WDB
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Post by WDB on May 23, 2024 17:44:52 GMT
Then there was the “Q&A” in a Derbyshire biscuit factory, where the so-soft-if-they-were-biscuits-you’d-put-them-in-the-bin Qs came from a pair of bussed-in Tory councillors from way out of town.
I don’t think he thinks the electorate are idiots. But he knows his only hope is for enough of us to show our idiotic side on 4 July. Six weeks of this is going to be painful to watch.
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Post by Alanović on May 24, 2024 7:09:58 GMT
That's what loads of people said about the EU referendum. Now look where we are. The "protesters" have had this country by the neck for 8 years and it hasn't delivered a single solitary worthwhile outcome.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on May 24, 2024 7:37:14 GMT
Looks like the choice is Conservatives and more public service cuts, should there be a war, or wars, they will have no choice but to increase tax. Labour not really sure what they will do, if they choose to maintain or reinstate services then taxes will have to rise to pay for them.
The time for protest votes has passed, may as well do the environment a favour, save the shoe leather and stay home.
Edit: A clear message has to be sent whether people are happy with the way things are or, be prepared to get their hands in their pockets if they want services reinstated. Pensions are hoovering up large chunks of cash, extra cash is required to pay for the rest.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on May 24, 2024 10:24:57 GMT
I don’t think many are analysing it that precisely. What they know is that in 2010 the Tories promised stability and delivered stagnation. In 2016, they promised sunlit uplands and a new Global Britain (whatever that is) and delivered only corruption, culture war and clusterfuck. Those of us who never trusted them still feel horrified at just how bad they’ve been. Those who, to use Johnson’s word, ‘lent’ their votes, feel betrayed.
If you or I did a job this badly, we wouldn’t expect to last one year, never mind fourteen. Any tax-and-spend calculation comes a long way behind simply putting an end to the worst government in living memory.
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bpg
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Post by bpg on May 24, 2024 10:44:39 GMT
I was trying to avoid coming across as political, all your points are true.
I'm a bit slow, after thinking about it, having a "Hang on, let me overthink this" morning. Hunt suggesting there may be more tax cuts to come is laughable unless he intends to fund them by putting coin slots on street lights for you to PAYG on your way home at night.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on May 24, 2024 11:08:00 GMT
I think it’s OK to be political during ban election campaign.
(Actually, I think it’s OK just about any time. Politics determines the things that matter in life, which is why “They’re all the same” is such a dangerous trope. They’re not.)
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Post by Alanović on May 24, 2024 11:33:32 GMT
I see Labour have rowed back yet again on replacing the House of Lords. Always happens once they get a sniff of power, the prospect of stuffing it with more of their own is too alluring.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on May 24, 2024 12:04:57 GMT
I’m prepared to cut Labour some slack in a first term. They have so much to repair that they’re right to limit their ambitions to what they think is achievable. I’d like Single Market membership too but it’s more realistic to let Starmer first establish us as a trustworthy partner and then move closer once the stink of Frost and Mogg has faded.
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Post by EspadaIII on May 24, 2024 16:05:40 GMT
I'll tell you one thing.. I really hope, if Labour get in, that they stop all civil servants and directors of publicly owned companies (like Royal Mail) getting honours. It's pathetic that you become a Sir or a Lord or a CBE for doing your job and the gold plated pension that comes with it.
The honours system (which I generally approve of) is being sullied. It should be for outstanding contributions either in personal endeavour or voluntary positions only.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on May 24, 2024 17:00:33 GMT
Royal Mail isn't publicly owned any longer so I hope they don't get honours now. You know all know this - and the name of the company changed to International Distribution Services from Royal Mail Limited. 27.% is held by a Czech billionaire and he wants the rest of it. The shares are traded on the LSE.
Post Office Limited (POL) is still owned by us though.
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Post by bromptonaut on May 25, 2024 7:37:13 GMT
I'll tell you one thing.. I really hope, if Labour get in, that they stop all civil servants and directors of publicly owned companies (like Royal Mail) getting honours. It's pathetic that you become a Sir or a Lord or a CBE for doing your job and the gold plated pension that comes with it. The honours system (which I generally approve of) is being sullied. It should be for outstanding contributions either in personal endeavour or voluntary positions only. A few Civil Servants get Knighthoods but the days when a K was automatic for Permanent Secretaries are long gone. Those who get an OBE etc are nominated because they've done something exceptional and at a pace or in a way that goes well beyond just doing there jobs. Having worked with a few and seen the nomination process for others it ain't as you suggest.
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Post by bromptonaut on May 25, 2024 13:58:22 GMT
Continuing on the subject of honours I'd much rather see a stop to the corrupt practice of honouring party funders than have Mrs Bloggs denied an MBE for being a brilliant Dinner Lady for 25 years.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on May 26, 2024 10:09:06 GMT
After this morning’s promise of National Service, I wonder what will be the next ploy to protect the nostalgic pensioner vote from the BNP, or whatever name Farage and Tice prefer these days. Chimney sweeping for the under-12s? Rationing? Rickets?
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Post by EspadaIII on May 26, 2024 11:41:36 GMT
It's madness. The Army don't want them anyway.
What we want I suppose is for our youth to be good citizens; i.e. polite, respectful, not committing crime etc etc but you can't force that on people as much you would like to. It can take a very short time for civilised behaviour to be lost but generations to regain it. To start with you need proper education which starts with how to look after yourself from health and financial perspectives, restore freely available activities for the youth (such as sporting and music facilities at schools) and ensure that crime doesn't pay. There are too many examples in the town where my business is located, of local men aged 20 - 35 driving unfeasibly expensive cars during the daytime but have no obvious sources of legitimate income.
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Post by dixinormus on May 27, 2024 5:28:35 GMT
Far too many recreational drugs around these days Esp, and a nice little business in buying and selling them.
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