Do you want to discuss boring politics? (29 Viewers)

[CCFCSteve]

We are due to be paying an extra £2500 a year on our mortgage courtesy of this government, so a bit more council tax is the least of our concerns.

It’s not really the government BSB. There was a surge when truss was in but that settled after Sunak/Hunt came in, then rates crept back up again due to inflation hanging around. BoE have kept rates higher because of this. I personally would’ve started cutting by now but they don’t want to risk it causing a resurgence in inflation (unlikely I think)

There’s maybe been a slight ‘moron premium’, as they called it when truss was around, but not much at all.

Rates had been kept far too low for far too long which made the recent jump painful for many but these are historically normalish rates

 

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[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

A microcosm of why wealth transfers rarely work out is lottery winners. You can give people money but if they don’t know how to use it, it’s useless and they’ll end up going back to square one or worst.

Likewise, many people are ‘trapped’ in benefits because of how UC works. For lower paid jobs, it’s barely worth working extra hours because UC is cut after a person earns an extra £293 per month. The government crunched some numbers and workers were around £3.29 better off an hour which is nothing after you take into account the costs of going to work (travel, lunches and so on). That needs to be looked at.

Likewise, the tax-free allowance needs to be increased from £12,570. Yes, this helps all tax payers barring those in the 45% tax bracket, but the biggest benefit will be those on low incomes. The original concept of the policy because taxing low earners 20% wasn’t incentivising work.

Are you really using the tired old argument that only those with money should be given money as they know what to do with it? It's always been a nonsense perpetuated by those with money to have more. Not like anyone, anywhere with loads of money has ever gone bankrupt. Or completely crashed financial systems. And of course every single lottery winner has ended up broke and back where they started.

What about those people you keep on talking about that came from lower social backgrounds and through hard work have managed to get a decent amount of money? Surely they should never have been given the chance because they started out with no money so therefore don't know how to use it. You have no idea if a person knows how to use money unless they're given it to find out.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

You are also ignoring the pledge that it electricity will be entirely zero carbon in 4.5 years or less. How long does it take to build one nuclear reactor? How many wind turbines would be needed? How many acres of land would have to disappear under solar panels (preventing the building if 5 story eyesores on those acres)?
Its bollocks.

Have you never heard of rooftops? As for wind turbines, I bet those arguing against them are going to be really angry when they hear about electricity pylons blotting the landscape.

You seem to be under this impression that the current electricity generation would be switched off immediately. It wouldn't. Current oil and gas fields would be used. The nuclear reactors have years of useful life left.

Amazing how you're fine with digging massive scars into the countryside poisoning the environment and people to look for fossil fuels but a few turbines and solar panels are an outrage.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Well it's better than what we got at the last election:


Patient turns up to hospital after a self inflicted gun shot to the foot.

‘Dr Corbyn, what is your forensic opinion on what to do?’

'Sorry I can't help you, I got laughed out of medical school'

Thing is I have thought about, given the absolute shitshow the Tories have become, even Corbyn would have had an outside chance of getting a majority in this election. That is how bad the Tories have become.

 

[CCFCSteve]

Yeah and more modern times, not sure I agree with the method, but Blair did pull the NHS up immeasurably after Tory neglect - ended up a system to be proud of again.

I like the optimism mate and he did, however, then again he did pick up a growing economy, obesity rates half of current levels and wasnt dealing with post pandemic health repercussions which we’ll probably have for many years to come

That’s not to say there can’t be massive improvements….having a health secretary in office for more than a few months might help!

 

[Sick Boy]

You’re missing the point. The country needs more than tinkering around the edges after this level of neglect.

He clearly doesn't get it and probably never will do.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Well it's better than what we got at the last election:


Patient turns up to hospital after a self inflicted gun shot to the foot.

‘Dr Corbyn, what is your forensic opinion on what to do?’

'Sorry I can't help you, I got laughed out of medical school'

Centrists and their hilarious jokes

 

[PVA]

Centrists and their hilarious jokes

'Oh let's call him Keith that's so hilarious hahaha'

 

[Sick Boy]

Centrists and their hilarious jokes

I prefer Tory-lite.

 

[fernandopartridge]

'Oh let's call him Keith that's so hilarious hahaha'

I prefer Kid Starver myself

 

[PVA]

I prefer Kid Starver myself

Better, well done.

 

[Grendel]

Good to see that you’re proving my point nicely.

It’s beyond parody

 

[Grendel]

Well it's better than what we got at the last election:


Patient turns up to hospital after a self inflicted gun shot to the foot.

‘Dr Corbyn, what is your forensic opinion on what to do?’

'Sorry I can't help you, I got laughed out of medical school'

I think you will find Mr Streeting and Sir Starmer will ask Matron Reeves if they can offer treatment and be told gunshot wounds to the foot aren’t in her fiscal rules.

 

[PVA]

'You're so condescending and sneering as I tell you how superior I am'

 

[MalcSB]

It’s five years away and the same date as the new ICE ban, and boilers are only banned from next year on new builds so I don’t think you’re going to see some huge spike by then.

You’ve got Hinckley C coming online and current govt plans had us with 14GW of gas left by 2030, with the current ban on new onshore. If Labour double onshore alone then that’s the gap met basically.

If the wind doesn’t blow I’d expect us to use baseload and storage like we do now.

As I say it’s only moving the current plan forwards by five years.

I’m really looking forward to my cheaper electricity bill from Jan 2030 and also my affordable to buy and insure electric vehicle. I promise not to come back on here and say I told you so if it doesn’t happen.

 

[andrew.roberts]

 

[MalcSB]

He’s got a point though Fernando. Its not as if SNP or Welsh Labour are delivering a top quality health service either.

Every country has demographic and health challenges especially post pandemic. I’ve said it before and after I’ll continue to say it, there are cultural issues in and around the NHS and that are resistant to challenge and change. Also, just as important, we as a nation continue to abuse it. We don’t look after ourselves well enough and then complain when it’s overrun

Both the above need addressing as well as finding ways to increase investment, as much for social care as the NHS, as this would free up a huge amount of beds/capacity

The Welsh NHS has operated at lower standards than England for decades. Both Wales and Scotland get higher per capita funding than England because of the Barnet formula. That should cease forthwith.

 

[MalcSB]

We are due to be paying an extra £2500 a year on our mortgage courtesy of this government, so a bit more council tax is the least of our concerns.

Aren’t this higher interest rates a result or QE and all the spending during the pandemic.

Interest rates are temporary, council tax will be permanent. Plus the rest of the taxes that will emerge in the shortness of time.

 

[Nuskyblue]

It’s five years away and the same date as the new ICE ban, and boilers are only banned from next year on new builds so I don’t think you’re going to see some huge spike by then.

You’ve got Hinckley C coming online and current govt plans had us with 14GW of gas left by 2030, with the current ban on new onshore. If Labour double onshore alone then that’s the gap met basically.

If the wind doesn’t blow I’d expect us to use baseload and storage like we do now.

As I say it’s only moving the current plan forwards by five years.

If it a blanket ban on ICE only cars being sold, are hybrid engines allowed under the new regs? I can't imagine there being a hard stop on petrol engines being made.

 

[MalcSB]

Have you never heard of rooftops? As for wind turbines, I bet those arguing against them are going to be really angry when they hear about electricity pylons blotting the landscape.

You seem to be under this impression that the current electricity generation would be switched off immediately. It wouldn't. Current oil and gas fields would be used. The nuclear reactors have years of useful life left.

Amazing how you're fine with digging massive scars into the countryside poisoning the environment and people to look for fossil fuels but a few turbines and solar panels are an outrage.

You really don’t understand what you read, do you. Where have I said I’m against renewables? I just don’t believe that it will be zero carbon electricity in 4.5 years. I don’t believe we will actually see significantly lower bills.I also don’t believe that UK achieving net zero will have any impact whilst China and India continue on their own merry way.

there are huge solar farms being installed in fields not all that far from where I live And there is a reason for that.

Whilst individuals and businesses may install panels on their properties roofs, they will be more for individual consumption and contribution to the grid will be marginal.

Installing at ground level in fields ensures perfect alignment and production at industrial scale, facilitating the provision of the distribution infrastructure. To meet zero carbon in 4.5 years, industrial scale installation will be required at pace. It won’t be achieved of course. Using fields take them out of food production.

 

[MalcSB]

If it a blanket ban on ICE only cars being sold, are hybrid engines allowed under the new regs? I can't imagine there being a hard stop on petrol engines being made.

No, they aren’t. EVs aren’t all that environmentally friendly either.

 

[Nuskyblue]

No, they aren’t. EVs aren’t all that environmentally friendly either.

Not massively. They are lovely to drive tho.

 

[Nuskyblue]

No, they aren’t. EVs aren’t all that environmentally friendly either.

Making cars smaller and lighter would probably be more effective. Vehicles are huge now, the current 3 series is probably bigger and heavier than a 5 series from the 80s!

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Aren’t this higher interest rates a result or QE and all the spending during the pandemic.

Interest rates are temporary, council tax will be permanent. Plus the rest of the taxes that will emerge in the shortness of time.

I forgot that’s how it worked, Council tax never goes down again.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

The Welsh NHS has operated at lower standards than England for decades. Both Wales and Scotland get higher per capita funding than England because of the Barnet formula. That should cease forthwith.

On Wales, in 2022 Starmer said the Welsh devolved assembly would be a ‘blueprint for what Labour could do across the country’… Wales is a basket case.

It trialled things like the universal basic income and the 4 day working week - both scrapped. Has the highest economic inactivity in the UK and it’s economy has shrunk by 1% since 2018 versus 2% growth in England. Introduced policies such as 20mph limits and a package of agricultural policies that farmers are against in the name of ‘net zero’. As you point out, worst health and (to add) education outcomes despite higher GDP per capita spending.

If that is the blueprint… yikes!

 

[Sick Boy]

Based on this thread, I take it that the mood in the UK at the moment is one of optimism, hope, a clear sense of direction of the incoming government and engagement with politics?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Based on this thread, I take it that the mood in the UK at the moment is one of optimism, hope, a clear sense of direction of the incoming government and engagement with politics?

Yep you’ve got it

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Based on this thread, I take it that the mood in the UK at the moment is one of optimism, hope, a clear sense of direction of the incoming government and engagement with politics?

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Making cars smaller and lighter would probably be more effective. Vehicles are huge now, the current 3 series is probably bigger and heavier than a 5 series from the 80s!

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Based on this thread, I take it that the mood in the UK at the moment is one of optimism, hope, a clear sense of direction of the incoming government and engagement with politics?

tbf, I will have a certain amount of that if the current useless shower are removed.

 

[PVA]

Based on this thread, I take it that the mood in the UK at the moment is one of optimism, hope, a clear sense of direction of the incoming government and engagement with politics?

Why do you say that when most people in this thread dislike Starmer/this Labour party?

The vast majority of people can't wait to get the Tories out though.

 

[Nuskyblue]

Never seen them side by side. That is wild!

 

[Deleted member 5849]

Never seen them side by side. That is wild!

Try another!

 

[wingy]

Never seen them side by side. That is wild!

Really is, wonder how much battery you'd actually need for the smaller version!!
We owned one back in the day and could get 4 little uns in the back!

 

[MalcSB]

Making cars smaller and lighter would probably be more effective. Vehicles are huge now, the current 3 series is probably bigger and heavier than a 5 series from the 80s!

It’s all the safety equipment needed these days. So to save the planet, keep ICE but ban pedestrians and cyclists, jobs a goodun.