OT. The futures Bright, the Futures Brexit!!!

[Ram59]

Some interesting figures from the ONS, out of 2.7m eu migrants, 390,000 are unemployed or inactive. It doesn't say how many are claiming the benefits they're entitled to, though.

Their unemployment rate is higher than that for the country as a whole. It would be interesting to know if the taxes paid by them covered the benefits paid out to their fellow eu citizens.

[Andy_Faber]

Some interesting figures from the ONS, out of 2.7m eu migrants, 390,000 are unemployed or inactive. It doesn't say how many are claiming the benefits they're entitled to, though.

Their unemployment rate is higher than that for the country as a whole. It would be interesting to know if the taxes paid by them covered the benefits paid out to their fellow eu citizens.

This was a question drilled into by radio 4 just before the referendum and as I recall the answer was yes to your question but no when comparing total tax take from income to total benefits paid to eu citizens and dependants. I'll try to find a link

[Ram59]

Trouble is there is no simple way of measuring the overall benefit or not of the current system. There are too many unknowns. Their contributions to our GDP is difficult to assess,likewise the cost to our services and housing is also difficult. It's not just a simple matter of measuring the taxes collected against the benefits paid.

If we can restrict those coming in, to having jobs and accommodation before they can enter the country, then this could only be a positive move, in my opinion.

[roger_ramjet]

Lets return the only R4J unpolluted thread to the top. If you want to win Swale's eternal support R4J remember he was very pro Brexit......

[macstheman]

May calls General Election for June!! Here we go again!!

[Ram59]

It'll be interesting to see whether some seats get a strange result because the incumbent MP is against the popular local feeling on brexit, in either direction.

[swaledale]

May calls General Election for June!! Here we go again!!

I think she should have done that before Triggering article 50, very devious and unprincipled and I thought that with fixed term parliaments, this could no longer happen unless two thirds of parliament agreed to it, yet its happened in Easter Recess - hopefully this will be another gamble that the Tories miscalculate on - trouble is the Lib Dems look like the only credible party and I'd grit my teeth if voting for them.

If nothing else it should see the end of Corbyn sooner than anticipated and Labour can start the rebuilding process.

[ramAnag]

I think she should have done that before Triggering article 50, very devious and unprincipled and I thought that with fixed term parliaments, this could no longer happen unless two thirds of parliament agreed to it, yet its happened in Easter Recess - hopefully this will be another gamble that the Tories miscalculate on - trouble is the Lib Dems look like the only credible party and I'd grit my teeth if voting for them.

If nothing else it should see the end of Corbyn sooner than anticipated and Labour can start the rebuilding process.

I think I live in the same constituency as you Swale - Derbyshire Dales - and I've gritted my teeth and voted for them for as long as I can remember. You can do it, otherwise it's just a wasted vote...especially with nice but politically dim Jeremy in charge.

[Ram59]

I think she should have done that before Triggering article 50, very devious and unprincipled and I thought that with fixed term parliaments, this could no longer happen unless two thirds of parliament agreed to it, yet its happened in Easter Recess - hopefully this will be another gamble that the Tories miscalculate on - trouble is the Lib Dems look like the only credible party and I'd grit my teeth if voting for them.

If nothing else it should see the end of Corbyn sooner than anticipated and Labour can start the rebuilding process.

You're correct, that's why they're having a vote on it tomorrow in the house of commons. Labour can stop it, if they want to.

[roger_ramjet]

2015 Derbyshire Dales result:

Con 24,805
Lab 10,761
UKIP 5,508
LibDem 3,965
Green 2,173

So voting Lib Dem isnt a wasted vote? I'd say they all are

[swaledale]

2015 Derbyshire Dales result:

Con 24,805
Lab 10,761
UKIP 5,508
LibDem 3,965
Green 2,173

So voting Lib Dem isnt a wasted vote? I'd say they all are

I don't think its going to be that clear cut this time - the lib dems suffered from the backlash of the coalition years, this time many labour voters who can't stand Corbyn may choose to vote another way plus those who don't want a hard Brexit..of course it may be that the electorate is too stupid to work out how to vote, but I'd say this will be the most interesting election for years and the haredst to call.

[swaledale]

You're correct, that's why they're having a vote on it tomorrow in the house of commons. Labour can stop it, if they want to.

Ah you right, though in that case May's speech should ahve been I ahve decided to ask parliament to vote on calling a general electin, not Cabinet has decided to call one! Still if she can about turn on "There should not be an election before 2020" I dae say anything she say should be taken with a very large pinch of salt.

[roger_ramjet]

But Labour wont stop it. Quote the Independent -

Leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn, welcomed the call and said that Labour would offer “an effective alternative to a government that has failed to rebuild the economy".

“I welcome the Prime Minister’s decision to give the British people the chance to vote for a government that will put the interests of the majority first," Mr Corbyn said.

[ramAnag]

2015 Derbyshire Dales result:

Con 24,805
Lab 10,761
UKIP 5,508
LibDem 3,965
Green 2,173

So voting Lib Dem isnt a wasted vote? I'd say they all are

Fair point, but the Lib Dem's were (unfairly imo) in 'disgrace' then and Clegg had been sent to the naughty step.
I've been living somewhere in this constituency since late 1979 and the only genuine challenge to Patrick McLoughlin/Matthew Parris - and I can't remember what year it was - came from the Liberals. You're right though, it won't make any difference but you've got to try haven't you?

[roger_ramjet]

Maybe you can aspire to push UKIP into 4th place this year as their job is done 😊