Politics

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

Can't remember, was it that you encourage all to get involved in the democratic process and it is the foundations of our civilised society?Yes, I think that was it. 😉

What civilised society are you in then? Because the one I'm in leaves dying people in the back of ambulances, and in corridors crying out in pain. The one I'm in votes to subject its old people to freeze to death, whilst multi millionaires read their justification for it through glasses that they didn't even pay for. The one I'm in stands by whilst decent people die needlessly on waiting lists, whilst the privileged enjoy the instant attention of the nurses and doctors that we paid for. Where Kings, princesses and millionaires can buy a right to be instantly healed and do so whilst paying a smaller percentage into THEIR system than a care worker on minimum wage. I could on... But what's the point whilst anyone believes this is democracy..   

[guest3474]

What civilised society are you in then? Because the one I'm in leaves dying people in the back of ambulances, and in corridors crying out in pain. The one I'm in votes to subject its old people to freeze to death, whilst multi millionaires read their justification for it through glasses that they didn't even pay for. The one I'm in stands by whilst decent people die needlessly on waiting lists, whilst the privileged enjoy the instant attention of the nurses and doctors that we paid for. Where Kings, princesses and millionaires can buy a right to be instantly healed and do so whilst paying a smaller percentage into THEIR system than a care worker on minimum wage. I could on... But what's the point whilst anyone believes this is democracy..   

With you on this one Tel - it’s a sad indictment that the UK (still one of the richest countries in the world) is such a shambles for large swaths of the population- as always the reasons are complex but separating the two parts of my thinking which cuts across political thinking is the lack of personal responsibility and accountability along with the very rich wanting (and getting) an even bigger slice of the pie are major contributors- as you argue the current limited choice on political parties is going to make very little difference.

[Manwork04]

With you on this one Tel - it’s a sad indictment that the UK (still one of the richest countries in the world) is such a shambles for large swaths of the population- as always the reasons are complex but separating the two parts of my thinking which cuts across political thinking is the lack of personal responsibility and accountability along with the very rich wanting (and getting) an even bigger slice of the pie are major contributors- as you argue the current limited choice on political parties is going to make very little difference.

You really do spout utter nonsense, we have a progressive tax system in this country which in a nutshell means the more you earn the more you pay.
As for more political parties and proportional representation you end up like Germany with constant coalitions constant arguments and nothing being achieved.
The current UK government is more self serving than the previous administration and what’s worse is utterly incompetent.

[DavCobb]

we have a progressive tax system in this country which in a nutshell means the more you earn the more you pay.

Any of the 'common folk' are really knackered when it comes to taxes, hence the saying 'death and taxes'.

I've been trying to help my dad, someone who worked as a lorry driver for all of his years and has been retired for 27 years. He now has a zero tax code, i.e. every part of his state & private pension, along with anything outside of an ISA is taxed. If there are any loop holes I haven't found them!
He'll be comfortable (i.e. he can do without his winter fuel allowance) but he is hardly a millionaire and what he has was from working and leading a modest lifestyle.

It may sound obvious but it is only just dawned on me that you'll never escape the HMRC!
 

[Manwork04]

Any of the 'common folk' are really knackered when it comes to taxes, hence the saying 'death and taxes'.

I've been trying to help my dad, someone who worked as a lorry driver for all of his years and has been retired for 27 years. He now has a zero tax code, i.e. every part of his state & private pension, along with anything outside of an ISA is taxed. If there are any loop holes I haven't found them!
He'll be comfortable (i.e. he can do without his winter fuel allowance) but he is hardly a millionaire and what he has was from working and leading a modest lifestyle.

It may sound obvious but it is only just dawned on me that you'll never escape the HMRC!
 

You need to speak to an IFA, they may be able to help.

[BackOfTheNet]

What civilised society are you in then? Because the one I'm in leaves dying people in the back of ambulances, and in corridors crying out in pain.   

I witnessed this first hand this week. My dad wasn't well so they dialled 111 and ultimately it resulted in an ambulance being sent.

It took them to the hospital, getting there just before midnight.

And there they stayed, until a bed was found for him at 7am. So that was an ambulance and the two paramedics sidelined for over 7 hours.

When I arrived at the hospital a little after 8am, the corridor leading to A&E was full of people in need of treatment, some of whom looked in a pretty sorry state.

Listening to the staff talk I got the impression they'd been unusually busy and it had caught them out, but even so... when we left the hospital in the middle of the afternoon, the corridor was still full.

[Bugbrooke Boy]

The Chagos Islands, which Mr Manwork felt Labour were 'stupid' to cede - did you know (I didn't until yesterday) that the scheme was set up by the Tories and Labour simply carried it forward - I laughed so much I nearly shat myself - you really need to do more research before slagging of Labour!

[Tabasco Kid]

The Chagos Islands, which Mr Manwork felt Labour were 'stupid' to cede - did you know (I didn't until yesterday) that the scheme was set up by the Tories and Labour simply carried it forward - I laughed so much I nearly shat myself - you really need to do more research before slagging of Labour!

Dont you mean that until a couple of days ago, you had never heard of the Chagos Islands? 

[Bingers]

What civilised society are you in then? Because the one I'm in leaves dying people in the back of ambulances, and in corridors crying out in pain. The one I'm in votes to subject its old people to freeze to death, whilst multi millionaires read their justification for it through glasses that they didn't even pay for. The one I'm in stands by whilst decent people die needlessly on waiting lists, whilst the privileged enjoy the instant attention of the nurses and doctors that we paid for. Where Kings, princesses and millionaires can buy a right to be instantly healed and do so whilst paying a smaller percentage into THEIR system than a care worker on minimum wage. I could on... But what's the point whilst anyone believes this is democracy..   

These are all very good points Comrade Fenners. You could be earning yourself the position of Health Minister in the Comrade Bingers and Comrade Manny Common Sense Coalition. Together we can work to right the wrongs of the past and build a better future.

[Manwork04]

The Chagos Islands, which Mr Manwork felt Labour were 'stupid' to cede - did you know (I didn't until yesterday) that the scheme was set up by the Tories and Labour simply carried it forward - I laughed so much I nearly shat myself - you really need to do more research before slagging of Labour!

Off 

[Manwork04]

These are all very good points Comrade Fenners. You could be earning yourself the position of Health Minister in the Comrade Bingers and Comrade Manny Common Sense Coalition. Together we can work to right the wrongs of the past and build a better future.

I’d be very happy with Tel in the cabinet, power to the people comrades.

[Tabasco Kid]

Off 

[Terryfenwickatemyhamster]

I’d be very happy with Tel in the cabinet, power to the people comrades.

I want a dodgy expenses account. And private healthcare of course. 😊

[Bingers]

I want a dodgy expenses account.

Guaranteed with Comrade Manny in charge.

[DavCobb]

You need to speak to an IFA, they may be able to help.

I can imagine my dad (pushing 90) with an IFA. He'd have him out of the door or talk about his national service in Hong Kong or his garden 
It wouldn't surprise me if he has cash in envelopes and had to seriously nag him to offload out of a 0% current account. Fair to say he is from a different generation.
He sometimes gives me cash for stuff I've got him and I try explaining that I have no means to put it in the bank. "Is a cheque better?"

[Bingers]

Ah comrade Bingers, it’s JC my old mucker from the GLA, although Kemi Badenoch would be good, just not Tugenhat.

So the least nutty of the three nutters left has been knocked out of the contest. Down to the party members now to decide which one is the best representation for them to lead their years in opposition.

I think that Badenoch shares the values of many people party members, but will they want her? Jenrick has been suitably corrupt to qualify as a Tory party leader, but he strikes me as not very capable or competent. I don't think either of them will be in charge by the time of the next election. If they are, that's another 5 years of a Labour government, unless they mess up big style in the meantime. Or if the world comes to an end.

[Melbourne Cobbler]

I want a dodgy expenses account. And private healthcare of course. 😊

For me Private Healthcare is too expensive as an employment benefit due to the tax rate that is applied to it. Justifying legitimate expenses is hard enough without adding dodgy ones into the equation. I have a lot of stuff said to me along these lines in jest, but the reality and perception are galaxies apart. They ain’t stupid and one way or another they are getting their money. As for corporate giants, they don’t get away with anything, they are allowed favourable tax rates because countries are competing with each other for the revenue. Ignore the political spin, that’s bollocks.

[EB Claret]

So the least nutty of the three nutters left has been knocked out of the contest. Down to the party members now to decide which one is the best representation for them to lead their years in opposition.

I think that Badenoch shares the values of many people party members, but will they want her? Jenrick has been suitably corrupt to qualify as a Tory party leader, but he strikes me as not very capable or competent. I don't think either of them will be in charge by the time of the next election. If they are, that's another 5 years of a Labour government, unless they mess up big style in the meantime. Or if the world comes to an end.

All this will soon be rendered irrelevant when the Comrade Bingers and Comrade Manny Common Sense Coalition come to power!

[Bingers]

All this will soon be rendered irrelevant when the Comrade Bingers and Comrade Manny Common Sense Coalition come to power!

Excellent, another believer. Do you have particular skills EB that you can offer to help us achieve glorious success.?

[guest3474]

So the least nutty of the three nutters left has been knocked out of the contest. Down to the party members now to decide which one is the best representation for them to lead their years in opposition.

I think that Badenoch shares the values of many people party members, but will they want her? Jenrick has been suitably corrupt to qualify as a Tory party leader, but he strikes me as not very capable or competent. I don't think either of them will be in charge by the time of the next election. If they are, that's another 5 years of a Labour government, unless they mess up big style in the meantime. Or if the world comes to an end.

Personally I'd love to see Badenoch in charge as her pathetic attempts to emulate Thatcher would cement the demise of the party quicker than the woefully weak and corrupt Jenrick

The conservatives however are a spent force and the calibre of these leaders and indeed many of their MPs are at an all time low in terms of credibility and competence. However Labour should be gloating here, as a brief honest look in the mirror reveals much of the same - of course the unknown quantity is Reform but as with all populist movements when the rhetoric has too give way to actual actionable policy they are likely to be found short and invariably (much like the conservatives) there will be major conflict between the electable right and the racist hard right fractions of the party.

I actually think the next 4 years give a great opportunity for the Liberals to gain significant traction - on the one hand Ed Davey seems a bit of a pratt but his antics kept the liberals in the public eye - without him they would have pretty much been ignored, so perhaps he is smarter than we think.

......but as the wiser commentators on here observe, for the vast majority of the population it will make FA difference who is in power as corruption, ego and self interest will be the dominant characteristics of the government of the day.