Election Year or Fear!

[SithHappens]

I see the Covid enquiry has come down very critically on the likes of Johnson, Cummings and Hancock. ‘Chaotic and toxic’ were two of the adjectives used to describe the atmosphere in Cabinet meetings during the crisis.

Some of us suggested this was the case at the time. Others differed. Let’s hope lessons have begun to be learned.

Definitely lessons to be learned.

I take some of the findings with a pinch of salt though. They had how long to carry out the enquiry but decisions had to be made in real time quickly.

I can imagine the meetings were toxic as you had people who's own interests came first.

Part of me thinks for something like this a cross party task force should be used for decision making, or take it out the hands of politicians all together.

[Geoff Parkstone]

That last sentence is the crux of the matter - take it out of the hands of politicians. Let key politicians with relevant skillsets into the taskforce but have it chaired by someone independent and a core membership drawn from people who understand the issues (eg experts in medicine, procurement, finance etc).

Trouble is we'd have all been dead by the time the politicians had got round to creating this task force. Perhaps we should have a permanent core emergency response team created and on standby

[Geoff Parkstone]

As you may be aware the OED awards a word of the year each year "to reflect the past year's cultural zeitgeist". One of the nominees for 2025 is "Gimmigrant" - defined as a person who comes to a different country in order to reside there permanently, live for free and receive all benefitspaid by tax payers, but who has no intention of working or abdiding by the laws of said country.

Will you be votong for it? (actually I dont think there is a vote, just a panel decision)

I confess to never having used many of them but past winners include chav, selfie, credit-crunch, podcast and carbon-footprint which are now widespread. Less so recent winners rizz or goblin mode which are entirely unknown to em until today

[SithHappens]

See Farages mate been sentenced to over 10 years for taking bribes from the Russians

[SithHappens]

On Covid I wonder how our number of Covidiots compared with other countries.

Someone said to me during Covid that there were 2 main reasons for the spread of the virus.

Population Density and Population Density.

One of my best friends openly broke rules all the time and is convinced that it was all a master plan of the government to keep us indoors ( I mean why would they)

This despite knowing people who died of covid.

[Geoff Parkstone]

I had a wife like your mate Sith, thought she knew better, created her own rules which were, shall we say, non aligned despite having one immuni compromised person in the house as well

[swaledale]

So Trump pushes an unacceptable "peace" deal for Ukraine, which basically rewards Russia for its aggression and provides the US and more than likely Trump's cronies with opportunities to make money.

Its clear now that we have a unprincipled, mafia operator as a dictator in the White House, who sanctions illegal killings of unproven "Narcos", insults reporters asking legitimate questions and despite supposedly in favour of "free speech" shuts down those who criticise him.

Still good to see Jimmy Kimmell is unbowed, thought his "shut up Piggy" comment back to Trump was very good. But where the **** are the Democrats in pushing back this abuse of the constitution and power?

[swaledale]

I see despite Labour adopting the Denmark "model" on immigration, its back fired in Denmark where the party that promoted it, has lost Copenhagen Mayoral elections.

More to the point, analysis of that policy has shown it isn't effective and far from attracting voters who are right leaning, merely repulses voters whoa re centre left or left leaning. As Labour will find out if they proceed with these proposals.

Meanwhile the right wing press hardly mention Farage's mate who has just be jailed for accepting bribes to push Russian propaganda!!

[ramAnag]

I see despite Labour adopting the Denmark "model" on immigration, its back fired in Denmark where the party that promoted it, has lost Copenhagen Mayoral elections.

More to the point, analysis of that policy has shown it isn't effective and far from attracting voters who are right leaning, merely repulses voters whoa re centre left or left leaning. As Labour will find out if they proceed with these proposals.

Meanwhile the right wing press hardly mention Farage's mate who has just be jailed for accepting bribes to push Russian propaganda!!

Talking of the right wing press?I see DMGT (aka The Mail/Viscount Rothermere) are tabling a 500 million GBP bid to buy the Daily Telegraph. If anyone doubts the importance of media influence to the next election or undermining the current government look no further.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Talking of the right wing press?I see DMGT (aka The Mail/Viscount Rothermere) are tabling a 500 million GBP bid to buy the Daily Telegraph. If anyone doubts the importance of media influence to the next election or undermining the current government look no further.

A curious conclusion. The two publications share the same political leaning already, so howwould consolidating the make any difference to the alleged "undermining"