Tories are still lying *******s

[Mibbes Aye]

He also doesn't have the power to decide what roads to improve but in Scotland but it hasn't stopped them saying that they will improve the A1 and A75 north of the border


https://www.itv.com/news/border/2022-11-21/mp-welcomes-5-million-funding-for-a75-improvement-study

I'm surprised you are referencing that. Trunk roads are pretty much devolved but there is a place for central government investment where it links to the UK strategic road network and connectivity. The A75 links Cairnryan and therefore NIron to the M74. Understandably business is keen on that route being effective and efficient. I have family in D+G and the A75 has its fair share of accident blackspots and fatalities. You would think that £5m to carry out a feasibilty study around improvement was welcome news to one and all.

Yet it appears that Scottish ministers have dragged their feet on this and there is a lot of talk of Transporrt Scotland being ordered not to engage with HMG officials on this. It's hard not to see that as political, isn't it? I mean, are you really going tribal about independent work to try and improve the safety of the road network? Is that the level we sink to?

Anyway my original post was refuting the suggestion that Michael Gove could impose ftracking in Scotland. I said he can't. I assume you are agreeing with me.

[Mibbes Aye]

They do have the power to change that if they so wish as evidenced recently.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've not seen any fracking in Scotland :confused:

[Ozyhibby]

I'm surprised you are referencing that. Trunk roads are pretty much devolved but there is a place for central government investment where it links to the UK strategic road network and connectivity. The A75 links Cairnryan and therefore NIron to the M74. Understandably business is keen on that route being effective and efficient. I have family in D+G and the A75 has its fair share of accident blackspots and fatalities. You would think that £5m to carry out a feasibilty study around improvement was welcome news to one and all.

Yet it appears that Scottish ministers have dragged their feet on this and there is a lot of talk of Transporrt Scotland being ordered not to engage with HMG officials on this. It's hard not to see that as political, isn't it? I mean, are you really going tribal about independent work to try and improve the safety of the road network? Is that the level we sink to?

Anyway my original post was refuting the suggestion that Michael Gove could impose ftracking in Scotland. I said he can't. I assume you are agreeing with me.

Have transport Scotland been told to drag their feet on this? Any evidence?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[cabbageandribs1875]

oh my

https://scontent.fman1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/317944524_10229168678139731_1126579283830321840_n. jpg?_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=BFw_9K9bTmsAX_2ecNn&tn=oRK5qAGe-9s67qfL&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-2.fna&oh=00_AfDlDpVjlYObPr95NYowW_2SMFTHs5iaOM0ik1ACaR1z WQ&oe=63953759https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/318319515_10230850301100275_8158284214972279076_n. jpg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=BfmbxLUdmvEAX8n2GRB&tn=oRK5qAGe-9s67qfL&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDM0R8agso1C1GGOb6KJxGFdyiB1ey8FamZ8e-CitOL3g&oe=63955C81


how sad :faf:

[Mibbes Aye]

Have transport Scotland been told to drag their feet on this? Any evidence?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I didn't say Transport Scotland were dragging their feet. They are an executive agency of government, run day-to-day by managers and directed by and accountable to ministers. I said those ministers appeared to be dragging their feet and there was lots of talk of them directing Transport Scotland not to properly engage with their HMG counterparts.

For what it's worth, I believe it to be true and I also know that ministers and spads of all plitical hues make political decisions where objectivity would steer them elsewhere.

As for hard evidence, you surprise me once I get beyond the irony. Do you think I have recordings and photos of Jenny Gilruth and John Sweeney cackling away as they talk about how they're showing that Mark Harper "Wha's in charge"?

Anyway, I've showed you mine, how about you show yours? Where's your photos of Michael Gove in a high vis tabard and a hard hat, taking a jackhammer to some shale rock in Addiewell? :greengrin

[Ozyhibby]

I didn't say Transport Scotland were dragging their feet. They are an executive agency of government, run day-to-day by managers and directed by and accountable to ministers. I said those ministers appeared to be dragging their feet and there was lots of talk of them directing Transport Scotland not to properly engage with their HMG counterparts.

For what it's worth, I believe it to be true and I also know that ministers and spads of all plitical hues make political decisions where objectivity would steer them elsewhere.

As for hard evidence, you surprise me once I get beyond the irony. Do you think I have recordings and photos of Jenny Gilruth and John Sweeney cackling away as they talk about how they're showing that Mark Harper "Wha's in charge"?

Anyway, I've showed you mine, how about you show yours? Where's your photos of Michael Gove in a high vis tabard and a hard hat, taking a jackhammer to some shale rock in Addiewell? :greengrin

Shouldn’t you ask another poster that? I only pointed out that the UK govt have the power to over rule the Scottish govt. I think we both agree that is true?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mibbes Aye]

Shouldn’t you ask another poster that? I only pointed out that the UK govt have the power to over rule the Scottish govt. I think we both agree that is true?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

On fracking? Because that was what we were talking about.

[Ozyhibby]

On fracking? Because that was what we were talking about.

On anything. The Uk govt has ultimate power to change any law they want within the UK. If they want to frack in Scotland they can and there is nothing we could do about it.
Politically, I doubt it’s even a good idea to be fracking in England but that wasn’t my point. The point is, the power resides with Westminster to change any law that suits them.
If Michelle Mone rings up her pal Gove next week and says her new fracking company she will set up in a couple of days is looking for some license, then who knows what Gove’s response would be? He certainly seems like a man willing to do business?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mibbes Aye]

On anything. The Uk govt has ultimate power to change any law they want within the UK. If they want to frack in Scotland they can and there is nothing we could do about it.
Politically, I doubt it’s even a good idea to be fracking in England but that wasn’t my point. The point is, the power resides with Westminster to change any law that suits them.
If Michelle Mone rings up her pal Gove next week and says her new fracking company she will set up in a couple of days is looking for some license, then who knows what Gove’s response would be? He certainly seems like a man willing to do business?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You are stretching a point beyond credibility here. Essentially anything devolved could become reserved if the devolution legislation was repealed or overturned. In the case of fracking this would also mean making amendments to existing amendments to a whole range of other pieces of legislation, some of which preceded devolution!

All of which would have to go through several stages of scrutiny and votes in both Houses of Parliament, which means facing further amendments to the previous amendments to the original amendments to the primary legislation! And that's before you get into legal challenge and judicial review. and that's assuming you can carry a majority at every stage when the current government has aready flip-flopped on fracking because its MPs and the public wouldn't stand it.

Do you really think that is likely?

[Ozyhibby]

You are stretching a point beyond credibility here. Essentially anything devolved could become reserved if the devolution legislation was repealed or overturned. In the case of fracking this would also mean making amendments to existing amendments to a whole range of other pieces of legislation, some of which preceded devolution!

All of which would have to go through several stages of scrutiny and votes in both Houses of Parliament, which means facing further amendments to the previous amendments to the original amendments to the primary legislation! And that's before you get into legal challenge and judicial review. and that's assuming you can carry a majority at every stage when the current government has aready flip-flopped on fracking because its MPs and the public wouldn't stand it.

Do you really think that is likely?

So what you are saying is they won’t exercise the power, not that they don’t have it. I think I can agree with that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mibbes Aye]

So what you are saying is they won’t exercise the power, not that they don’t have it. I think I can agree with that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm not sure who this 'they' is? I watched PMQs today and the Speaker invited a gaunt, emaciated man with no hair to ask two questions. It turns out his name is Stephen Flynn and he is in charge of fifty-odd other MPs who call themselves the SNP.

So, by your logic that lot are 'they'? I think someone should tell 'them' :greengrin

[marinello59]

Isn't that a local authority function? If he is bypassing that down south how long before he starts overturns planning application rejections for fracking in Scotland?

The Council had already approved it. The Government called it in for review, Gove just rubber stamped their decision yesterday.

[neil7908]

It's actually scary how bad things are. BBC (even them) have their main article focusing on shocking situations in hospitals:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63890726

The cause of course isn't named (its the BBC after all) but the graph showing waiting times rising exponentially since 2010, and not just since covid.

What big political change could happened in 2010 I wonder? BBC gives no hint so I guess we'll never know.

[grunt]

I'm not sure who this 'they' is? I watched PMQs today and the Speaker invited a gaunt, emaciated man with no hair to ask two questions.
Well this is a somewhat pathetic post. Union supporting people got all upset on the Labour thread when someone called Gordon Brown a degenerate auld goat. You've really lowered the tone since your return to these discussions. IMO.

[hibsbollah]

Well this is a somewhat pathetic post. Union supporting people got all upset on the Labour thread when someone called Gordon Brown a degenerate auld goat. You've really lowered the tone since your return to these discussions. IMO.

Blackford is being called ‘Fatty Blackford’ on the main board, but it seems if they are NOT fat they are now ‘emaciated’, which my dictionary describes as ‘painfully or dangerously thin, especially after disease’.

I’m sure SNP supporters can also give as good as they get at times but it’s all a bit disappointing and puerile.

[Moulin Yarns]

I'm surprised you are referencing that. Trunk roads are pretty much devolved but there is a place for central government investment where it links to the UK strategic road network and connectivity. The A75 links Cairnryan and therefore NIron to the M74. Understandably business is keen on that route being effective and efficient. I have family in D+G and the A75 has its fair share of accident blackspots and fatalities. You would think that £5m to carry out a feasibilty study around improvement was welcome news to one and all.

Yet it appears that Scottish ministers have dragged their feet on this and there is a lot of talk of Transporrt Scotland being ordered not to engage with HMG officials on this. It's hard not to see that as political, isn't it? I mean, are you really going tribal about independent work to try and improve the safety of the road network? Is that the level we sink to?

Anyway my original post was refuting the suggestion that Michael Gove could impose ftracking in Scotland. I said he can't. I assume you are agreeing with me.

Interference by Westminster in devolved issues such as transport is the thin edge of the wedge. If they are willing to do this then they are likely to be willing to do it in other areas as well.

[ronaldo7]

Interference by Westminster in devolved issues such as transport is the thin edge of the wedge. If they are willing to do this then they are likely to be willing to do it in other areas as well.

The internal market bill drives a coach and horses through the devolved settlement, but it's ok, nothing to see here.

[Mibbes Aye]

Well this is a somewhat pathetic post. Union supporting people got all upset on the Labour thread when someone called Gordon Brown a degenerate auld goat. You've really lowered the tone since your return to these discussions. IMO.

No irony there then!

I made around half a dozen posts since yestersay evening, initially refuting a post that any objective person would have dismissed as errant nonsense.

Those posts were a mixture of the rational and factual, two of them quite detailed, and a couple that questioned the post I was replying to.

All in all I must thave asked ten or so questions, pretty much all serious, apart from a few light-hearted ones in one post replying to Ozyhibby. But I wasn't overwhelmed with serious answers to serious questions, which is a bit dispiriting given this place is meant to be about genuine discussion and debate. Maybe you would care to comment on those?

[grunt]

All in all I must thave asked ten or so questions, pretty much all serious, apart from a few light-hearted ones in one post replying to Ozyhibby. But I wasn't overwhelmed with serious answers to serious questions, which is a bit dispiriting given this place is meant to be about genuine discussion and debate. Maybe you would care to comment on those?
I don't know enough about the Scotland Act and related legislation to answer your questions.

[grunt]

No irony there then!
None.

[JeMeSouviens]

https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/sewel-convention


How does the Sewel convention work in practice?

When the UK government plans to introduce a bill with provisions that fall within the scope of the Sewel convention, it is expected to consult with the devolved administrations early in the process, to ensure that devolved views are taken into account.

After a bill of this type is introduced in parliament, the devolved administrations publish a legislative consent memorandum, as required by the standing orders of the devolved legislatures in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast.

The legislative consent memorandum sets out the bill’s objectives, the reasons why consent is required, and usually indicates whether and why the devolved government believes consent should be given.

Before a bill reaches its final amending stage in the UK parliament, the devolved legislatures then vote on a legislative consent motion to either grant or withhold consent for the bill, in part or in full. If consent is not granted, the UK parliament can decide whether to amend the bill to meet the devolved concerns, or to pass the legislation as it stands.

It might be politically difficult for the UK gov to override Holyrood on devolved matters very often, but, de jure, they absolutely can on anything at any time. 100% of UK sovereignty ultimately rests with the "crown in parliament". The devolved legislatures have licence to exercise some of it but only on Westminster's behalf.

[Mibbes Aye]

Interference by Westminster in devolved issues such as transport is the thin edge of the wedge. If they are willing to do this then they are likely to be willing to do it in other areas as well.

If Westminster (which includes a lot of SNP MPs) - although I suspect it is more Whitehall than WM - decides it wants to spend £5m on something that Scottish people and Scottish businesses would benefit from then it is surely taking political zealotry to the limit to find fault in that?

"Damn those colonialists with their funding to reduce accident blackspots, damn them I say!" :greengrin

[Mibbes Aye]

I don't know enough about the Scotland Act and related legislation to answer your questions.

Well that explains you "playing the man, not the ball". Can't fault you for honesty on that one.

How about the behaviour of people calling Westminster 'them', when it has fifty-odd SNP MPs attending and participating. Are Mr Flynn and his colleagues 'them' then?

[Mibbes Aye]

https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/explainers/sewel-convention



It might be politically difficult for the UK gov to override Holyrood on devolved matters very often, but, de jure, they absolutely can on anything at any time. 100% of UK sovereignty ultimately rests with the "crown in parliament". The devolved legislatures have licence to exercise some of it but only on Westminster's behalf.

But by definition that has to be the case, because Holyrood exists as an entity because of legislation passed in Westminster! And Holytrood, referenda and appeals to the Supreme Court are all consequences of a pre-existing system of legislature and judiciary.

It's not as if some Spanish bloke came along and said '"I want to build this thing that looks like overturned boats" and then another bunch of folk came along and said "We are going to call this a parliament and make some rules, but not all the rules, for everyone north of Carter Bar"

It's not a political issue, it's a process one. We don't exist in a vacuum.

[grunt]

Well that explains you "playing the man, not the ball". Can't fault you for honesty on that one.

As you well know, I was comparing your description of Flynn with the previous description of Brown, which received some condemnation on here. It appears to be ok for "those who support the union" to use "name calling" and "gratuitous, below the belt comments", but when separatists do it, people complain.

[grunt]

How about the behaviour of people calling Westminster 'them', when it has fifty-odd SNP MPs attending and participating. Are Mr Flynn and his colleagues 'them' then?As far as I'm concerned, if I ever use the term "them", I would be using it to describe the Tories.

[JeMeSouviens]

But by definition that has to be the case, because Holyrood exists as an entity because of legislation passed in Westminster! And Holytrood, referenda and appeals to the Supreme Court are all consequences of a pre-existing system of legislature and judiciary.

It's not as if some Spanish bloke came along and said '"I want to build this thing that looks like overturned boats" and then another bunch of folk came along and said "We are going to call this a parliament and make some rules, but not all the rules, for everyone north of Carter Bar"

It's not a political issue, it's a process one. We don't exist in a vacuum.

It has to the case in a devolved setup, yes. But if we had a federal setup then it would be the other way round. Westminster would exercise powers pooled by the federated states on their behalf.

[Jack]

As you well know, I was comparing your description of Flynn with the previous description of Brown, which received some condemnation on here. It appears to be ok for "those who support the union" to use "name calling" and "gratuitous, below the belt comments", but when separatists do it, people complain.

Perhaps it would be better in some instances to refer to HM Government rather than Westminster although I'm sure nearly everyone knew what you meant 😉

[Ozyhibby]

I see Keir Starmer using ‘them, they’ all the time? Is it ok for him to do it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mibbes Aye]

As you well know, I was comparing your description of Flynn with the previous description of Brown, which received some condemnation on here. It appears to be ok for "those who support the union" to use "name calling" and "gratuitous, below the belt comments", but when separatists do it, people complain.

I hope you don't mean me. I've posted at length, when asked, what I felt was the best form of administration for people, say in the south-east of Scotland. And I was crystal clear that it was neither Holyrood or Westminster.

I didn't say anything about any comments you or anyone else made re Gotdon Brown. As far as Flynn goes, yesterday was genuinely the first time I had seen him and let's face it, if John Swinney was compelled to take a paternity test then I'm sure we would be having a different discussion :greengrin

But yes, calling people 'old goats' and the like probably isn't the standard we should aspire to. I've called out some of the really crass language that I've seen on here directed by what are mostly middle-aged men (and that is true) at women politicians like Jo Swinson. That's why I don't resort to the Wee Nicky Krankie stuff, or suggesting that she goes to Legoland to get her hair done, stuff like that, which I know some folk disappointingly do.

[Crunchie]

Well this is a somewhat pathetic post. Union supporting people got all upset on the Labour thread when someone called Gordon Brown a degenerate auld goat. You've really lowered the tone since your return to these discussions. IMO.

I don’t think anyone got upset about Brown being called anything. What was being questioned was a particular individuals constant name calling in the vast majority of his posts. I’ve no doubt we’ve all name called at times, he takes it to a pathetic new level.

[Mibbes Aye]

I see Keir Starmer using ‘them, they’ all the time? Is it ok for him to do it?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice but not very accomplished try :greengrin

It's a fair and serious point I'm making, I believe trying to deflect it merely reinforces the lack of a credible counter to it.

I have read 'Westminster' being referred to as 'them', and usually in a negative way, by people who want independence/support the SNP/all of the above countless times on here. Countless in individual posts almost! :greengrin

But Westminster is Stephen Flynn and Mhairi Black and four dozen of their colleagues, and rather prominently at times. So, are they 'them' or 'us'? And before you even offer up an answer, what gives you or anyone else the right to state as objectove fact who we should consider as 'them' or 'us'?

[Ozyhibby]

I don’t think anyone got upset about Brown being called anything. What was being questioned was a particular individuals constant name calling in the vast majority of his posts. I’ve no doubt we’ve all name called at times, he takes it to a pathetic new level.

I don’t think I do? Can’t remember ever calling any politician a name on here? I don’t repeat names others use either. Just as bad.
I’ve desisted from certain terms for ‘No’ voters but I never thought of any of them as derogatory anyway. We’ll see how long that ceasefire lasts but it won’t be me that breaks it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Ozyhibby]

Nice but not very accomplished try :greengrin

It's a fair and serious point I'm making, I believe trying to deflect it merely reinforces the lack of a credible counter to it.

I have read 'Westminster' being referred to as 'them', and usually in a negative way, by people who want independence/support the SNP/all of the above countless times on here. Countless in individual posts almost! :greengrin

But Westminster is Stephen Flynn and Mhairi Black and four dozen of their colleagues, and rather prominently at times. So, are they 'them' or 'us'? And before you even offer up an answer, what gives you or anyone else the right to state as objectove fact who we should consider as 'them' or 'us'?

I very much think of the UK govt as them or they. I’m very comfortable with it.
Last I looked, the SNP were not part of the UK govt.
You can consider who you like as them or they, knock yourself out. I’m not trying to influence you either way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mibbes Aye]

Anyway, trying to get back onto the subject of the Tories (and bashing them seems to be fair enough and I'm not complaining :greengrin), I've seen a lot of comment on the various individual and concerted things they have done to generally make our existence as bleak and desolate as possible, but within all that there is some real fascinating tectonic stuff going on for them.

They have allways been riven by Europe, needless to say, but there are so many other fault lines coming to the surface it's almost impossible to keep track. These have been evident in the never-ending stream of policy u-turns, paying and playing off one faction against another. The homebuilding targets fiasco is the latest great example. For many Tories strengthening access to home ownership is a cornerstone of the Thatcherite, self-improvement philosophical agenda. For others, especially in the leafy shires, the targets are deeply un-conservative (deliberate small 'c'). And there will be an uber neo-liberal element who see any government targets as unnecessary meddling by an already-bloated state!

The Tories like the image of always reinventing themselves to secure electoral success but the sheer scale of cognitive dissonance going on within their party and government is surely unsustainable? Although I worry that maybe people have said this throughout their history.......

[Mibbes Aye]

I very much think of the UK govt as them or they. I’m very comfortable with it.
Last I looked, the SNP were not part of the UK govt.
You can consider who you like as them or they, knock yourself out. I’m not trying to influence you either way.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My off-the-cuff definition of UK government would probably be the MPs and peers who hold ministerial office and the civil servants who execute policy, but that's not important here.

But that wasn't the question was it?

[cabbageandribs1875]

I don’t think anyone got upset about Brown being called anything. What was being questioned was a particular individuals constant name calling in the vast majority of his posts. I’ve no doubt we’ve all name called at times, he takes it to a pathetic new level.


so be a big adult and finally put me on ignore, i ignore you for many reasons even though you constantly try to get a reaction, plenty on here are intelligent enough and chose to ignore posters they have no desire to converse with, i have absolutely no desire whatsoever to converse with you, none whatsoever, anyone with half a brain would realise that but not you, that's perfectly obvious, so instead of trying to get a bite try using the ignore function :aok: pathetic? right back at ya

[Santa Cruz]

How is the OP above managing to read and respond to all posters they state they ignore? :confused:

[JeMeSouviens]

How is the OP above managing to read and respond to all posters they state they ignore? :confused:

Presumably they "ignore" them in a more traditional way than using forum software's "ignore"?

[Santa Cruz]

Presumably they "ignore" them in a more traditional way than using forum software's "ignore"?

Aah, understood. Thanks for pointing this obvious mistake I made out :greengrin and apologies to the OP who I didn't reply to directly as I wrongly assumed I was on ignore.

[Moulin Yarns]

If Westminster (which includes a lot of SNP MPs) - although I suspect it is more Whitehall than WM - decides it wants to spend £5m on something that Scottish people and Scottish businesses would benefit from then it is surely taking political zealotry to the limit to find fault in that?

"Damn those colonialists with their funding to reduce accident blackspots, damn them I say!" :greengrin

If you have been following the news, then you will know that the A9 is the killer road, but the studies have already been done so maybe give the £5m to the Scottish Government to speed up the dualling.

I was on 25 miles of it today, passed some surveyors looking at the most difficult section at pass of Birnam, that's one of the blacks pots.

[grunt]

The Tories are corrupt (chapter 436)


A lobbying group led by Conservative MPs and peers has released a report recommending the further privatisation of the NHS while being funded by private health companies, Byline Times can reveal.

https://bylinetimes.com/2022/12/08/mps-advocate-for-nhs-privatisation-while-being-funded-by-private-health-firms/

[grunt]

But Westminster is Stephen Flynn and Mhairi Black and four dozen of their colleagues, and rather prominently at times.
You are being obtuse, I think. Just because the SNP MPs are IN Westminster, it doesn't make the "Westminster".

If anyone says e.g. that a decision was made in Westminster, we're not usually implying that the SNP MPs made that decision, rather that it was made by "the Westminster parliament", which of course contains a big majority of Tory MPs. So in these cases, I expect that people are using Westminster as a shorthand for the Westminster Government.

But I guess that's too obvious for your debating style.


So, are they 'them' or 'us'? And before you even offer up an answer, what gives you or anyone else the right to state as objectove fact who we should consider as 'them' or 'us'?Oh I didn't see this part until now! Who the hell says I'm stating ANYTHING as objective fact? It's my opinion, and I think I can call an opposition party "them" if I want to! Am I telling you to call the Tories "them"? I don't think so.

Where on Earth did you get this particular crazy idea from?

[grunt]

How is the OP above managing to read and respond to all posters they state they ignore? :confused:If I can answer this from my perspective, because I sometimes use (and I am currently using) the ignore function. This means I don't see their posts - unless I want to. Sometimes, if for example I've said something that's got a bit of a reaction, I'll view posts from people I have on ignore to see if they have a different issue with my post, or if they're just saying what everyone else is saying.

Soo it's kind of a sometimes ignore function for me.

[Mibbes Aye]

If you have been following the news, then you will know that the A9 is the killer road, but the studies have already been done so maybe give the £5m to the Scottish Government to speed up the dualling.

I was on 25 miles of it today, passed some surveyors looking at the most difficult section at pass of Birnam, that's one of the blacks pots.

And if you had been following the thread you would know we were talking about the A75 - after all, it was you who originally got us started on it!! :greengrin

But seriously, as for Birnam, there was talk of just shifting it to Dunsinane but that seems like centuries ago now.

[Mibbes Aye]

Oh I didn't see this part until now! Who the hell says I'm stating ANYTHING as objective fact? It's my opinion, and I think I can call an opposition party "them" if I want to! Am I telling you to call the Tories "them"? I don't think so.


Certainly not me.

I was talking to Ozyhibby.

[Moulin Yarns]

https://www-independent-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/gove-cumbria-coal-commons-suspended-b2241362.html?amp=&amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#amp_tf=From%20%2 51%24s&aoh=16705163266713&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnew s%2***%2Fpolitics%2Fgove-cumbria-coal-commons-suspended-b2241362.html

Commons suspended because Gove did not provide his statement on the coal mine to the opposition
Tories no longer lying, just not playing by the rules!!

[Mibbes Aye]

https://www-independent-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/gove-cumbria-coal-commons-suspended-b2241362.html?amp=&amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#amp_tf=From%20%2 51%24s&aoh=16705163266713&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.co.uk%2Fnew s%2***%2Fpolitics%2Fgove-cumbria-coal-commons-suspended-b2241362.html

Commons suspended because Gove did not provide his statement on the coal mine to the opposition
Tories no longer lying, just not playing by the rules!!

Guarsian reporting that Gove did provide statement but it bore no resemblance to what he then went on to say in the House. Hoyle "furious".

So, somewhere between lying and not playing by the rules, methinks. Dishonest at some point at least.

[JeMeSouviens]

And if you had been following the thread you would know we were talking about the A75 - after all, it was you who originally got us started on it!! :greengrin

But seriously, as for Birnam, there was talk of just shifting it to Dunsinane but that seems like centuries ago now.

Underrated, if tragic, post. :greengrin

[CropleyWasGod]

And if you had been following the thread you would know we were talking about the A75 - after all, it was you who originally got us started on it!! :greengrin

But seriously, as for Birnam, there was talk of just shifting it to Dunsinane but that seems like centuries ago now.

:top marks

[Ozyhibby]

Underrated, if tragic, post. :greengrin

I was going to comment but was in a shop when I read it.[emoji23][emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grunt]

Certainly not me.

I was talking to Ozyhibby.Ah.

Sorry.

[Santa Cruz]

If I can answer this from my perspective, because I sometimes use (and I am currently using) the ignore function. This means I don't see their posts - unless I want to. Sometimes, if for example I've said something that's got a bit of a reaction, I'll view posts from people I have on ignore to see if they have a different issue with my post, or if they're just saying what everyone else is saying.

Soo it's kind of a sometimes ignore function for me.

Understood. :aok:

[Hibrandenburg]

BREAKING : Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove has granted planning permission for a new coal mine in Cumbria

:greengrin

[Ozyhibby]

https://nickcohen.substack.com/p/the-tories-seem-isolated-now-if-not

Worth a read.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hibsbollah]

More Mone revelations. When merely 'millionaire' status isnt enough...
Revealed: the full inside story of the Michelle Mone PPE scandal | Michelle Mone | The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/09/revealed-the-full-inside-story-of-the-michelle-mone-ppe-scandal)

[cabbageandribs1875]

https://scontent.fman1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/318302157_1802349240125707_3799934665008151367_n.j pg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=ExUP2LqUuBYAX-uFhdS&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-2.fna&oh=00_AfCj6QiVlxHw70r2cjsFtTG1oKcwhl4NmnRwFa4iD0sS KQ&oe=639860AB

[cabbageandribs1875]

:greengrin


cartoon in the times today :)

https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/318199189_5778650472191736_6626779545912007255_n.j pg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=zoD5et7V0HIAX-k5iYp&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCN09HUCocUBtIGxA2YsAPPt3YxnQ58nct40xrxyZ5d BQ&oe=6398DD35

[Colr]

More Mone revelations. When merely 'millionaire' status isnt enough...
Revealed: the full inside story of the Michelle Mone PPE scandal | Michelle Mone | The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/09/revealed-the-full-inside-story-of-the-michelle-mone-ppe-scandal)

If anyone is getting thrown under the bus by the Tory grifters it’ll be the working class one. She made a pile and thought she was one of the them. One of the establishment. No matter how much cash you have you will NEVER be one of them as she’s about to learn. Hell mend her and the rest of them. In the USA they’d be heading to jail.

[Bostonhibby]

More Mone revelations. When merely 'millionaire' status isnt enough...
Revealed: the full inside story of the Michelle Mone PPE scandal | Michelle Mone | The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/dec/09/revealed-the-full-inside-story-of-the-michelle-mone-ppe-scandal)Makes one ashamed to be Scottish if this is the sort of peers we are generating.
If only there was some way Scotland could disown her whilst she remains a "peer".

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[WeeRussell]

Come on. Surely ‘them’ and ‘they’ aren’t going to be the latest offensive words to be banned on the HG 😂

[Moulin Yarns]

Come on. Surely ‘them’ and ‘they’ aren’t going to be the latest offensive words to be banned on the HG 😂

I'm going with optomists and pessimists for now. 😉

[Santa Cruz]

will stick with Yes/No/Bore Off :greengrin

[cabbageandribs1875]

https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/318307158_5971540492902689_7062142636627054149_n.j pg?_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=xKR3DeCqHKYAX9zoF7_&tn=oRK5qAGe-9s67qfL&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-1.fna&oh=00_AfA7wWUVLGKgXFX_2Y7CRHSGptWqxWUCpOo4cVnmK2M6 KA&oe=639A7609

[Hibbyradge]

https://twitter.com/CheersColin/status/1601576703805247493?t=kaDcftc77VdPNkXQiw7XXA&s=19

Daily Mail at its best!

[Stairway 2 7]

https://mobile.twitter.com/AaronBastani/status/1602366601407467542

@AaronBastani
One of the most extraordinary statistics to sum up an extraordinary year.

Real wages – the amount people earn in relation to their cost of living – fell by an average of £76 *a month* across 2022. For public sector key workers it was £180 a month.

These aren't typos!

[wookie70]

https://mobile.twitter.com/AaronBastani/status/1602366601407467542

@AaronBastani
One of the most extraordinary statistics to sum up an extraordinary year.

Real wages – the amount people earn in relation to their cost of living – fell by an average of £76 *a month* across 2022. For public sector key workers it was £180 a month.

These aren't typos!

I think the real figures will be higher especially when like for like comparisons are taken into account. My domestic fuel bill alone has went up 170 per month, my mortgage 100 and food and petrol probably another 100. I think the average Public Sector worker got a £1500 award. That equates to around £80 per month take home. The figures I used for fuel etc aren't even like for like as I am buying cheaper food and the house is a good bit colder than ever before.

I think the figures you quoted will be based on a CPI rise on outgoings against average pay awards and won't consider every penny of those awards will be taxed and that real inflation for working people who rent or mortgage their own home is likely over 20%. I presume you meant the typo was to say it wasn't exaggerated up the way. imo the story is far far worse for all workers but particularly public servants. My examples are of course awards from a more benevolent government up here. Scottish Civil Servants working in Westminster controlled jobs will get half that award.

[Kato]

https://mobile.twitter.com/AaronBastani/status/1602366601407467542

@AaronBastani
One of the most extraordinary statistics to sum up an extraordinary year.

Real wages – the amount people earn in relation to their cost of living – fell by an average of £76 *a month* across 2022. For public sector key workers it was £180 a month.

These aren't typos!Wow.

I wonder if it's anything to do with stuff like this.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/rishi-sunaks-bank-tax-giveaway-26562814?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar


Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[Stairway 2 7]

I think the real figures will be higher especially when like for like comparisons are taken into account. My domestic fuel bill alone has went up 170 per month, my mortgage 100 and food and petrol probably another 100. I think the average Public Sector worker got a £1500 award. That equates to around £80 per month take home. The figures I used for fuel etc aren't even like for like as I am buying cheaper food and the house is a good bit colder than ever before.

I think the figures you quoted will be based on a CPI rise on outgoings against average pay awards and won't consider every penny of those awards will be taxed and that real inflation for working people who rent or mortgage their own home is likely over 20%. I presume you meant the typo was to say it wasn't exaggerated up the way. imo the story is far far worse for all workers but particularly public servants. My examples are of course awards from a more benevolent government up here. Scottish Civil Servants working in Westminster controlled jobs will get half that award.

It's Real Pay its worked out by ONS. It takes in inflation, any earning, tax ect. Its an average over the whole population so will be many higher and lower obviously.

[Stairway 2 7]

Wow.

I wonder if it's anything to do with stuff like this.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/rishi-sunaks-bank-tax-giveaway-26562814?utm_source=linkCopy&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar


Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

We've looked after our bankers well this last 20 years 😳

[Bostonhibby]

https://mobile.twitter.com/AaronBastani/status/1602366601407467542

@AaronBastani
One of the most extraordinary statistics to sum up an extraordinary year.

Real wages – the amount people earn in relation to their cost of living – fell by an average of £76 *a month* across 2022. For public sector key workers it was £180 a month.

These aren't typos!I remember Bozo advising everyone to buy a better kettle to get through this mess, am wondering how that is working out for him now he no longer has his PM's salary.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Stairway 2 7]

I remember Bozo advising everyone to buy a better kettle to get through this mess, am wondering how that is working out for him now he no longer has his PM's salary.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

300,000 for a talk in America and the imbecile will unfortunately be OK

[wookie70]

It's Real Pay its worked out by ONS. It takes in inflation, any earning, tax ect. Its an average over the whole population so will be many higher and lower obviously.

I'm a fairly average Public Servant. I know my figure of 1500 quid is pretty much what most Scottish Civil Servants got and when tax and pension etc is taken off it is around £80 quid a month. In England it will be half of that. The average fuel bill in 2021 was £112 and it is now just over £200. I have a pretty modest mortgage by normal standards and it has went up £100 quid as I say. My mortgage is way less than half of teh average mortgage in Scotland. Petrol and Diesel are up, Food over 15%, mobiles etc etc. So as a Civil Servant earning pretty much teh average pay I don't believe those figures. I understand averages etc but there isn't much hiding from many of the rises in costs and even if you are hiding by having a colder house etc then it isn't a like for like. I also couldn't really care about those earning £70K plus. They have plenty choices and to be fair so do I as I have some savings. My point is those figures from all I know as a long term public servant and union rep vastly underplay the reality of the circumstances many find themselves in and it is a good deal worse for public servants in England which those figures will cover most. Those in teh private sector will be better off but are still being crushed with pay award around 10% less than real inflation

[Stairway 2 7]

I'm a fairly average Public Servant. I know my figure of 1500 quid is pretty much what most Scottish Civil Servants got and when tax and pension etc is taken off it is around £80 quid a month. In England it will be half of that. The average fuel bill in 2021 was £112 and it is now just over £200. I have a pretty modest mortgage by normal standards and it has went up £100 quid as I say. My mortgage is way less than half of teh average mortgage in Scotland. Petrol and Diesel are up, Food over 15%, mobiles etc etc. So as a Civil Servant earning pretty much teh average pay I don't believe those figures. I understand averages etc but there isn't much hiding from many of the rises in costs and even if you are hiding by having a colder house etc then it isn't a like for like. I also couldn't really care about those earning £70K plus. They have plenty choices and to be fair so do I as I have some savings. My point is those figures from all I know as a long term public servant and union rep vastly underplay the reality of the circumstances many find themselves in and it is a good deal worse for public servants in England which those figures will cover most. Those in teh private sector will be better off but are still being crushed with pay award around 10% less than real inflation

I'd contact ONS mate I just put up a tweet to say things are grimm

[wookie70]

I'd contact ONS mate I just put up a tweet to say things are grimm


Actually the poster on twitter replied and seems to indicate those figures are for month to month additive rises so much bigger than what I originally read. No doubting things are as grim now as I can remember since I started working in 1985

[Paulie Walnuts]

I think the real figures will be higher especially when like for like comparisons are taken into account. My domestic fuel bill alone has went up 170 per month, my mortgage 100 and food and petrol probably another 100. I think the average Public Sector worker got a £1500 award. That equates to around £80 per month take home. The figures I used for fuel etc aren't even like for like as I am buying cheaper food and the house is a good bit colder than ever before.

I think the figures you quoted will be based on a CPI rise on outgoings against average pay awards and won't consider every penny of those awards will be taxed and that real inflation for working people who rent or mortgage their own home is likely over 20%. I presume you meant the typo was to say it wasn't exaggerated up the way. imo the story is far far worse for all workers but particularly public servants. My examples are of course awards from a more benevolent government up here. Scottish Civil Servants working in Westminster controlled jobs will get half that award.

I’m a UK Civil Servant and it’s just been confirmed I’ll get a 2.3% pay rise this year. This is after getting absolutely zero last year and 1% for years before that.

My energy bill has went up over 100% in that period. My food bill probably about 25%. Fuel for my car about 30%. My mortgage period is coming to an end and will go up about 30% when it does, and that is on a variable so it could get worse. A fixed would go up about 50%.

That’s all my biggest outgoings and every one of them has went up massively, yet over 2 years my wage has increased 2.3%. If I was guessing, I’d hazard a guess I’m around £550 per month worse off and you’ll be lucky if I’m getting an extra £50 a month hit my bank after deductions.

[Stairway 2 7]

Actually the poster on twitter replied and seems to indicate those figures are for month to month additive rises so much bigger than what I originally read. No doubting things are as grim now as I can remember since I started working in 1985

It's only going to get worse eh. Even a good deal in the public sector it seems, is a large pay cut. What will the breaking point be, bar no one choosing to work in the public sector and services going to f

[GlesgaeHibby]

I remember Bozo advising everyone to buy a better kettle to get through this mess, am wondering how that is working out for him now he no longer has his PM's salary.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

Boris moaned about being skint when he was PM as he only got his PM's salary (seriously!). As an MP before becoming PM he was getting over £400k a year for a weekly column in the Telegraph and few hundred K for after dinner speeches in addition to his MPs salary.

[Ozyhibby]

I’m a UK Civil Servant and it’s just been confirmed I’ll get a 2.3% pay rise this year. This is after getting absolutely zero last year and 1% for years before that.

My energy bill has went up over 100% in that period. My food bill probably about 25%. Fuel for my car about 30%. My mortgage period is coming to an end and will go up about 30% when it does, and that is on a variable so it could get worse. A fixed would go up about 50%.

That’s all my biggest outgoings and every one of them has went up massively, yet over 2 years my wage has increased 2.3%. If I was guessing, I’d hazard a guess I’m around £550 per month worse off and you’ll be lucky if I’m getting an extra £50 a month hit my bank after deductions.

My mate is a UK civil servant and he thinks they’ll be going out on strike. I think he might be PCS union.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bostonhibby]

Boris moaned about being skint when he was PM as he only got his PM's salary (seriously!). As an MP before becoming PM he was getting over £400k a year for a weekly column in the Telegraph and few hundred K for after dinner speeches in addition to his MPs salary.Lots of expenses associated with his lifestyle, child support and the like, but bound to be well looked after given how many of his chums have prospered during a difficult time for the country.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[wookie70]

My mate is a UK civil servant and he thinks they’ll be going out on strike. I think he might be PCS union.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Depends where they work. The first wave of action is already announced for PCS. It is smaller scale, full paid, high impact to start with. Re-balloting HMRC who just missed teh threshold and I think they will get over next time too. Get down to Musselburgh and give the striking DVSA workers a peep or a few words of solidarity

[wookie70]

I’m a UK Civil Servant and it’s just been confirmed I’ll get a 2.3% pay rise this year. This is after getting absolutely zero last year and 1% for years before that.

My energy bill has went up over 100% in that period. My food bill probably about 25%. Fuel for my car about 30%. My mortgage period is coming to an end and will go up about 30% when it does, and that is on a variable so it could get worse. A fixed would go up about 50%.

That’s all my biggest outgoings and every one of them has went up massively, yet over 2 years my wage has increased 2.3%. If I was guessing, I’d hazard a guess I’m around £550 per month worse off and you’ll be lucky if I’m getting an extra £50 a month hit my bank after deductions.

that would tie in with many of the stories I have heard and read about Civil Servants particularly those managed by Westminster. It simply isn't sustainable and I can only think the plan is to completely crash all public services, get them privatised so that the last bit of public wealth can get auctioned off to the Tories mates. The Securitas Bank Robbers are nowhere near the owners of teh biggest heist in UK history. The Tories are hundreds of Billions ahead and teh Labour Party firmly in second place

[cabbageandribs1875]

is it getting even murkier for mone

Michelle Mone under pressure over £18m office complex linked to firms at centre of Covid PPE scandal (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newsscotland/michelle-mone-under-pressure-over-18m-office-complex-linked-to-firms-at-centre-of-covid-ppe-scandal/ar-AA158re5?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=ace2ab8a94de4c83846798fcd363b406)

[Paulie Walnuts]

My mate is a UK civil servant and he thinks they’ll be going out on strike. I think he might be PCS union.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There will be some going on strike. Our department were balloted (we’re also PCS) and incredibly we voted not to. I know from a union meeting I went to that a lot of people were actually at the point where they couldn’t afford to go on strike (I think there’s supposed to be some sort of financial support available from PCS if you need it to be fair). I can only think that’s what made people vote not to strike.

[stokesmessiah]

is it getting even murkier for mone

Michelle Mone under pressure over £18m office complex linked to firms at centre of Covid PPE scandal (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newsscotland/michelle-mone-under-pressure-over-18m-office-complex-linked-to-firms-at-centre-of-covid-ppe-scandal/ar-AA158re5?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=ace2ab8a94de4c83846798fcd363b406)

There is no doubt she is a horrendous person, but there is a definite whiff of sacrificial lamb about her right now.

[cabbageandribs1875]

There is no doubt she is a horrendous person, but there is a definite whiff of sacrificial lamb about her right now.

i hope there's a lot more investigative journalism(cough) done on both of them




https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/319735450_521546610001036_3604046767176801261_n.jp g?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=HP0ODjyTWgoAX-cm5m-&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDLZFTtyGv5B7h6aaAmKHhFa_sZANUdyGMb21PfcyVO OQ&oe=639C972B> Business closed amid claims dozens of >> £2.9million awarded in compensation military veterans cheated out of pensions 40 complaints upheld against company

[Bostonhibby]

i hope there's a lot more investigative journalism(cough) done on both of them




https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/319735450_521546610001036_3604046767176801261_n.jp g?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=HP0ODjyTWgoAX-cm5m-&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDLZFTtyGv5B7h6aaAmKHhFa_sZANUdyGMb21PfcyVO OQ&oe=639C972B> Business closed amid claims dozens of >> £2.9million awarded in compensation military veterans cheated out of pensions 40 complaints upheld against companyShe's certainly taking one for the team, what about all the other snouts that were in lord Deighton's fast track trough?

Deflection at its finest

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Kato]

She's certainly taking one for the team, what about all the other snouts that were in lord Deighton's fast track trough?

Deflection at its finest

Sent from my SM-A750FN using TapatalkThe whole fast track VIP "oh look my friend has made millions" lane was declared illegal.

If she goes down (if) the lot of them should be charged.

It's costing more than the ferries "scandal" just to incinerate the pony PPE they provided.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[ronaldo7]

There will be some going on strike. Our department were balloted (we’re also PCS) and incredibly we voted not to. I know from a union meeting I went to that a lot of people were actually at the point where they couldn’t afford to go on strike (I think there’s supposed to be some sort of financial support available from PCS if you need it to be fair). I can only think that’s what made people vote not to strike.

The PCS have a fighting fund currently standing at £3million with the Union putting in another £1 million. You'll also be levied in the new year to support the strike at £5 a month or £3 if your salary is at the lower end.

Questions about the strike fund levy
We achieved a fantastic result in the national industrial action ballot. Now we are organising a membership levy to fund the sustained targeted action that is needed to put maximum pressure on employers and the government to meet our demands on pay, pensions, job security and redundancy terms.
There was a massive average Yes vote for industrial action across the areas balloted of 86.2%, the highest percentage vote in the union’s history. Out of the 214 employer areas 212 voted Yes, and 124 of those crossed the 50% turnout threshold required by law for strike action.

In the ballot members were asked to vote for industrial action that will be effective in putting pressure on our employers and the government. So, the first wave of action includes significant strikes targeted in certain areas including the Home Office, which includes the Border Force, across the Department for Transport and in Defra. The action will affect ports, borders and all areas of transport.

Members in those areas will be taking action on behalf of every other member, so we cannot ask them to lose money and we must raise enough money to be able to pay them full pay. That can only be done if we establish a levy on all members who were balloted. It’s fair because all members will benefit and win a pay increase if we are successful.

[Bostonhibby]

The whole fast track VIP "oh look my friend has made millions" lane was declared illegal.

If she goes down (if) the lot of them should be charged.

It's costing more than the ferries "scandal" just to incinerate the pony PPE they provided.

Sent from my SM-A528B using TapatalkHear what you say and have read quite a bit, I'm predicting zero prosecutions, much chat about recoveries and maybe a few token gestures but the Nasty party elite and their specially selected chums just got richer and they ain't giving it up any time soon.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Kato]

Hear what you say and have read quite a bit, I'm predicting zero prosecutions, much chat about recoveries and maybe a few token gestures but the Nasty party elite and their specially selected chums just got richer and they ain't giving it up any time soon.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

Agreed. It'll be portrayed as outrageous that "people like them" have to face legal repercussions.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[Bostonhibby]

Whodathunkit?

https://twitter.com/jessicaelgot/status/1602634627621048320?t=PlWmzu-QA7axhewBBbGMvQ&s=08

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Hiber-nation]

Depends where they work. The first wave of action is already announced for PCS. It is smaller scale, full paid, high impact to start with. Re-balloting HMRC who just missed teh threshold and I think they will get over next time too. Get down to Musselburgh and give the striking DVSA workers a peep or a few words of solidarity

Gave them a toot earlier. Good luck 👍

[hibsbollah]

In more normal times, Sunaks performance yesterday at Immigration questions and today at PMQ would be the most manically deranged extreme right wing nonsense, proposing breaking international law by proposing a blanket ban on any asylum claims being granted ever to anyone entering the country ‘illegally’, even in cases where torture can be proven or if children are involved.

More incredible yet, this speech is actually an attempt to find a middle ground, to placate the more nutter Patel/Braverman/Boris wing, who also are demanding a complete withdrawal from the Convention on Human Rights as well. Sunaks position is a moderate one, says the BBC.

[grunt]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/14/dominic-raab-facing-five-more-complaints-of-bullying-no-10-confirms


Formal complaints from civil servants mean deputy PM is under investigation for eight separate alleged incidents

[hibsbollah]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/14/dominic-raab-facing-five-more-complaints-of-bullying-no-10-confirms

I want to know the nature of the allegations. Stealing lunch money with menaces? Flashing? Gripper Stebson.

[cabbageandribs1875]

Sir Michael Take does it again

James Beaton on Twitter: "Oh my goodness https://t.co/n6MNbV2XwW" / Twitter (https://twitter.com/jjb3621/status/1602995886048542722?fbclid=IwAR3SijzLurt4WPtS9VwFu pQIbWZ0E_mMS_EbzLJpEY4skyi8INGubTnOYkA)

[cabbageandribs1875]

She's certainly taking one for the team, what about all the other snouts that were in lord Deighton's fast track trough?

Deflection at its finest

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk



i wonder what 'punishment' she will get :rolleyes: i'm going for a week suspension and ordered to hand back five quid along with an apology to the tax payer saying she was under a lot of stress and was just desperate to help the public.

[Bostonhibby]

i wonder what 'punishment' she will get :rolleyes: i'm going for a week suspension and ordered to hand back five quid along with an apology to the tax payer saying she was under a lot of stress and was just desperate to help the public.Punishment?

Is there anything higher than a Baroness they might think appropriate?

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[J-C]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/14/dominic-raab-facing-five-more-complaints-of-bullying-no-10-confirms



You just wonder if it's because of the public schoolboy upbringing that they feel they can treat people like sheite as they see that as quite normal.

[grunt]

You just wonder if it's because of the public schoolboy upbringing that they feel they can treat people like sheite as they see that as quite normal.
Raab's a grammar school kid, but I expect your point is in general quite accurate.

[grunt]

Why are the taxpayers paying legal fees to defend Johnson from Commons inquiry?

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/13/ministers-accused-of-writing-blank-cheque-for-boris-johnson-legal-bills

[Just Alf]

Why are the taxpayers paying legal fees to defend Johnson from Commons inquiry?

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/13/ministers-accused-of-writing-blank-cheque-for-boris-johnson-legal-billsSeems he can afford it himself I'd have thought?

https://news.sky.com/story/boris-johnson-earns-1631m-from-speaking-engagements-since-leaving-downing-street-12768139

[Bostonhibby]

Why are the taxpayers paying legal fees to defend Johnson from Commons inquiry?

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/13/ministers-accused-of-writing-blank-cheque-for-boris-johnson-legal-billsIs it because he's still laughing at us?

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[grunt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkshh4jOzME

[wookie70]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bkshh4jOzME

Basically sums up the Tory UK Government for me. It is all about what you can get rather than what we can achieve. This should be a matter for the courts and long custodial sentences should be handed out to the beneficiaries and those in Government that were essentially their accomplishes. When you look at the front benches on the Tories going back to Johnson they appear more a criminal gang than they do a government.

[grunt]

Liars

PM Sunak and Health Secretary Barclay last week told Parliament that there was no shortage of penicillin.

Today UK issues ‘serious shortage’ protocol for penicillin

https://t.co/mFy5Q7KoV1

[Jack]

Liars

PM Sunak and Health Secretary Barclay last week told Parliament that there was no shortage of penicillin.

Today UK issues ‘serious shortage’ protocol for penicillin

https://t.co/mFy5Q7KoV1

DRoss was giving the FM a hard time over TSG issuing the same notice despite drug procurement being a reserved issue. Seems even the English torys don't speak to their Scottish counterparts. Or maybe DRoss had difficulty reading the big words.

[grunt]

DRoss was giving the FM a hard time over TSG issuing the same notice despite drug procurement being a reserved issue. Seems even the English torys don't speak to their Scottish counterparts. Or maybe DRoss had difficulty reading the big words.
On the subject of D Ross I see that he criticised the FM for mentioning covid in relation to A&E waiting times, yet yesterday in WM Sunak used exact same argument. So it's an acceptable reason when Tories use it, but not when SNP use it?

(Also, I really can't stand listening to Ross in Holyrood, he has such a whiny voice).

[degenerated]

DRoss was giving the FM a hard time over TSG issuing the same notice despite drug procurement being a reserved issue. Seems even the English torys don't speak to their Scottish counterparts. Or maybe DRoss had difficulty reading the big words.He knows fine well but he also knows the BBC will heavily edit any response and that it will be the headline in print media where the facts will be buried in the final paragraphs and conveniently ignored.

[Glory Lurker]

He also said SNP should drop de facto referendum plan and fight next election on education.

I'm not expressing an opinion on that, but as education is devolved it would be a bit pointless. Maybe he hadn't noticed he'd led FMQs with a question about education.

[Smartie]

Liars

PM Sunak and Health Secretary Barclay last week told Parliament that there was no shortage of penicillin.

Today UK issues ‘serious shortage’ protocol for penicillin

https://t.co/mFy5Q7KoV1

Without wishing to make excuses for a government I detest, could it be possible that there appeared to be enough last week but unprecedented demand has seen stores that previously seemed acceptable diminished dangerously within a very short timeframe?

[Ozyhibby]

He also said SNP should drop de facto referendum plan and fight next election on education.

I'm not expressing an opinion on that, but as education is devolved it would be a bit pointless. Maybe he hadn't noticed he'd led FMQs with a question about education.

Tories and Labour with their £9250 a year fees v the SNP giving it for free? Seems an unfair fight.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grunt]

Without wishing to make excuses for a government I detest, could it be possible that there appeared to be enough last week but unprecedented demand has seen stores that previously seemed acceptable diminished dangerously within a very short timeframe?
In my job I'd have been roundly criticised if one week I said there wasn't a problem and the next I had to implement emergency measures to deal with the problem I'd previously said didn't exist. I don't think I'm alone in that.

[WeeRussell]

Jacob RM’s answer to their Brexit mess is for British people to holiday in Portugal and not Spain.

My hatred for this shower of ***** is overriding my disappointment with Hibs tonight.

[wookie70]

Jacob RM’s answer to their Brexit mess is for British people to holiday in Portugal and not Spain.

My hatred for this shower of ***** is overriding my disappointment with Hibs tonight.

It isn't even a benefit though as we surely had similar before Brexit. He should have been shouted down on teh corruption point he made. Every MSP bar one voted to get rid of teh corrupt members in teh EU. His party mostly voted to change the rules when one of their own, Owen Paterson, broke almost exactly the same rules. The monotone pipe cleaner had to make it about money when the crime was all about democracy.

[Kato]

Jacob RM’s answer to their Brexit mess is for British people to holiday in Portugal and not Spain.

My hatred for this shower of ***** is overriding my disappointment with Hibs tonight.Dafty lassie in the audience telling people to eat British food and drink British wine. We grow about 60% of our own food so require imports. Food security like energy security has ignored for decades.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[Hibbyradge]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/16/traces-of-suspected-cocaine-found-after-parties-in-liz-truss-grace-and-favour-house-say-staff?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Liz Truss will be going up in some people's estimation! :hilarious

[Bostonhibby]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/16/traces-of-suspected-cocaine-found-after-parties-in-liz-truss-grace-and-favour-house-say-staff?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Liz Truss will be going up in some people's estimation! :hilarious[emoji23]

I'm sure it was her wedging the door shut in the west stand mens toilet at half time against Ross County, now we have proof positive.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[overdrive]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/16/traces-of-suspected-cocaine-found-after-parties-in-liz-truss-grace-and-favour-house-say-staff?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Liz Truss will be going up in some people's estimation! :hilarious

Explains some of the weird faces, body language and general behaviour she displayed in her short tenure.

[Bostonhibby]

Explains some of the weird faces, body language and general behaviour she displayed in her short tenure.Weird faces, body language and general behaviour?

Sounds like the Jacob Rees Mogg creature.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[hibsbollah]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/dec/16/traces-of-suspected-cocaine-found-after-parties-in-liz-truss-grace-and-favour-house-say-staff?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Liz Truss will be going up in some people's estimation! :hilarious

I’ve never taken cocaine, but I’ve been in conversation with plenty of people who have been under its influence, and without fail they all talk complete nonsense while being under the impression they are the most insightful witty and charismatic person on the planet. Which is why it’s endemic in journalism and politics.

[grunt]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FkHX8MRXwAcw4GC?format=jpg&name=medium

[wookie70]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FkHX8MRXwAcw4GC?format=jpg&name=medium
Hopefully add No Border Control to that list very soon

[grunt]

I don't know if anyone on here likes (or has even heard of) Grace Petrie.
But she's just released a rather enjoyable Christmas single*.
Look for it on YouTube and other places.

*Contains swear words.

[Stairway 2 7]

Bonuses justifiable, fair wage rises not

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64006885

Avanti West Coast rewarded with £6.5m in bonuses

[cabbageandribs1875]

Coastguard union calls on braverman to resign Coastguard union calls on Suella Braverman to ‘resign in disgrace’ after Channel deaths (msn.com) (https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/coastguard-union-calls-on-suella-braverman-to-resign-in-disgrace-after-channel-deaths/ar-AA15hcX9)

send the wicked witch to Rwanda, along with sunak

[cabbageandribs1875]

https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/319152987_459362203044693_1070554486020113334_n.jp g?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5cd70e&_nc_ohc=JtlQzb-wQJYAX-f0oiK&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-1.fna&oh=00_AfDxHmquAIu0befeQSTZ8qFX_lrnURQSkERgD2266u5x SQ&oe=63A246E0

[Hibernia&Alba]

Liar. Even Tory Kuenssberg wasn't buying it.


https://youtu.be/wKOo6tnEv0E

[Bostonhibby]

Liar. Even Tory Kuenssberg wasn't buying it.


https://youtu.be/wKOo6tnEv0EProbably just miffed that she has been separated from tame interviews with Bozo for too long

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Stairway 2 7]

Jesus. I'm still confident this evil plan won't take place, but it's not good it getting any legitimacy


Mark Easton
@BBCMarkEaston

The government's Rwanda policy is LEGAL, the High Court has ruled. But the Home Secretary has not considered the individual circumstances of those asylum seekers due to be flown to Kigali and she must consider their cases afresh. All 8 cases in the case have been set aside.

[Jack]

The government is suing a company that supplied it with personal protective equipment (PPE) for £122m plus costs.

PPE Medpro won contracts through the government's so-called VIP lane in 2020 after being recommended by Conservative peer Baroness Mone.

[Kato]

The government is suing a company that supplied it with personal protective equipment (PPE) for £122m plus costs.

PPE Medpro won contracts through the government's so-called VIP lane in 2020 after being recommended by Conservative peer Baroness Mone.Can they sue these companies givien the whole VIP Lane process was found to be illegal?

Who is going to sue the Govt?

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[Since90+2]

Jesus. I'm still confident this evil plan won't take place, but it's not good it getting any legitimacy


Mark Easton
@BBCMarkEaston

The government's Rwanda policy is LEGAL, the High Court has ruled. But the Home Secretary has not considered the individual circumstances of those asylum seekers due to be flown to Kigali and she must consider their cases afresh. All 8 cases in the case have been set aside.

What are Rwanda benefiting from this? I would imagine it's financial?

[CropleyWasGod]

What are Rwanda benefiting from this? I would imagine it's financial?

I read that it was £100k a skull.

Mark Thomas did a wee routine about it in the Fringe this year. Reckoned that Rwanda could have a good thing going.... "ok, guys, £100k for each of you so far. Let's run the whole thing again...." :greengrin

[Hibernia&Alba]

Jesus. I'm still confident this evil plan won't take place, but it's not good it getting any legitimacy


Mark Easton
@BBCMarkEaston

The government's Rwanda policy is LEGAL, the High Court has ruled. But the Home Secretary has not considered the individual circumstances of those asylum seekers due to be flown to Kigali and she must consider their cases afresh. All 8 cases in the case have been set aside.

I'm not a lawyer, but how can it be legal to break international law? Deporting people who have made a claim for asylum/refugee status directly contradicts the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.:confused:

[CropleyWasGod]

I'm not a lawyer, but how can it be legal to break international law? Deporting people who have made a claim for asylum/refugee status directly contradicts the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.:confused:

The cases currently under review have, effectively, been referred back to the Home Secretary. If she rules that they are not genuine asylum seekers, the cases will no doubt be back in Court under HR legislation.

[cabbageandribs1875]

https://scontent.fman1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/320695044_716811683197146_5389560705771393263_n.jp g?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=kl3IFO98SA0AX_M-zaZ&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCR2YVCTGE21_nTByxNo4VvnMpUOnpwfiUHmWFyRAot Ag&oe=63A6346D

[Ozyhibby]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64033838?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_link_id=289BD41E-7FEE-11ED-98ED-66D84744363C&at_medium=social&at_link_origin=BBCPolitics&at_format=link&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_type=web_link

Go back to where you came from.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Bostonhibby]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64033838?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_link_id=289BD41E-7FEE-11ED-98ED-66D84744363C&at_medium=social&at_link_origin=BBCPolitics&at_format=link&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_type=web_link

Go back to where you came from.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkEvery so often the guard slips and you see the real nasty tory within.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[hibsbollah]

Bishops in ‘preaching’ shock.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/jonathan-gullis-tory-mp-bishops-using-the-pulpit-to-preach-from_uk_63a0babbe4b03e2cc502d073/

[Bostonhibby]

Bishops in ‘preaching’ shock.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/jonathan-gullis-tory-mp-bishops-using-the-pulpit-to-preach-from_uk_63a0babbe4b03e2cc502d073/We didn't get to where we are today by having bishops preaching from pulpits.





Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Glory Lurker]

Pump them out the house of lords and legislate for secularism then, chief. Might even get my vote. If I move to wherever you're MP for

[grunt]

Some revelations from the Good Law Project today about which Tory peers, MPs, and donors referred companies to the Test & Trace VIP lane. Mone was just the tit of the iceberg.

https://goodlawproject.org/revealed-the-names-of-those-who-referred-covid-testing-firms-into-the-vip-lane/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_campaign=VIPTestandTrace211222&utm_medium=social%20media




Innova Medical landed Covid contracts valued at £4 billion via the ‘VIP’ lane after its UK partner, a company trading under the name ‘Tried & Tested’ contacted Boris Johnson’s former advisor, Dominic Cummings.


Surescreen Diagnostics landed a £500m contract after Liam Fox MP (https://goodlawproject.org/vip-test-and-trace-surescreen/)referred the firm to Matt Hancock – Surescreen subsequently donated £20,000 to Liam Fox.


Matt Hancock assisted Ecolog International onto the ‘VIP’ lane after being contacted by Genix Healthcare – a company that has donated (http://search.electoralcommission.org.uk/?currentPage=2&rows=10&query=genix&sort=AcceptedDate&order=desc&tab=1&et=pp&et=ppm&et=tp&et=perpar&et=rd&isIrishSourceYes=true&isIrishSourceNo=true&prePoll=false&postPoll=true&register=gb&register=ni&register=none&optCols=Register&optCols=CampaigningName&optCols=AccountingUnitsAsCentralParty&optCols=IsSponsorship&optCols=IsIrishSource&optCols=RegulatedDoneeType&optCols=CompanyRegistrationNumber&optCols=Postcode&optCols=NatureOfDonation&optCols=PurposeOfVisit&optCols=DonationAction&optCols=ReportedDate&optCols=IsReportedPrePoll&optCols=ReportingPeriodName&optCols=IsBequest&optCols=IsAggregation)£156,000 to the Conservative Party. Hancock’s Department paid Ecolog £38m (https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/0db50ff2-29d4-4ace-a48b-d008a1a1058e?origin=SearchResults&p=1) in 2021, after the Government decided not to proceed with previously contracted Covid work.


Conservative Peer Lord Prior introduced a company called LumiraDx (https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/notice/e74709b1-7534-4501-bf85-30c97637b6e7?origin=SearchResults&p=1) to Lord Bethell. The firm was awarded Covid contracts worth over £45 million.


Lord Bethell referred a company called Optigne Ltd after being contacted by a Cabinet Office official – Optigene were subsequently awarded a £322m contract, leading to a 1221% (https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/06465874/filing-history) increase in profits to £41m.


Another Conservative Peer, Lord Lansley, introduced a company called Accoro onto the ‘VIP’ lane.


Only Conservative Party Peers, MPs and donors appear to be named as referrers – no politician from any other political party succeeded in referring suppliers onto the Covid testing VIP lane.

[grunt]

I know that I tend to post a lot about how the Tory Govt is awful, but every now and then it all just gets too much.
Sometimes I think when I focus too much on individual issues I tend to miss the bigger picture.
As we approach Christmas and the turn of the year, it's a time of reflection.

And all I see around me in the country is chaos.

There seems to be nothing working properly, the economy is tanking, public sector workers are struggling to get by, it's impossible for businesses to export to the EU, no one can migrate to the UK even though we are desperately short of workers in every sector. Trains don't work, everyone is ill, prices are going through the roof, the cost of energy is eye watering.

Everywhere you turn this Tory Govt has screwed things up. Every time there's a decision to be made they make the wrong one.

The UK needs a general election now, and Scotland needs to get away from this dreadful English government in Westminster.

We are in big trouble.

[Kato]

I know that I tend to post a lot about how the Tory Govt is awful, but every now and then it all just gets too much.
Sometimes I think when I focus too much on individual issues I tend to miss the bigger picture.
As we approach Christmas and the turn of the year, it's a time of reflection.

And all I see around me in the country is chaos.

There seems to be nothing working properly, the economy is tanking, public sector workers are struggling to get by, it's impossible for businesses to export to the EU, no one can migrate to the UK even though we are desperately short of workers in every sector. Trains don't work, everyone is ill, prices are going through the roof, the cost of energy is eye watering.

Everywhere you turn this Tory Govt has screwed things up. Every time there's a decision to be made they make the wrong one.

The UK needs a general election now, and Scotland needs to get away from this dreadful English government in Westminster.

We are in big trouble.Aye, but Harry and Meghan though.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[Smartie]

I know that I tend to post a lot about how the Tory Govt is awful, but every now and then it all just gets too much.
Sometimes I think when I focus too much on individual issues I tend to miss the bigger picture.
As we approach Christmas and the turn of the year, it's a time of reflection.

And all I see around me in the country is chaos.

There seems to be nothing working properly, the economy is tanking, public sector workers are struggling to get by, it's impossible for businesses to export to the EU, no one can migrate to the UK even though we are desperately short of workers in every sector. Trains don't work, everyone is ill, prices are going through the roof, the cost of energy is eye watering.

Everywhere you turn this Tory Govt has screwed things up. Every time there's a decision to be made they make the wrong one.

The UK needs a general election now, and Scotland needs to get away from this dreadful English government in Westminster.

We are in big trouble.

I wouldn’t argue with a word of this but I think we’ve just got to accept that a far greater proportion of the UK electorate think like Jeremy Clarkson than like us.

As Alastair Jack has instructed, we’ve just got to “suck it up”.

[wookie70]

I know that I tend to post a lot about how the Tory Govt is awful, but every now and then it all just gets too much.
Sometimes I think when I focus too much on individual issues I tend to miss the bigger picture.
As we approach Christmas and the turn of the year, it's a time of reflection.

And all I see around me in the country is chaos.

There seems to be nothing working properly, the economy is tanking, public sector workers are struggling to get by, it's impossible for businesses to export to the EU, no one can migrate to the UK even though we are desperately short of workers in every sector. Trains don't work, everyone is ill, prices are going through the roof, the cost of energy is eye watering.

Everywhere you turn this Tory Govt has screwed things up. Every time there's a decision to be made they make the wrong one.

The UK needs a general election now, and Scotland needs to get away from this dreadful English government in Westminster.

We are in big trouble.

I really wonder where we would have been if Corbyn had got a workable majority. No chance would the normal working person be anywhere near as crippled by teh cost of living crisis. Working People would have been able to see that when you share wealth there is plenty to go round. Barring a pandemic the rest has been entirely predictable. We have been Governed by Liars, crooks and charlatans who I once thought only had one interest and that was looking after them and theirs. I'm beginning to think it goes even further now and they actively want to punish those well off and destroy any social safety nets not for money but for the pleasure they get in watching others suffer at their hand.

[OldEast]

I wouldn’t argue with a word of this but I think we’ve just got to accept that a far greater proportion of the UK electorate think like Jeremy Clarkson than like us.

As Alastair Jack has instructed, we’ve just got to “suck it up”.

Exactly. The voters are at fault for every ill over the past 12 years as they continue to support this shower of freeloaders.

Oh but Corbyn
Oh but Sturgeon
Money doesn't grow on trees
Illegals stealing our jobs
Look after our own first (whilst nobody in power cares)

The UK deserves every piece of misery thrown at it by our tory masters because we actively support it.
For those who believe Labour will win the next GE, enjoy those 5 years as the MSM will persuade the gullible the tories are the only party to sort out the supposed mess Labour have made, and on and on and on for most of our lifetimes.
What a depressing **** of a country.

[JeMeSouviens]

Some revelations from the Good Law Project today about which Tory peers, MPs, and donors referred companies to the Test & Trace VIP lane. Mone was just the tit of the iceberg.


Freudian slip? Clever pun?

[grunt]

Freudian slip? Clever pun?
You decide. :rolleyes:

[Stairway 2 7]

Very good thread on the grimm results of tory power

https://mobile.twitter.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1606223922474627073

[hibsbollah]

Very good thread on the grimm results of tory power

https://mobile.twitter.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1606223922474627073

He could make a similar thread about the railways. And privatised water utilities. Post office. Everywhere you look the family silver is being flogged off and profits are being funnelled from the ‘public’ sector to the rich. And it’s getting harder and harder to see the justification for the taxes we pay. Public services are failing. The Tory party horrifies me.

[grunt]

The Tory party horrifies me.
Me too.

[Bostonhibby]

They're not all bad[emoji849]

Here's a top tip

https://twitter.com/snb19692/status/1605870327875108866?t=X3hM3SerLlsrJRkmMmS4CA&s=08

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Glory Lurker]

They're not all bad[emoji849]

Here's a top tip

https://twitter.com/snb19692/status/1605870327875108866?t=X3hM3SerLlsrJRkmMmS4CA&s=08

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

That is staggering! They simply do not give a single monkey.

[JimBHibees]

Exactly. The voters are at fault for every ill over the past 12 years as they continue to support this shower of freeloaders.

Oh but Corbyn
Oh but Sturgeon
Money doesn't grow on trees
Illegals stealing our jobs
Look after our own first (whilst nobody in power cares)

The UK deserves every piece of misery thrown at it by our tory masters because we actively support it.
For those who believe Labour will win the next GE, enjoy those 5 years as the MSM will persuade the gullible the tories are the only party to sort out the supposed mess Labour have made, and on and on and on for most of our lifetimes.
What a depressing **** of a country.

Absolutely depressing as.

[Bostonhibby]

That is staggering! They simply do not give a single monkey.As one reply said, they are laughing at us, and we are paying them for doing it.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Jack]

As one reply said, they are laughing at us, and we are paying them for doing it.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

We're not so much paying them as they are helping themselves to the country's money.

[Bostonhibby]

We're not so much paying them as they are helping themselves to the country's money.[emoji106]

I think you'll find it's both now that we have VIP fast lanes and secret use of personal email accounts to minimise or eliminate scrutiny.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[CropleyWasGod]

This is nice.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/priti-patel-christmas-card-rwanda-deportations-fairy-b2248865.html

[grunt]

This is nice.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/priti-patel-christmas-card-rwanda-deportations-fairy-b2248865.htmlIn case you don't want to click on CWG's link, here's Priti Patel's official Christmas card. The Tories are indeed laughing at us.

https://images.lbc.co.uk/images/548766?crop=16_9&width=660&relax=1&signature=34hBplFTrjKHXUnXVubzsaz5jW0=

[JimBHibees]

BBC news Sunak serving food in a homeless shelter. Wtaf. Utterly Shameless and despicable

[Kato]

Exactly. The voters are at fault for every ill over the past 12 years as they continue to support this shower of freeloaders.

Oh but Corbyn
Oh but Sturgeon
Money doesn't grow on trees
Illegals stealing our jobs
Look after our own first (whilst nobody in power cares)

The UK deserves every piece of misery thrown at it by our tory masters because we actively support it.
For those who believe Labour will win the next GE, enjoy those 5 years as the MSM will persuade the gullible the tories are the only party to sort out the supposed mess Labour have made, and on and on and on for most of our lifetimes.
What a depressing **** of a country.Is this the "sunlit uplands" we were promised?

Anyone who lived through the 80's and saw what the tories did back then should know that party was taken down a pretty dark route.

How anyone who saw that , outwith the uber rich, could then vote for people who proclaimed themselves as "Thatcher's children" is beyond me.

It doesn't matter what they say the end result is always the same.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[Bostonhibby]

BBC news Sunak serving food in a homeless shelter. Wtaf. Utterly Shameless and despicableManaged photo opp for the weekend news.

Truss in a tank, sunak in a shelter, Bozo in Ukraine, or was it a freezer?

All trying to appear statesperson like.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Just Alf]

Managed photo opp for the weekend news.

Truss in a tank, sunak in a shelter, Bozo in Ukraine, or was it a freezer?

All trying to appear statesperson like.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using TapatalkProblem is, it seems to work....

[OldEast]

Is this the "sunlit uplands" we were promised?

Anyone who lived through the 80's and saw what the tories did back then should know that party was taken down a pretty dark route.

How anyone who saw that , outwith the uber rich, could then vote for people who proclaimed themselves as "Thatcher's children" is beyond me.

It doesn't matter what they say the end result is always the same.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

It's one of life's great mysteries. A nation, not sleepwalking but actively repeatedly marching towards financial pain, housing crises where their sons and daughters can't get on the ladder and are crippled by high rents, the ongoing attacks on the NHS, austerity, one government scandal after another..........

[Jack]

BBC news Sunak serving food in a homeless shelter. Wtaf. Utterly Shameless and despicable

Shameless indeed. Apart from lining the pockets over their friends and donors the only huge increase has been in foodbanks and the invention of warmbanks!

[Bostonhibby]

Shameless indeed. Apart from lining the pockets over their friends and donors the only huge increase has been in foodbanks and the invention of warmbanks!It's a pity Bozo is off making a fast buck rather than leading the world again, he'd have unashamedly proclaimed them world beating foodbanks and claimed warmbanks as a unique UK invention and another Brexit benefit.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Stairway 2 7]

Up to 500 people are dying a week due to large waits at ae, around 15,000 in the last 6 months. Put that on the side of a bus tory ****

https://mobile.twitter.com/ActuaryByDay/status/1606596973972574208

[Bostonhibby]

Up to 500 people are dying a week due to large waits at ae, around 15,000 in the last 6 months. Put that on the side of a bus tory ****

https://mobile.twitter.com/ActuaryByDay/status/1606596973972574208They really don't care, very few of the Nasty party elite, donators and chums will rely on what's left of our NHS.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Kato]

They really don't care, very few of the Nasty party elite, donators and chums will rely on what's left of our NHS.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using TapatalkIt's not only that they don't care, it's deliberate. Any fatalities or lives ruined due to their policies, the results of which will be known to them, really are water off a ducks back. The end is everything to them, whatever the means.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[Bostonhibby]

It's not only that they don't care, it's deliberate. Any fatalities or lives ruined due to their policies, the results of which will be known to them, really are water off a ducks back. The end is everything to them, whatever the means.

Sent from my SM-A528B using TapatalkThe end being, in my opinion, the sort of system the United States have, you know, the one Sunak was apparently over there discussing when he was chancellor, run by the type of people who were recently paying Bozo hundreds of thousands to share his expertise with them

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Ozyhibby]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221225/a4bb10d9651bb048e3b04bae6d795eb1.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Hibrandenburg]

Utterly bizarre video of Sunak serving breakfast at a food shelter asking a homeless man if he's in business. How detached from reality are these morons?

[wookie70]

Utterly bizarre video of Sunak serving breakfast at a food shelter asking a homeless man if he's in business. How detached from reality are these morons?

That is utterly bizarre. The homeless guy is clearly saying WTF in his head and must think he is talking to a suited lunatic. Will we ever get a PM that actually knows how to talk to normal people. It seems not

[Hibrandenburg]

That is utterly bizarre. The homeless guy is clearly saying WTF in his head and must think he is talking to a suited lunatic. Will we ever get a PM that actually knows how to talk to normal people. It seems not

The nearest we have is our FM.

[wookie70]

The nearest we have is our FM. Unfortunately, she has fairly minimal influence on our lives compared to the the long list of narcissistic puppets that make the rules on the behalf of those who employ them.

[davy67 +]

Utterly bizarre video of Sunak serving breakfast at a food shelter asking a homeless man if he's in business. How detached from reality are these morons?

Its fairly obvious that he plainly isn't listening to a word the guy is saying. He's just giving a load of pre-programmed responses , whoever thought that this would be a good idea seriously misjudged The Prime Minister's ability to communicate with people in the real world after all he's a guy who boasted about not having any working class friends

[Jack]

Utterly bizarre video of Sunak serving breakfast at a food shelter asking a homeless man if he's in business. How detached from reality are these morons?

I might be wrong here (maybe) but I've been thinking for a while Sunak has been keeping a very low profile for a PM.

I'm thinking the torys are now thinking the less media coverage they get the fewer gaffs they'll make.

Sunak does one high profile media opportunity with the plebs and doh! ... he's mucked up and the public get another example of how far away these grifters are removed from reality.

[Glory Lurker]

But Milliband made an arse of a sandwich....

[Colr]

The cabinet position of Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, most recently held by Rees-Mogg to no noticeable effect has been vacant for nearly 4 months.

[wookie70]

The cabinet position of Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, most recently held by Rees-Mogg to no noticeable effect has been vacant for nearly 4 months. I suspect it is as useful vacant as it was filled

[Hibrandenburg]

I might be wrong here (maybe) but I've been thinking for a while Sunak has been keeping a very low profile for a PM.

I'm thinking the torys are now thinking the less media coverage they get the fewer gaffs they'll make.

Sunak does one high profile media opportunity with the plebs and doh! ... he's mucked up and the public get another example of how far away these grifters are removed from reality.:faf:https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221226/6b8a1c6f91933860b0d423163cfac8ac.jpg

Sent from my SM-A505FN using Tapatalk

[Colr]

I suspect it is as useful vacant as it was filled

They might be ready to announce that the superannuated, nanny fixated, pin headed stick insect had identified ALL the Brexit opportunities. That is, **** all!!

[cabbageandribs1875]

https://scontent.fman1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/321060694_748555573459442_2212069254868339317_n.jp g?_nc_cat=101&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=730e14&_nc_ohc=SK1OMG5WUacAX966atY&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-2.fna&oh=00_AfD8hZYDXADNbEtzniljFaFG3JHWUkawhlVf7uFtHOnN Gg&oe=63B05DC5

:agree:

[Callum_62]

https://twitter.com/CounsellingSam/status/1607723339434561538?t=MKhWEtRCOH80Gl_eLyR_wg&s=19

Seems fair

Some government we have

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[Ozyhibby]

https://twitter.com/CounsellingSam/status/1607723339434561538?t=MKhWEtRCOH80Gl_eLyR_wg&s=19

Seems fair

Some government we have

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

Can’t be right, I read on here that the Tories will be the party of women’s rights.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[grunt]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FlAyNBGXgAA2B8B?format=jpg&name=medium

[Stairway 2 7]

A simple graph on why the tories are finished for generations. Millennials aren't turning right wing as they age, unlike every other generation

https://mobile.twitter.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1608746369505976323

[grunt]

A simple graph on why the tories are finished for generations. Millennials aren't turning right wing as they age, unlike every other generation.
He's very good. Here's a graph that shows how we are worse off now in terms of real wages than we were in 2010. Thank you Tories.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FkoQRQvWIAU01OE?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[grunt]

And here's one about the lack of capital investment into the NHS under Tory Governments:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FkoKD3XWIAEFrSI?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[grunt]

Technically speaking, the NHS budget was protected from the cuts, but with a rapidly ageing and ailing population, merely maintaining health spend has been proven insufficient.Where Britain’s peers continued to grow health spending as a share of GDP, here it steadily declined.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FkoFkBmWQAAabOx?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[grunt]

Maybe this should be in the NHS thread ...


One very immediate result has been the squeeze on NHS staff pay.

Here’s what happened to nurses’ pay under Labour and Tory governments since 1997.

Nurses’ real-terms pay is now 12% below what it was on the eve of the 2010 election.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FkoHcz4XwAQ8U8Y?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

[James310]

Maybe this should be in the NHS thread ...



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FkoHcz4XwAQ8U8Y?format=jpg&name=4096x4096

Is this the English NHS or the Scottish NHS?

You do know the Scottish NHS is separate so it's the NHS in England you are concerned about?

http://www.ournhsscotland.com/our-nhs/nhsscotland-how-it-works

Responsibility for the National Health Services in Scotland is a devolved matter and therefore rests with the Scottish Government. Legislation about the NHS is made by the Scottish Parliament. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has ministerial responsibility in the Scottish Cabinet for the NHS in Scotland.

The Scottish Government decides what resources are to be devoted to the NHS, in the context of devolved public expenditure. Of approximately £34.7 billion controlled by the Scottish Government, around £11.9 billion is spent on health*.

The Scottish Government sets national objectives and priorities for the NHS, signs delivery plans with each NHS Board and Special NHS Board, monitors performance, and supports Boards to ensure achievement of these key objectives.

[grunt]

You do know the Scottish NHS is separate so it's the NHS in England you are concerned about?
I have to say your replies are getting very aggressive these days. Can I suggest that you try to calm down a little? It can't be good for you to be so angry all the time.

It's a post in the "Tories are liars" thread, hence it's a post about the Tories in England. They don't run the Scottish NHS, thank goodness.

[grunt]

Here's Health Minister Steve Barclay doing a piece to camera about ambulance handover delays after a visit to a hospital ... that has no A&E department therefore no emergency patients in ambulances. Is he a liar? You decide.

https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1608488104519663618?s=20&t=7nwyueD60RuJ0rdRIvCsNw

[James310]

I have to say your replies are getting very aggressive these days. Can I suggest that you try to calm down a little? It can't be good for you to be so angry all the time.

It's a post in the "Tories are liars" thread, hence it's a post about the Tories in England. They don't run the Scottish NHS, thank goodness.

I will make no apologies on the other thread to challenge views that state only people that support Independence are Scottish, that should be aggressively challenged and I would hope make most reasonable people angry. If you are cool with that kind of view so be it. Looks like the majority agreed with me as well.

I am just curious why so much attention is given to the English NHS but nothing really about the Scottish NHS, but crack on.

[Jack]

Here's Health Minister Steve Barclay doing a piece to camera about ambulance handover delays after a visit to a hospital ... that has no A&E department therefore no emergency patients in ambulances. Is he a liar? You decide.

https://twitter.com/DHSCgovuk/status/1608488104519663618?s=20&t=7nwyueD60RuJ0rdRIvCsNw

He's a tory.

Having said that I've always thought there should be a half way house where patients can go that need a much lower level of care than they do in hospitals. Other countries do convalescent hospitals, no reason we couldn't do it as the norm.

I've also thought that A&E should be a different department and well away from ambulance reception.

[Ozyhibby]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64158179?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_origin=BBCNews&at_link_type=web_link&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_format=link&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_medium=social&at_link_id=D7E2D214-8BB6-11ED-952C-E08C4744363C

IMO this is a dumb idea anyway but it’s also undeliverable. They are short of maths teachers as it is.
Thankfully it won’t affect Scotland.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jack]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64158179?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_origin=BBCNews&at_link_type=web_link&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_format=link&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_medium=social&at_link_id=D7E2D214-8BB6-11ED-952C-E08C4744363C

IMO this is a dumb idea anyway but it’s also undeliverable. They are short of maths teachers as it is.
Thankfully it won’t affect Scotland.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There will be no intention of introducing this. Its a deflection from all the woes the torys are inflicting on us.

[grunt]

Article about the amazing Liz Truss

https://unherd.com/2023/01/liz-truss-still-haunts-the-tories/


The Truss premiership crowned perhaps the most chaotic year in Conservative history: a year of three Prime Ministers, four Chancellors of the Exchequer, three Home Secretaries, four Health Secretaries and five Education Secretaries. Ministers cascaded through government like some dystopian vision of the Twelve Days of Christmas. That some of them were the same people, winking in and out of office like a faulty dash light, added to the sense of drawing-room farce. It was the year of Partygate, Pinchergate and Tractorporn, in which one prime minister was “ambushed by a cake” and another mugged by the financial markets; a year in which, as a Victorian Home Secretary lamented, “the crisis of one day is obliterated by the catastrophe of the next”.


Truss was the product, not the source, of her party’s problems. She embodied a Conservatism that embraced creative destruction, that was dismissive of caution and contemptuous of institutions, that prized ideology over experience and regarded opposing voices as heresies to be burned out; a Conservatism that had ceded power to irresponsible think-tanks, contrarian newspaper columnists and a dwindling party membership that nobody has elected.

[grunt]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64158179?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_origin=BBCNews&at_link_type=web_link&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_format=link&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_medium=social&at_link_id=D7E2D214-8BB6-11ED-952C-E08C4744363C

IMO this is a dumb idea anyway but it’s also undeliverable. They are short of maths teachers as it is.
Thankfully it won’t affect Scotland.
Joined up Tory Government thinking. Last year Rishi Sunak's Government actually *reduced* its target for training new maths teachers by 27%.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FlnxzFPWYAAGUNC?format=jpg&name=medium

[Stairway 2 7]

There will be no intention of introducing this. Its a deflection from all the woes the torys are inflicting on us.

Yep deliberate distraction fed to the papers. Never going to happen but as long as we talk about it and not brexit or strikes ect, then job done

[danhibees1875]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-64158179?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Bbbc.news.twitter%5D-%5Bheadline%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_origin=BBCNews&at_link_type=web_link&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_format=link&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_medium=social&at_link_id=D7E2D214-8BB6-11ED-952C-E08C4744363C

IMO this is a dumb idea anyway but it’s also undeliverable. They are short of maths teachers as it is.
Thankfully it won’t affect Scotland.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My recollection of maths at school is that it becomes relatively abstract quite quickly. I left school at 17, stopped learning maths at 16, and still learned years worth of maths with no practical use. It was all learned just to show I could learn it to pass an exam rather than to enhance my life going forward.


I've no idea how this idea gets to the fore of their thinking ahead of introducing teaching of simple life skills around financial literacy - budgeting, savings and interest, debt and interest, investing, etc.

[Kato]

My recollection of maths at school is that it becomes relatively abstract quite quickly. I left school at 17, stopped learning maths at 16, and still learned years worth of maths with no practical use. It was all learned just to show I could learn it to pass an exam rather than to enhance my life going forward.


I've no idea how this idea gets to the fore of their thinking ahead of introducing teaching of simple life skills around financial literacy - budgeting, savings and interest, debt and interest, investing, etc.No chance the Torys will invoke teaching the latter. Don't want any oiks understanding what happens on what they see as their patch.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[Smartie]

My recollection of maths at school is that it becomes relatively abstract quite quickly. I left school at 17, stopped learning maths at 16, and still learned years worth of maths with no practical use. It was all learned just to show I could learn it to pass an exam rather than to enhance my life going forward.


I've no idea how this idea gets to the fore of their thinking ahead of introducing teaching of simple life skills around financial literacy - budgeting, savings and interest, debt and interest, investing, etc.

Yeah, it's utter pish.

I was quite good at "maths" at school, until it became proper maths. Mental arithmetic I've always been able to do quite effortlessly but I'm assuming people fall away from maths in their later teens when it becomes more about trigonometry, calculus and the like, rather than basic numeracy. I'm not sure how Sunak's suggestion would improve "basic numeracy". Surely it would be better to have some sort of safety net to help struggling folk at primary school level, when people seem to separate into "good at maths" and "can't do maths" subsets?

It's interesting that you mention financial literacy. I was decent academically but an absolute car crash of a human being when it came to the things you mention and I always regret it. Not sure whether it's impulsive and careless character traits, complacency about positive future career prospects or parenting that focused on different priorities that led me to being how I am but helping ensure my daughter understands financial basics better than I did until recently is something I take very seriously as a parent.

It does feel like there should be something formal at school to help people with these basic skills though, and I could only imagine that being of huge benefit to society.

[GlesgaeHibby]

Joined up Tory Government thinking. Last year Rishi Sunak's Government actually *reduced* its target for training new maths teachers by 27%.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FlnxzFPWYAAGUNC?format=jpg&name=medium

Manipulating the figures by reducing the quota due to the shortfall of applicants. Some of the most recent numbers for percentage of teacher training places filled in England are frightening. Maths fell way short, but Physics was only at around 17% of the target iirc.

There are huge problems coming down the line (and we won't be immune in Scotland) unless the Tories address pay and working conditions for teachers (also applies to NHS, Civil Service etc.). It's amazing the amount of people that say teaching is easy, well paid and comes with lots of holidays. If it was such an easy job, and the pay and benefits were as great as made out why on earth are there major issues in recruiting and retaining teachers?

[wookie70]

Manipulating the figures by reducing the quota due to the shortfall of applicants. Some of the most recent numbers for percentage of teacher training places filled in England are frightening. Maths fell way short, but Physics was only at around 17% of the target iirc.

There are huge problems coming down the line (and we won't be immune in Scotland) unless the Tories address pay and working conditions for teachers (also applies to NHS, Civil Service etc.). It's amazing the amount of people that say teaching is easy, well paid and comes with lots of holidays. If it was such an easy job, and the pay and benefits were as great as made out why on earth are there major issues in recruiting and retaining teachers?

Any tough jobs in Public Service will start to struggle to recruit candidates. Why would anyone want to enter Public Service when for 2/3rds of more of your working life you will have a employer who hates and demonises you. The amount being spent on IT contingent workers is terrifying too considering the minimal value they seem to add. It pays to fail if you are in IT Private Sector from what I can see.

[Ozyhibby]

If you are forcing kids to do maths till 18 but allowing them to leave school at 16, is there a chance that forcing kids who hate maths into doing it will make them leave school altogether?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mibbes Aye]

If you are forcing kids to do maths till 18 but allowing them to leave school at 16, is there a chance that forcing kids who hate maths into doing it will make them leave school altogether?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

An extra two years' maths is a great idea, essential even.

Teach them quantum mathematics so they can work out how old they will be when they can finally afford to buy their first home.

[ardecos]

When I was at school maths and arithmetic were separate up to 'O' grade, with arithmetic obviously being more practical. Is there still something similar?

[Santa Cruz]

When I was at school maths and arithmetic were separate up to 'O' grade, with arithmetic obviously being more practical. Is there still something similar?

No, not anymore in Scotland it's just one Maths subject, no idea about England. It was the same when I was at school, it seemed people who took maths had a better grasp of the subject.

[Santa Cruz]

My recollection of maths at school is that it becomes relatively abstract quite quickly. I left school at 17, stopped learning maths at 16, and still learned years worth of maths with no practical use. It was all learned just to show I could learn it to pass an exam rather than to enhance my life going forward.


I've no idea how this idea gets to the fore of their thinking ahead of introducing teaching of simple life skills around financial literacy - budgeting, savings and interest, debt and interest, investing, etc.

Your last para, just asked my Daughter. Some aspects are covered in PSE not Maths.

[hibsbollah]

Still no sign of any Mone related charges being brought. Does the DPP even do anything anymore, or do they have insufficient staff like any other government department these days?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/04/ppe-medpro-uk-government-alleges-firm-supplied-defective-gowns-nhs

[danhibees1875]

Your last para, just asked my Daughter. Some aspects are covered in PSE not Maths.

To clarify, I didn't expect those things to be covered in maths but rather in a subject like PSE.

It's good that it seems to be happening then, I don't think it was when I was at school. :aok:

[Bostonhibby]

Still no sign of any Mone related charges being brought. Does the DPP even do anything anymore, or do they have insufficient staff like any other government department these days?

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/04/ppe-medpro-uk-government-alleges-firm-supplied-defective-gowns-nhsIm amazed the nasties have allowed an investigation into one of their own to get even this far.

I think it will remain in the long grass for a very very long time before some type of closure short of anyone going to jail comes about and with very little of the Ill gotten gains coming back to the public purse.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Kato]

https://twitter.com/BestForBritain/status/1610645324233670657?t=KEpmwh0GKGcn48QTeWgCsQ&s=09

Sunaks 5 promises which "everyone wants".

All the gravitas of a viennese whirl.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[grunt]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FlsIU9mXwAA54nv?format=jpg&name=medium

[grunt]

Im amazed the nasties have allowed an investigation into one of their own to get even this far.
She's not really one of their own, though, is she? Born in the East End of Glasgow, she never went to the right schools to really be a part of that crowd. Cameron gave her the peerage as reward for her anti-independence work in 2014.

[Bostonhibby]

She's not really one of their own, though, is she? Born in the East End of Glasgow, she never went to the right schools to really be a part of that crowd. Cameron gave her the peerage as reward for her anti-independence work in 2014.Tory appointed peer whose family donate to the Tory party, definitely had access to Lord Deighton's fast track PPE gravy train which seems to have been almost exclusively for the benefit of connected donors, party supporters and their friends.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[McSwanky]

She's not really one of their own, though, is she? Born in the East End of Glasgow, she never went to the right schools to really be a part of that crowd. Cameron gave her the peerage as reward for her anti-independence work in 2014.

If she can be thrown under the bus without the fallout affecting anyone higher up the food chain, she will be. Reap what you sow I suppose.

[grunt]

Tory appointed peer who definitely had access to Lord Deighton's fast track PPE gravy train which seems to have been almost exclusively for the benefit of connected donors, party supporters and their friends.
I don't for a second dispute that she was in on the PPE gravy train. I'm just saying she's not part of the Tory in crowd who all went to the same schools and who marry each other's siblings. That's all. As we are seeing with the DHSC investigation, she now appears to be expendable.

[Bostonhibby]

I don't for a second dispute that she was in on the PPE gravy train. I'm just saying she's not part of the Tory in crowd who all went to the same schools and who marry each other's siblings. That's all. As we are seeing with the DHSC investigation, she now appears to be expendable.[emoji106]

I dont think I said she went to the same school as the in crowd etc either, many of the nasties didn't, I give you the much honoured Gavin Williamson as an example.

I'm comfortable in calling the Conservative peer and donator who also had the conservative whip and aggressively sought backdoor access to the trough that was PPE, one of their own, behaves like one.

Not likely she belongs to or would be so happily embraced by any other party.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[hibsbollah]

Im amazed the nasties have allowed an investigation into one of their own to get even this far.

I think it will remain in the long grass for a very very long time before some type of closure short of anyone going to jail comes about and with very little of the Ill gotten gains coming back to the public purse.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

It’s the attorney general, a Tory political appointee (who is nominally apolitical but these days that probably means nothing) who actually oversees the DPPs decisions. So I suppose if pressure is applied by her then Mone could potentially remain unscathed, especially since The Guardian seems to be the only source really getting their knickers in a twist over it.

[Bostonhibby]

It’s the attorney general, a Tory political appointee (who is nominally apolitical but these days that probably means nothing) who actually oversees the DPPs decisions. So I suppose if pressure is applied by her then Mone could potentially remain unscathed, especially since The Guardian seems to be the only source really getting their knickers in a twist over it.

Could you imagine the media coverage if she wasn't a tory appointment?

There's a considerable number of snouts who have been in the trough keeping a close eye on this one and who will either see it as one sacrificial lamb - who,it has been correctly pointed out isn't from the right school / family background - or will pull all the strings they can to deflect from this scandal and ultimately make it go away.

Rats in a sack is an oft used description

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[hibsbollah]

https://twitter.com/BestForBritain/status/1610645324233670657?t=KEpmwh0GKGcn48QTeWgCsQ&s=09

Sunaks 5 promises which "everyone wants".

All the gravitas of a viennese whirl.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

Susie Dents Word of the Day today is ‘sparple’, 13th century;’ to deflect attention from one thing to make a big deal of something else entirely’.

This is what Rishis up to with the Five Promises.

[Smartie]

I'm with Simon Pegg on the maths issue.

[Kato]

I'm with Simon Pegg on the maths issue.+1

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[grunt]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FltMWtiXEAAs0L1?format=jpg&name=medium

[grunt]

https://t.co/dgE067KncF


“The criminal justice system is "about to crack" with a record number of trials being aborted at the last minute because no one is available to prosecute them, the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) has warned.”

[J-C]

When I was at school maths and arithmetic were separate up to 'O' grade, with arithmetic obviously being more practical. Is there still something similar?

I was the same, I've said for years that maths should be treated as a science subject, many kids struggle with maths, basic arithmetic should be tge mainstay subject so kids can get through life.

[James310]

https://t.co/dgE067KncF

It's the same in Scotland as well unfortunately.

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/20220395.scotlands-entire-criminal-justice-system-brink-collapse/

SCOTLAND'S biggest criminal defence lawyer group has warned that the entire criminal justice system is "in imminent danger of collapse" because of an impasse on legal aid payments which has led to a mass boycott of the duty solicitor scheme.

[grunt]

It's the same in Scotland as well unfortunately.
So it would seem. At least the SG seems to be in talks with the lawyers, who appear (according to the article) to have turned down a 18% increase in legal aid fees.

[grunt]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/jan/06/suella-bravermann-plans-to-ditch-key-windrush-pledges?CMP=share_btn_tw


Suella Braverman is planning to abandon several of the key commitments made in the wake of the Windrush scandal as the UK government prepares to implement hardline promises to fast-track the detention and removal of migrants.

Sources told the Guardian that the home secretary has dropped a pledge to create the post of a migrants’ commissioner, who was due to be responsible for speaking up for migrants and for identifying systemic problems within the UK immigration system.

Another promise to increase the powers of the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration (ICIBI) has also been abandoned, as work on the post-Windrush reform programme is downgraded.

The recommendations were accepted three years ago by the government after a formal inquiry by Wendy Williams examined the scandal under which the Home Office erroneously classified legal residents, many of whom arrived from Caribbean countries as children in the 1950s and 60s, as immigrants living in the UK illegally.

[James310]

So it would seem. At least the SG seems to be in talks with the lawyers, who appear (according to the article) to have turned down a 18% increase in legal aid fees.

This is probably why.

"A single summary legal aid case with one deferred sentence attracted a fee of £550 in 1999 and just 76p more 23 years later"

[greenginger]

W
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FltMWtiXEAAs0L1?format=jpg&name=medium

Would gas prices have remained stable under another government ? No chance

Bank interest rates were almost continuously higher during the 13 years of Blair/ Brown than they are today , so mortgages would have been more expensive.

The biggest hit to pension funds was the taxation on dividends to company pension funds introduced by the Blair government in 1997.

[grunt]

Would gas prices have remained stable under another government ? No chance

Bank interest rates were almost continuously higher during the 13 years of Blair/ Brown than they are today , so mortgages would have been more expensive.

The biggest hit to pension funds was the taxation on dividends to company pension funds introduced by the Blair government in 1997.:greengrin

[Moulin Yarns]

W

Would gas prices have remained stable under another government ? No chance

Bank interest rates were almost continuously higher during the 13 years of Blair/ Brown than they are today , so mortgages would have been more expensive.

The biggest hit to pension funds was the taxation on dividends to company pension funds introduced by the Blair government in 1997.

1997 interest rates around 6.5%
2007 interest rates around 5.5%

Highest during that time was 7.5%

The 10 years of the Blair government

Would you care to check the facts?

[Stairway 2 7]

1997 interest rates around 6.5%
2007 interest rates around 5.5%

Highest during that time was 7.5%

The 10 years of the Blair government

Would you care to check the facts?

It's 3.5% now

[greenginger]

T
1997 interest rates around 6.5%
2007 interest rates around 5.5%

Highest during that time was 7.5%

The 10 years of the Blair government

Would you care to check the facts?

That would be the the fact the interest rates have been lower during the last 13 years of Tory Government than at almost any time of the Blair / Brown Government.

Would you care to check the facts ? :greengrin

[Glory Lurker]

Interest rates are only lower now because of the financial crash.

[James310]

1997 interest rates around 6.5%
2007 interest rates around 5.5%

Highest during that time was 7.5%

The 10 years of the Blair government

Would you care to check the facts?

Base rate was 0.10% a few years ago.

Maybe you need to look at your facts?

[Glory Lurker]

Base rate was 0.10% a few years ago.

Maybe you need to look at your facts?

And that was a reaction to the financial crash. Nothing to do with anyone's governance.

[James310]

And that was a reaction to the financial crash. Nothing to do with anyone's governance.

The crash was in 2008, the rate of 0.10% was in 2020.

I am not saying it was due to good governance but the suggestion was made a poster needed to check their facts, the facts are rates have been the lowest they have been in the last decade.

[Glory Lurker]

The crash was in 2008, the rate of 0.10% was in 2020.

I am not saying it was due to good governance but the suggestion was made a poster needed to check their facts, the facts are rates have been the lowest they have been in the last decade.

Rates just now are higher than they were 10 years ago?

[James310]

Rates just now are higher than they were 10 years ago?

Yes, obviously they have gone up in last 8 months due to inflation but we had a period up to May 2022 when rates were below 1% for about 13 years.

[Glory Lurker]

Yes, obviously they have gone up in last 8 months due to inflation but we had a period up to May 2022 when rates were below 1% for about 13 years.

The point is that there isn't a point really. I don't think we're disagreeing.

Rates only went where they did because central banks everywhere had to slash their base rates in a response to the crash. It was sustainable because inflation was flat lining. Now inflation is likely to land back roughly where it was (fingers crossed it does go down) rates are on their way back to the same zone.

The twitter thing quoted was biased on the interest rate point. Not the rest though ;-)

[Ozyhibby]

Does govt set interest rates?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Glory Lurker]

Does govt set interest rates?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No. Independent BoE, but govt policy can obviously have big influence on how BoE acts, à la Kwarteng.