EmCat
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Post by EmCat on May 7, 2023 17:13:13 GMT
Also, on a lighter note, for the (few) fans of Scottish League Division 2 football on UKPR2 (there is at least one I am aware of), while not quite the greatest result of all time, now that the league table positions are confirmed, we do have one of those linguistic oddities so beloved of twitter. There it is, in all it's glory; East Fife - fourth Forfar - fifth I read out the league placings, and when I got to 4th and 5th place was told "it sounds as though you have a mouth full of peanut butter"  The closest I have seen is when there were few matches on a particular day. Both East Fife and Forfar were playing at home, and the results were put in alphabetic order. East Fife had scored 5 against their opponent, and Forfar had scored 4 against theirs. 9 January 2021 (hopefully a c150kb file won't breach the site limit) |
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Post by mercian on May 7, 2023 17:16:53 GMT
The pawns all seem to be there |
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Post by mercian on May 7, 2023 17:30:14 GMT
It must have been nice for top Tories to have a day at the coronation after the disaster of the LEs. I thought Sunak did a creditable job of reading the lesson - made it seem as if he meant it, and indeed had rehearsed it so well he almost knew it by heart. And Penny Mordaunt was superb! I didn't even recognise her until after. In contrast, Archbishop Welby was distinctly underwhelming, and Charles needed a script for the simplest of responses. I liked the music, but soldiers and silly hats generally leave me cold as spectacle. Still, each to his own. If we ever go for an elected monarch, I'm for Penny! When Truss demoted her to Leader of the House and Lord President of the (Privy) Council she obviously did not think about the consequences for the coming Coronation (or even Charles taking the oaths of Accession at St James' Palace). I'm sure it hasn't done Mordaunt's chances of becoming the next Tory leader any harm. I thought she was great as well, but I don't quite see how being able to hold a heavy sword upright for two hours qualifies her to be PM 😁 |
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Post by lululemonmustdobetter on May 7, 2023 18:22:52 GMT
Not sure if previously referenced, so apologies if duplicating, but in Ukraine, it is now confirmed that the Ukrainians have shot down one of Russia's hyper sonic Kinzhal missiles, which Russia had previously said were immune to air defence systems. Ukraine used a US supplied Patriot anti missile system. And a few days ago there was widely circulated video showing a drone attack on the Kremlin itself. It was a minor incident in terms of impact, with an explosion and small fire, but a compare and contrast between Moscow's 'Ring of Steel' air defence system and the Ukrainian ability to intercept Russia's most advanced air attack weaponry is somewhat entertaining. All going swimmingly for the Kremlin. , I have only seen Ukrainian sources on the claim of intercepting a Kinzhal missile - do you have an independent source? On the Kremlin 'attack', my understanding is that it is generally assumed that that was a Russian fabricated attack.
More concerning is the the reports that the Russians are being more effective in jamming Himars - I suspect this is one of the factors in 'delaying' the counter-offensive. |
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domjg
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Post by domjg on May 7, 2023 18:26:45 GMT
Not sure if previously referenced, so apologies if duplicating, but in Ukraine, it is now confirmed that the Ukrainians have shot down one of Russia's hyper sonic Kinzhal missiles, which Russia had previously said were immune to air defence systems. Ukraine used a US supplied Patriot anti missile system. And a few days ago there was widely circulated video showing a drone attack on the Kremlin itself. It was a minor incident in terms of impact, with an explosion and small fire, but a compare and contrast between Moscow's 'Ring of Steel' air defence system and the Ukrainian ability to intercept Russia's most advanced air attack weaponry is somewhat entertaining. All going swimmingly for the Kremlin. , I have only seen Ukrainian sources on the claim of intercepting a Kinzhal missile - do you have an independent source? On the Kremlin 'attack', my understanding is that it is generally assumed that that was a Russian fabricated attack.
More concerning is the the reports that the Russians are being more effective in jamming Himars - I suspect this is one of the factors in 'delaying' the counter-offensive. I read that the Americans confirmed it (the Kinzhal downing). Can't recall where, probably Spiegel or Sueddeutsche Zeitung. No details though. |
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Post by mandolinist on May 7, 2023 18:35:07 GMT
Very disappointing. And I will be asked to lend my vote to Labour? This has decided me, I have tried so hard to keep my peace. My membership card is now in six pieces and will be returned to the party tomorrow. |
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domjg
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Post by domjg on May 7, 2023 18:37:38 GMT
Also on the subject of Russia and the war, this analysis is intriguing - www.kyivpost.com/post/16742Many western experts on Russian affairs have been wildly wrong in their assessments over the last couple of years, most of them grossly overstating Russia's abilities and powers, so it is somewhat refreshing to read a western expert view that leans very firmly the other way. Whether this analysis is valid I really can't judge, although the unspoken central thesis upon which is based - that centralized states with little democratic accountability, weak governing structures and highly personalized leaderships that relies on suppression of dissent and propaganda can appear very strong but can also collapse extremely rapidly once a tipping point is past - is historically familiar. I think it's beyond doubt that Russia, without the wholehearted support of China, is progressively weakening as a world player, and increasingly, even as a regional power. Whether this presages a complete collapse is not yet clear, and neither is it clear whether such a collapse would end up to the benefit of the west, and the rest of the world. But as each day passes, it is becoming more likely that the west is going to get another chance at securing a different kind of Russia. The first attempt was very successful indeed up to the Polish border, with the non-Russian elements of the Soviet Bloc mostly absorbed into Europe and western style liberal democracy. But that success stopped at the Russian border, where failure then led to the creation of the monster we now see. Maybe we'll have a better approach this time around, if the chance arises. For evidence of what the war is doing to Russia in terms of even being a regional power you just have to look at recent events in the 'near abroad' re the Armenia/Azerbaijan conflict where Azerbaijan clearly feels emboldened and where the Armenians, who previously would assume Russia has their backs, have been turning to the French to help mediate for them as they feel they can no longer rely on Russia. I understand even the Kazakhs have distanced themselves from Putin. This says it all I think. I imagine part of Russia's new subservience to China will also see ex Soviet Central Asia moving firmly into the Chinese orbit. |
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Post by alec on May 7, 2023 18:58:35 GMT
Worth noting - www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/07/vietnam-records-highest-ever-temperature-of-441cHeat records are tumbling in SE Asia, currently sweating under a record breaking heatwave. We ignored the warnings over climate change for far too long, dismissing those detailing the problems as firstly cranks, and then doomsters. In the end, if anything, they were a tad optimistic, as reality is worse than most predictions at this point. There's another current topic following an eerily similar path, but I'm having a weekend off. |
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Post by johntel on May 7, 2023 19:09:21 GMT
Also on the subject of Russia and the war, this analysis is intriguing - www.kyivpost.com/post/16742Many western experts on Russian affairs have been wildly wrong in their assessments over the last couple of years, most of them grossly overstating Russia's abilities and powers, so it is somewhat refreshing to read a western expert view that leans very firmly the other way. Whether this analysis is valid I really can't judge, although the unspoken central thesis upon which is based - that centralized states with little democratic accountability, weak governing structures and highly personalized leaderships that relies on suppression of dissent and propaganda can appear very strong but can also collapse extremely rapidly once a tipping point is past - is historically familiar. I think it's beyond doubt that Russia, without the wholehearted support of China, is progressively weakening as a world player, and increasingly, even as a regional power. Whether this presages a complete collapse is not yet clear, and neither is it clear whether such a collapse would end up to the benefit of the west, and the rest of the world. But as each day passes, it is becoming more likely that the west is going to get another chance at securing a different kind of Russia. The first attempt was very successful indeed up to the Polish border, with the non-Russian elements of the Soviet Bloc mostly absorbed into Europe and western style liberal democracy. But that success stopped at the Russian border, where failure then led to the creation of the monster we now see. Maybe we'll have a better approach this time around, if the chance arises. We have to get through the nuclear poker game and the 2nd bloody revolution before we get to that point... |
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alurqa
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Post by alurqa on May 7, 2023 19:24:13 GMT
Its not at all clear to what extent China is supporting Russia. Obviously it isnt making this public. Well what we can say with certainty is this: * China's Belt and Road Initiative is driven by geography, and in particular the Malaca Straights by Singapore. It is also the motivation for tension around Taiwan, as that prevents direct access to the open sea for China's trade. * One of the successful routes, but with relatively low capacity, is the overland route via Russia and Belarus to Germany. The other land routes pass through numerous countries, with each wanting some take in transit charges. The Russian route is the most effective. * Russia's eastern lands are rich in natural gas. There are a few pipelines that have been or are being constructed, to supply China's unquenchable demand for fossile fuels. If that was to dry up it's economy would suffer massively. * China knows Russia is in a weak position, and can get the upper hand as and when Russia and China negotiate long-term aggreements. It also knows it has to tread carefully, because the US is watching. So China cannot openly support Russia because of any pushback from the US. And it cannot critise Russia because they may shut down the pipelines, and stop the trains. So it has to tread carefully. I'm sure there is allsorts going on in the background, but they will have to be relatively small scale, and stay in the background.
Or in short -- it's complicated. :-)
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steve
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Post by steve on May 7, 2023 19:31:22 GMT
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pjw1961
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Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
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Post by pjw1961 on May 7, 2023 19:33:43 GMT
You are making the mistake of thinking of executive Presidents of the US or French model, which are relatively rare. Most Presidents are no more executive and probably more neutral than our King. See Germany, Italy, Israel, Ireland and a mass of other examples. What they do have is a role in protecting the constitution from misbehaving Prime Ministers. So, for example, when the Queen went along with Boris Johnson's attempt to illegally prorogue parliament, a President would have been obliged to say no. I may be wrong but I seem to remember that it wasn't ruled illegal until afterwards. If that's true, how could the Queen know it was illegal? If it was ruled illegal before she gave her assent I apologise. The problem wasn't whether or not the Queen knew it was illegal but rather she took the view that under what passes for our constitution she was obliged to do whatever her PM of the day told her to do. |
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Post by James E on May 7, 2023 19:42:22 GMT
I understood that they took 6% of the Local Election vote, in the 6% of the seats where they stood. This would mean that they received about 0.36% of all the votes cast. |
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oldnat
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Post by oldnat on May 7, 2023 19:54:14 GMT
So I ask a simple question. How do you ensure that the Federal Parliament or the English Parliament (whichever makes the claim to be the inheritor of "1000 years of English history" - or both jointly) cannot simply pass a law, backed by the Supreme Court, that transfers all power back to it/them? Under the Uk constitution, its dead easy. All westminster has to do is pass a law which grants powers to another body which cannot be revoked without the express consent of that body. This sort of change has happened repatedly in our history. The house of commons only has power because it was granted a share of sovereignty in this same way. English constitutional law is entirely different, and assumes the untrammelled sovereignty of the UK Parliament, which may choose to devolve some powers from itself to subordinate bodies - and take them back as it so wishes. No, not really. It assumes there exists absolute sovereignty which can be shared out as people choose at a certain time, provided those who currently hold that power agree to changes. That there is no written constitution allows this flexibility to change. Your answer to the second point demonstrates why your answer to the first is nonsense. |
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oldnat
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Post by oldnat on May 7, 2023 20:52:59 GMT
That implies that your position is that unification of the current territories of the UK in a single state is your primary aim. Clearly, you can't consider that being part of the UK is of net benefit to Scotland, otherwise why would we "remain independent"?
Of course, as member states of the EU we could all reunite in that, but that is insufficient for you. So when hireton and I refer to that stance as being "British Nationalism" (ie wanting a British state, as opposed to English, Welsh and Scottish ones) it is an accurate representation.
I agree with you that the sensible restructuring of the UK (which I long supported) is impractical - but only because of the nationalist intransigence of "the Brits". This is where, as always, your nationalism blinds you to the fact there are people who reject nationalism as a political philosophy and are universalist as a principle. Four nations operating together is attractive to me not as an English empire but as an example of international cooperation and the rejection of narrow divisive nationalisms. I would in turn happily see that entity subsumed into a pan-European Federal union and I would be equally happy to see that disappear into a One World government, provided it was based on democracy. Your concentration on differences blinds you to that fact that the English, Scots, Welsh and Irish have far more in common than divides us, and indeed we are all just a sub-branch of a wider European identity.
You wholly ignore those people who consider themselves as part of a British Nation. Those who so identify are just as much "nationalists" as those who consider themselves English, Welsh or Scots. Then there are those who consider themselves to have multiple identities - eg more than one of English/British/European. Life is far more complex than in your simplistic view.
Nations don't require to be states, nor does a state require to represent a nation. The 19th century term "nation state" simply reflects the strategy of rulers through the ages to require commonality among the ruled, enabling othering to be more easily deployed, and to make them easier to control. "Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia".
What was being discussed was the best arrangements for governance in this archipelago. Working with Ireland, Man, Jersey and Guernsey is just as important to me as any other links. For some reason, you ignore that dimension and consider that retaining the current UK as the internationally recognised state is the best solution (although not for whom). At the same time, you clearly don't think that Scotland is a net beneficiary of the UK Union, else you would not have said that, once outwith those constraints, it would not reunite.
We are both supporters of political union, in that we want to be in the political and economic union of the EU. What you don't explain is why the component parts of the UK are better served by the UK being the member state, instead of its component polities being members in their own right. The Benelux and Vizegrad states are independent members of the EU, they also work together in areas of mutual benefit. The Nordic Council members are all in EU or EFTA but work together in many areas. The Council of the Isles provides an initial model for how this archipelago could work together as independent members.
Anent "blindness" - mote and beam!
[1] Indeed if you consider those who identify as Irish, there are more outwith the island, than in it! |
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Post by leftieliberal on May 7, 2023 21:03:43 GMT
When Truss demoted her to Leader of the House and Lord President of the (Privy) Council she obviously did not think about the consequences for the coming Coronation (or even Charles taking the oaths of Accession at St James' Palace). I'm sure it hasn't done Mordaunt's chances of becoming the next Tory leader any harm. I thought she was great as well, but I don't quite see how being able to hold a heavy sword upright for two hours qualifies her to be PM 😁 Well, she could be the new Iron Lady.  |
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oldnat
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Post by oldnat on May 7, 2023 21:37:27 GMT
Pensioner couple looking for the rest of the chess set. I wouldn't wish to assume lifespan for anyone, and the royal family are likely to get the best available medical care. But this is a very different game to when Elizabeth came to the throne aged 27. Charles is 74, by which age his mother was coming up to her golden jubilee. William is 40 and can reasonably expect to become king rather younger than his father. Charles did look a bit old. We might be in a bus situation, where two always come along at once. |
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oldnat
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Post by oldnat on May 7, 2023 21:59:17 GMT
Very disappointing. And I will be asked to lend my vote to Labour? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This has decided me, I have tried so hard to keep my peace. My membership card is now in six pieces and will be returned to the party tomorrow.
They might even extend it to Scotland & NI as well.
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pjw1961
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Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.
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Post by pjw1961 on May 7, 2023 23:03:57 GMT
This is where, as always, your nationalism blinds you to the fact there are people who reject nationalism as a political philosophy and are universalist as a principle. Four nations operating together is attractive to me not as an English empire but as an example of international cooperation and the rejection of narrow divisive nationalisms. I would in turn happily see that entity subsumed into a pan-European Federal union and I would be equally happy to see that disappear into a One World government, provided it was based on democracy. Your concentration on differences blinds you to that fact that the English, Scots, Welsh and Irish have far more in common than divides us, and indeed we are all just a sub-branch of a wider European identity.
You wholly ignore those people who consider themselves as part of a British Nation. Those who so identify are just as much "nationalists" as those who consider themselves English, Welsh or Scots. Then there are those who consider themselves to have multiple identities - eg more than one of English/British/European. Life is far more complex than in your simplistic view.
Nations don't require to be states, nor does a state require to represent a nation. The 19th century term "nation state" simply reflects the strategy of rulers through the ages to require commonality among the ruled, enabling othering to be more easily deployed, and to make them easier to control. "Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia".
What was being discussed was the best arrangements for governance in this archipelago. Working with Ireland, Man, Jersey and Guernsey is just as important to me as any other links. For some reason, you ignore that dimension and consider that retaining the current UK as the internationally recognised state is the best solution (although not for whom). At the same time, you clearly don't think that Scotland is a net beneficiary of the UK Union, else you would not have said that, once outwith those constraints, it would not reunite.
We are both supporters of political union, in that we want to be in the political and economic union of the EU. What you don't explain is why the component parts of the UK are better served by the UK being the member state, instead of its component polities being members in their own right. The Benelux and Vizegrad states are independent members of the EU, they also work together in areas of mutual benefit. The Nordic Council members are all in EU or EFTA but work together in many areas. The Council of the Isles provides an initial model for how this archipelago could work together as independent members.
Anent "blindness" - mote and beam!
[1] Indeed if you consider those who identify as Irish, there are more outwith the island, than in it!Your posts in response to Alec's suggestion have been most revealing. It has demonstrated that the reasons that you typically give for Scotland needing independence - for example the numerical dominance of England and the democratic deficit in the Westminster system - are in fact bogus, because even if those were resolved you would still demand Scottish independence. That shows you do indeed hold to a nationalist ideology. The practical effect is that you are advancing a view, even if perhaps you do not realise it, that you have more in common with the members of a Glasgow Orange Lodge because they are also Scots than you do with English or Welsh social democrats or greens. That is not a philosophy I could ever agree with. |
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oldnat
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Post by oldnat on May 7, 2023 23:49:39 GMT
Your posts in response to Alec's suggestion have been most revealing. It has demonstrated that the reasons that you typically give for Scotland needing independence - for example the numerical dominance of England and the democratic deficit in the Westminster system - are in fact bogus, because even if those were resolved you would still demand Scottish independence. That shows you do indeed hold to a nationalist ideology. The practical effect is that you are advancing a view, even if perhaps you do not realise it, that you have more in common with the members of a Glasgow Orange Lodge because they are also Scots than you do with English or Welsh social democrats or greens. That is not a philosophy I could ever agree with.
However, your refusal to engage with any of the dubious issues in your own, constitutionally conservative, position perhaps indicate that you have no answers. Thus far you have not proffered a single justification as to why the current UK is of net benefit to Scotland (or NI or Wales for that matter) or why the UK as an EU member state would be preferable to the polities within the UK being members in their own right.
Your condescension ("perhaps you do not realise it") sadly stems from an inability to comprehend your own tunnel vision, and projecting that onto others.
If considering that an independent Scottish state in the EU meant that I had "more in common with the members of a Glasgow Orange Lodge because they are also Scots than do with English or Welsh social democrats or greens", then your wish to have an independent UK state in the EU must necessarily mean that you have more in common with a Glasgow Orange Lodge, Britain First, Siol nan Gaidheal, the Heritage Party, Nat Con, ReesMogg, Braverman & co. and various other loony groups within the UK simply because they are British than you have with Irish, Danish, Icelandic etc Social Democrats and Greens.
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oldnat
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Post by oldnat on May 8, 2023 0:03:23 GMT
Lucy Frazer who says she is "in charge of the BBC”, also said in the Sophie Ridge interview, when asked about the arrest of innocent protesters “ We didn’t burn them”.
Presumably, ELab won't burn protesters either - though that probably needs to be confirmed.
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Danny
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Post by Danny on May 8, 2023 5:02:41 GMT
I may be wrong but I seem to remember that it wasn't ruled illegal until afterwards. If that's true, how could the Queen know it was illegal? If it was ruled illegal before she gave her assent I apologise. The problem wasn't whether or not the Queen knew it was illegal but rather she took the view that under what passes for our constitution she was obliged to do whatever her PM of the day told her to do. But the queen should have known it was illegal, its obvious. The principle is not that the queen obeys the pm but she obeys parliament, the pm is just a messenger. One who was not telling her what parliament wanted but he wanted. Everyone knew parliament did mot want to dussolve and doing so was designed ti prevent it acting against the pm. Johnson staged a coup and the queen agreed. Although there are a majority of monarchists in the uk still, quite a few of them believe in the monarchy on the grounds it protects them from rogue politicians. But it doesnt, and that is why change is needed. I would support retaining it IF it's power was formally confirmed. But then we run into the problem that politicians find it intolerable there be any check to their total power and so only want a monarch who is utterly powerless but lends them pr support. The queen failed when she should have acted (or have refused to act). |
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Danny
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Post by Danny on May 8, 2023 5:15:16 GMT
Lucy Frazer who says she is "in charge of the BBC”, also said in the Sophie Ridge interview, when asked about the arrest of innocent protesters “ We didn’t burn them”.
Presumably, ELab won't burn protesters either - though that probably needs to be confirmed. Odd she even considered this was an option. In her interview with kuenssberg yesterday she clearly said it was the government view no one should be allowed to express anti monarchist views on cornation day. Not clear whether she also means 'ever'. Its clear government intends the new police powers to be used against any other protesters who oppose government policy. This is really no different to Putin. |
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Danny
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Post by Danny on May 8, 2023 5:21:15 GMT
I thought she was great as well, but I don't quite see how being able to hold a heavy sword upright for two hours qualifies her to be PM 😁 It does though. Just as riding round in a gold coach qualifies charles to be king. Or Johnson chatting amicably with the public qualified him to be pm. Or being an mp qualifies you to stay an mp. |
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Post by moby on May 8, 2023 5:46:23 GMT
This is where, as always, your nationalism blinds you to the fact there are people who reject nationalism as a political philosophy and are universalist as a principle. Four nations operating together is attractive to me not as an English empire but as an example of international cooperation and the rejection of narrow divisive nationalisms. I would in turn happily see that entity subsumed into a pan-European Federal union and I would be equally happy to see that disappear into a One World government, provided it was based on democracy. Your concentration on differences blinds you to that fact that the English, Scots, Welsh and Irish have far more in common than divides us, and indeed we are all just a sub-branch of a wider European identity.
You wholly ignore those people who consider themselves as part of a British Nation. Those who so identify are just as much "nationalists" as those who consider themselves English, Welsh or Scots. Then there are those who consider themselves to have multiple identities - eg more than one of English/British/European. Life is far more complex than in your simplistic view.
Nations don't require to be states, nor does a state require to represent a nation. The 19th century term "nation state" simply reflects the strategy of rulers through the ages to require commonality among the ruled, enabling othering to be more easily deployed, and to make them easier to control. "Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia".
What was being discussed was the best arrangements for governance in this archipelago. Working with Ireland, Man, Jersey and Guernsey is just as important to me as any other links. For some reason, you ignore that dimension and consider that retaining the current UK as the internationally recognised state is the best solution (although not for whom). At the same time, you clearly don't think that Scotland is a net beneficiary of the UK Union, else you would not have said that, once outwith those constraints, it would not reunite.
We are both supporters of political union, in that we want to be in the political and economic union of the EU. What you don't explain is why the component parts of the UK are better served by the UK being the member state, instead of its component polities being members in their own right. The Benelux and Vizegrad states are independent members of the EU, they also work together in areas of mutual benefit. The Nordic Council members are all in EU or EFTA but work together in many areas. The Council of the Isles provides an initial model for how this archipelago could work together as independent members.
Anent "blindness" - mote and beam!
[1] Indeed if you consider those who identify as Irish, there are more outwith the island, than in it!This is the simplest definition I've seen:- Nationalism is an ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion, or allegiance to a nation or nation-state and holds that such obligations outweigh other individual or group interests. So I'd say your position is that your 'group' interests are those of the Scots? That to me is a pretty selfish philosophy. It's as if you are saying the current structures doen't work, (agreed by me) but your response to the issue is the problem (for me) because when all is said and done it is to go your own way and leave the rest of us behind instead of looking to solutions that benefit all of us, (current polity). Llafur has always put 'class' before 'nation' and that stance seems to have always been successful in Wales but there are members of Llafur who do want independence. The experience of one such member campaigning during the Scottish referendum is illuminating. Perhaps a change to a more inclusive approach may actually benefit us all? nation.cymru/opinion/why-the-welsh-independence-movement-needs-labour-supporters-to-win/ |
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Post by catfuzz on May 8, 2023 6:39:12 GMT
Is it me, or is it a bit melancholy that one of the best things we can say about politicians in the country is that one of them can hold a sword for 50+ mins?
I really long for a day I can be proud of something the government has actually implemented well for the benefit of the populace.
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Post by catmanjeff on May 8, 2023 7:17:00 GMT
I'd thought I'd share this.
I asked the AI in Bing to write a short poem about Keir Starmer:
"He leads the Labour Party with a vision
To win the next election and govern
He was a lawyer and a prosecutor
Now he's a politician and a leader
He fights for justice, human rights and peace
He wants to end austerity and increase
The public ownership of rail and utilities
The freedom of movement within the EU countries
He faces challenges from left and right
He tries to unify his party and unite
The voters who are tired of Brexit and Covid
The workers who are struggling to make a living
He is Keir Starmer, the knight of the realm
He is Keir Starmer, the man at the helm"
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Post by hireton on May 8, 2023 7:28:15 GMT
moby"It's as if you are saying the current structures doen't work, (agreed by me) but your response to the issue is the problem (for me) because when all is said and done it is to go your own way and leave the rest of us behind instead of looking to solutions that benefit all of us, (current polity). " Or looked at another way, you are selfishly determined to hold back Scotland and its citizens from pursuing a better course because of your emotional attachment to a failing state which has not shown and is not showing any willingness or ability to reform itself in any significant way.
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neilj
Member
Posts: 6,385
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Post by neilj on May 8, 2023 7:33:38 GMT
He can't really be dismissed as a lefty pinko www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/national/ex-british-army-chief-uncomfortable-with-government-s-rwanda-policy-77771/'The former head of the British Army has said he is “uncomfortable” with the Government’s plans to send migrants who enter the UK unlawfully to Rwanda. General Lord Richard Dannatt pointed to the “dark history” of the east African nation which he said is still cast in the “shadow of the genocide”. He accused the Home Secretary of running “down the remaining political capital of Rishi Sunak’s Government” with the “unpopular policy”. |
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steve
Member
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Post by steve on May 8, 2023 7:46:35 GMT
As the appallingly badly drafted online safety bill sends its way through the house of lords it transpires that the regime's obsession with spying on the population may have unintended consequences. Encrypted end to end messaging services don't lend themselves to spying on the contents of their messages and surprise surprise companies such as WhatsApp will remove themselves from the 2% of their global market that exists in the UK rather than trying to find a non existent solution that complies at risk of fines up to 10% of global revenue. Still I suppose we can all go back to 🐌 mail ! www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/may/08/whatsapp-could-disappear-uk-over-privacy-concerns-ministers-told |
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