Election Year or Fear!

[Andy_Faber]

To go against the grain, why should pension and pensioner benefits be means tested? I mean, I understand if you want to have a cap for millionaires, but otherwise, you're just punishing those who work hard all their lives, that made sacrifices throughout their lives to put together some savings for their retirement, only to be means tested and end up with the same or less as the lazy twonk that didn't work hard or make sacrifices.

Yup, to be brutal about it lazy twonks should reap what they’ve sown. BUT I’ll repeat what I always say, (the state should) help those who can’t help themselves not those who won’t help themselves.
An interesting approach might also be to set pensions based on (declared) hours worked not £ earned (ok calm down adjusted for childcare - first two kids only maybe?)

[Trickytreesreds]

It doesn't take long for hypocrisy of these charlatans to get uncovered.
People in glass houses and all that. All the same .
tick tock

When Johnson was still in No.10 and Starmer was the leader of the opposition in 2021, the electoral commission launched an inquiry into the PM’s suspect offences around renovating his Downing Street flat.

The row, which was soon dubbed the “cash for curtains” scandal, revolved around speculation a Tory peer and donor had paid for a lavish refurbishment.

So, during one PMQs, Starmer asked Johnson: “It’s been widely reported that Lord Brownlow, who just happens to have been given a peerage by the Conservative Party, was asked to donate £58,000 to help repay for the cost of this refurbishment.

“Can the prime minister, if he’s so keen to answer, confirm did Lord Brownlow make this payment for that purpose?”

Johnson claimed he had answered that question before – sparking uproar on the opposition benches – and said he had covered the costs, met certain requirements asked of him, before trying to talk about Tony Blair’s impact on the taxpayer.

Starmer called for Johnson to answer the question, adding: “The prime minister will be aware that he’s required to declare any benefits that relate to his political activities, including loans or credit arrangements, within 28 days.

“He will also know any donation will be recorded in the minister’s interest, and under law, any donation of over £500 for a political party must be registered and declared.

“The rules are very clear.”

[ramAnag]

Unfortunately RS that is symptomatic of our society - work hard, save for your retirement and have entitlements taken away as you have done just that. Alternatively laze around, spend everything you earn and then put your hand out.

To an extent it's transitional as the generations move into workplace pensions as opposed to state benefit reliance but for another 20 years or more there will be this inequity.

Aren’t we in danger of confusing entitlements and benefits?
I agree with RS that the state pension shouldn’t be interfered with on the basis that it is an ‘entitlement’ which many will have factored into future financial decisions based on the understanding of being able to rely on it as part of their income from the age of 65 (or younger if female) upwards.

‘Benefits’ however are surely different and ‘benefits’ include the winter fuel allowance. Over the last two years, because of the Russian and Gaza situations, fuel has been particularly expensive. Anecdotally my own fuel oil is currently a little over half the price it was (per litre) two winters ago and my anticipated electricity charge has fallen by approximately £53 pm since this time last year. In such circumstances I’m struggling to understand why well off pensioners should benefit more than parents with youngsters who probably have at least as great a need to keep warm and have access to hot water and hot meals as pensioners.

[Andy_Faber]

It doesn't take long for hypocrisy of these charlatans to get uncovered.
People in glass houses and all that. All the same .
tick tock

When Johnson was still in No.10 and Starmer was the leader of the opposition in 2021, the electoral commission launched an inquiry into the PM’s suspect offences around renovating his Downing Street flat.

The row, which was soon dubbed the “cash for curtains” scandal, revolved around speculation a Tory peer and donor had paid for a lavish refurbishment.

So, during one PMQs, Starmer asked Johnson: “It’s been widely reported that Lord Brownlow, who just happens to have been given a peerage by the Conservative Party, was asked to donate £58,000 to help repay for the cost of this refurbishment.

“Can the prime minister, if he’s so keen to answer, confirm did Lord Brownlow make this payment for that purpose?”

Johnson claimed he had answered that question before – sparking uproar on the opposition benches – and said he had covered the costs, met certain requirements asked of him, before trying to talk about Tony Blair’s impact on the taxpayer.

Starmer called for Johnson to answer the question, adding: “The prime minister will be aware that he’s required to declare any benefits that relate to his political activities, including loans or credit arrangements, within 28 days.

“He will also know any donation will be recorded in the minister’s interest, and under law, any donation of over £500 for a political party must be registered and declared.

“The rules are very clear.”

So to summarise:

1. To quote from this morning’s press ‘Labour promised change, all they’ve managed to change so far is their clothes’, found that amusing

2. This incident proves yet again what most here think, that Labour and The Conservatives both stink, even if the smell is slightly different

3. David Lammy says there’s no issue her, so clearly there’s an issue

4. Mrs Starmer does look nice in it though

[MadAmster]

I've just sent a clothing parcel to #10, ensuring that the combined cost of the clothes and postage don't exceed £500 so the poor bloke doesn't have to declare it. He will, however, have to pay VAT on it PLUS an £8 Royal Mail handling fee. I do hope he can put it on expenses

[Trickytreesreds]

So to summarise:

1. To quote from this morning’s press ‘Labour promised change, all they’ve managed to change so far is their clothes’, found that amusing

2. This incident proves yet again what most here think, that Labour and The Conservatives both stink, even if the smell is slightly different

3. David Lammy says there’s no issue her, so clearly there’s an issue

4. Mrs Starmer does look nice in it though

Pretty much yes.

Though after listening to the incessent howls of the Tory misdemeanors, its rather quiet from some in here now that Labour are doing the same?

NB how does being a clothes donor, get you security access into Downing street? Rather alarming

[Trickytreesreds]

I still stick with my less than a year in office

Sir Keir Starmer's popularity is in "freefall" as new polling has revealed the Prime Minister has set a record not seen for at least 40 years.

Data compiled by PollBasePro found the Prime Minister's Labour fell under the 30 per cent mark after just 70 days in office.

According to Guido, the benchmark has not been reached for at least 40 years and is around 11 times faster than the average of 765 days.

By comparison, it took Starmer's Labour predecessors Blair and Brown, more than 1,000 days to reach the same level.

For the Conservatives, Margret Thatcher took 676 days, Boris Johnson took 762 days, and John Major took 397 days.

Commenting on the analysis, former aide to Margret Thatcher, Nile Gardiner, wrote on X: "Starmer’s popularity is in freefall"

[Geoff Parkstone]

It did of course start from a landslide high level, so is bound to fall faster as the new government have to make unpopular decisions quickly. Of course those decisions such as train drivers (another big increase handed out today) and WFA do seem ill judged and will make matters worse

[Trickytreesreds]

Plank of the year. How the hell is this man foreign secretary?
Everything happening in the world, effecting this country. Borders/ Ukraine/Middle east/ China / Russia and he thinks climate change is the top of priorities? Words fail me and this si why Starmers ratings are tumbling , never mind the attacks on pensioners.

https://news.sky.com/story/climate-action-to-be-central-to-all-foreign-policy-david-lammy-says-13216274

[Trickytreesreds]

It did of course start from a landslide high level, so is bound to fall faster as the new government have to make unpopular decisions quickly. Of course those decisions such as train drivers (another big increase handed out today) and WFA do seem ill judged and will make matters worse

Hang on GP, 70 days?
Unpopular decisions, picking on certain few, whilst rewarding undeserving and not dealing with issues making the country angry.
I don't buy that it was understandable. Decisions that don't make sense, whilst claiming black holes, yet giving away money willy nilly to exactly where it doesn't need to go.

Add in his 2 tier policing fiasco and the justice system. A man shouts at a police dog and using racist slurs gets 20 months. Yet the face of the BBC, a sick peadophile avoids jail?


Tick tock.

[ramAnag]

Hang on GP, 70 days?
Unpopular decisions, picking on certain few, whilst rewarding undeserving and not dealing with issues making the country angry.
I don't buy that it was understandable. Decisions that don't make sense, whilst claiming black holes, yet giving away money willy nilly to exactly where it doesn't need to go.

Add in his 2 tier policing fiasco and the justice system. A man shouts at a police dog and using racist slurs gets 20 months. Yet the face of the BBC, a sick peadophile avoids jail?


Tick tock.

70 days? Yes. The Tories had over 5000!

Unpopular decisions? Have to be made sometimes although I concede I don’t agree with everything.

Giving money away? Or ending costly and lengthy strikes?

‘2 tier policing fiasco’? You’ll have to explain.

A ‘sick *****phile avoids jail’. I’m away, but presume you mean Huw Edwards. Hardly the ‘face of the BBC’…but your description is probably correct, and he’s certainly a sad, seedy ‘dirty old man’ who’s already lost everything - career, income, reputation, wife, all respect - and deservedly so…but he’s no Jimmy Savile, so would sending him to prison have achieved anything?

Perspective is everything Tricky…is ‘Tick Tock’ a reference to when you self combust?

[Trickytreesreds]

70 days? Yes. The Tories had over 5000!

Unpopular decisions? Have to be made sometimes although I concede I don’t agree with everything.

Giving money away? Or ending costly and lengthy strikes?

‘2 tier policing fiasco’? You’ll have to explain.

A ‘sick *****phile avoids jail’. I’m away, but presume you mean Huw Edwards. Hardly the ‘face of the BBC’…but your description is probably correct, and he’s certainly a sad, seedy ‘dirty old man’ who’s already lost everything - career, income, reputation, wife, all respect - and deservedly so…but he’s no Jimmy Savile, so would sending him to prison have achieved anything?

Perspective is everything Tricky…is ‘Tick Tock’ a reference to when you self combust?

1. the point was, in 70 days he has fallen below 30% ratings. Even Thatcher failed in that. The average is 600- 1000 days.
2. Unpopular isn't how I'd describe it. Biased / cruel/ unwarrented
3. Giving money away- I call giving away £11 B overseas to climate projects giving away. £7 B in asylum hotels and rising, whilst doing away with cheaper options. Then there is the surrender/ pacification to your wage demanders, for people on a hell of a lot more money than pensioners. I've told before. The trains would be under a massive automisation scheme if I had owt to do with it. Unions, pulling strings again.
4. 2 tier policing has been going on for years- from the police themselves/politicians/ Justice dept/ I just gave you one example. A man gets 20 months, a peado get nowt. He's a predator who only has to follow his sick vices through once.
Perhaps you missed the riots? Folks in court in hours after arrest then punished with jail time? Yet leeds rioters get next to nothing and those who did get charged, only came days after public outcry. The Southport rioters were met in full battle gear, the Leeds cops ran away.

Lets not forget the Pakistani rape gangs. Police/ social services/ Labour councillors swept it under the carpet for years. It still goes on NOW.

https://news.sky.com/video/hull-grooming-gang-alleged-victims-complain-after-police-diverted-to-deal-with-summer-riots-13216464

STARMER AND HIS PARTY ARE IN CHARGE- nothing is said, except blaming far right racist nazi's and penny pinching from pensioners.

Tick tock

[ramAnag]

1. the point was, in 70 days he has fallen below 30% ratings. Even Thatcher failed in that. The average is 600- 1000 days.
2. Unpopular isn't how I'd describe it. Biased / cruel/ unwarrented
3. Giving money away- I call giving away £11 B overseas to climate projects giving away. £7 B in asylum hotels and rising, whilst doing away with cheaper options. Then there is the surrender/ pacification to your wage demanders, for people on a hell of a lot more money than pensioners. I've told before. The trains would be under a massive automisation scheme if I had owt to do with it. Unions, pulling strings again.
4. 2 tier policing has been going on for years- from the police themselves/politicians/ Justice dept/ I just gave you one example. A man gets 20 months, a peado get nowt. He's a predator who only has to follow his sick vices through once.
Perhaps you missed the riots? Folks in court in hours after arrest then punished with jail time? Yet leeds rioters get next to nothing and those who did get charged, only came days after public outcry. The Southport rioters were met in full battle gear, the Leeds cops ran away.

Lets not forget the Pakistani rape gangs. Police/ social services/ Labour councillors swept it under the carpet for years. It still goes on NOW.

https://news.sky.com/video/hull-grooming-gang-alleged-victims-complain-after-police-diverted-to-deal-with-summer-riots-13216464

STARMER AND HIS PARTY ARE IN CHARGE- nothing is said, except blaming far right racist nazi's and penny pinching from pensioners.

Tick tock

I’m sorry but that’s not an entirely comprehensible reply.
You seem to be resorting to your natural ‘scattergun’ tactics, but just to take one example…the ‘far right’ rioters of the summer. Weren’t they the ones who were trying to, amongst other things, set fire to a hotel full of people?
I’d punish such offenders with ‘jail time’ too…and I’m glad it was done quickly. Shouldn’t waste what little pity you seem to have on them.

[Trickytreesreds]

RA, justify this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXGk9FSTKyE

[Trickytreesreds]

I’m sorry but that’s not an entirely comprehensible reply.
You seem to be resorting to your natural ‘scattergun’ tactics, but just to take one example…the ‘far right’ rioters of the summer. Weren’t they the ones who were trying to, amongst other things, set fire to a hotel full of people?
I’d punish such offenders with ‘jail time’ too…and I’m glad it was done quickly. Shouldn’t waste what little pity you seem to have on them.

I wasn't saying pity. Which part of 2 tier don't you understand?
Heavy handed as you like, across the board for me.
But skin colour seems to be factor of response.

White scum, get stomped on. Ethnic scum, lets give leway and make a judgment