Blah Blah

Yeah it is funny, I agree with that :D

The dead pig isn't really the story though is it? Lord Ashcroft is a billionaire with non dom status so that he can avoid paying his fair share of tax. Yet he managed to cough up ?8 million to the Tory party, and expected a high profile job in government for it. Cameron didn't give him that job because he was worried about the impact of his non dom status on credibility (and rightly so). We have to stop this ability of tax avoiding, self serving rich people from buying political power. It's totally corrupt. Labour were right to suggest a move towards ending non dom status. It's totally unacceptable in the present economic climate. And that is exactly why someone like Corbyn has gained support. The public are fed up of it.

The logic is spot on. If half of working people in London make the average wage, you then have to assume they are all in stable relationships as well. They won't be of course, so the number of actual couples with that income is going to be less than half the working population. What we don't know of course is how much less. We broadly agree though on the situation overall.

Not looking for an argument at all. Just providing data that suggests it's actually above the average salary, so most people don't qualify. The housing situation in London is just wrong. There is no upward social mobilty for most hard working people. And the term 'affordable housing' is a joke.

It is such a bizarre story! But it also reminds me of the Hatred Goldsmith eventually had for the Tory Party. Hell hath no fury like a billionaire donor scorned.

Jeremy, why would two people live in a one bedroomed flat? Right away that joint salary is only going to work for couples with stable long term relationships. According to the Office for National Statistics, the median gross annual wage for people working in London is ?34,473. The median wage for the UK as a whole is ?22,044. So half the people in London earn less than than ?34.473 and half of your 71k is ?35,500, so more than half of Londoners are earning less than that. It's exactly why 52% of Londoners are forced to rent compared to 30% nationwide.

People keep asking why refugees don't go to other middle eastern countries and Saudi Arabia? Looking at Saudi's part in trying to destroy Yemen perhaps is a clue. The reason why refugees want to come to Europe is because it's safe. The Middle-East on the other hand is riddled with dictatorships and civil wars. BBC made this film about Yemen. It's on iplayer. It shows just what it's like to live in a conventional war zone. And exposes how we and the USA are selling the arms that Saudi is using in Yemen. http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b06dst11/our-world-yemen-the-hidden-war

The view seems to be that Farron is wishful thinking. The Libdems no longer have a fancy office at Westminster (that went to the SNP) and Farron is based at Party HQ. He's not at Westminster enough to know what Labour MPs are thinking.

It is a global problem. Pyschological stresses on refugees can be anything from the trauma of witnessing death and murder to the impacts of exhaustion and hunger. Very few people probably know what it's like to not eat for a couple of days. Poor diet leads to nutrient deficiencies that have specific impacts on energy levels and general mental health. When a group of people are hungry and irritable (a symptom of hunger), without access to sanitation and shelter, a fight or flight mindset takes over. So it's perfectly understandable that a group of desperate people being turned away by people who could help them but choose not to, would resort to violent conduct to force something to change.

He has been forced to support membership of the EU as the party line. Trident is going to be a different battle but he might be best to let the party vote freely on that instead of forcing a whip that many MPs don't agree with. You can already see what's coming. He will compromise on things he doesn't personally believe in to bring the party together and the media will challenge him on that again and again. I don't care if he sings the National Anthem or wears a poppy or not. Policy wise, I agree with his stance on welfare, austerity, housing, jobs, trade unions, tax etc. I don't agree with his stance on NATO or defence and on Trident I have no strong feelings either way. It is very clear that the majority of Labour MPs don't share his views on defence and I suspect a disproportionate amount of time will be given to his difficulties negotiating around that issue. But on others things, I can't see why he can't bring the party to a united consensus. He and McDonnald I suspect, are going to be damned if they do and damned if they don't. The media will do it's best to scare the electorate out of voting for either of them.

Great gesture DH. Even though I hate footy I shall bring my family to that match :) A very worthwhile charity. Need for Mental health treatment is increasing and resources to treat people effectively are being reduced. None of that is helped by the wider public ignorance of how mental health issues can destroy some peoples lives. People CAN be treated, and returned back to functioning lives, BUT there are nowhere near enough resources available to achieve that at present. So every bit helps.

Let's remember though that when he stood for the leadership, he probably didn't think he'd actually win it? Personally I want to see him do well but it is absolutely right to say that he will have to compromise his personal stance on a few things to appease the party. Once there are some policies in place I hope the media attention will focus on those instead.

Great to see a retail company commit to the living wage. The politics show reports it will cost the company ?9 million to deliver. Seems like not a lot of money in relative terms and shows it CAN be done by these companies.

I didn't buy the national Anthem story either. And if that story is true, Corbyn needs to wise up and start understanding the position he's now in. I saw a news interview in which he was asked about that and what he would do when he goes through the ceremy for acceptance to the privvy council (where he will be expected to bow). He was dithering and making no sense. I thought John McDonnell did well too but until we see some solid party policies it's hard to know how this will play out.

I'm inclined to agree on your sentiment ????. The first few days have shown Corbyn is out of his depth to me too. There is niaivity there, just in terms of the damage the media can do to any campaign, if nothing else. He's going to have to learn fast, and one of the things he has to learn is that attracting attention for trivial matters like not singing a National Athem is a mistake, if he ever hopes to be taken as a serious contender for Prime Minister. All of that stuff can be fixed, if he's willing to take advice on presentation and I suspect that once the Labour party begin to formulate some firm policies he will find things easier. It's not going to be enough to be a man of the people. He needs to be a leader too.

Agreed Miga. There is as much ignorance about the diversity of eastern europe (especially culturally) as there is about the middle-east.

John McDonnell as shadow chancellor doesn't well with me.

Why don't you email the project team directly? Their site info does say that they have the support of Southwark Council, and that Peckham Vision and others have got them to the stage they are at so far. As Southwark don't own the land however, I would guess that Network Rail would be the ones to seek planning permission when things are more developed design wise. They seem to be connected to the rights sources for a project of this nature.

Yeah, let's behave like 12 year olds in a playground and bully people for engaging in a local forum, especially those ones we don't agree with. Really dude?

How can they submit a planning application before they've done a feasability study? That's what they are crowdfunding for.

That is very true mlteenie, but a lot of people who stop in stores like lidl do so because they can't afford to pay more for food. It's a viscious circle.

I can't see why it can't be recycled. Engine parts are recyled and they are covered in oil and gunk. The Southwark recycling place off Old Kent Road would probably take it.

And clearly Parkdrive is more interested in insulting people than actually taking on board anything anyone has actually said.

I didn't vote for Sadiq and still think Tessa would have been the better candidate for beating Goldsmith (if he gets selected). But having said that, I do like some of Sadiq's ideas and he has plenty of time to campaign for the Mayoral election itself.