Do you want to discuss boring politics? (36 Viewers)

Grendel

Well-Known Member
I wonder if they have struck a deal now to stand candidates down as Tice has gone
 

Grendel

Well-Known Member
Interesting article

 

PVA

Well-Known Member
Clacton perfect for Farage, could finally get his victory at the 8th time of asking.

Wouldn’t be surprised if the fragility of his ego led him to stand after Piers Morgan called him a bottler on live TV. Also gives him the perfect opportunity to distance himself from Trump.

Anyway, good news for Labour, split the right wing vote. Tories to get obliterated.
 

MalcSB

Well-Known Member
Agreed. It’s crazy. My point is if I went to see an out of hours GP they wouldn’t have done all that, nor should they.
The problem is that the Labour government of the day brilliantly negotiated a new GP contract which did not require them to provide an out of hours service.
 

Grendel

Well-Known Member
Clacton perfect for Farage, could finally get his victory at the 8th time of asking.

Wouldn’t be surprised if the fragility of his ego led him to stand after Piers Morgan called him a bottler on live TV. Also gives him the perfect opportunity to distance himself from Trump.

Anyway, good news for Labour, split the right wing vote. Tories to get obliterated.

I assume you realise why he’s doing it - pretty obvious having heard his speech now
 

SIR ERNIE

Well-Known Member
He'll crush the Tory vote by positioning Reform as a 'true Conservative party'.

He'll scare the crap out of Labour by focusing on immigration and Starmer the rejoiner.

No doubt Labour will still return a majority govt but at least its interesting now.
 

Grendel

Well-Known Member
Well at least Farage will make the dullest election in history moderately interesting
 

MalcSB

Well-Known Member
Yeah, looking at the latest it says cost starting at £418 for visit to a major A&E department that involves more complex investigation (which is the figure I’d heard/seen quoted) but a lot less for routine visits to care centres. So a current average of around 250-300 (inflation) now would make sense


Either way its multiple times the cost of just seeing a GP or walk in centres for less urgent matters.

To answer shmmeees question I presume the additional cost is triage, tests and ultimately the cost involved in seeing a consultant. Last time i went to A&E for returning afib after being directed by 111, I saw a triage nurse, had blood tests, ECG with different nurse, then consultant (after getting blood tests redone after first lot were lost). I didn’t need all that as I’d had afib before which had initially been rectified by a Cardioversion. A ten minute GP appt could’ve given me sufficient comfort/advice
I think what that website appears to be quoting is tariff, which is the price that is supposed to be paid for different elements of Emergency Care. What I have quoted at £ 242 is the average cost calculated by the NHS. The problem with tariff is that
a) contract activity levels were often set artificially low
b) contract levels were often exceeded
c) commissioners would then not pay for the additional activity

This scenario applies across the board and commissioners will put a huge amount of effort into challenging payments requested for additional activity. Clearly, if all units of activity are not paid for, the effective tariff is far below that quoted.

Huge sums of money could be saved, with huge reductions in managers (beaurocrats in reality) by ending the purchaser provider split and getting rid of “commissioners”. Hand the entire budget to providers and tell them to get on with it.

Buy out PFIs, it was adding 16% to UHCW reference costs - but at least the corridor walls are pristine white.

Make GPs salaried employees, not independent contractors.

Bring back Crown Immunity.
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
Takeover bid after the election?
He’s not hiding that’s his end goal. Pre-election announcement, Farage standing to reform added a few % points to Reform which will cannibalise Tory vote.

We need something to shake up the old order of things and only the Greens and Reform offer alternatives for the left and right respectively. No idea what the Lib Dem’s stand for…

In my view, electoral reform is wrong, the fragmented nature of coalition governments in Europe is a forewarning.
 
D

Deleted member 9744

Guest
He’s not hiding that’s his end goal. Pre-election announcement, Farage standing to reform added a few % points to Reform which will cannibalise Tory vote.

We need something to shake up the old order of things and only the Greens and Reform offer alternatives for the left and right respectively. No idea what the Lib Dem’s stand for…

In my view, electoral reform is wrong, the fragmented nature of coalition governments in Europe is a forewarning.
We do not need Reform. They are a truly malign force as Farage has been for a decade.
 

skybluetony176

Well-Known Member
He’s not hiding that’s his end goal. Pre-election announcement, Farage standing to reform added a few % points to Reform which will cannibalise Tory vote.

We need something to shake up the old order of things and only the Greens and Reform offer alternatives for the left and right respectively. No idea what the Lib Dem’s stand for…

In my view, electoral reform is wrong, the fragmented nature of coalition governments in Europe is a forewarning.
Paddle boarding free at point of use.
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
We do not need Reform. They are a truly malign force as Farage has been for a decade.
Well, immigration is an issue in this country that could truly turn toxic if it’s not resolved this election. The electorate thought Brexit would resolve the issue and it hasn’t and people are angered by this, left (blue labour) and right alike.

A quick look over the pond to the continent and there are some truly nasty people and parties polling well.

I’ve been to Italy 3 times and seen some really unpleasant graffiti in two (apparently) traditionally centre-left cities (Fiorentina & Genoa); swastikas and anti-Jewish slogans that wouldn’t look out of place in 1930-40s Germany. Really not surprised there are neo-Nazis for MEPs in the European elections. Then look at RN in France, AfD in Germany and you really can’t compare them to Farage and Reform.
 
D

Deleted member 9744

Guest
Well, immigration is an issue in this country that could truly turn toxic if it’s not resolved this election. The electorate thought Brexit would resolve the issue and it hasn’t and people are angered by this, left (blue labour) and right alike.

A quick look over the pond to the continent and there are some truly nasty people and parties polling well.

I’ve been to Italy 3 times and seen some really unpleasant graffiti in two (apparently) traditionally centre-left cities (Fiorentina & Genoa); swastikas and anti-Jewish slogans that wouldn’t look out of place in 1930-40s Germany. Really not surprised there are neo-Nazis for MEPs in the European elections. Then look at RN in France, AfD in Germany and you really can’t compare them to Farage and Reform.
What do you mean by resolve?

How come Farage talks at their events. His message is the same.
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
What do you mean by resolve?

How come Farage talks at their events. His message is the same.

The electorate wants net migration to be reduced. Pre-Tony Blair the figure was less than 50k per year and the latest figures it’s up to 750k or thereabouts. Even Keir Starmer gave the ‘read my lips’ followed by a promise to get net migration down.

I’m not sure the state can manage as the infrastructure to keep up with the current volume, it’s huge. For example, something in the region of 515k new houses needed per year.

I say this as someone who is pro-immigration.
 

shmmeee

Well-Known Member
Controversial but rather Reform as the main RW party than the Tories. At least they’re rooted in working class concerns and represent a reasonable chunk of people even if I disagree.

Labour for the many, Greens for the cranks, Reform for the “people with genuine concerns” and Lib Dems for the classical liberals. That’ll do me.
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
Controversial but rather Reform as the main RW party than the Tories. At least they’re rooted in working class concerns and represent a reasonable chunk of people even if I disagree.

Labour for the many, Greens for the cranks, Reform for the “people with genuine concerns” and Lib Dems for the classical liberals. That’ll do me.

The Tory party will find a way to repurpose itself. It’s been one of the organic and flexible political parties in the western world. For better or worst depending on your viewpoint.

Some interesting parallels with the Canadian Tories as Farage pointed out who themselves have been took over.

It feels like we’re coming to the end of the latest ‘consensus’ in our political system. The electorate wants things to change under Labour and to be honest, I think there’ll be a lot of disappointed people.
 

skybluetony176

Well-Known Member
The electorate wants net migration to be reduced. Pre-Tony Blair the figure was less than 50k per year and the latest figures it’s up to 750k or thereabouts. Even Keir Starmer gave the ‘read my lips’ followed by a promise to get net migration down.

I’m not sure the state can manage as the infrastructure to keep up with the current volume, it’s huge. For example, something in the region of 515k new houses needed per year.

I say this as someone who is pro-immigration.
Depends. The only reason that the Tories have bought down the amount of outstanding vacancies for nurses is because of immigration. So the first thing you need to establish is what immigration puts a strain on infrastructure and what cancels that out with a gain. Clearly housing is an issue but the benefits are there too and not all parties want to talk about that. The Tories want patting on the back for getting outstanding nursing vacancies down to 7.5%, I think it was nearer 14% at its peak under the Tories. For contrast it was running at about 2% when they came into power.
 

PVA

Well-Known Member
The Tory party will find a way to repurpose itself. It’s been one of the organic and flexible political parties in the western world.

They're basically dead and totally unelectable to anyone under about 40 though. It's going to take a long, long time.
 

Grendel

Well-Known Member
They're basically dead and totally unelectable to anyone under about 40 though. It's going to take a long, long time.

That’s what was said in 2010
 

Mucca Mad Boys

Well-Known Member
They're basically dead and totally unelectable to about anyone under 40 though. It's going to take a long, long time.

You’ll be surprised, people rise as quickly as they’ll fall. There’s a lot of pressure on Labour to sort out; immigration, housing and the NHS. With the global political situation, the demands for increased defence spending as well as increasing interest rates will take money away from traditional Labour government priorities.

Kier Starmer and Rishi Sunak go into this election as the two most inexperienced leaders of their parties. Both were elected as MPs in 2015!
 

David O'Day

Well-Known Member
All Farage wants is a seat where he can switch to the Tory party if needed and lead the bare bones that remain.

labour are fucking delighted
 

skybluetony176

Well-Known Member
All Farage wants is a seat where he can switch to the Tory party if needed and lead the bare bones that remain.

labour are fucking delighted
The real question is what’s he going to campaign on? It can’t be on how Brexit has benefited Clacton, because it hasn’t. So basically he’s left with the same phoney culture war as the Tories.

It’s going to be an interesting result either way.
 

David O'Day

Well-Known Member
The real question is what’s he going to campaign on? It can’t be on how Brexit has benefited Clacton, because it hasn’t. So basically he’s left with the same phoney culture war as the Tories.

It’s going to be an interesting result either way.
People of Clacton probably don't think brexit went far enough
 

Evo1883

Well-Known Member
I think Farage being reform leader pretty much guarantees a split tory vote and a Labour government now
 

CCFCSteve

Well-Known Member
Depends. The only reason that the Tories have bought down the amount of outstanding vacancies for nurses is because of immigration. So the first thing you need to establish is what immigration puts a strain on infrastructure and what cancels that out with a gain. Clearly housing is an issue but the benefits are there too and not all parties want to talk about that. The Tories want patting on the back for getting outstanding nursing vacancies down to 7.5%, I think it was nearer 14% at its peak under the Tories. For contrast it was running at about 2% when they came into power.

Like the fact that the nhs has never had a workforce plan, how have we never undertaken this type of exercise ?!

We need a national workforce/industrial strategy plan incorporating migrant worker requirements, what Uni, apprenticeships and adult education courses are required to fulfil the likely needs in the medium term, what foreign students are needed to take up certain courses etc etc. Then look at where those jobs are likely to be in the country or where we want to try to encourage investment and what the infrastructure needs will be in those areas.

At least you can then go to the country and say realistically we need, for example, 300k net migration per annum, however, this is what we’re going to do to properly manage and support this number. Over time if we can encourage students/apprentices into certain sectors it might be possible to reduce this figure

This should be overseen by a minister full time, liaising with business, public sector, universities/colleges and visas departments to manage changing requirements. It would be far from perfect but at least it has a semblance of structure and would convey the benefits of migration as well as addressing infrastructure concerns.
 

Ian1779

Well-Known Member
Well, immigration is an issue in this country that could truly turn toxic if it’s not resolved this election. The electorate thought Brexit would resolve the issue and it hasn’t and people are angered by this, left (blue labour) and right alike.
It’s not going to ever resolve though is it. We already have a huge skills shortage, and if climate change continues there will be a huge exodus of people in Europe, of which some will inevitably arrive with us.
 

Grendel

Well-Known Member
The real question is what’s he going to campaign on? It can’t be on how Brexit has benefited Clacton, because it hasn’t. So basically he’s left with the same phoney culture war as the Tories.

It’s going to be an interesting result either way.

Lol Clacton would overwhelmingly vote Brexit again.
 

PVA

Well-Known Member
I think Farage being reform leader pretty much guarantees a split tory vote and a Labour government now

A Labour government was already guaranteed really.

This will just make it a bigger margin of victory and probably an obliteration of the Tories.
 

Grendel

Well-Known Member
A Labour government was already guaranteed really.

This will just make it a bigger margin of victory and probably an obliteration of the Tories.

It won’t obliterate them. Small parties ultimately always fail in this system
 

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