Careless Tories!

[ramAnag]

That’s a fact, and by coincidence rA’s pal Nige appears to be being reintegrated into the party.

All such comedy appears to be contributing to the 28 point lead for Labour BUT, and this is according to dear old Aunty Beeb (including an interesting feature on Women’s Hour) a number of things make that figure less than reliable - such as, the significant reluctance of people (women in this case but I’m sure it’s the same with men) to confirm they will vote Conservative, apparently a long standing thing, and the accelerating failure of younger left leaning people to convert an intention to vote into actually voting

Yes I saw...still from afar...that Farage appeared to be being lauded by the not so great or the good in Manchester.
Given the paucity of candidates within the Conservative Party and the abject failure of their last few leaders I imagine the return of ‘populist Nigel’ might be an attractive one.
For me it’s not ‘comedy’, AF...it’d quite simply be the worst thing that could happen in and to our already divided country.

[Andy_Faber]

Funny word, ‘populist’. To me it’s just ‘popular’ in the minds of those who don’t like the policy/direction in question

[ramAnag]

Funny word, ‘populist’. To me it’s just ‘popular’ in the minds of those who don’t like the policy/direction in question

To me it means...simple, knee jerk, reactive and reckless...all terms which could equally describe both the Leave campaign and, at the risk of cross threading, MM’s tenure at Derby.

[MadAmster]

HS2. Originally budgeted to cost £55.7Bn including Brum-Manc and Brum-Leeds. Looking like it's going to be up to 3 times that for London-Brum and the rest has been scrapped.

[swaledale]

Another point about the supposed £36 billion which scrapping HS2's link to Manchester apparently saves.

1. Its money borrowed for a specific purpose and wouldn't be spent until that leg was started, so actually does not exist yet.
2. All the so called replacement schemes are still subject to a business case and approval from the Treasury, which may or not be forthcoming, but most likely won't be by the current government or possibly even the Tories anyway.
3. At least 2 schemes mentioned, extension of Nottingham Tram and Manchester Metro have actually been completed!!!
4. Network North apparently stretches all the way to Devon according to the map produced!
5.The link proposed between Manchester and Leeds depended upon the HS2 Manchester link, without it, there is going to be huge additional costs loaded onto that link and doubt it will be viable.
6. Apparently the government is going to sell the land and buildings already acquired along the route (probably at a loss!) to stop Labour if they get in power reinstating it, how's that for forward thinking ?

[MadAmster]

Slight correction required in 6. Swale. It should read...

6. The government is going to sell the land and buildings already acquired along the route, at hugely discounted rates, to Tory Party and personal sponsors/donors in order to get more donations and/or sponsor money and to ensure cushy jobs which require little to no effort when they leave politics, How's that for forward thinking?

[swaledale]

Slight correction required in 6. Swale. It should read...

6. The government is going to sell the land and buildings already acquired along the route, at hugely discounted rates, to Tory Party and personal sponsors/donors in order to get more donations and/or sponsor money and to ensure cushy jobs which require little to no effort when they leave politics, How's that for forward thinking?

Your so cynical MA, I mean how on earth can you not be impressed by the Long term decisions made to, improve the economy, fix the problems in the national health service, invigorate green energy industry, fix crumbling school buildings, improve trade and reduce costs for firms exporting to the EU, support entrepreneurs and businesses to grow?

[SithHappens]

One thing I'm supportive of is any measures to reduce those smoking. But what I just don't get is the number of young people who smoke, why? You'd have hoped education would have made them know its not big, clever or remotely cool.

[Andy_Faber]

One thing I'm supportive of is any measures to reduce those smoking. But what I just don't get is the number of young people who smoke, why? You'd have hoped education would have made them know its not big, clever or remotely cool.

I agree, filthy habit although not ‘any’ measure, I’m not sure bans on buying them will stop those overage buying them for those underage, but we’ll see.

[swaledale]

I agree, filthy habit although not ‘any’ measure, I’m not sure bans on buying them will stop those overage buying them for those underage, but we’ll see.

Apparently only 3% 0f yoof smoke these days so its literally a dying habit, more worrying though is the rise in vapes, especially in young women.