Sephiroth

last time I tried to engage with you jazzer it was to point out you were having a go at people for having a go at the NHS when people were doing no such thing - and you ignored that not sure why you are having a pop now I sure do have a bee in my bonnet and repeatedly complain about this govt (and the people who after 10 years keep voting them in. Yes opposition is important but apart from last Labour leader I don't see why people would have too much problem choosing them over this lot. Other political parties are also available. Handing this fool and 80+ majority is on the voters IMO)

if you want to claim he/the UK has done a GOOD job you can't wave away people when they try and ask you to define it We can compare death raters per capita across Europe as a useful comparison - and the UK does not come out of it well It is true that all countries have struggled in different ways - but I'm not sure many crow about any wins as much as the UK govt and their supporters

well I wouldn't bracket you in the "reasonable person" category AND opinion polls and radio shows disagree with you mightily as well More people have DIED in the UK because of his policies compared to other European countries - why would you claim he has done well on this measure? The initial rollout was speedy but other countries caught up and overtook UK pretty quickly (with much higher vaccination rates to boot) furlough isn't some magical Tory policy but has been enacted across many countries (and would have been under a Labour govt as well) But you just call him a naughty boy?

well, OBVIOUSLY that's true. But it has been true for the 18 years of the forum's existence and it has never stopped any of wanging on and spending time on here when we have better things to do But it is still noteworthy how despite constant back and forth since 2016, now that the charlatan is finally being exposed and judged, despite radio stations being full of apoplectic tory voters, this forum, this place where so many of us lock heads so often has basically given up on the very notion Of course we have better things to do (as one would hope). But it's still notable

Sure keano sure Totally normal for head of uk govt to apologise to the queen and repeatedly lie to the nation And you would totally dismiss similar tittle tattle if it was labour in power. Sure you would. You being such a fine upstanding citizen and all

The ones who voted for him as mayor in two London elections? I jest partly but yer keano/glens have gone v quiet as well (although I do maintain that liberal London has done as much over the years to legitimise Johnson - by voting the arsehole in twice as mayor - than any number of newspaper articles/supportive media groups. So yeah even people who loathe him now - many will have voted for him in the past)

As we approach the final death throes of this absolute snake oil gobshite, it?s odd to see this thread go quiet I?m going to assume it?s guilt for many

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-58197626 This? Arguable about wether he should be the fall guy or not. But it didn?t go without consequence

don't be harsh DR there are a lot of local and national campaigns to get involved in - and if they don't go the way you want, just stick your fingers in the air and go "la la la" - that seems to be the advice Seriously tho - this "pretend it's something OTHER" has infected English discourse form day 1 - be it tory/labour, leaver/remainer - too many English people think Brexit is in no way connected with normal life and really not worth troubling with. It' absolutely crackers

Oh F*** that! In related news, be assured that if UK did this before France it would be claimed as a Brexit benefit. But as it is sovereign countries gonna sovereign https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/31/thats-a-wrap-french-plastic-packaging-ban-for-fruit-and-veg-begins

imagine not knowing that anyway and having to take down a United Kingdom and many many businesses just to realise that little (yes yes I know that's not the spirit in which the post was intended etc etc)

Is that true? I'm not aware of any EU rule which prevents them - but even if they can the reason they won't is for same reason UK (outside EU) won't - because iI suspect it doesn't have sufficient capacity, or ability to subsidise the extra cost and keep the country fed, whilst also further inhibiting trade with other countries

"It allows the UK to lead by setting higher standards for example on environmental protection and biodiversity." EU sets a minimum - countries are free to set higher standards anyway. Brexit has nothing to do with it (apart from adding pressure to reduce standards to get a deal)

"Is there anything that would convince you Brexit was a good idea?" A better question would be - when will brexiteers all agree that it was a good idea and show us the benefits? (they can't - it's possible that, for example, Cat's vision of brexit comes to pass, in a manner that he finds acceptable. By definition that will be the ruination of many other types of brexit voter. Or let's say the leave voters who saw Brexit as still being part of single market - if they get their wish then that is a waste of brexit according to other leave voters) Asking remainers to accept Brexit as a good idea is a folly, when various leave camps can't agree

bit of a trick question if you say no, you have a closed mind if you say yes, you legitimise something that is clearly dumb (can you not find anything good to say about climate deniers or anti-vaxxers?)

I note many beleavers, columnists and politicians are spending last couple of days saying 2022 is when Brexit starts to deliver Bless. The uk import controls alone from January will be an interesting headwind

Another recommendation from us is "This Way Up" Strong Irish bent, starring Aisling Bea and Sharon Horgan. 2 seasons of 30 min episodes. Funny - but again leans into the drama and some serious issues. But you'd have to have a heart of stone to not be warmed

from https://muckrack.com/cjmckinney Slipped out on Christmas Eve: government throws in the towel on post-Brexit immigration policy being highly-skilled only. Social care workers are classified as lower-skilled, but can now get Skilled Worker visas if paid ?20,480+. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/biggest-visa-boost-for-social-care-as-health-and-care-visa-scheme-expanded These brexit benefits of taking back control - important. Until they aren't. Still a garbage policy but realism intruding

(I mean, this isn't the thread I would start on Christmas Eve... but hey)

I don't disagree with much of that other than those of us who've lived in this country long enough don't trust a UK Conservative govt to handle that transition well at all, and indeed suspect the easiest/default/laziest option will be the US model - something made more likely by brexit and the appetite for US companies as part of any deal The inefficiencies you are experiencing are the result of years of micromanagement by government which have left the service a shadow of what it was People forget just how low waiting lists and response times were under Blair/Brown (albeit they are responsible for some of the current issues as well)

Watching the Outlaws this week. 3 episodes in and loving it and yes some of it very funny But would I call it comedy? Way too much dark drama for that IMO

Also a TV show on Netflix called Love (NOT the movie of same name) was something we enjoyed. 3 series, half hour episodes. following 2 quite different people in LA

We enjoyed Breeders as well - yes the grandad character is ace but also funny when you realise he was David St Hubbins in Spinal Tap (and loads more obv - but that is the one many people of a certain age will remember)

I agree with so much of JA posts But the cautious optimism about Truss? Not for me I will have optimism when a British minister displays any grasp of Irish history or awareness. She has zero

Johnson earlier this year https://news.sky.com/story/amp/brexit-boris-johnson-rejects-claim-uk-australia-trade-deal-would-see-farmers-lose-their-livelihoods-12310969 ? Brexit: Boris Johnson rejects claim UK-Australia trade deal would see farmers 'lose their livelihoods' The Department for International Trade says any trade deals signed will not "undercut UK farmers" or compromise high standards.? Lies like this are not sustainable Large parts of Tory constituencies are fisher/farmer based. Telling them in a haughty voice ?net win tho!!! Think of the manufacturing chaps!? Won?t pay their bills. There will be consequences for any govt screwing over their voters like this.