Continuation General UK Politics III - Dumb and Dumber

[zooterkin]

Originally Posted by jimbob

Looks like it's another RS Archer invention

Certainly does, though it's been endlessly retweeted (and tweeted as if original by at least one other poster).

There is a video of Johnson in a Greek supermarket, but nobody shouts anything at him.

[Lothian]

Originally Posted by Francesca R

A zombie/lame duck PM should probably just GTFO, no?

Arguably a zombie government doing nothing will do less damage to the UK than Truss will

[GlennB]

Originally Posted by Lothian

Arguably a zombie government doing nothing will do less damage to the UK than Truss will

I suspect that Truss is saying the things that will get her elected, and won't be shy to drop them like a hot potato if she does get elected.

[Filippo Lippi]

We keep making this mistake of assuming the really awful people will somehow alter when they get into power, but they don't, this is who they are

[junkshop]

Originally Posted by GlennB

I suspect that Truss is saying the things that will get her elected, and won't be shy to drop them like a hot potato if she does get elected.

How dare you! Truss has always been a loyal Conservative,¹ and has never performed a complete volte-face on a previously held position.²

The idea that she might abandon her sincerely held beliefs willy-nilly, in order to further her political career is preposterous.<sup>3 - see also 1 and 2

1</sup> _{Except for when she was a Liberal Democrat.}
² _{Except for all the times that she has. Brexit, for example (a bit of a storm in a teacup, I'll admit. It's not like Brexit'll have any real impact on anything important in the long run).}
³ _{In that it assumes any of her beliefs are sincerely held.}

[Nessie]

Originally Posted by Lothian

Arguably a zombie government doing nothing will do less damage to the UK than Truss will

NI has functioned rather well with a zombie government for a long time now. Every job I have done, goes better when the boss is away.

[Darat]

Originally Posted by Nessie

NI has functioned rather well with a zombie government for a long time now. Every job I have done, goes better when the boss is away.

It really hasn't - its public services are completely failing.

[Mojo]

Originally Posted by Darat

It really hasn't - its public services are completely failing.

See, it’s doing just as well as the rest of the UK.

[Carrot Flower King]

So, Truss continued to trot out the Britannia Unhinged line - https://www.theguardian.com/politics...ded-more-graft - well after its publication.

Remind us, Liz: what exactly have you ever achieved which was not purely for the advancement of your own self-interest and usually at the expense of others? At least 2 retired NHS workers in this house would like to know.

[Garrison]

And it turns out Rwanda was not the safe third country the government pretended it was:

Rwanda asylum scheme: Warning over political killings before UK flight

Quote:

High Court judge Lord Justice Lewis was told the official had written in a covering email: "There are state control, security, surveillance structures from the national level down... political opposition is not tolerated and arbitrary detention, torture and even killings are accepted methods of enforcing control too".

A lovely place to send vulnerable refugees.

[a_unique_person]

Liz Truss reminds workers just how much contempt the Tories really have for them.

"Liz Truss said British workers need ‘more graft’ and lack ‘skill and application’ of foreign rivals | The Independent" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...46430.html?amp

[Mojo]

Originally Posted by a_unique_person

Liz Truss reminds workers just how much contempt the Tories really have for them.

"Liz Truss said British workers need ‘more graft’ and lack ‘skill and application’ of foreign rivals | The Independent" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...46430.html?amp

That’s not really likely to cause her problems with the Tory members she needs to vote for her. The Tory leadership and press has been feeding them the line about workshy scroungers who need to be forced to work since the Thatcher government, if not earlier.

[jimbob]

Originally Posted by a_unique_person

Liz Truss reminds workers just how much contempt the Tories really have for them.

"Liz Truss said British workers need ‘more graft’ and lack ‘skill and application’ of foreign rivals | The Independent" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...46430.html?amp

Be fair to her - look at her colleagues for the last 12 years.

[The Don]

Originally Posted by a_unique_person

Liz Truss reminds workers just how much contempt the Tories really have for them.

"Liz Truss said British workers need ‘more graft’ and lack ‘skill and application’ of foreign rivals | The Independent" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...46430.html?amp

Look, if you're struggling to make ends meet working your minimum wage job(s) then you should get off your backside, contact your fellow old Etonians in government, set up your own company and make a few million selling dodgy PPE or something similar.


If you can't be bothered to do a simple thing like that then you don't deserve to live in the sunny uplands of post-Brexit Britain.

[Mojo]

Originally Posted by The Don

Look, if you're struggling to make ends meet working your minimum wage job(s) then you should get off your backside, contact your fellow old Etonians in government, set up your own company and make a few million selling dodgy PPE or something similar.

You should pay for the registration and insurance, get on your bike, and look for work.

[Lothian]

I suspect behind this is our poor productivity which rather than a lazy workforce is caused by a lack of investment and government support.

To address this we (Government and businesses) need lots of money, something neither candidate appears to be addressing.


What are their plans to improve the fortunes of UK plc or even to recover from the brexit 4% GDP hit?

[Darat]

Originally Posted by Lothian

I suspect behind this is our poor productivity which rather than a lazy workforce is caused by a lack of investment and government support.

....snip...

It's almost as if treating your staff as poorly as possible doesn't incentivise them to work harder!

[Ethan Thane Athen]

Originally Posted by a_unique_person

Liz Truss reminds workers just how much contempt the Tories really have for them.

"Liz Truss said British workers need ‘more graft’ and lack ‘skill and application’ of foreign rivals | The Independent" https://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...46430.html?amp

Well of course - that's why we had to stop them coming over here and showing us up!

[Lothian]

Originally Posted by Darat

It's almost as if treating your staff as poorly as possible doesn't incentivise them to work harder!

It depends.

If the staff member earns a high salary then cutting taxes and increasing their take home pay is an incentive to make them work harder and get richer.

If they earn a low salary then decreasing their disposable ncome via tax increases, wage cuts and benefit reductions will help them seek second or third jobs or longer hours.

[KDLarsen]

Originally Posted by Lothian

It depends.

If the staff member earns a high salary then cutting taxes and increasing their take home pay is an incentive to make them work harder and get richer.

If they earn a low salary then decreasing their disposable ncome via tax increases, wage cuts and benefit reductions will help them seek second or third jobs or longer hours.

That sounds fun, I can't wait for the first Routemaster to plow into a building, owing to the driver having worked 20 hours straight across three jobs in order to afford a basic existence.

[junkshop]

Originally Posted by Lothian

It depends.

If the staff member earns a high salary then cutting taxes and increasing their take home pay is an incentive to make them work harder and get richer [or be content with an healthy work/life balance].

If they earn a low salary then decreasing their disposable [overall i]ncome via tax increases, wage cuts and benefit reductions will help [neccessitate] them seek[ing] second or third jobs or [and therefore working] longer hours [for the same pay].

FIFY

[The Don]

Looks like we could have rolling blackouts later this year.

Quote:

Plans to enable households to get discounts on electricity bills if they cut use at peak times are set to be announced in the next two weeks.

The scheme would allow people to save cash if they avoid high-power activities, such as cooking or using washing machines, when demand is high.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62626908

[The Don]

It also looks like gas shortages over the winter are another real possibility. There are apparently regular exercises to prepare for a gas shortage - this year's will be longer:

Quote:

A regular energy industry exercise aimed at preparing the UK for the possibility of a gas supply emergency has been scaled up despite the government downplaying the threat of shortages this winter.

The annual drill will see potential scenarios - including rationing electricity - wargamed over four days, rather than the usual two, as energy concerns grow.

Industry insiders linked the drill's extension to the seriousness of the energy challenges forecast this winter.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62604653

There are clearly constraints on the international gas market and the wholesale price of gas is approximately ten times what it was back in summer 2021. Despite not being particularly dependent on Russian gas, the UK is at high risk because of our comparatively small amount of storage capacity - 5% of Germany's, 7% of Italy's, 10% of France's.

[Darat]

Originally Posted by The Don

It also looks like gas shortages over the winter are another real possibility. There are apparently regular exercises to prepare for a gas shortage - this year's will be longer:



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-62604653

There are clearly constraints on the international gas market and the wholesale price of gas is approximately ten times what it was back in summer 2021. Despite not being particularly dependent on Russian gas, the UK is at high risk because of our comparatively small amount of storage capacity - 5% of Germany's, 7% of Italy's, 10% of France's.

Hang on don't we have a strategic gas reserve.... I'm sure we had one....

I bet it was those lot in government and labour that got rid of it! Good job we are getting a new broom with Truss.

[GlennB]

Originally Posted by The Don

Looks like we could have rolling blackouts later this year.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-62626908

I was going to dump that generator I bought during the Greek financial crisis, but I might instead see if I can fire it up ...

[The Don]

Originally Posted by Darat

Hang on don't we have a strategic gas reserve.... I'm sure we had one....

I bet it was those lot in government and labour that got rid of it! Good job we are getting a new broom with Truss.

We do have one, but it's only marginally larger than the one at Don Towers - about three quarters of a 13kg cannister of patio gas.

[Darat]

Originally Posted by The Don

We do have one, but it's only marginally larger than the one at Don Towers - about three quarters of a 13kg cannister of patio gas.

Sounds like you are over qualified to step in with a contract from the government for a few million to keep our gas flowing based on the criteria used to give out the PPE contracts.

Obviously forgot to check on the rest of the requirements - which minister did you go to school with?

[The Don]

A national staple, fish and chips, is threatened by the cost of living crisis:

Quote:

Fish and chip shops are facing "extinction" amid rising costs, an industry expert has warned.

Some shops in the West of England say the soaring price of cod, sunflower oil and energy has left them struggling.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-62650572

Liz Truss' answer is that growth will solve everything

Maybe they should go back to the '50s and fry everything in beef dripping* on coal-fired ranges.

* - Actually there are still a few chippies in the Oop North that still do this - highly recommended IMO

[Darat]

Originally Posted by The Don

A national staple, fish and chips, is threatened by the cost of living crisis:



https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-62650572

Liz Truss' answer is that growth will solve everything

Maybe they should go back to the '50s and fry everything in beef dripping* on coal-fired ranges.

* - Actually there are still a few chippies in the Oop North that still do this - highly recommended IMO

It really is true that the more things change, the more they stay the same, never understood it when my Gran used to say something like that. I recall in the 1970s that the price of potatoes were often mentioned in news reports alongside the soaring cost of fish and chips because of inflation.

[The Don]

Originally Posted by Darat

It really is true that the more things change, the more they stay the same, never understood it when my Gran used to say something like that. I recall in the 1970s that the price of potatoes were often mentioned in news reports alongside the soaring cost of fish and chips because of inflation.

I remember eating dehydrated mash because potatoes were too expensive for my poor single Mum (who was separated from Daddy Don at the time).

I also remember petrol ration books being issued.

I'm well prepared for the upcoming months and years because I quite like Spam, tinned Corned Beef, haslet and brawn, can eat reconstituted dehydrated mash and am fond of dried pulses.

I also don't mind a cold, dark, house.

[wobs]

I nearly put this in the Time Travel thread, but anyway...
Consultation on choice of units of measurements ends on the 26th:

Quote:

Consultation description
The government is committed to reviewing the current law to identify how more choice can be given to businesses and consumers over the units of measurement they use for trade, while ensuring that measurement information remains accurate. The evidence gathered from this consultation will inform the government’s plans to provide a choice on weights and measures for consumer transactions.

We want to hear from a broad range of stakeholders that interact with all consumer transactions based on units of measurements – including businesses, trade associations, enforcement authorities, consumers, and consumer organisations.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consul...ings-and-sales

[The Don]

Originally Posted by wobs

I nearly put this in the Time Travel thread, but anyway...
Consultation on choice of units of measurements ends on the 26th:


https://www.gov.uk/government/consul...ings-and-sales

The assumption is that imperial units will be reintroduced, the consultation is merely whether there should be parallel metric units.

The impact on the economy will be profound . UK exporters are already finding it tricky enough to sell into the EU. Having to accommodate a separate, parallel set of standards will just add another level of complexity, cost and compliance.

The fact that hardly anyone under the age of 50 can even name the imperial units, much less actually understand them will mean that the vast majority of the workforce simply will not have a clue what's going on.


edited to add.....

I completed my response and it's clear that my initial impression was correct. Yet another disaster for the UK economy.

[gypsyjackson]

Originally Posted by The Don

The assumption is that imperial units will be reintroduced, the consultation is merely whether there should be parallel metric units.

Yep. Look at these beautiful questions:

For Consumers,
a) If you had a choice, would you want to purchase items:
(i) in imperial units?
(ii) in imperial units alongside a metric equivalent?

c) Do you foresee any costs or benefits to you from businesses being permitted to sell:
(i) solely in imperial units?
(ii) in imperial units alongside a less prominent metric equivalent?

My favourite:

d) Do you have experience of buying solely in imperial units?

Do you think they count decimalisation as a move from imperial to metric?

[Darat]

Originally Posted by The Don

I remember eating dehydrated mash because potatoes were too expensive for my poor single Mum (who was separated from Daddy Don at the time).

I also remember petrol ration books being issued.

I'm well prepared for the upcoming months and years because I quite like Spam, tinned Corned Beef, haslet and brawn, can eat reconstituted dehydrated mash and am fond of dried pulses.

I also don't mind a cold, dark, house.

SMASH means MASH!

[The Don]

Originally Posted by gypsyjackson

Yep. Look at these beautiful questions:

For Consumers,
a) If you had a choice, would you want to purchase items:
(i) in imperial units?
(ii) in imperial units alongside a metric equivalent?

c) Do you foresee any costs or benefits to you from businesses being permitted to sell:
(i) solely in imperial units?
(ii) in imperial units alongside a less prominent metric equivalent?

My favourite:

d) Do you have experience of buying solely in imperial units?

Do you think they count decimalisation as a move from imperial to metric?

Presumably they will disregard any responses where the answer to the highlighted is "No" to keep youngsters from skewing the results.

[Carrot Flower King]

Originally Posted by wobs

I nearly put this in the Time Travel thread, but anyway...
Consultation on choice of units of measurements ends on the 26th:


https://www.gov.uk/government/consul...ings-and-sales

That is an utterly rubbish consultation, and I've seen quite a few government consultations.

As others have noted it is predicated on we WILL be returning to imperial, with a suggestion that SI might be used alongside.

This is nonsense: I just went through saying I didn't want imperial for anything other than beer.

Really, with all the things which do actually need doing and sorting our excuse for a government can find the time and energy to do this?

We are so screwed it is untrue.

[GlennB]

Utterly loaded questions, e.g.

3a. If you had a choice, would you want to purchase items (i) in imperial units? (ii) in imperial units alongside a metric equivalent?

Well neither, actually

[The Don]

Originally Posted by Carrot Flower King

That is an utterly rubbish consultation, and I've seen quite a few government consultations.

As others have noted it is predicated on we WILL be returning to imperial, with a suggestion that SI might be used alongside.

This is nonsense: I just went through saying I didn't want imperial for anything other than beer.

Really, with all the things which do actually need doing and sorting our excuse for a government can find the time and energy to do this?

We are so screwed it is untrue.

Tbh I'm happy to buy beer in half litres as well. I already buy spirits in multiples of 25ml and Mrs Don is used to choosing between 175 and 250ml of vino collapso

[zooterkin]

Originally Posted by Darat

SMASH means MASH!

I think you're conflating "Beanz Meanz Heinz" and "For mash get Smash".

[zooterkin]

Originally Posted by wobs

I nearly put this in the Time Travel thread, but anyway...
Consultation on choice of units of measurements ends on the 26th:


https://www.gov.uk/government/consul...ings-and-sales

What a ******* waste of time the whole idea is. I just completed that, and I'm not sure how I managed to avoid swearing. I did copy and paste the following in most of the answer boxes, along with specific answers in some cases. "There is no need for a choice, metric measures are nearly universally used, and most of the population understand them. Introducing something which only those over 55 have any memory of is wasteful and will cost British business billions of pounds in export losses."