O/T:- ⚠️Impressed with the leadership [The UK Party Politics Thread]

[i961pie]

Maybe not. Imagine having to pay hush money to 72 virgins!

😂

[drillerpie]

There were two peace deals put forward to broker a peace.

One was backed by Biden's team and was seen by Israel as weak in terms of what Israel was getting out of it and the fact that it left Hamas in control of Gaza.

Israel would slowly get the hostages returned - both the dead and the living ones.

Hamas was fully supportive of this agreement, but it was highly unlikely that Israel would agree.

Israel wanted Hamas removed from any control of Gaza as well as Israel reserving the right to re-enter Gaza if there was a resurrection of Hamas. There was no way Hamas was going to agree to that.

Along comes Trump and his team and lets it be known that they were fully behind Israel and will give them all means necessary to destroy Hamas. It seemed to make Hamas think again on what Israel was offering and come back with a revised offer, nearer to Israel's terms.

Pete Hegseth said in his hearing, held by the Senate Committee on Armed Services that he would "support Israel destroying and killing every last member of Hamas". There's no ambiguity there.

I don't really think that Hamas had many options anymore.

This could be the first example of peace through strength if it works. Next stop Ukraine.

It might not be as simple as that. It's not like the USA under Biden hasn't given Israel weapons to destroy Hamas. Not sure how much more they can destroy it short of nuking it to be honest.

According to this Israeli newspaper both Hamas and Netanyahu have at various times scuppered deals. This article quotes sources saying that Trump put more pressure on Netanyahu in one meeting (via an envoy) than Biden did in over a year.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/on-a-d...l-broke-loose/

On Jan 7th Trump also posted a less than flattering video of someone describing Netanyahu as a 'dark son of a bitch' and 'obsessive' and basically accusing Netanyahu of influencing US foreign policy to do Israel's dirty work for him.

https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT...89043423746072

[bule1]

Not going to blame 1 party above the other, but I see Severn Trent are planning to increase bills by 47% in next 5 years but will pay increased dividends going forwards. Sod prioritising renationalisation of the railways, this has to take priority as it is a true monopoly situation that businesses are taking clear advantage of whilst OFFWAT does nothing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvge6d1dx6mo

[SmiffyPie]

Not going to blame 1 party above the other, but I see Severn Trent are planning to increase bills by 47% in next 5 years but will pay increased dividends going forwards. Sod prioritising renationalisation of the railways, this has to take priority as it is a true monopoly situation that businesses are taking clear advantage of whilst OFFWAT does nothing.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvge6d1dx6mo

Agree with that, I can get from A - B by a variety of means (or not go) but I need power and water to survive. All the utility companies are taking the wazz and should be brought under control so that the consumer gets a fair deal and not be milked for the sake of some investor (whether they are pension companies or not!).

[Old_pie]

Agree with that, I can get from A - B by a variety of means (or not go) but I need power and water to survive. All the utility companies are taking the wazz and should be brought under control so that the consumer gets a fair deal and not be milked for the sake of some investor (whether they are pension companies or not!).

So kill off the dividends, no more investment funds, higher bills to raise even more money. If it were still government owned then taxes would have to rise and the government is beyond its borrowing limit already.

In my view the government did very well in selling off an outdated underfunded resource, a bit like RT buying Notts post-Munto. There was more to be fixed than met the eye. Similarly with rail - outdated, dramatically requiring major infrastructure upgrades but the government opted out for decades of doing the necessary work. Personally I do not understand any business wanting these enterprises and the chickens are now coming home to roost except the directors get some good bonuses out of being unable to deliver.

[SmiffyPie]

So kill off the dividends, no more investment funds, higher bills to raise even more money. If it were still government owned then taxes would have to rise and the government is beyond its borrowing limit already.

In my view the government did very well in selling off an outdated underfunded resource, a bit like RT buying Notts post-Munto. There was more to be fixed than met the eye. Similarly with rail - outdated, dramatically requiring major infrastructure upgrades but the government opted out for decades of doing the necessary work. Personally I do not understand any business wanting these enterprises and the chickens are now coming home to roost except the directors get some good bonuses out of being unable to deliver.

We are talking now not 30+ years ago when the unions pulled all the strings.

[i961pie]

We are talking now not 30+ years ago when the unions pulled all the strings.

They are starting to pull them again.

[Med Pie]

Agree with that, I can get from A - B by a variety of means (or not go) but I need power and water to survive. All the utility companies are taking the wazz and should be brought under control so that the consumer gets a fair deal and not be milked for the sake of some investor (whether they are pension companies or not!).

People should rebel as with tv licence, not sure how many people know that because water is so ***** to life, they cannot cut you off for not paying your bill.

[Med Pie]

So kill off the dividends, no more investment funds, higher bills to raise even more money. If it were still government owned then taxes would have to rise and the government is beyond its borrowing limit already.

In my view the government did very well in selling off an outdated underfunded resource, a bit like RT buying Notts post-Munto. There was more to be fixed than met the eye. Similarly with rail - outdated, dramatically requiring major infrastructure upgrades but the government opted out for decades of doing the necessary work. Personally I do not understand any business wanting these enterprises and the chickens are now coming home to roost except the directors get some good bonuses out of being unable to deliver.

Many peoples pension, investment portfolios, depend heavily or at least in part, on utilities because they're such a guaranteed, cash cow.

[Old_pie]

We are talking now not 30+ years ago when the unions pulled all the strings.

Do you really believe that the current, or even near recent, governments have the finances, or financial will, to fix the decades of underinvestment in national infrastructure?

Bliar had plenty of opportunity and years in which to reverse much that Thatcher introduced.

Let's put it another way; name one government enterprise that is really working well. You can introduce local government in that list if you wish.