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Post by jib on May 17, 2022 8:13:18 GMT
"More vacancies than people classed as unemployed". The end to cheap imported labour has something to do with figure being the lowest since 1974. Incredible these benefits to UK workers are being realised so quickly. Of course the neo-liberal elite won't be happy. Unemployment hasn't been a problem for years, long before the UK left the EU. Underemployment and in work poverty on the other hand has long been a big problem and shows no sign of going anywhere. "Incredible these benefits to UK workers are being realised so quickly" - Johnson would be so proud of you. I know you're absolutely desperate to call me a TORY, but you can't. This is a real benefit to ordinary workers and is the realisation of control over numbers of immigrants in action. You must hate it. |
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Post by birdseye on May 17, 2022 8:17:33 GMT
Danny said "I found 'the crown' very interesting. Whatever its strict accuracy, its a tale about how to maintain an institution which has nothing except the appearance of power and importance. Without the deference, there is nothing left. Thats why it has to be defended so vigorously, and why it has always been throughout history even when there was more substance to monarchy.
I never used to understand the sumptuary laws, until I realised that only permitting certain people to wear certain clothes made class and power a real visible thing. Being the only people in the country allowed to wear cloth of gold marked you on sight as incredibly important if you did. We dont realise how much we have ditched this public signalling of importance, but it continues in the trappings of royalty, presidents, prime ministers. "
Interesting observations. But in many ways I see more forced deference to the US President and flag or indeed to the likes of Putin than I do to Brenda. Sure there is a whole upper class horsey lot who take her seriously but to the vaste majority of us she is simply an old lady with family problems. It will be interesting to see if the house of cards falls down when Charles the adulterer gets the call up.As ever, the problem is what to replace her with - her success has been about keeping her mouth shut.
The sumptuary laws might have gone, but dont tell me that you cant spot on of the above upper class horsey lot simply be their appearance and the way they talk. Question is whether they have any real influence on what happens - more for example than that nasty woman, Angela Rayner. Personally I reckon that like the old stately homes, they are simply a relic of the past.
Thanks for the Sumptuary mention - I confess I had to look it up.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2022 8:26:47 GMT
The mirage that is so often the reality of EU's self proclaimed unity & solidarity still can't agree to cease buying Putin's oil ( of gas ?-who knows ?) www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/16/hungary-sanctions-russian-oil-embargo-euThe EU's penchant for grand words ,and plans which never materialise is analysed in this piece about military aid to Ukraine :- www.politico.eu/article/anglosphere-saving-ukraine-not-eu/The author touches on the significance of the Sweden/Finland NATO applications. Macron's much touted EU "Strategic Independence" has been exposed by Putin's invasion for what it is-another Grand Delusion. The Times reports that the Baltic States are pushing for " forward defence" deployments on their territory-aka missile shields.. From NATO. |
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Post by crossbat11 on May 17, 2022 8:27:50 GMT
I see my old MP Rachel Maclean has got herself into some hot water for her fairly crass and insensitive advice to those struggling to cope with the rapidly rising cost of living. Invoking the spirit of no doubt a former political hero of hers, the old Chingford Skinhead himself, she advocates those good old Tory values of thrift, self-reliance and hard work. Not quite get on your bike to find work, but get a better paid job with longer hours. Stop whining, in other words, and sort yourself out. As the article below points out, easily said when you look at Maclean's circumstances and background: www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/rachel-maclean-tory-who-suggested-26976095Inherent in this pompous piffle though is essential Toryism which will strike a chord with a certain sort of Tory voter. The key elements behind the sentiment will be a mix of incredulity and insouciance. Lots of misremembered virtue too. "Why can't all these people whinging do what me and my Dad did. We had it tough and didn't rely on any state hand outs. We went out and worked bloody hard to make ends meet. No moaning we got on with it. Grew our own food too in our allotments and our good and loyal wives made the meals go a long way. That's how we won the bloody war too....." Condemn MacLean all you like, and justifiably so, but go down to your local pub on any night of your choosing and you'll hear this self righteous and sanctimonious cant being spoken by many an "ordinary and hard working taxpayer". We have a yawning compassion deficit in this country and an awful lot of people cocooned by affluence, much of it accrued by accident of birth and inflated property values, from the social devastation spreading like slowly moving molten lava through our country. MacLean spoke for a great number of these people. |
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2022 8:41:42 GMT
The unemployment numbers are really extraordinary.
Andrew Bailey told MPs that 450,000 people had dropped out of the labour market since 2019, which was “significant” by historical standards.
The jobless rate dropped to 3.7 per cent from 3.8 per cent in the three months to March, the lowest since 1974.
ONS said that the economy now had more open job vacancies than unemployed people for the first time since records began. The number of vacancies rose to a new record of 1.29 million in April.
Weekly earnings growth including bonuses rose by 7 per cent in the three months to March. Earnings excluding bonuses were up only 4.2 per cent from 4 per cent in the previous three-month period.
Adjusted for inflation real pay, including bonuses, was 1.4 per cent higher but regular pay fell 1.2 per cent, the biggest annual fall in real earnings excluding bonuses since 2013. ( Times)
Andrew Bailey ( salary £575 k pa) said workers should "think and reflect "on whether they should ask for pay rises because the risk of increasing inflation is a "societal question".
Central Banker on half a million a year tells workers facing double digit inflation , in a labour market with the highest vacancy rate since records began , not to ask for pay increases. !
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domjg
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Post by domjg on May 17, 2022 8:58:31 GMT
The mirage that is so often the reality of EU's self proclaimed unity & solidarity still can't agree to cease buying Putin's oil ( of gas ?-who knows ?) www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/16/hungary-sanctions-russian-oil-embargo-euThe EU's penchant for grand words ,and plans which never materialise is analysed in this piece about military aid to Ukraine :- www.politico.eu/article/anglosphere-saving-ukraine-not-eu/The author touches on the significance of the Sweden/Finland NATO applications. Macron's much touted EU "Strategic Independence" has been exposed by Putin's invasion for what it is-another Grand Delusion. The Times reports that the Baltic States are pushing for " forward defence" deployments on their territory-aka missile shields.. From NATO. F sake Colin, 27 independent nations with sometimes very differing interests trying to agree a common policy was always to be tricky and it is now just Hungary causing the problem (Sort them out Laszlo!  ) In many ways it's been astounding how much unity and purpose they have been able to express and put into action on Ukraine. I reckon you were annoyed to observe that. Can't you ever bring yourself to give credit where it's due or does everything need to be subsumed to the never ending partisan brexit battle? As always with those of your political leaning the EU is damned either way, either overly powerful and monolithic or weak and divided but never portrayed as what it really is, an attempt to find common ground through compromise, led mainly by closely co-operating national governments who've agreed to pool some sovereignty for the collective good. It is, at the end of the day, an international organisation. |
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domjg
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Post by domjg on May 17, 2022 9:06:45 GMT
Unemployment hasn't been a problem for years, long before the UK left the EU. Underemployment and in work poverty on the other hand has long been a big problem and shows no sign of going anywhere. "Incredible these benefits to UK workers are being realised so quickly" - Johnson would be so proud of you. I know you're absolutely desperate to call me a TORY, but you can't. This is a real benefit to ordinary workers and is the realisation of control over numbers of immigrants in action. You must hate it. Just ask the 'average' UK worker how they feel they're doing right now? |
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Post by jib on May 17, 2022 9:16:04 GMT
I know you're absolutely desperate to call me a TORY, but you can't. This is a real benefit to ordinary workers and is the realisation of control over numbers of immigrants in action. You must hate it. Just ask the 'average' UK worker how they feel they're doing right now? Just ask any worker anywhere in Europe how they are doing. The current cost of living crisis was initially caused by COVID, and then exacerbated by the tragedy in Ukraine. Trying to conflate with Brexit is pure desperation. In fact, even the Northern Irish Protocol is bedding down well and most people affected are supportive: www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/most-people-in-northern-ireland-now-view-protocol-positively-1.4712095It's only a few desperate orange freemasons and their mates in the ERG that are worried. They made that bed, lie in it! |
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2022 9:16:51 GMT
The mirage that is so often the reality of EU's self proclaimed unity & solidarity still can't agree to cease buying Putin's oil ( of gas ?-who knows ?) www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/16/hungary-sanctions-russian-oil-embargo-euThe EU's penchant for grand words ,and plans which never materialise is analysed in this piece about military aid to Ukraine :- www.politico.eu/article/anglosphere-saving-ukraine-not-eu/The author touches on the significance of the Sweden/Finland NATO applications. Macron's much touted EU "Strategic Independence" has been exposed by Putin's invasion for what it is-another Grand Delusion. The Times reports that the Baltic States are pushing for " forward defence" deployments on their territory-aka missile shields.. From NATO. F sake Colin, 27 independent nations with sometimes very differing interests trying to agree a common policy was always to be tricky and it is now just Hungary causing the problem (Sort them out Laszlo! ) In many ways it's been astounding how much unity and purpose they have been able to express on Ukraine. I reckon you were annoyed to observe that. Can't you ever bring yourself to give credit where it's due or does everything need to be subsumed to the never ending partisan brexit battle? As always with those of your political leaning the EU is damned either way, either overly powerful and monolithic or weak and divided but never portrayed as what it really is, an attempt to find common ground through compromise, led mainly by closely co-operating national governments. It is, at the end of the day, an international organisation. I know it upsets you. But I think the EU political project is fundamentally flawed. Trying get unanimity between 27 countries in a structure built on BOTH Union competences AND Member State competences is hopeless. There are fundamental attitudinal & cultural differences-have a look at some of the attitudes in French society to Putin & the War in Ukraine . So it will always produce empty rhetoric imo. Majority voting -yes -thats a different approach. But when they do use that ( unless I am wrong ??) they use a qualification which brings in % of population. And that leads straight into rows about the Big Two running the show. As I say- the ambition and the rhetoric will never be realised -the structure is wrong. OK when you have time for never ending Summits-but when you need rapid decision making its hopeless. None of this is meant as a criticism of its noble ideals. But an organisation which constantly tells us that it values rules and process , constantly gets bogged down with them.............imo. |
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Post by jimjam on May 17, 2022 9:26:01 GMT
Colin,
Are not interest rates below inflation in effect negative interest rates?
I am not challenging you just enquiring as you get this macro-economic stuff in a way I only partially grasp.
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domjg
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Post by domjg on May 17, 2022 9:33:33 GMT
F sake Colin, 27 independent nations with sometimes very differing interests trying to agree a common policy was always to be tricky and it is now just Hungary causing the problem (Sort them out Laszlo! ) In many ways it's been astounding how much unity and purpose they have been able to express on Ukraine. I reckon you were annoyed to observe that. Can't you ever bring yourself to give credit where it's due or does everything need to be subsumed to the never ending partisan brexit battle? As always with those of your political leaning the EU is damned either way, either overly powerful and monolithic or weak and divided but never portrayed as what it really is, an attempt to find common ground through compromise, led mainly by closely co-operating national governments. It is, at the end of the day, an international organisation. I know it upsets you. But I think the EU political project is fundamentally flawed. Trying get unanimity between 27 countries in a structure built on BOTH Union competences AND Member State competences is hopeless. There are fundamental attitudinal & cultural differences-have a look at some of the attitudes in French society to Putin & the War in Ukraine . So it will always produce empty rhetoric imo. Majority voting -yes -thats a different approach. But when they do use that ( unless I am wrong ??) they use a qualification which brings in % of population. And that leads straight into rows about the Big Two running the show. As I say- the ambition and the rhetoric will never be realised -the structure is wrong. OK when you have time for never ending Summits-but when you need rapid decision making its hopeless. None of this is meant as a criticism of its noble ideals. But an organisation which constantly tells us that it values rules and process , constantly gets bogged down with them.............imo. I think it works very well with the limitations that it has and if it didn't exist would need to be invented as European states on their own, even Germany, are too small to have a global impact in a world where China and the US are slugging it out. Many EU regulations, like GDPR, are observed world wide (discussing just this with US colleagues the other day). That's real global reach. So many British observers just fundamentally misunderstand European politics at EU level and the national level in many countries. It's about reaching consensus through compromise, compromise, compromise! About giving the greatest number some representation even if that sometimes dampens dynamism . The UK plurality 'elected dictatorship' model just doesn't apply and frankly it's not really delivering any dynamism for us in any shape either is it? Do you think the UK structure is currently 'right'? |
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Post by Old Southendian on May 17, 2022 9:34:46 GMT
I know it upsets you. But I think the EU political project is fundamentally flawed. Trying get unanimity between 27 countries in a structure built on BOTH Union competences AND Member State competences is hopeless. I don't want to get all Brexit about this, but as someone who works for an international organisation (not strictly EU related, though there's a large overlap with EU countries), it's clearly true that trying to work together across international borders is often very difficult. But that doesn't mean it's not worth trying. Maybe the difference between you and others is your phrase "fundamentally flawed". I absolutely agree it's flawed, but fundamentally? One thing you recognize quickly when working in an international European environment is actually how similar European nations are. And unpopular as this opinion may be right now, I'd actually include Russians in that - their problem is that they've been lumbered with a brutal and corrupt political system for too long, but it doesn't make them different to us. |
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Post by domjg on May 17, 2022 9:34:56 GMT
Just ask the 'average' UK worker how they feel they're doing right now? Just ask any worker anywhere in Europe how they are doing. The current cost of living crisis was initially caused by COVID, and then exacerbated by the tragedy in Ukraine. Trying to conflate with Brexit is pure desperation. In fact, even the Northern Irish Protocol is bedding down well and most people affected are supportive: www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/most-people-in-northern-ireland-now-view-protocol-positively-1.4712095It's only a few desperate orange freemasons and their mates in the ERG that are worried. They made that bed, lie in it! "Trying to conflate with Brexit is pure desperation" - No further comment needed. Steve! |
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Post by alec on May 17, 2022 9:42:06 GMT
colin - "The EU's penchant for grand words ,and plans which never materialise is analysed in this piece about military aid to Ukraine :-...." "Leveling up" "Build back better" "No border in the Irish Sea" "March of the Makers" "A high wage, high skilled economy" You do understand that you don't need to be an organisation of 27 sovereign states to sometimes struggle to deliver ambitions, don't you? The Conservatives manage to far worse, all on their own. 
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Post by lens on May 17, 2022 9:43:52 GMT
steve - why? What's NK got to do with me? Because North Korea is a perfect example of a policy of zero vaccination, and instead initially relying on a total shutdown of borders, and now very strict lockdowns etc. As you've been told many times already, all measures such as lockdowns, mask mandates etc do is delay cases - not ultimately prevent them. Worthwhile to delay until vaccination is widespread - otherwise just postponing the inevitable. (With consequent even worse economic and other damage.) As North Korea is now finding out. And with a very poor healthcare system I'm afraid the mortality rate is likely to be far higher than most countries. |
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Post by steve on May 17, 2022 9:48:30 GMT
nickp Sorry I thought I had made it clear it's state pension, maximum pension credit and maximum attendance allowance that adds up to around £13000 .You are correct about the basic pension. birdseye If she was in receipt of attendance allowance her needs can't have been that small the clue is in the name!
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Post by alec on May 17, 2022 9:50:26 GMT
lens - "Because North Korea is a perfect example of a policy of zero vaccination, and instead initially relying on a total shutdown of borders, and now very strict lockdowns etc." Yes, but what the F@ck has that got to do with me? I've suggested a series of measures to prevent infection, not delay it. I don't know what you are talking about. Neither do you, I suspect.
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Post by steve on May 17, 2022 9:51:32 GMT
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Post by steve on May 17, 2022 9:52:35 GMT
alec Just thought you might be interested sorry if you considered it a dig.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2022 9:56:02 GMT
F sake Colin, 27 independent nations with sometimes very differing interests trying to agree a common policy was always to be tricky and it is now just Hungary causing the problem (Sort them out Laszlo! ) In many ways it's been astounding how much unity and purpose they have been able to express on Ukraine. I reckon you were annoyed to observe that. Can't you ever bring yourself to give credit where it's due or does everything need to be subsumed to the never ending partisan brexit battle? As always with those of your political leaning the EU is damned either way, either overly powerful and monolithic or weak and divided but never portrayed as what it really is, an attempt to find common ground through compromise, led mainly by closely co-operating national governments. It is, at the end of the day, an international organisation. I know it upsets you. But I think the EU political project is fundamentally flawed. Trying get unanimity between 27 countries in a structure built on BOTH Union competences AND Member State competences is hopeless. There are fundamental attitudinal & cultural differences-have a look at some of the attitudes in French society to Putin & the War in Ukraine . So it will always produce empty rhetoric imo. Majority voting -yes -thats a different approach. But when they do use that ( unless I am wrong ??) they use a qualification which brings in % of population. And that leads straight into rows about the Big Two running the show. As I say- the ambition and the rhetoric will never be realised -the structure is wrong. OK when you have time for never ending Summits-but when you need rapid decision making its hopeless. None of this is meant as a criticism of its noble ideals. But an organisation which constantly tells us that it values rules and process , constantly gets bogged down with them.............imo. Would you say the same about Nato ?
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Post by lens on May 17, 2022 9:58:40 GMT
Dangerous to say you are taking personal charge of something if it looks like its going to be a disaster. But on the other hand it does separate you from what has gone before. Everything previous was not you in charge, so it was the fault of nameless generals. Hmmmmm. I'm reminded of a previous time in history when a leader decided he needed to take more personal charge of the prosecution of a war - in particular overruling his generals and not permitting a tactical retreat..... Now what was his name....? I think it began with "H"....? Do we get a "stand and fight" order from Putin, just before a large group of his army are encircled? (Also worth noting is that it was immediately after Stalingrad that Hitler really went off the rails, but still managed to hold on to power.) |
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Post by jib on May 17, 2022 10:03:17 GMT
Dangerous to say you are taking personal charge of something if it looks like its going to be a disaster. But on the other hand it does separate you from what has gone before. Everything previous was not you in charge, so it was the fault of nameless generals. Hmmmmm. I'm reminded of a previous time in history when a leader decided he needed to take more personal charge of the prosecution of a war - in particular overruling his generals and not permitting a tactical retreat..... Now what was his name....? I think it began with "H"....? Do we get a "stand and fight" order from Putin, just before a large group of his army are encircled? (Also worth noting is that it was immediately after Stalingrad that Hitler really went off the rails, but still managed to hold on to power.) It does feel that peace is now approaching in Ukraine and that some form of partition is likely. Russia knows it can't destroy Ukraine, Ukraine is probably realising that victory is achievable but that the human cost would be atrocious. |
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Post by lens on May 17, 2022 10:12:58 GMT
Yes, but what the F@ck has that got to do with me? I've suggested a series of measures to prevent infection, not delay it. I don't know what you are talking about. Neither do you, I suspect. No alec, things you have suggested and promoted (mask mandates etc) don't ultimately prevent total case numbers - they just delay them. Same as has happened with the other UK regions compared to England. And the current situation in North Korea is an extreme example of this happening. You can be sure that lockdown and enforced mask wearing etc in North Korea is far more stringent than anything seen in the West - and it's not working. And I suspect you know what I'm talking about extremely well. |
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steve
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Post by steve on May 17, 2022 10:14:34 GMT
jib There has been no reduction in migration all you brexitanians have done is stolen U.K. Citizens freedom of movement.
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Post by somerjohn on May 17, 2022 10:23:21 GMT
Colin: "The mirage that is so often the reality of EU's self proclaimed unity & solidarity still can't agree to cease buying Putin's oil"As opposed, presumably, to our own dear totally united, indivisible and brexit-enabled nation, which quickly announced a ban on its (minor) Russian oil imports. Oh, wait a minute, what's this, from yesterday? Greenpeace protesters blocked a jetty where a tanker carrying 33,000 tonnes of Russian diesel was due to berth, forcing it to turn around in the Thames.
The environmental group said 12 campaigners got in to the Navigator Terminals in Grays in Essex late on Sunday, and climbed on to the jetty.
They were protesting against the UK government allowing fossil fuel money to flow to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and fund invasion of Ukraine.'www.itv.com/news/anglia/2022-05-16/greenpeace-blocks-russian-diesel-tanker-at-uk-fuel-terminalWho'd have thought our government could talk the talk but might have trouble with the walking bit? |
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Post by leftieliberal on May 17, 2022 10:27:55 GMT
I found an interesting post in my LinkedIn feed by Dan Kaine, who is in the risk control business. I'll just share the image; it's the location of Russian SIM cards in the Ukraine. So all those Russian soldiers using their mobiles to keep in touch with their families back home are unwittingly giving their positions away. Attachment Deleted |
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Post by ladyvalerie on May 17, 2022 10:32:39 GMT
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steve
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Post by steve on May 17, 2022 10:45:03 GMT
Conflating “anybody can get a better job” with “everybody can get a better job” is THE classic tory shithousery. If we all become fund managers, how can we all get million-£ bonuses? And who will clean our offices?
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Post by jib on May 17, 2022 10:51:07 GMT
jib There has been no reduction in migration all you brexitanians have done is stolen U.K. Citizens freedom of movement. Stop blaming me Steve. All I did was vote and rightly expect the decision to be enacted. Maybe I chose the wrong side in your humble opinion but don't blame me for your personal inconveniences. I'm not sure what you wanted - ignore the democratic decision? I don't and never have supported the Tories. I'd of settled the Norway option, but not being an MP, it was out of my hands. If you want to blame anyone, blame the useless political class! |
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Post by alec on May 17, 2022 10:51:35 GMT
lens - "No alec, things you have suggested and promoted (mask mandates etc) don't ultimately prevent total case numbers - they just delay them." You clearly haven't been reading the science. Indoor air filtration, proper sick pay and isolation, and good levels of community testing and surveillance actually reduce infections, on a permanent basis, until we can delivery neutralizing vaccines. You seem somewhat stuck on the limited issue of masking, as is much of the barmy media commentary. Best to listen to the experts, in my view.
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) In many ways it's been astounding how much unity and purpose they have been able to express and put into action on Ukraine. I reckon you were annoyed to observe that. Can't you ever bring yourself to give credit where it's due or does everything need to be subsumed to the never ending partisan brexit battle? 
