed that Sir Keir Starmer isn't.
    This Winston Churchill?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_views_of_Winston_Churchill

    This doesn't really ring true for Starmer, but Farage...

    Farage is Churchillian in oh, so many ways.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 37,441
    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Presumably Trump owes Netanyahu money.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 59,824

    kinabalu said:

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    Almost three more years of Trump to demonstrate why the Trump adjacent Farage is not fit to be anywhere near the levers of Government.

    TBF to Farage he has done very well to quietly condemn the Iran catastrophe without stirring up the ire of Trump.
    Well he leavened his reluctant criticism by pointedly comparing his foul mouthed tirade and threat of genocide to the inspiring WW2 rhetoric of Winston Churchill. You know, that great man who Donald Trump has observed that Sir Keir Starmer isn't.
    This Winston Churchill?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_views_of_Winston_Churchill

    This doesn't really ring true for Starmer, but Farage...

    Farage is Churchillian in oh, so many ways.
    He did condemn the Amritsar Massacre at least.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 59,824
    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,828

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    Almost three more years of Trump to demonstrate why the Trump adjacent Farage is not fit to be anywhere near the levers of Government.

    TBF to Farage he has done very well to quietly condemn the Iran catastrophe without stirring up the ire of Trump.
    You have faith in the electorate to make the comparison? Bless.
    Hmm, possibly not. 2000 new Reform Councillors may suggest I am wrong.

    But we don't do fascism, do we? This is good old Blighty after all!
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 5,448
    If extracting all the oil it can is Scottish government policy and net zero by whenever is British government policy, those two objectives would fit together neatly with an independent Scotland. Rump British government could import every drop of the oil from independent Scotland without breaching its own net zero policy.
  • GallowgateGallowgate Posts: 22,035

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 27,958

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    Almost three more years of Trump to demonstrate why the Trump adjacent Farage is not fit to be anywhere near the levers of Government.

    TBF to Farage he has done very well to quietly condemn the Iran catastrophe without stirring up the ire of Trump.
    You have faith in the electorate to make the comparison? Bless.
    Hmm, possibly not. 2000 new Reform Councillors may suggest I am wrong.

    But we don't do fascism, do we? This is good old Blighty after all!
    No one could possibly foresee that a populist, nationalist party led by a bloke who was a fascist in school might be a tad fascist given power.
  • JohnLilburneJohnLilburne Posts: 8,263
    AnneJGP said:

    FPT
    .

    Genuine question, why do elderly people get a reduced price season ticket?

    One off travel I can understand but this one baffles me.

    To boost off-peak travel.
    I didn't know season tickets for off-peak travel were a thing.
    I don't think they are, and you can't get a discount on a normal season ticket. Some areas may have a day travel pass you can get a discount on, and you get a discount if you buy a Travelcard with an off peak fare to London.

    The Senior railcard is available from 60, so hardly "elderly" (although at 61 I'm probably a bit older than Horse). I always suspected it's a commercial thing, as it encourages sales of off-peak tickets that otherwise wouldn't be sold. A third off makes rail tickets seem reasonable.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 20,991

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,202

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
    He’s even more nutty than our Natalie Bennett.
  • squareroot2squareroot2 Posts: 7,961
    FF43 said:

    Net Zero by 2045 and continuing O&G extraction for now aren't necessarily exclusive, and likely won't be*

    The question was about priorities, so fair enough. I think most Scots are wrong on the priorities.

    *Because there's a limited amount of oil and gas that can still be extracted profitably

    As is Miliband who is lying about net zero buying gas from Norway whilst claiming it doesn't affect our net zero target as its from somewhere else.
    I wouldn't trust Miliband to tell me the time of day. Deceit is his middle name
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,202

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    Almost three more years of Trump to demonstrate why the Trump adjacent Farage is not fit to be anywhere near the levers of Government.

    TBF to Farage he has done very well to quietly condemn the Iran catastrophe without stirring up the ire of Trump.
    You have faith in the electorate to make the comparison? Bless.
    Hmm, possibly not. 2000 new Reform Councillors may suggest I am wrong.

    But we don't do fascism, do we? This is good old Blighty after all!
    Everyone I disagree with is Hitler 👍
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,755
    edited April 9

    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Presumably Trump owes Netanyahu money.
    The debt rather seems the other way to me. The US has spent a fortune, taken casualties, damaged its national interest and got itself into a humiliating predicament all in pursuance of a war that principally benefits Benjamin Netanyahu. You'd have thought Donald Trump would be demanding some grovelling gratitude and generally trying to boss him around. Like he does with (eg) Zelensky.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 20,991

    FF43 said:

    Net Zero by 2045 and continuing O&G extraction for now aren't necessarily exclusive, and likely won't be*

    The question was about priorities, so fair enough. I think most Scots are wrong on the priorities.

    *Because there's a limited amount of oil and gas that can still be extracted profitably

    As is Miliband who is lying about net zero buying gas from Norway whilst claiming it doesn't affect our net zero target as its from somewhere else.
    I wouldn't trust Miliband to tell me the time of day. Deceit is his middle name
    (It's Samuel, actually.)
  • BartholomewRobertsBartholomewRoberts Posts: 28,791

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
    Bennett would be a huge improvement on Netanyahu, get rid of Netanyahu's corruption.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,202

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    The next election is in just over 3 years. It’s nowhere near likely at the moment.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,828
    Taz said:

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    Almost three more years of Trump to demonstrate why the Trump adjacent Farage is not fit to be anywhere near the levers of Government.

    TBF to Farage he has done very well to quietly condemn the Iran catastrophe without stirring up the ire of Trump.
    You have faith in the electorate to make the comparison? Bless.
    Hmm, possibly not. 2000 new Reform Councillors may suggest I am wrong.

    But we don't do fascism, do we? This is good old Blighty after all!
    Everyone I disagree with is Hitler 👍
    I have never compared Brave Sir Boris Johnson to Hitler and I hated the ground he walked on.

    Trump and Farage on the other hand have some pretty rum back stories when it comes to fanboiing the man with the little moustache.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,887
    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Trump clearly respects longevity.

    Leaders like Netanyahu and Putin have been around for a long time, since before Trump was on the political scene. If we were led by someone like Tony Blair, we'd probably get the same level of respect.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,202

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
    Bennett would be a huge improvement on Netanyahu, get rid of Netanyahu's corruption.
    Would he kill more civilians ?
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 27,958
    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Presumably Trump owes Netanyahu money.
    The debt rather seems the other way to me. The US has spent a fortune, taken casualties, damaged its national interest and got itself into a humiliating predicament all in pursuance of a war that principally benefits Benjamin Netanyahu. You'd have thought Donald Trump would be demanding some grovelling gratitude and generally bossing him around. Like he does with (eg) Zelensky.
    Trump's relationships with world leaders is very consistent. The more autocratic, oppressive and lawless you are the better you get treated. The more democratic, co-operative and lawful you are the worse you get treated. Netanyahu is in the former camp so gets Trumps respect.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 27,958
    Taz said:

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    The next election is in just over 3 years. It’s nowhere near likely at the moment.
    Betfair have Reform largest party at 40%. So not likely but near it.
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,828

    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Trump clearly respects longevity.

    Leaders like Netanyahu and Putin have been around for a long time, since before Trump was on the political scene. If we were led by someone like Tony Blair, we'd probably get the same level of respect.
    You may have a point. Blair is part of Trump's (alleged) War Criminals Peace Corps.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,755
    edited April 9

    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Trump clearly respects longevity.

    Leaders like Netanyahu and Putin have been around for a long time, since before Trump was on the political scene. If we were led by someone like Tony Blair, we'd probably get the same level of respect.
    He obviously does respect Tony, yes. Even to the extent of granting him that most prestigious of honours - a position on the Board of Peace.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,818
    Not a majority of the party I am sure, but one reason why 'just do a deal' is not really a total solution.

    Tory MP responds to colleagues who might be open to a deal:

    “Absolutely fucking not. Farage wants our voters, our candidates, and our party, and in return we’d get nothing but chaos and a mini-Trump totalitarian personality cult. No way.”

    https://nitter.poast.org/JAHeale/status/2042135907893932086#m

    I still don't see how a deal gets done this side of a GE, given the need for Reform or the Tories to work out who is top and who is bottom.
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 5,542
    Taz said:

    Reform government has to be likely. But God how depressing.

    The next election is in just over 3 years. It’s nowhere near likely at the moment.
    It's the thought that the nasty toad will be writing the letters for the nuclear sub captain. It was bad enough with Johnson...
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 20,991

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
    Bennett would be a huge improvement on Netanyahu, get rid of Netanyahu's corruption.
    He is often described as far right. Bennett opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. He favours giving Gaza to Egypt, annexing much of the West Bank and leaving the remainder of the West Bank under the day-to-day control of the Palestinian National Authority but under Israeli military oversight. He supported cutting off electricity to Gaza during the war. In other policies, he opposes same sex marriage (but would support a sort of civil partnership). He's happy for Haredi men to continue to avoid military service, but wants to get more of them into employment. He wants Israel to pivot from trading with the EU to trading more with India, China and Russia. He named his son after Bibi's brother.
  • bondegezoubondegezou Posts: 20,991
    Taz said:

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
    Bennett would be a huge improvement on Netanyahu, get rid of Netanyahu's corruption.
    Would he kill more civilians ?
    He's less driven by a desire to delay a fraud trial and some argue he can be more pragmatic than Netanyahu, but he's a hardcore nationalist, perhaps more than Netanyahu is.
  • BarnesianBarnesian Posts: 10,061
    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Presumably Trump owes Netanyahu money.
    The debt rather seems the other way to me. The US has spent a fortune, taken casualties, damaged its national interest and got itself into a humiliating predicament all in pursuance of a war that principally benefits Benjamin Netanyahu. You'd have thought Donald Trump would be demanding some grovelling gratitude and generally trying to boss him around. Like he does with (eg) Zelensky.
    I wonder if Mossad has obtained very compromising Epstein material?
  • AnneJGPAnneJGP Posts: 5,448
    edited April 9
    kle4 said:

    Not a majority of the party I am sure, but one reason why 'just do a deal' is not really a total solution.

    Tory MP responds to colleagues who might be open to a deal:

    “Absolutely fucking not. Farage wants our voters, our candidates, and our party, and in return we’d get nothing but chaos and a mini-Trump totalitarian personality cult. No way.”

    https://nitter.poast.org/JAHeale/status/2042135907893932086#m

    I still don't see how a deal gets done this side of a GE, given the need for Reform or the Tories to work out who is top and who is bottom.

    We can debate several of the factors alleged there but Reform as a personality cult seems well proven and meaning chaos isn't far behind.
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,755

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Presumably Trump owes Netanyahu money.
    The debt rather seems the other way to me. The US has spent a fortune, taken casualties, damaged its national interest and got itself into a humiliating predicament all in pursuance of a war that principally benefits Benjamin Netanyahu. You'd have thought Donald Trump would be demanding some grovelling gratitude and generally bossing him around. Like he does with (eg) Zelensky.
    Trump's relationships with world leaders is very consistent. The more autocratic, oppressive and lawless you are the better you get treated. The more democratic, co-operative and lawful you are the worse you get treated. Netanyahu is in the former camp so gets Trumps respect.
    Yes, he likes a real man.
  • eekeek Posts: 33,926
    edited April 9
    kle4 said:

    Not a majority of the party I am sure, but one reason why 'just do a deal' is not really a total solution.

    Tory MP responds to colleagues who might be open to a deal:

    “Absolutely fucking not. Farage wants our voters, our candidates, and our party, and in return we’d get nothing but chaos and a mini-Trump totalitarian personality cult. No way.”

    https://nitter.poast.org/JAHeale/status/2042135907893932086#m

    I still don't see how a deal gets done this side of a GE, given the need for Reform or the Tories to work out who is top and who is bottom.

    If the Tories at any point do a deal with Reform that’s the end of the party - they would merely be Reform lite.

    And Reform lite means Reform hating voters will never vote for the Tories again (once bitten twice shy) and Reform friendly voters would vote for the real deal.

    Basically imagine the Lib Dems in 2015 on steroids
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 22,883
    Taz said:

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
    Bennett would be a huge improvement on Netanyahu, get rid of Netanyahu's corruption.
    Would he kill more civilians ?
    Probably. But less corruptly, at least to start with.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,818
    DavidL said:

    Why can't we have both? I really don't see them as exclusive in any way. We need to maximise our output but we also need to find ways to build up our renewables as fast as possible to give us the energy to electrify our vehicle fleets and much else.

    The stupid, Milibandish (that's really stupid but more so) obsession with reducing our own output only to import it from elsewhere is just mad or Trumpish (that's completely mad but more so). Its a false dichotomy. And a completely unnecessary argument.

    There doesn't seem to be any consideration of overall positives and negatives, just that X is bad and Y is good.
  • DavidL said:

    Why can't we have both? I really don't see them as exclusive in any way. We need to maximise our output but we also need to find ways to build up our renewables as fast as possible to give us the energy to electrify our vehicle fleets and much else.

    The stupid, Milibandish (that's really stupid but more so) obsession with reducing our own output only to import it from elsewhere is just mad or Trumpish (that's completely mad but more so). Its a false dichotomy. And a completely unnecessary argument.

    100% agree.

    But Reform and Tories are not offering that.
  • Northern_AlNorthern_Al Posts: 9,634

    FF43 said:

    Net Zero by 2045 and continuing O&G extraction for now aren't necessarily exclusive, and likely won't be*

    The question was about priorities, so fair enough. I think most Scots are wrong on the priorities.

    *Because there's a limited amount of oil and gas that can still be extracted profitably

    As is Miliband who is lying about net zero buying gas from Norway whilst claiming it doesn't affect our net zero target as its from somewhere else.
    I wouldn't trust Miliband to tell me the time of day. Deceit is his middle name
    Samuel, actually.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 27,958
    kle4 said:

    DavidL said:

    Why can't we have both? I really don't see them as exclusive in any way. We need to maximise our output but we also need to find ways to build up our renewables as fast as possible to give us the energy to electrify our vehicle fleets and much else.

    The stupid, Milibandish (that's really stupid but more so) obsession with reducing our own output only to import it from elsewhere is just mad or Trumpish (that's completely mad but more so). Its a false dichotomy. And a completely unnecessary argument.

    There doesn't seem to be any consideration of overall positives and negatives, just that X is bad and Y is good.
    Just pick a side and get outraged by your opposition. Much more fun (i.e. really more engagement on social media and more advertising $$$) than consideration.
  • StuartinromfordStuartinromford Posts: 22,883
    kle4 said:

    Not a majority of the party I am sure, but one reason why 'just do a deal' is not really a total solution.

    Tory MP responds to colleagues who might be open to a deal:

    “Absolutely fucking not. Farage wants our voters, our candidates, and our party, and in return we’d get nothing but chaos and a mini-Trump totalitarian personality cult. No way.”

    https://nitter.poast.org/JAHeale/status/2042135907893932086#m

    I still don't see how a deal gets done this side of a GE, given the need for Reform or the Tories to work out who is top and who is bottom.

    It probably also needs a generational turnover of personnel; are Kemi and Bob really going to be able to sit round the same Cabinet table for longer than it takes to start tearing each others' hair out?

    One of the great mysteries of our time is how feeble the response of the Conservatives has been to the rise of Reform. I know the Conservative dries think of Reform as the Conservative Party as it should truly be and the wets are... you know... wet, but these guys are eating their lunch and have been for years now.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 128,610
    Zelensky comments on Vance's statement in Budapest that Russia and Ukraine are simply negotiating over a "few square kilometers" of territory:

    "The Vice President, with all due respect, does not participate in the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine and the Russian Federation. And I think that if he and other officials had taken part probably... they would have understood more deeply what a "patch" is, what... the territory of Ukraine, the independent territory of Ukraine is."


    https://x.com/michaeldweiss/status/2042281924543103367
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,887

    FF43 said:

    Net Zero by 2045 and continuing O&G extraction for now aren't necessarily exclusive, and likely won't be*

    The question was about priorities, so fair enough. I think most Scots are wrong on the priorities.

    *Because there's a limited amount of oil and gas that can still be extracted profitably

    As is Miliband who is lying about net zero buying gas from Norway whilst claiming it doesn't affect our net zero target as its from somewhere else.
    I wouldn't trust Miliband to tell me the time of day. Deceit is his middle name
    Samuel, actually.
    Samuel, as in "stubborn as".
  • kinabalukinabalu Posts: 50,755
    Barnesian said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Presumably Trump owes Netanyahu money.
    The debt rather seems the other way to me. The US has spent a fortune, taken casualties, damaged its national interest and got itself into a humiliating predicament all in pursuance of a war that principally benefits Benjamin Netanyahu. You'd have thought Donald Trump would be demanding some grovelling gratitude and generally trying to boss him around. Like he does with (eg) Zelensky.
    I wonder if Mossad has obtained very compromising Epstein material?
    I guess you can't rule out something like that but I'd have thought it would have emerged somewhere by now.
  • RazedabodeRazedabode Posts: 3,193
    Saw the local government launch today for the greens. Not sure what party is worse at the moment. Have we ever had such a terrible choice..
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,818

    Zelensky comments on Vance's statement in Budapest that Russia and Ukraine are simply negotiating over a "few square kilometers" of territory:

    "The Vice President, with all due respect, does not participate in the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine and the Russian Federation. And I think that if he and other officials had taken part probably... they would have understood more deeply what a "patch" is, what... the territory of Ukraine, the independent territory of Ukraine is."


    https://x.com/michaeldweiss/status/2042281924543103367

    Dangerous comment, Vance and Trump will make him pay for that.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,202

    Taz said:

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
    Bennett would be a huge improvement on Netanyahu, get rid of Netanyahu's corruption.
    Would he kill more civilians ?
    Probably. But less corruptly, at least to start with.
    That will be a comfort to the deceased, I’m sure.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,818

    Saw the local government launch today for the greens. Not sure what party is worse at the moment. Have we ever had such a terrible choice..

    People say that every time.

    Admittedly with Labour and the Tories in the (relative) doldrums, the LDs stubbornly committed to maintaining 10-15%, and Reform and the Greens promising as much disruption as possible (Reform less plausibly, given they've gone full Tory in the last 6 months), it is not a great set of options.
  • TazTaz Posts: 28,202

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
    Bennett would be a huge improvement on Netanyahu, get rid of Netanyahu's corruption.
    He is often described as far right. Bennett opposes the creation of a Palestinian state. He favours giving Gaza to Egypt, annexing much of the West Bank and leaving the remainder of the West Bank under the day-to-day control of the Palestinian National Authority but under Israeli military oversight. He supported cutting off electricity to Gaza during the war. In other policies, he opposes same sex marriage (but would support a sort of civil partnership). He's happy for Haredi men to continue to avoid military service, but wants to get more of them into employment. He wants Israel to pivot from trading with the EU to trading more with India, China and Russia. He named his son after Bibi's brother.
    He can’t be far right.

    Bart says he hates the far right.

    So if he likes Bennett then Bennett cannot be far right 👍
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,395

    Timothy Snyder
    @TimothyDSnyder

    1/2. Notice that after losing the war Trump threatens his allies rather than Russia — even though Russia quite literally helped Iran defeat the US and he knows it.

    https://x.com/TimothyDSnyder/status/2042270608486957486
  • isamisam Posts: 44,230

    FF43 said:

    Net Zero by 2045 and continuing O&G extraction for now aren't necessarily exclusive, and likely won't be*

    The question was about priorities, so fair enough. I think most Scots are wrong on the priorities.

    *Because there's a limited amount of oil and gas that can still be extracted profitably

    As is Miliband who is lying about net zero buying gas from Norway whilst claiming it doesn't affect our net zero target as its from somewhere else.
    I wouldn't trust Miliband to tell me the time of day. Deceit is his middle name
    Samuel, actually.
    Samuel, as in "stubborn as".
    I like it!
  • MelonBMelonB Posts: 17,363
    kle4 said:

    Zelensky comments on Vance's statement in Budapest that Russia and Ukraine are simply negotiating over a "few square kilometers" of territory:

    "The Vice President, with all due respect, does not participate in the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine and the Russian Federation. And I think that if he and other officials had taken part probably... they would have understood more deeply what a "patch" is, what... the territory of Ukraine, the independent territory of Ukraine is."


    https://x.com/michaeldweiss/status/2042281924543103367

    Dangerous comment, Vance and Trump will make him pay for that.
    What, by…withdrawing military aid?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,395
    America is no longer a serious country latest...



    The Kobeissi Letter
    @KobeissiLetter

    BREAKING: The US and Iran will hold in-person peace talks on Saturday in Pakistan, per Fox News.

    The US delegation includes JD Vance, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff.

    The Iranian delegation includes Foreign Minister Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf.

    https://x.com/KobeissiLetter
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,818
    MelonB said:

    kle4 said:

    Zelensky comments on Vance's statement in Budapest that Russia and Ukraine are simply negotiating over a "few square kilometers" of territory:

    "The Vice President, with all due respect, does not participate in the negotiations between the United States and Ukraine and the Russian Federation. And I think that if he and other officials had taken part probably... they would have understood more deeply what a "patch" is, what... the territory of Ukraine, the independent territory of Ukraine is."


    https://x.com/michaeldweiss/status/2042281924543103367

    Dangerous comment, Vance and Trump will make him pay for that.
    What, by…withdrawing military aid?
    Probably by actively helping Russia put more pressure on them.
  • Scott_xPScott_xP Posts: 43,524
    @seanthomason.bsky.social‬

    Take a moment to remember how weird it is our president communicates with us through a bottom-tier social media site called Truth Social. It’s like if he governed from the comment section of a porn site.

    https://bsky.app/profile/seanthomason.bsky.social/post/3mizzqop6ek27
  • BarnesianBarnesian Posts: 10,061
    kinabalu said:

    Barnesian said:

    kinabalu said:

    kinabalu said:

    https://www.nbcnews.com/world/lebanon/israel-attacks-beirut-lebanon-us-iran-ceasefire-rcna267392

    Trump asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call on Wednesday to scale back Israel’s strikes in Lebanon to help ensure the success of the Iran negotiations, a senior administration official said.

    Just 'asked'. Hmm. It's striking that Trump's usual browbeating 'demand with menaces' MO disappears when it comes to Netanyahu and Israel. This truly is the Special Relationship.
    Presumably Trump owes Netanyahu money.
    The debt rather seems the other way to me. The US has spent a fortune, taken casualties, damaged its national interest and got itself into a humiliating predicament all in pursuance of a war that principally benefits Benjamin Netanyahu. You'd have thought Donald Trump would be demanding some grovelling gratitude and generally trying to boss him around. Like he does with (eg) Zelensky.
    I wonder if Mossad has obtained very compromising Epstein material?
    I guess you can't rule out something like that but I'd have thought it would have emerged somewhere by now.
    If you have a nuclear weapon and you have to actually use it rather than threaten to use it, then you've failed.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 103,818
    Scott_xP said:

    @seanthomason.bsky.social‬

    Take a moment to remember how weird it is our president communicates with us through a bottom-tier social media site called Truth Social. It’s like if he governed from the comment section of a porn site.

    https://bsky.app/profile/seanthomason.bsky.social/post/3mizzqop6ek27

    I will never understand why porn sites even have comment sections.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,887
    https://x.com/alexwickham/status/2042286579675193385?s=46

    Keir Starmer says Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation was contrary to British values

    “Let me be really clear about this. They are not words I would use — ever use — because I come at this with our British values and principles,” PM tells @Peston
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 55,448
    Ed Davey’s having some fun at Tory expense in the LD’s election broadcast for the locals, not only including the screened clip of Badenoch complimenting LibDems at being good at ‘fixing the church roof’ - but filming the whole thing on top of a church!
  • BlancheLivermoreBlancheLivermore Posts: 7,937
    To the obviously smug EV drivers (TSE squadron)..

    Walkers are the winners
  • Daveyboy1961Daveyboy1961 Posts: 5,542
    IanB2 said:

    Ed Davey’s having some fun at Tory expense in the LD’s election broadcast for the locals, not only including the screened clip of Badenoch complimenting LibDems at being good at ‘fixing the church roof’ - but filming the whole thing on top of a church!

    Top trolling
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,702

    Taz said:

    ydoethur said:

    Israel apparently negotiating directly with Lebanon on Hezbollah disarmament, etc. Fingers crossed.

    If Hizbollah were eliminated that would be one good thing to come out of this shambles. But I won't hold my breath.
    Netanyahu next?
    With luck he’ll be voted out before too long
    The next elections have to be held by 27 Oct 2026. Bibi's Likud are polling fairly well, and currently polling second is Naftali Bennett's new party. Naftali Bennett, who is not to be confused with Natalie Bennett, is more hardline than Bibi!
    Bennett would be a huge improvement on Netanyahu, get rid of Netanyahu's corruption.
    Would he kill more civilians ?
    Probably. But less corruptly, at least to start with.
    The power often comes before the corruption, with authoritarians.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,808
    edited April 9
    If anybody here is a follower of the "The Next World War" YouTube series, Episode 21 is now out. It depicts the events a week or so after the Taiwan War begins as USN carriers and PLA(N) submarines are sunk.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,702
    edited April 9
    kle4 said:

    Scott_xP said:

    @seanthomason.bsky.social‬

    Take a moment to remember how weird it is our president communicates with us through a bottom-tier social media site called Truth Social. It’s like if he governed from the comment section of a porn site.

    https://bsky.app/profile/seanthomason.bsky.social/post/3mizzqop6ek27

    I will never understand why porn sites even have comment sections.
    Some people are incapable of not expressing an opinion.

    And this Sean guy apparently even feels compelled to post on the tedious woke enclave of bluesky.

    So is presumably one of them.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 28,808
    Scott_xP said:

    @seanthomason.bsky.social‬

    Take a moment to remember how weird it is our president communicates with us through a bottom-tier social media site called Truth Social. It’s like if he governed from the comment section of a porn site.

    https://bsky.app/profile/seanthomason.bsky.social/post/3mizzqop6ek27

    Has SeanT cloned himself, and one of the clones achieved sentience and fled to Bluesky?
  • PornHub comments are hilarious though.
  • Starmer friendship with Trump ended.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 59,887
    "Not me, guv."

    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2042295880850591852

    NEW: Keir Starmer says he is "fed up" with Donald Trump and Putin

    "I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world"
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 25,480
    In worrying news, my wife has announced that two of her votes will be going to the LibDems.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 14,288

    DavidL said:

    Why can't we have both? I really don't see them as exclusive in any way. We need to maximise our output but we also need to find ways to build up our renewables as fast as possible to give us the energy to electrify our vehicle fleets and much else.

    The stupid, Milibandish (that's really stupid but more so) obsession with reducing our own output only to import it from elsewhere is just mad or Trumpish (that's completely mad but more so). Its a false dichotomy. And a completely unnecessary argument.

    100% agree.

    But Reform and Tories are not offering that.
    Between a choice of full speed ahead on renewables + no new O&G , and the inverse, the former is infinitely better for the future of the UK.

    And I’m afraid that’s the choice we have now.
  • NigelbNigelb Posts: 89,702

    "Not me, guv."

    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2042295880850591852

    NEW: Keir Starmer says he is "fed up" with Donald Trump and Putin

    "I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world"

    You must be one of the few that isn't, then ?
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,828

    https://x.com/alexwickham/status/2042286579675193385?s=46

    Keir Starmer says Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation was contrary to British values

    “Let me be really clear about this. They are not words I would use — ever use — because I come at this with our British values and principles,” PM tells @Peston

    Starmer is not going to get a place on the Board (Bored?) of Peace anytime soon.
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 14,288

    "Not me, guv."

    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2042295880850591852

    NEW: Keir Starmer says he is "fed up" with Donald Trump and Putin

    "I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world"

    That’s interesting. The “fossil fuels rollercoaster” is the first decent line we’ve had out of the government in a while and it’s pretty compelling.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,395

    https://x.com/alexwickham/status/2042286579675193385?s=46

    Keir Starmer says Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation was contrary to British values

    “Let me be really clear about this. They are not words I would use — ever use — because I come at this with our British values and principles,” PM tells @Peston

    Starmer is not going to get a place on the Board (Bored?) of Peace anytime soon.
    Focus groups telling Labour that voters are well fucked off with Trumpski?

    Massive achilles heel for Farage imho.

  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 25,480

    In worrying news, my wife has announced that two of her votes will be going to the LibDems.

    Turns out there is only one LD standing in our ward, so she can't.
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 136,936
    The fact a plurality of SNP voters also back resuming North Sea oil drilling, offers plenty of opportunity for Reform and the Scottish Conservatives to squeeze that vote
  • MexicanpeteMexicanpete Posts: 39,828

    https://x.com/alexwickham/status/2042286579675193385?s=46

    Keir Starmer says Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilisation was contrary to British values

    “Let me be really clear about this. They are not words I would use — ever use — because I come at this with our British values and principles,” PM tells @Peston

    Starmer is not going to get a place on the Board (Bored?) of Peace anytime soon.
    Focus groups telling Labour that voters are well fucked off with Trumpski?

    Massive achilles heel for Farage imho.

    Fortunate for the Tories that Badenoch's criticism of the Iranian adventure has been withering. That should get them flying up the charts. Oh wait...
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 40,191
    As a big fan of JG Ballard, I thought I'd post this article.


    "Want to understand the sickness of Britain today? Look no further – a novel explained it all 20 years ago

    The racism, the predatory politics, the banality and cruelty: we struggle to make sense of it, but JG Ballard foretold everything we are living through now

    Aditya Chakrabortty"

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/18/sickness-britain-novel-20-years-ago-jg-ballard
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 35,268
    Eabhal said:

    "Not me, guv."

    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2042295880850591852

    NEW: Keir Starmer says he is "fed up" with Donald Trump and Putin

    "I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world"

    That’s interesting. The “fossil fuels rollercoaster” is the first decent line we’ve had out of the government in a while and it’s pretty compelling.
    The benefit of rollercoasters is they sometimes go down. Labour seems to prefer the permanently elevated monorail of foreign owned, UK-subsidised shit renewables.
  • Andy_JSAndy_JS Posts: 40,191
    viewcode said:

    If anybody here is a follower of the "The Next World War" YouTube series, Episode 21 is now out. It depicts the events a week or so after the Taiwan War begins as USN carriers and PLA(N) submarines are sunk.


    Thanks so much ViewCode, you post some of the most interesting links on PB.
  • noneoftheabovenoneoftheabove Posts: 27,958

    Starmer is a far better international statesman than he is a national leader

    He's a fucking pointless and embarrassing international statesman

    Can we put you down as a maybe?
  • EabhalEabhal Posts: 14,288
    edited April 9

    Eabhal said:

    "Not me, guv."

    https://x.com/PolitlcsUK/status/2042295880850591852

    NEW: Keir Starmer says he is "fed up" with Donald Trump and Putin

    "I'm fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy businesses bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world"

    That’s interesting. The “fossil fuels rollercoaster” is the first decent line we’ve had out of the government in a while and it’s pretty compelling.
    The benefit of rollercoasters is they sometimes go down. Labour seems to prefer the permanently elevated monorail of foreign owned, UK-subsidised shit renewables.
    I think most businesses and households would prefer consistent energy prices (and would even pay a premium for that, as consumer behaviour always indicates). Happily CfD contracts will come to dominate UK energy generation, providing that security - though we’re always going to be vulnerable to gas and oil prices to an extent.

    After Ukraine and Iran, it’s a rollercoaster that has induced some degree of nausea.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 72,395
    Andy_JS said:

    As a big fan of JG Ballard, I thought I'd post this article.


    "Want to understand the sickness of Britain today? Look no further – a novel explained it all 20 years ago

    The racism, the predatory politics, the banality and cruelty: we struggle to make sense of it, but JG Ballard foretold everything we are living through now

    Aditya Chakrabortty"

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/18/sickness-britain-novel-20-years-ago-jg-ballard

    Brilliant novel.

    I hadn't realised until I read the article you linked that this was his last novel.

    What a way to go out.

    Seem to recall the fascists run the shopping centre: late capitalism and fascism. Brilliant.
This discussion has been closed.