8-Jan-2022 : LAB: 39 / CON: 34 / LDEM: 11 / GRN: 5

[lululemonmustdobetter]

Feb 7, 2022 12:07:09 GMT domjg said:

Feb 7, 2022 11:38:00 GMT ladyvalerie said:

I live in England and speak English but I don’t consider myself to be English. If asked, I say I am British. When I hitchhiked around Europe in the early 70s we used to have a Union Jack on rucksacks which seemed to help us to get lifts. Nowadays I would be embarrassed to do so and would expect pitying looks from our European neighbours.

ladyvalerie I'm also someone born and living in England (with some Irish heritage) and I've always considered myself British and European, never English. The very notion of England sticks in my throat and conjures up negative associations for me.  My young child in so far as she's aware of any identity is aware of being European and an Irish citizen.

 However I'm currently trying to train myself in the idea of being English, to reclaim Englishness for progressives and Europeans and not just leave it to insular flag wavers to define. Obviously I am objectively English in the way that someone born and brought up in Edinburgh is objectively Scottish and anyone from any other country and Scotland esp will refer to me as such whether I like it or not. I think we need to do this because 'Britain' as a polity will shortly be breathing it's last I believe and referring to ourselves as British once Scotland, NI and maybe even Wales have gone off on their own journey would be a bit strange and seeming to not accept the new reality. We need to give being 'English' the same non exclusive connotations being 'British' had/has. They seem to manage that without a problem in Scotland.

Hi domjg ,  I have a very similar family background, and likewise have never identified as English, preferring in my mind the more inclusive term British. However, being of Irish heritage, I also aware of how on the Island of Ireland 'British' does not have such positive connotations, from friends and family on both sides of the boarder. My best friend, who is English, recently moved to Northern Ireland as her partner is from there and has a Catholic background. She told me people on the Nationalist side don't have an issue with the English or England come to that, but 'British'/'Britain' is basically the enemy.

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 13:28:36 GMT @tw said:

I'll also chuck in this little nugget and note many a true word is said in jest (I certainly just tell anyone from N.America I'm from London even when that is not true as it saves time)

?

I think you're being most unfair to Americans there, many of them are well aware that their traditional family tartan, and scotch whisky both originate from Scotlandshire.

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 13:39:02 GMT Lakeland Lass said:

I think you're being most unfair to Americans there, many of them are well aware that their traditional family tartan, and scotch whisky both originate from Scotlandshire.

Canadians (who don't like being called 'Americans' even though they live in N.Amercia) perhaps, eg canmorehighlandgames.ca

For 'yanks' then it's more usually[1] Ireland and an 'e' in the spelling of whiskey 

PS Scotland. Counties or shires? Don't put that kind of question in a pub quiz (he says from experience of the Scottish love for 'pedantry') 

[1] Certainly on the Eastern Seaboard (places like Boston, NY, etc). Although in the Mid-West (Chicago, Minneapolis, etc) then quite a lot of Scots. 

[lululemonmustdobetter]

Feb 7, 2022 13:25:23 GMT oldnat said:

Feb 7, 2022 13:15:43 GMT lululemonmustdobetter said:

oldnat It's a shame that we don't have an appropriate term which would include all the islands in this archipelago,

Hmmm, yes we do its called the British Isles!

www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-and-where-are-the-british-isles.html

As the Irish would tell you, that term is rather inappropriate! And the use of "British" to include the Irish would be the continuation of linguistic imperialism.

No it’s the correct geographic term - objections to it are purely politically prejudiced in nature. And as to the name's origins:

The name Britain originates from the Common Brittonic term *Pritanī and is one of the oldest known names for Great Britain, an island off the north-western coast of continental Europe. The terms Briton and British, similarly derived, refer to its inhabitants and, to varying extents, the smaller islands in the vicinity. "British Isles" is the only ancient name for these islands to survive in general usage.

I'm not sure who's linguistic imperialism you are referring too? It predates the turning up of the 'Angles, Saxons and Jutes' and the pesky 'Normans'.

[hireton]

The new arrangements in No10 are definitely being made up as they go along:

It really is very difficult to see how the new Chief of Staff arrangements can work.

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 12:39:01 GMT crossbat11 said:

isa

I tend to agree with your observation too. Considering the political events of the last week, you might have expected to see a deterioration in the Tory VI in the first poll to have conducted fieldwork since the most recent Johnson government pratfalls occurred.

We need a cluster of polls to be sure of anything very much, and they may arrive soon like a clutch of overdue buses, but the Deltapoll first taxi off the rank suggests little change. I would have expected some, to be frank, and it to be negative for the Tories.

Maybe, they've hit a floor for now and beyond Johnson being photographed throttling a kitten in front of its frail and elderly lady owner, with a smirking Dorries seen in the background physically restraining the lady's ex war hero husband from intervening to rescue the animal, nothing much is going to be revealed about Johnson now that can further dent him. He's bottomed out, albeit with his bouncebackabilty much reduced. Gone for good too, possibly.

We've certainly had a seismic shock to public opinion though, and Labour are now comfortably and consistently ahead in the polls. A transformation in the state of play from the one that prevailed for nigh on two years, and occurring very rapidly too, but maybe there's not much more partygate juice Labour can squeeze from the much diminished Tory orange.

Hence some stable polling for a bit with, as JimJam observed, an average 7% Labour lead pertaining for a while. It's possible.

There doesn't seem much on the political horizon to suggest a Tory revival though. Quite the opposite in fact when you consider the energy and tax rises ahead and the overall cost of living crisis that may soon (already is?) envelop most households. I think they'll remain becalmed in the low 30s for some time now

Glass half empty merchants may fixate on the failure of Labour to open up a bigger and widening lead, but those with a rather more hopeful and optimistic outlook on political life might be consoled at that steady 40% VI for Labour, enduring now for two months or more. It doesn't look soft at all.

This is an example of one of the things I really like about UKPR2 - the ability of some contributors to provide comprehensive, insightful, well-constructed and accessible postings in short order. I just can't do this, hence my 'proper' posts tend to be short and lacking in detail, but hopefully providing the gist of my observations. I hope crossbat11 won't need to have the doorways in his house widened, though! 

I saw Michael Portillo at a literary event a few years ago, and after his talk, he opened the floor for a Q&A session. No matter what was bowled at him, he instantly produced a cogent, well-argued and well-informed response. Very impressive. I have great respect for such ability.

[hireton]

Feb 7, 2022 13:59:41 GMT lululemonmustdobetter said:

Feb 7, 2022 13:25:23 GMT oldnat said:

As the Irish would tell you, that term is rather inappropriate! And the use of "British" to include the Irish would be the continuation of linguistic imperialism.

No it’s the correct geographic term - objections to it are purely politically prejudiced in nature. And as to the name's origins:

The name Britain originates from the Common Brittonic term *Pritanī and is one of the oldest known names for Great Britain, an island off the north-western coast of continental Europe. The terms Briton and British, similarly derived, refer to its inhabitants and, to varying extents, the smaller islands in the vicinity. "British Isles" is the only ancient name for these islands to survive in general usage.

I'm not sure who's linguistic imperialism you are referring too? It predates the turning up of the 'Angles, Saxons and Jutes' and the pesky 'Normans'.

Who has decided and by what authority that it is the "correct geographical term" and that any objection is "purely political prejudiced"?

[steamdrivenandy]

Feb 7, 2022 13:16:27 GMT @crofty said:

Feb 7, 2022 13:11:09 GMT steamdrivenandy said:

Have you got an opticians up there yet?

And is that Bar-nard, Ba-nard or Barn-ard? 

Well, the bloke it was named after was actually called Bernard I think. Bernie to his chums or sometimes Burnmeister.

Why it changed to Barnard will have to wait.

(Until I look it up.)

'The earthwork fortifications of the castle were rebuilt in stone by his successor, Bernard de Balliol I during the latter half of the 12th century, giving rise to the town's name. The castle passed down through the Balliol family (of which the Scottish king, John Balliol, was the most important member- included for Alec and Old Nats benefit) and then into the possession of Richard Neville, editor of Oz. King Richard III inherited it through his wife, Anne Neville, sister of Phil and Gary, but it fell into ruins in the century after his death.'

[lululemonmustdobetter]

Feb 7, 2022 11:48:52 GMT jimjam said:

I am very keen to see how the direct Tory 2019 to Lab movement develops or holds in the coming weeks.

Hi jimjam , yes that will be very much the one to watch, and the extent to which those switches solidify will be key to the outcome of the next GE. An element of the '19 Tory VI, never were full converts to the Tory party and its ideology etc, and Labour obviously needs to win them back if it is to stand any chance of gaining power. What Labour has been slow to realise is that they have found the power of being a floating voters, and living in a marginal constituency. So it’s not necessarily the case that they have 'buyer’s remorse' in regards to '19. Far from it. Labour can't afford to be complacent and 'bank’ their votes at this stage of the cycle.

[alec]

@jimjam - "I think that of the last 19 polls 17 have the Tories between 31 and 34% with one each for 30 and 35; and the average is close to 32.5%."

Greater or lesser, I can't tell from here, but it's certainly a flock of Red Polls.

[graham]

Feb 7, 2022 12:39:01 GMT crossbat11 said:

isa

I tend to agree with your observation too. Considering the political events of the last week, you might have expected to see a deterioration in the Tory VI in the first poll to have conducted fieldwork since the most recent Johnson government pratfalls occurred.

We need a cluster of polls to be sure of anything very much, and they may arrive soon like a clutch of overdue buses, but the Deltapoll first taxi off the rank suggests little change. I would have expected some, to be frank, and it to be negative for the Tories.

Maybe, they've hit a floor for now and beyond Johnson being photographed throttling a kitten in front of its frail and elderly lady owner, with a smirking Dorries seen in the background physically restraining the lady's ex war hero husband from intervening to rescue the animal, nothing much is going to be revealed about Johnson now that can further dent him. He's bottomed out, albeit with his bouncebackabilty much reduced. Gone for good too, possibly.

We've certainly had a seismic shock to public opinion though, and Labour are now comfortably and consistently ahead in the polls. A transformation in the state of play from the one that prevailed for nigh on two years, and occurring very rapidly too, but maybe there's not much more partygate juice Labour can squeeze from the much diminished Tory orange.

Hence some stable polling for a bit with, as JimJam observed, an average 7% Labour lead pertaining for a while. It's possible.

There doesn't seem much on the political horizon to suggest a Tory revival though. Quite the opposite in fact when you consider the energy and tax rises ahead and the overall cost of living crisis that may soon (already is?) envelop most households. I think they'll remain becalmed in the low 30s for some time now

Glass half empty merchants may fixate on the failure of Labour to open up a bigger and widening lead, but those with a rather more hopeful and optimistic outlook on political life might be consoled at that steady 40% VI for Labour, enduring now for two months or more. It doesn't look soft at all.

We also need to bear in mind that Labour's decline in Scotland has effectively chipped 2% off its GB vote share - so that today's 7% lead equates to circa 9% in pre- 2015 terms re- England & Wales. Labour is also now performing a fair bit better than at the same stage of the Heath Government in the early 1970s, and its current lead is higher than the Tories under Thatcher were enjoying  in Opposition from Autumn 1977 - til end of 1978 .

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 14:14:49 GMT alec said:

@jimjam - "I think that of the last 19 polls 17 have the Tories between 31 and 34% with one each for 30 and 35; and the average is close to 32.5%."

Greater or lesser, I can't tell from here, but it's certainly a flock of Red Polls.

Bah-dum-tsh!

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 14:02:03 GMT hireton said:

It really is very difficult to see how the new Chief of Staff arrangements can work.

Is it?

I wouldn't know. How am I qualified to judge ?

If Barclay et al can produce a gaffe free Premiership in which Johnson can not only talk about the things people want done ( as he did today from a hospital in Maidstone) , but demonstrably get them done, who knows what the Polls will say.

I don't find it difficult to imagine a Conservative recovery following manifest policy delivery. My difficulty is in imagining BJ delivering it.

[steamdrivenandy]

Feb 7, 2022 14:14:49 GMT alec said:

@jimjam - "I think that of the last 19 polls 17 have the Tories between 31 and 34% with one each for 30 and 35; and the average is close to 32.5%."

Greater or lesser, I can't tell from here, but it's certainly a flock of Red Polls.

At present I'd say Lesser Red Polls rather than the more recently not so Common Red Poll.

[Deleted]

alec

@"Greater or lesser, I can't tell from here, but it's certainly a flock of Red Polls."

That would be a herd-you wouldn't want to be under of flock of them :-


www.redpoll.org/

As for the Redpoll, in this country it would be Common, or Arctic , though a flock of the latter would be unheard of-one or two records a year of that Scandinavian vagrant.

[hireton]

Feb 7, 2022 14:20:19 GMT colin said:

Feb 7, 2022 14:02:03 GMT hireton said:

It really is very difficult to see how the new Chief of Staff arrangements can work.

Is it?

I wouldn't know. How am I qualified to judge ?

If Barclay et al can produce a gaffe free Premiership in which Johnson can not only talk about the things people want done ( as he did today from a hospital in Maidstone) , but demonstrably get them done, who knows what the Polls will say.

I don't find it difficult to imagine a Conservative recovery following manifest policy delivery. My difficulty is in imagining BJ delivering it.

By definition, a Chief of Staff cannot spend entire days away working on their second full time job.

Actually, the hospital visits today are symbolic of the chaos in the UK Government. They were arranged to help publicise what was intended to be the announcement today of the English NHS recovery plan. No announcement for some reason.

[lululemonmustdobetter]

Feb 7, 2022 14:05:39 GMT hireton said:

Who has decided and by what authority that it is the "correct geographical term" and that any objection is "purely political prejudiced"?

Ok tiresome much - find me another widely accepted geographic term that basically predates the Roman Empire and has been in use for a couple of millennia? In the meantime following your logic I will hence forth refer to the area you reside in as either Northern Britain (actually a term commonly used in c19 by people from what formally was  referred to as Scotland) or Pictland (which I think has a much nicer ring to it).😛

[domjg]

Feb 7, 2022 13:00:08 GMT @isa said:

Feb 7, 2022 12:40:49 GMT mandolinist said:

Strangely, because I really enjoyed that bit of the course, I had forgotten that was where I learnt about the canal and railway history. All those private acts of parliament to enable the railways and the uproar about the line near Eton.

I had also forgotten about the enclosure acts and the stealing of the commons, which provided the capital for the industrial revolution. You were right oldnat , we didn't cover much equivalent Scots history, although New Lanarkshire got an honourable mention.

I think the railway bit resonated with me because just down the road from school, a busy mainline railway was crossed by a disused, but then largely intact, railway, and our cross-country runs used to involve traipsing through muddy bogs under railway viaducts and standing on the platform of an eerily deserted station, marvelling at the ingenuity and grace of Victorian engineering. It seemed such a waste for all that effort to have been so summarily binned.

@isa Much of the Beeching cuts were a shocking and shortsighted destruction of infrastructure. There are several lines that if still in existence would be heavily used now (Witney to Oxford springs to mind, the road is a horror show).

Many of them could have been mothballed rather than ripped out as often happened in other countries (I remember a teenage holiday in France walking disused and overgrown but still intact lines). Here it almost seems as though there were a deliberate attempt to destroy and build on old lines precisely to stop them being re-used. I've heard it said that the lobbying of the oil/motoring industry may have had a say in this at the time but I've no idea if there's any truth in that. 

[neilj]

Interesting yougov poll on housing intervention, maybe some things, not all, for Labour to consider

Many Brits support interventionist housing policies (1/2)

Private rent cap: 67%

Extra tax on homes empty for 6+ months a year: 67%

Powers for councils to compulsory purchase long-term empty properties below market value for use as social housing: 65%

Banning buy-to-let mortgages for new builds: 50% (net +23)

Banning non-doms from buying homes: 49% (net +16)

'Indefinite tenancies': 44% (net +9)

But not...
Banning 2nd homes: 27% (net -31)

[Deleted]

Funding was announced a while ago (maybe more to come?) and possibly more announcements to come but in case Guardian Politics Live didn't mention it then Gov.UK DHSC news can be found on

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care

eg 'Platform to improve transparency on wait times and provide additional patient support'

[oldnat]

Feb 7, 2022 13:59:41 GMT lululemonmustdobetter said:

Feb 7, 2022 13:25:23 GMT oldnat said:

As the Irish would tell you, that term is rather inappropriate! And the use of "British" to include the Irish would be the continuation of linguistic imperialism.

No it’s the correct geographic term - objections to it are purely politically prejudiced in nature. And as to the name's origins:

The name Britain originates from the Common Brittonic term *Pritanī and is one of the oldest known names for Great Britain, an island off the north-western coast of continental Europe. The terms Briton and British, similarly derived, refer to its inhabitants and, to varying extents, the smaller islands in the vicinity. "British Isles" is the only ancient name for these islands to survive in general usage.

Thank you for making my point for me. I have put your key point in bold.

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 14:20:19 GMT colin said:

Feb 7, 2022 14:02:03 GMT hireton said:

... I don't find it difficult to imagine a Conservative recovery following manifest policy delivery. My difficulty is in imagining BJ delivering it.

Optimistically then if Boris can just keep out of the way and draw a line under the '#10 psychodrama' stuff then that might be enough for CON HMG to get on with delivery (which is going to be a lot harder with very little ££ down the back of the sofa and BoE chopping down the MMT). 'The future is not set' of course and I'd certainly prefer it if Boris was removed as CON leader and PM as he has totally failed to adopt a 'Chairman' style role so far and has had more than enough opportunities to change (IMO). All is not lost if he does stay as PM into GE'24 but the task WRT to delivery (which will require more than 2yrs and hence winning GE'24 as well) will be that much harder with Boris leading CON into GE'24 (IMO - see also polling WRT to Boris no longer being an asset, Rishi being seen as better PM, etc)

Carrie might have considered herself de facto 'Chief of Staff' and hence I certainly have no problem if the 'power base' is shifted somewhat out of #10 with cabinet, CON MPs and HoC (where CON have a majority[1]) being given more say. I'll need to see that to believe it but I note the 'usual suspects' are stating certainty over an unknown future again (how boringly predictable is that!)

[1] Another urgent issues is the 'whips' which, post the Owen goal, have become useless as they lack any credibility or authority. Cabinet and other payroll have been doing the job (as we saw with the 'payroll' turning up to the recent 1922 meeting). The 'whips' should operate as a '2way' instrument to ensure CON MPs are broadly in agreement (ie it is not just for #10 to tell CON MPs how to vote but it is also for CON MPs to tell CON HMG what policies are most urgent and which policy details need 'tweaking' - more of the latter is required in the 'reset' if it is to work)

[Mark]

In the latest unforced gaffe, the culture secretary seems to think that the internet is just ten years old.

Words fail me.

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 14:53:22 GMT @tw said:

Feb 7, 2022 14:20:19 GMT colin said:

... I don't find it difficult to imagine a Conservative recovery following manifest policy delivery. My difficulty is in imagining BJ delivering it.

Optimistically then if Boris can just keep out of the way and draw a line under the '#10 psychodrama' stuff then that might be enough for CON HMG to get on with delivery (which is going to be a lot harder with very little ££ down the back of the sofa and BoE chopping down the MMT). 'The future is not set' of course and I'd certainly prefer it if Boris was removed as CON leader and PM as he has totally failed to adopt a 'Chairman' style role so far and has had more than enough opportunities to change (IMO). All is not lost if he does stay as PM into GE'24 but the task WRT to delivery (which will require more than 2yrs and hence winning GE'24 as well) will be that much harder with Boris leading CON into GE'24 (IMO - see also polling WRT to Boris no longer being an asset, Rishi being seen as better PM, etc)

Carrie might have considered herself de facto 'Chief of Staff' and hence I certainly have no problem if the 'power base' is shifted somewhat out of #10 with cabinet, CON MPs and HoC (where CON have a majority[1]) being given more say. I'll need to see that to believe it but I note the 'usual suspects' are stating certainty over an unknown future again (how boringly predictable is that!)

[1] Another urgent issues is the 'whips' which, post the Owen goal, have become useless as they lack any credibility or authority. Cabinet and other payroll have been doing the job (as we saw with the 'payroll' turning up to the recent 1922 meeting). The 'whips' should operate as a '2way' instrument to ensure CON MPs are broadly in agreement (ie it is not just for #10 to tell CON MPs how to vote but it is also for CON MPs to tell CON HMG what policies are most urgent and which policy details need 'tweaking' - more of the latter is required in the 'reset' if it is to work)

But if today's reports are correct, then BJ was speaking about an NHS policy objective which he cannot ( yet) deliver , because the Treasury are not on board.

So even if Barclay et al can keep house in No. 10-IF we are moving to Brown v Blair 2-the result for Cons is predictable. 

[lululemonmustdobetter]

Feb 7, 2022 14:35:54 GMT oldnat said:

Feb 7, 2022 13:59:41 GMT lululemonmustdobetter said:

No it’s the correct geographic term - objections to it are purely politically prejudiced in nature. And as to the name's origins:

The name Britain originates from the Common Brittonic term *Pritanī and is one of the oldest known names for Great Britain, an island off the north-western coast of continental Europe. The terms Briton and British, similarly derived, refer to its inhabitants and, to varying extents, the smaller islands in the vicinity. "British Isles" is the only ancient name for these islands to survive in general usage.

Thank you for making my point for me. I have put your key point in bold.

Jesus you SNP ideologues are relentless - (and highly selective) the key bit is Common Brittonic term *Pritanī in terms of your point about language imperialism. Also I am covered by the  smaller islands in the vicinity which you obvioulsy failed to highlight - so there!. For approprietness of geographic usage see- 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles
www.britannica.com/place/British-Isles
geology.com/world/british-isles.shtml

And yes of course I am aware of the Republic of Ireland's official objections to its usage - but as the OS maintain its correct usage is geographic not political and as I mentioned before objection to its use is politically driven.

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 14:59:06 GMT colin said:

Feb 7, 2022 14:53:22 GMT @tw said:

1. But if today's reports are correct, then BJ was speaking about an NHS policy objective which he cannot ( yet) deliver , because the Treasury are not on board.

2. So even if Barclay et al can keep house in No. 10-IF we are moving to Brown v Blair 2-the result for Cons is predictable. 

1. DHSC is certainly not my area of most interest or info but I did note they have posted a new press release (and that there are possibly more to come)

2. Yes. The 'TB-GBies' v2 risk is concerning. I don't have a crystal ball and HMT should always look for 'cost effective' solutions BUT in his desire to get back into the publics' good books (be loved again) then Boris will be making big ££ demands on Rishi that Rishi should be turning down** . If that means some short delays then so be it. Rishi needs to make it clear that he is in charge of the 'purse' and that he is not going to be 'bounced' by Boris or Boris loyalist trying to undermine him with press leaks*** 

** or at least watering down as there is no ££ left and lots of folks asking for those non-existent ££ with no desire to raise other taxes - as we saw with the very limited 'help' on Energy bills

*** to which I'd add the 'old' way of trialing policy in the press via leaks needs to end as well (see my comment on how the 'whips' should operate). Focus groups can be used (and certainly used to be used extensively in the past) but whether it's for 'bouncing' or 'feedback' then the 'old' ways need to change. Voters elected CON MPs who form a majority govt in HoC and parliament is sovereign. Boris serves at the pleasure of CON MPs and whilst I fear the 'window of opportunity' to 'Get Boris Gone' is closing then if it has then I hope he has finally learned his lesson (and once again, I'd need to see that to believe it and IMO he's had too many chances to change already)

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 15:05:06 GMT lululemonmustdobetter said:

Feb 7, 2022 14:35:54 GMT oldnat said:

Thank you for making my point for me. I have put your key point in bold.

Jesus you SNP ideologues are relentless - (and highly selective) the key bit is Common Brittonic term *Pritanī in terms of your point about language imperialism. Also I am covered by the  smaller islands in the vicinity which you obvioulsy failed to highlight - so there!. For approprietness of geographic usage see- 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles
www.britannica.com/place/British-Isles
geology.com/world/british-isles.shtml

And yes of course I am aware of the Republic of Ireland's official objections to its usage - but as the OS maintain its correct usage is geographic not political and as I mentioned before objection to its use is politically driven.

All posts should be written in big letters - so much easier to read.

[ladyvalerie]

Feb 7, 2022 13:15:43 GMT lululemonmustdobetter said:

oldnat It's a shame that we don't have an appropriate term which would include all the islands in this archipelago,

Hmmm, yes we do its called the British Isles!

www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-and-where-are-the-british-isles.html

There aren’t Scandinavian passports.

So in this brave new world there’ll be English and Welsh passports and NI ones for people who don’t want Irish ones.  

[mercian]

Feb 7, 2022 15:05:06 GMT lululemonmustdobetter said:

Feb 7, 2022 14:35:54 GMT oldnat said:

Jesus you SNP ideologues are relentless - (and highly selective) the key bit is Common Brittonic term *Pritanī in terms of your point about language imperialism. A

I usually fall for the baiting. Now it's happening to someone else I don't feel quite so stupid.  On UKPR1 we once went through what seemed to be an interminable debate about what to call the country in the southern bit of the island of Ireland.  I didn't want to call it Ireland because it's the same name as the island, and hence confusing.  They wouldn't even accept Eire, which that country puts on its stamps!

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2022 14:56:46 GMT Mark said:

In the latest unforced gaffe, the culture secretary seems to think that the internet is just ten years old.

Words fail me.

You might want to check the full quotation  rather than the truncated twitter trial version.

She was , as you will know, talking about the Online Safety Bill ( but who cares about that ?)


What she said was :-

“We’ve had 10 years of the internet kind of having its own way now. We’ve seen some of the harms happening particularly to young people and adults within our society and it’s time now for us to do something about that. That’s why we’re bringing this bill forward.”