Wednesday 3rd June 2015

[rebeccariots2]

Cameron fails to rule out cuts to disability benefits

Asked in the Commons if he stood by the commitments he made on disability benefits during the election campaign, the PM declined to comment (Guardian)

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015 ... y-benefits

I heard his response on Radio 4 - it was shabby in the way he skirted around answering it straight on.

Sounds as though they are going to bring in means testing for some of the benefits. I hate using that word benefits now. What else can they be called, someone?

[citizenJA]

Stephen Timms (East Ham) (Lab):
I welcome the Prime Minister’s confirmation that there will be no cuts in the rates of or eligibility conditions for child benefit, but will he also confirm the commitment he made during the election that there will be no cuts in the benefits paid to disabled people?

The Prime Minister:
What we have actually done is to increase the benefits paid to disabled people by bringing in the personal independence payment, which is more generous to those who are most disabled. May I say how much I enjoyed meeting the right hon. Gentleman during the general election when we both addressed the Festival of Life in the ExCeL centre in his constituency? I do not know about him, but it is certainly the only time in my life that I have talked to 45,000 people at the same time, and I suspect the same goes for him.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publi ... nknown/11/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A straightforward question from the Opposition receives Cameron's response.
The response from Cameron is crazy - he's not answered, he's inaccurate & it's apparently against the rules to tell Dave he's a liar.
What should the Opposition do in response, seriously?
I really want to know because I can't see how anyone can do better?
five years of "where's the opposition" crap? - it's just a jack-ass passive-aggressive way of blaming someone not responsible.
Why the f*** did these people get into government again?

[tinybgoat]

In case anyone was under a different impression, PMQs is still the unpleasant,
unenlightening shouting match that it was before the election. But there’s only so long that
Cameron can continue to avoid these big questions because looking at the scale of the
problems facing the country, it won’t just be the Labour party demanding answers.

http://labourlist.org/2015/06/pmqs-verd ... questions/

Seeing as he's never got the hang of answering,
maybe each week, in labour (or others) could publish alternative answers?

Afternoon.

Edited, to correct link & add belated greetings (bleatings?)

[citizenJA]

http://labourlist.org/2015/06/pmqs-verd ... questions/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[giselle97]

Tizme's post late last night:

''*sigh*
The to do isn't over what he did or didn't do. It's because he blatantly lied about it during the election campaign.''

FTN posters are entitled to express their opinion of the SNP/Carmichael story.

A lot of us *sighed* over what the Greens/SNP/Plaid blatantly lied about during the election campaign. No recourse to justice over that though is there ?

Sturgeon has backed tracked over the Labour £30bn austerity cuts crap.
No apology forthcoming yet though, or from the SNP's little wannabe sister parties.

https://kittysjones.wordpress.com/2015/ ... s-exposed/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for pointing to that blog Yahyah, which I hadn't seen before.

I'm sad to have been absent from posting for so long but I couldn't trust myself. I would probably have been thrown out, probably by the very missed Ernst, who just so happened to decide people who were, in my opinion, disruptors were welcome to put their views and long term posters could argue (eversoeffingconstantlywithnoeffingendtoit), put up or shut up. Well I shut up but I've been spitting feathers for a long time.

Well, I'm now reading the Guardian, the Telegraph and the Daily Mirror again so hope to contribute with some links now I'm signing in.

I haven't seen Cameron, Clegg or Sturgeon once or heard their voices because I'm only watching recordings of American shows - NCIS, CSI, CSI Miami and playing my DVD's. So FTN has been my window on the world. Oh, I did go to Barcelona for 5 days after the election so there was no-one amongst my friends who could possibly be offended by me and my filthy moods! They're all bloody Tories and blind - completely blind to what's been going on.

Harry, the elderly Tory who sat all day next to me whilst I was telling for Lisa Forbes, Labour in Ravensthorpe, Peterborough (an area of the City I had never set foot in before) told me that Labour wouldn't win the election. I certainly didn't think Labour would get in at Ravensthorpe. When Harry's Asian Agent arrived, he told me Labour had no chance there either as Peterborough's Asians fully back the Tory Party. The Tories weren't doing any telling there. Anyway, in the end, a bigot called Jackson got another chance to ignore a lot of people's problems. Thankfully though, he's not my MP where I live now.

I'm in a predicament at the moment because before the election I booked a B&B just outside Pitlochry so I could attend our Singapore Schools Mid-summer Reunion which is lasting for 4 days. I was then going home to Inverness to secret my Mam and Dad's plaque on Grannie's grave at Tomnahurich (without seeking permission first!) and then calling in on my Cousin at Roslin for a few days on the way back. Now, I don't think I can do it. I really don't. There's a strong possibility, with my sheer rage, that I'd have a fight with someone with being in Scotland for so long.

@citizenJA I think you're the first person I've heard say "I think Carmichael's action was meant to slander Labour & promote Tory's fear & denigration campaign. It was a spiteful piece of work with Carmichael identified alone". Bearing in mind that Clegg was also stirring the S******gNPs issue to damage Labour, I had always assumed that the leak came out to damage Labour, not damage that Murdoch Tart.

@RebeccaRiots I was on a train from Inverness to Edinburgh, sitting right next to Charles Kennedy, 4-5 years' ago after I'd been to a funeral. You were right. A lovely man to listen to and talk to. I've also been on a sleeper from London to Glasgow with Iain Macleod - who was a laugh. That was many, many years' ago, when I was completely unimpressionable!

P.P.S. I'm not as nice as some of you here, so I won't be doing any apologising for my thoughts or comments against Tories, Scottish Nationalists, LibDems, Greens and last, but not least, against Nu Labour. I resigned from the Labour Party last week (for a few weeks, just so that someone at HQ would read what I said when I filled the web form in)! I'll be back - there is no other choice for a socialist in my opinion.

[giselle97]

Cameron fails to rule out cuts to disability benefits

Asked in the Commons if he stood by the commitments he made on disability benefits during the election campaign, the PM declined to comment (Guardian)

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015 ... y-benefits

I heard his response on Radio 4 - it was shabby in the way he skirted around answering it straight on.

Sounds as though they are going to bring in means testing for some of the benefits. I hate using that word benefits now. What else can they be called, someone?

How about social rights? Social security rights?

[ohsocynical]

@Giselle. Lovely to have you back and don't you dare go away again...

[Tonibel]

Cameron fails to rule out cuts to disability benefits

Asked in the Commons if he stood by the commitments he made on disability benefits during the election campaign, the PM declined to comment (Guardian)

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015 ... y-benefits

I heard his response on Radio 4 - it was shabby in the way he skirted around answering it straight on.

Sounds as though they are going to bring in means testing for some of the benefits. I hate using that word benefits now. What else can they be called, someone?

How about National Insurance Entitlements?

[utopiandreams]

Cameron fails to rule out cuts to disability benefits

Asked in the Commons if he stood by the commitments he made on disability benefits during the election campaign, the PM declined to comment (Guardian)

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015 ... y-benefits

I heard his response on Radio 4 - it was shabby in the way he skirted around answering it straight on.

Sounds as though they are going to bring in means testing for some of the benefits. I hate using that word benefits now. What else can they be called, someone?

Been lurking the last few days with nothing much to say (still finding things a little too partisan here; I'd hoped we'd moved beyond that) but logged in to reply, rebecca, especially as I remarked on this a few days ago. What to call Social Security? Well I still tend to use benefits as common parlance but decided allowance or credit are much better terms. Besides most benefits are called as much.

[tinyclanger2]

FTW

[thatchersorphan]

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015 ... y-benefits

I heard his response on Radio 4 - it was shabby in the way he skirted around answering it straight on.

Sounds as though they are going to bring in means testing for some of the benefits. I hate using that word benefits now. What else can they be called, someone?

Been lurking the last few days with nothing much to say (still finding things a little too partisan here; I'd hoped we'd moved beyond that) but logged in to reply, rebecca, especially as I remarked on this a few days ago. What to call Social Security? Well I still tend to use benefits as common parlance but decided allowance or credit are much better terms. Besides most benefits are called as much.

I really don't like the term 'credit' due to its possible connection with needs paying back - eg credit cards . Allowance is good.

[frightful_oik]

Prog on R4 tonight at 20:00 called 'What's Left?'. From what I can gather a 'whither Labour?' piece.
Still Loving that Martin Sheen piece from the NS the other day.

[utopiandreams]

... I really don't like the term 'credit' due to its possible connection with needs paying back - eg credit cards . Allowance is good.

I know what you mean, thatchersorphan, but then again, give credit where credit is due.

[citizenJA]

Tizme's post late last night:

''*sigh*
The to do isn't over what he did or didn't do. It's because he blatantly lied about it during the election campaign.''

FTN posters are entitled to express their opinion of the SNP/Carmichael story.
A lot of us *sighed* over what the Greens/SNP/Plaid blatantly lied about during the election campaign. No recourse to justice over that though is there ?
Sturgeon has backed tracked over the Labour £30bn austerity cuts crap.
No apology forthcoming yet though, or from the SNP's little wannabe sister parties.
https://kittysjones.wordpress.com/2015/ ... s-exposed/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for pointing to that blog Yahyah, which I hadn't seen before.

I'm sad to have been absent from posting for so long but I couldn't trust myself. I would probably have been thrown out, probably by the very missed Ernst, who just so happened to decide people who were, in my opinion, disruptors were welcome to put their views and long term posters could argue (eversoeffingconstantlywithnoeffingendtoit), put up or shut up. Well I shut up but I've been spitting feathers for a long time.
Well, I'm now reading the Guardian, the Telegraph and the Daily Mirror again so hope to contribute with some links now I'm signing in.
I haven't seen Cameron, Clegg or Sturgeon once or heard their voices because I'm only watching recordings of American shows - NCIS, CSI, CSI Miami and playing my DVD's. So FTN has been my window on the world. Oh, I did go to Barcelona for 5 days after the election so there was no-one amongst my friends who could possibly be offended by me and my filthy moods! They're all bloody Tories and blind - completely blind to what's been going on.

Harry, the elderly Tory who sat all day next to me whilst I was telling for Lisa Forbes, Labour in Ravensthorpe, Peterborough (an area of the City I had never set foot in before) told me that Labour wouldn't win the election. I certainly didn't think Labour would get in at Ravensthorpe. When Harry's Asian Agent arrived, he told me Labour had no chance there either as Peterborough's Asians fully back the Tory Party. The Tories weren't doing any telling there. Anyway, in the end, a bigot called Jackson got another chance to ignore a lot of people's problems. Thankfully though, he's not my MP where I live now.

I'm in a predicament at the moment because before the election I booked a B&B just outside Pitlochry so I could attend our Singapore Schools Mid-summer Reunion which is lasting for 4 days. I was then going home to Inverness to secret my Mam and Dad's plaque on Grannie's grave at Tomnahurich (without seeking permission first!) and then calling in on my Cousin at Roslin for a few days on the way back. Now, I don't think I can do it. I really don't. There's a strong possibility, with my sheer rage, that I'd have a fight with someone with being in Scotland for so long.

@citizenJA I think you're the first person I've heard say "I think Carmichael's action was meant to slander Labour & promote Tory's fear & denigration campaign. It was a spiteful piece of work with Carmichael identified alone". Bearing in mind that Clegg was also stirring the S******gNPs issue to damage Labour, I had always assumed that the leak came out to damage Labour, not damage that Murdoch Tart.

@RebeccaRiots I was on a train from Inverness to Edinburgh, sitting right next to Charles Kennedy, 4-5 years' ago after I'd been to a funeral. You were right. A lovely man to listen to and talk to. I've also been on a sleeper from London to Glasgow with Iain Macleod - who was a laugh. That was many, many years' ago, when I was completely unimpressionable!

P.P.S. I'm not as nice as some of you here, so I won't be doing any apologising for my thoughts or comments against Tories, Scottish Nationalists, LibDems, Greens and last, but not least, against Nu Labour. I resigned from the Labour Party last week (for a few weeks, just so that someone at HQ would read what I said when I filled the web form in)! I'll be back - there is no other choice for a socialist in my opinion.

Wonderful to read you again, giselle97!
I step away from the computer to the corner shop & come back to read you!
Brilliant strategy on quitting then re-joining the Labour party, sincerely.
xx
cJA

P.S.
Write whatever you want.
Everyone here is patient with me.
FlyTheNest people are part of my family.
Sometimes we get angry with each other but the best is sticking together, working it out, staying connected.

[citizenJA]

Lord Willy Bach, Labour’s Shadow Attorney General, has written to the Attorney General, the Rt Hon Jeremy Wright QC MP, asking what investigations have been undertaken in this country by the relevant prosecuting authorities as to the role of British nationals and British banks in the FIFA corruption scandal.

The full text of the letter is below:

The Rt Hon Jeremy Wright QC MP
Attorney General’s Office
20 Victoria Street
London, SW1H 0NF

3rd June 2015

Dear Jeremy,

In the light of the recent indictments and arrests in Switzerland and the USA, and the ensuing publicity, I am writing to ask what investigations have been undertaken in this country by the relevant prosecuting authorities as to the role of British nationals and British banks in the FIFA corruption scandal.

Do you agree with me that it is disappointing that after the pioneering investigative reporting of the Sunday Times and Panorama, it has been left to the US and Swiss authorities to commence prosecutions? Can you confirm whether the Crown Prosecution Service, the Financial Conduct Authority, Serious Fraud Office and any other relevant authority are investigating whether bribery took place on British soil, used British financial institutions or involved British sponsors or broadcasters? If they are investigating corruption at FIFA, do they have the resources they need to undertake their investigations vigorously and swiftly?

I welcome the fact that Barclays, HSBC and Standard Chartered have launched internal reviews into their potential role in these allegations. Is there also a need in your opinion for a criminal investigation led by British Prosecuting Authorities?

The US indictment repeats the allegation that three of Britain’s overseas territories – the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos – played a part in “masking kickbacks”. Will the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ensure the full compliance of those territories with any ongoing investigations?

As the issues raised in this letter are a matter of public importance, I am placing this letter in the public domain. I look forward to an early response.

Yours ever,

Lord Willy Bach
Shadow Attorney General

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1206185 ... -wright-qc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

JUNE 3, 2015 (5:14 PM)

[ohsocynical]

How about NIP. National Insurance payment.... Because that's what it is....

[citizenJA]

Andrew Gwynne MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, responding to the news that NHS regulators are to take control of health services in three entire regions of England where hospitals are failing, said:

“The Tories have caused huge problems on the frontline and hospitals are deteriorating on their watch. Two thirds of nurses say patients are missing out on basic care because of staff shortages, while the vast majority of NHS staff say David Cameron’s reorganisation has harmed patient care."

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1206165 ... h-services" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
JUNE 3, 2015 (4:41 PM)

Andrew Gwynne MP, Labour’s Shadow Health Minister, responding to the Government’s Parliamentary Answer refusing to rule out NHS staff cuts, said:

“Before the election the Tories denied their plans involved staff cuts, but now they are refusing to rule them out. David Cameron should now come clean about what his plans for £22bn ‘savings’ involves – is he planning staff cuts or service closures?”

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1206069 ... o-rule-out" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
JUNE 3, 2015 (1:37 PM)

[ohsocynical]

Lord Willy Bach, Labour’s Shadow Attorney General, has written to the Attorney General, the Rt Hon Jeremy Wright QC MP, asking what investigations have been undertaken in this country by the relevant prosecuting authorities as to the role of British nationals and British banks in the FIFA corruption scandal.

The full text of the letter is below:

The Rt Hon Jeremy Wright QC MP
Attorney General’s Office
20 Victoria Street
London, SW1H 0NF

3rd June 2015

Dear Jeremy,

In the light of the recent indictments and arrests in Switzerland and the USA, and the ensuing publicity, I am writing to ask what investigations have been undertaken in this country by the relevant prosecuting authorities as to the role of British nationals and British banks in the FIFA corruption scandal.

Do you agree with me that it is disappointing that after the pioneering investigative reporting of the Sunday Times and Panorama, it has been left to the US and Swiss authorities to commence prosecutions? Can you confirm whether the Crown Prosecution Service, the Financial Conduct Authority, Serious Fraud Office and any other relevant authority are investigating whether bribery took place on British soil, used British financial institutions or involved British sponsors or broadcasters? If they are investigating corruption at FIFA, do they have the resources they need to undertake their investigations vigorously and swiftly?

I welcome the fact that Barclays, HSBC and Standard Chartered have launched internal reviews into their potential role in these allegations. Is there also a need in your opinion for a criminal investigation led by British Prosecuting Authorities?

The US indictment repeats the allegation that three of Britain’s overseas territories – the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos – played a part in “masking kickbacks”. Will the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ensure the full compliance of those territories with any ongoing investigations?

As the issues raised in this letter are a matter of public importance, I am placing this letter in the public domain. I look forward to an early response.

Yours ever,

Lord Willy Bach
Shadow Attorney General

http://press.labour.org.uk/post/1206185 ... -wright-qc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

JUNE 3, 2015 (5:14 PM)

You can take it as read, that those events did happen. And as usual, it'll be brushed under the carpet. Left a decent time, and then forgotten.

[ohsocynical]

Not only is Liz Kendall a shy Tory, but her words are also likely to appeal to racists
How can anyone so shamelessly conservative even be considered as Labour leader?

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/com ... 94329.html

Worth casting a wary eye over those who are supporting her bid too...

[rebeccariots2]

Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 32m32 minutes ago
tweet from lab colleague @johnmcdonnellMP confirms @jeremycorbyn standing for @UKLabour leadership as 'left' candidate

?

[rebeccariots2]

Michael Deacon ‏@MichaelPDeacon 8m8 minutes ago
"Behave yourself, woman." Alex Salmond to a female Government minister, in the Commons

Tony Grew ‏@ayestotheright 7m7 minutes ago
Amazed at how quickly Salmond causes discord in the chamber.

I am actually shocked if he said that.

[ohsocynical]

Britain’s first PFI privately funded NHS hospital is a 'major' fire safety risk, say fire fighters
An independent report commissioned by the NHS trust that manages the hospital found that fire proofing materials installed by the private company did not meet the required protection standard to allow for save evacuation and prevent a fire from spreading across the building.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 94388.html

[rebeccariots2]

Mehdi Hasan retweeted
Matthew Harris ‏@hattmarris84 8m8 minutes ago
'I'm opposed to the austerity measures & that debate needs to happen' @JeremyCorbyn Labour newest leadership hopeful " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; …

[utopiandreams]

Michael Deacon ‏@MichaelPDeacon 8m8 minutes ago
"Behave yourself, woman." Alex Salmond to a female Government minister, in the Commons

Tony Grew ‏@ayestotheright 7m7 minutes ago
Amazed at how quickly Salmond causes discord in the chamber.

I am actually shocked if he said that.

It's better than wee lassie, rebecca, but then she may not have been petite.

I'll get my coat.

[rebeccariots2]

Could Jeremy Corbyn MP be Labour's leadership candidate of the left?
A late alternative option has emerged for Labour's next leader: the ardent socialist, Jeremy Corbyn.
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/20 ... idate-left" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[rebeccariots2]

Michael Deacon ‏@MichaelPDeacon 8m8 minutes ago
"Behave yourself, woman." Alex Salmond to a female Government minister, in the Commons

Tony Grew ‏@ayestotheright 7m7 minutes ago
Amazed at how quickly Salmond causes discord in the chamber.

I am actually shocked if he said that.

It's better than wee lassie, rebecca, but then she may not have been petite.

I'll get my coat.

I think you'd better - 'topian. Yours is the extra large one made of dinosaur skin on the first hook - yes?

[rebeccariots2]

Owen Jones ‏@OwenJones84 2h2 hours ago
Great news: @jeremycorbyn standing for Labour leader. Labour MPs will come off very badly if they don't nominate and allow a genuine debate.

[TechnicalEphemera]

Could Jeremy Corbyn MP be Labour's leadership candidate of the left?
A late alternative option has emerged for Labour's next leader: the ardent socialist, Jeremy Corbyn.
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/20 ... idate-left" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No is the short answer.

Definitely not is the slightly longer answer.

[rebeccariots2]

Could Jeremy Corbyn MP be Labour's leadership candidate of the left?
A late alternative option has emerged for Labour's next leader: the ardent socialist, Jeremy Corbyn.
http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/20 ... idate-left" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

No is the short answer.

Definitely not is the slightly longer answer.

You are probably right (his Islington base will certainly count against him ...) but Owen Jones is also right we need to have a proper debate re the Labour leadership and steer of the party - not just a trio or quartet of candidates trying to out aspiration each other.

[rebeccariots2]

David Lammy ‏@DavidLammy 2m2 minutes ago
Zac Goldsmith now fav. to be Tory mayoral candidate. He has broad appeal across London. To win, Labour needs a candidate who has the same.

[TechnicalEphemera]

No is the short answer.

Definitely not is the slightly longer answer.

You are probably right (his Islington base will certainly count against him ...) but Owen Jones is also right we need to have a proper debate re the Labour leadership and steer of the party - not just a trio or quartet of candidates trying to out aspiration each other.

Anybody here believe Corbyn is electable as Labour PM?

Because as IDS proves putting unelectable candidates on the ballot in a OMOV election is a stunningly stupid thing to do. This is a new electoral system and it can/will elect unsuitable candidates.

Owen Jones is wrong on this.

[TechnicalEphemera]

David Lammy ‏@DavidLammy 2m2 minutes ago
Zac Goldsmith now fav. to be Tory mayoral candidate. He has broad appeal across London. To win, Labour needs a candidate who has the same.

Which rules out David Lammy.

[rebeccariots2]

No is the short answer.

Definitely not is the slightly longer answer.

You are probably right (his Islington base will certainly count against him ...) but Owen Jones is also right we need to have a proper debate re the Labour leadership and steer of the party - not just a trio or quartet of candidates trying to out aspiration each other.

Anybody here believe Corbyn is electable as Labour PM?

Because as IDS proves putting unelectable candidates on the ballot in a OMOV election is a stunningly stupid thing to do. This is a new electoral system and it can/will elect unsuitable candidates.

Owen Jones is wrong on this.

I've got to be honest and say I hadn't really registered Corbyn at all before this announcement. I don't think he'll get through - probably not even to the achieving enough nominations stage - but it will facilitate some of the discussion that won't be had at all if there is no one articulating anything different from current centrist candidates. If he doesn't get enough nominations that will tell us something about his arguments and the stance of the PLP straightaway. Some commentators are saying his standing will actually benefit Burnham as more MPs and members will swing behind Burnham because he won't then be perceived as the left candidate.

[rebeccariots2]

David Lammy ‏@DavidLammy 2m2 minutes ago
Zac Goldsmith now fav. to be Tory mayoral candidate. He has broad appeal across London. To win, Labour needs a candidate who has the same.

Which rules out David Lammy.

Why has Labour got so many bods trying to be the mayoral candidate? There doesn't seem to be the same rush amongst Tories to get selected.

[rebeccariots2]

TUC Media Team ‏@TUCnews 21h21 hours ago
Weakening workers’ rights in the EU is playing with fire, warns TUC http://dlvr.it/B4TqBK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

“Never ones to miss an opportunity, some business leaders are lobbying to get workers' rights - particularly those for agency workers and on working time, together with a moratorium on any new rights - thrown into the reform package.
“We can all agree that Europe must create more jobs. European trade unions want a much more ambitious investment programme for skilled, sustainable, well-paid jobs than is currently on offer. But you don’t get that through deregulation or slamming the brakes on rights at work.
“Europe must become a good jobs factory. Without workers' rights it would become a sweatshop.
“The government is playing with fire. They will not win blue collar votes to stay in the EU by weakening workers’ rights.”

Depends whether it's made clear to the 'blue collar' voters what is really on offer in the renegotiated package and how it will affect them. Frances O'Grady is right though - it's going to be a very hard sell for the Yes campaigners other than Cameron and co (if that's what Cameron and co end up campaigning for) to persuade people that they'll have even less control over jobs, wages, terms and conditions than at present if we stay in.

[Willow904]

TUC Media Team ‏@TUCnews 21h21 hours ago
Weakening workers’ rights in the EU is playing with fire, warns TUC http://dlvr.it/B4TqBK" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

“Never ones to miss an opportunity, some business leaders are lobbying to get workers' rights - particularly those for agency workers and on working time, together with a moratorium on any new rights - thrown into the reform package.
“We can all agree that Europe must create more jobs. European trade unions want a much more ambitious investment programme for skilled, sustainable, well-paid jobs than is currently on offer. But you don’t get that through deregulation or slamming the brakes on rights at work.
“Europe must become a good jobs factory. Without workers' rights it would become a sweatshop.
“The government is playing with fire. They will not win blue collar votes to stay in the EU by weakening workers’ rights.”

Depends whether it's made clear to the 'blue collar' voters what is really on offer in the renegotiated package and how it will affect them. Frances O'Grady is right though - it's going to be a very hard sell for the Yes campaigners other than Cameron and co (if that's what Cameron and co end up campaigning for) to persuade people that they'll have even less control over jobs, wages, terms and conditions than at present if we stay in.

I personally believe the only 'reform' Cameron is interested in involves securing privileges and protections for the City of London. One of them let it slip the other day that City interests would form part of the negotiation. I'll have a look and see if I can find a link.

[PorFavor]

Goodnight, everyone.

[citizenJA]

Your MP: Angela Eagle
15:36, 3 JUNE 2015
All the latest news from the local MP working in your borough

"Earlier this year, I warned that the multi-million deficit faced by local NHS services was just the ‘tip of the iceberg’ and that healthcare services across will carry on getting weaker if the Government failed to provide adequate support.

At the Queen’s Speech last week, David Cameron had the opportunity to help but he refused.

In Parliament, I argued that the Government should be straining every sinew to protect and improve our health service and called for action so that people can get to see their GP, so that patients in accident and emergency are seen promptly and so that people, especially those needing cancer treatment, do not get stuck on waiting lists. The Tories said they cared about the NHS and made some promises but we know they can’t be trusted. David Cameron has made promises on the NHS before and has broken them.

The Tories said nothing about supporting our fragile local hospitals, including Arrowe Park. The Government expects Arrowe Park to make £13 million in savings over the next year but is cutting the tariff deflator and is forcing the local NHS Trust to pay millions of pounds more in insurance premiums at the same time. These extra demands come on top of soaring staff costs due to an increase in patient numbers and will put the local NHS Trust into the red by over £28million in 2016.

All of this stems from the Tories disastrous reorganisation of the NHS which has left it in a depleted and fragile state. In the next couple of weeks, I’ll be meeting NHS staff and managers from across Wirral and I will reassure them that while I’m in Parliament, I will forcefully stand for them and stand up to the Tories and their hostility to our NHS.

I want the best healthcare services for people in Wirral and will to rest until David Cameron gives us the support we need."

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/new ... le-9384515" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ohsocynical]

Goodnight, everyone.

Night PF

[citizenJA]

Goodnight, everyone.

Goodnight, PorFavor

[RogerOThornhill]

Oh dear, OECD isn't Osborne's bestest chum any longer...

[Willow904]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32695399" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Mr Cameron has said he does not want to reveal full details of his negotiating hand but he has given a broad indication, in a series of speeches and newspaper articles, of his priorities when he goes into talks with other EU leaders.

These are:

Allowing Britain to opt-out from the EU ambition to forge an "ever closer union" of the peoples of Europe
Restricting access to in-work and out-of-work benefits to EU migrants
Giving greater powers to national parliaments to block EU legislation
Supporting the continued enlargement of the EU to new members but with new mechanisms in place to "prevent vast migrations across the Continent"
Freeing business from red tape and "excessive interference" from Brussels and providing access to new markets through "turbo charging" free trade deals with America and Asia
Protection for the City of London financial markets from EU legislation
Creating safeguards to ensure changes in the single market cannot be imposed on non-eurozone members by the eurozone

This for me is what the pre-referendum EU negotiation is probably really about. I seriously doubt if Cameron cares if he achieves anything substantial on the other points at all as long as he has something the Euro-sceptics can claim as some kind of victory so he can convince them to vote to stay in the EU, once he's made sure the City of London is safely out of bounds for any kind of Robin Hood tax or other legislation in the public interest, but still firmly within the EU for all of the perks.

[rebeccariots2]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32695399

Mr Cameron has said he does not want to reveal full details of his negotiating hand but he has given a broad indication, in a series of speeches and newspaper articles, of his priorities when he goes into talks with other EU leaders.

These are:

Allowing Britain to opt-out from the EU ambition to forge an "ever closer union" of the peoples of Europe
Restricting access to in-work and out-of-work benefits to EU migrants
Giving greater powers to national parliaments to block EU legislation
Supporting the continued enlargement of the EU to new members but with new mechanisms in place to "prevent vast migrations across the Continent"
Freeing business from red tape and "excessive interference" from Brussels and providing access to new markets through "turbo charging" free trade deals with America and Asia
Protection for the City of London financial markets from EU legislation
Creating safeguards to ensure changes in the single market cannot be imposed on non-eurozone members by the eurozone

This for me is what the pre-referendum EU negotiation is probably really about. I seriously doubt if Cameron cares if he achieves anything substantial on the other points at all as long as he has something the Euro-sceptics can claim as some kind of victory so he can convince them to vote to stay in the EU, once he's made sure the City of London is safely out of bounds for any kind of Robin Hood tax or other legislation in the public interest, but still firmly within the EU for all of the perks.

But he's not going to be able to sell that very easily if it's all he 'achieves'. If you are right it's going to put a lot of people who would naturally want to stay in the European Union - and political parties - in a very difficult position. How do you argue positively for worse conditions for workers, and more perks for bankers ...?

[Willow904]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32695399

Mr Cameron has said he does not want to reveal full details of his negotiating hand but he has given a broad indication, in a series of speeches and newspaper articles, of his priorities when he goes into talks with other EU leaders.

These are:

Allowing Britain to opt-out from the EU ambition to forge an "ever closer union" of the peoples of Europe
Restricting access to in-work and out-of-work benefits to EU migrants
Giving greater powers to national parliaments to block EU legislation
Supporting the continued enlargement of the EU to new members but with new mechanisms in place to "prevent vast migrations across the Continent"
Freeing business from red tape and "excessive interference" from Brussels and providing access to new markets through "turbo charging" free trade deals with America and Asia
Protection for the City of London financial markets from EU legislation
Creating safeguards to ensure changes in the single market cannot be imposed on non-eurozone members by the eurozone

This for me is what the pre-referendum EU negotiation is probably really about. I seriously doubt if Cameron cares if he achieves anything substantial on the other points at all as long as he has something the Euro-sceptics can claim as some kind of victory so he can convince them to vote to stay in the EU, once he's made sure the City of London is safely out of bounds for any kind of Robin Hood tax or other legislation in the public interest, but still firmly within the EU for all of the perks.

But he's not going to be able to sell that very easily if it's all he 'achieves'. If you are right it's going to put a lot of people who would naturally want to stay in the European Union - and political parties - in a very difficult position. How do you argue positively for worse conditions for workers, and more perks for bankers ...?

The same way you get people to vote for a far right party that is intent on destroying the NHS, welfare state and stomping all over peoples' human rights I presume - by lying your bollocks off, with the help of the press. I do, however, agree that Cameron is pushing his luck. If his reforms undermine the things Europhiles value about membership of the EU, will he risk alienating the support he is banking on to help him counter a rabid 'out' vote, some of whom have been waiting decades for the chance to vote 'no' to the EU and won't be swayed by any arguments for in? It's starting to take on a bit of a 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' quality, isn't it?

[citizenJA]

House of Commons Education Committee
Underachievement in Education by White Working Class Children
First Report of Session 2014-15
Report, together with formal minutes relating to the report
Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 11 June 2014
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... 42/142.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Education Committee conducts an inquiry into Underachievement in Education by White Working Class Children. Specifically the Committee examines the reasons and factors for white working class pupils’ educational underachievement, including the impact of home and family and what steps can be taken to improve the educational outcomes and attainment of white working class pupils.
http://www.parliament.uk/business/commi ... hievement/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Poor white British boys and girls educationally underperforming
18 June 2014
http://www.parliament.uk/business/commi ... ss-report/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Education Committee - First Report
Underachievement in Education by White Working Class Children
11 June 2014
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/p ... /14202.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Poor white pupils 'need best teachers and long days'"
Sean Coughlan
BBC News education correspondent
18 June 2014
White working-class children need schools with incentives to attract high-quality teachers and longer days to allow pupils to do their homework, says a cross-party committee of MPs.
The Education Select Committee has been examining the underachievement of poor white children in England.
Their exam results are much worse than disadvantaged black or Asian pupils.
The MPs' report describes poor white youngsters as "consistently the lowest performing group in the country".
The report - Underachievement in Education by White Working Class Children - identifies this as a "real and persistent" problem.

[more article text]

Labour's shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt said: "The report is right to identify that the most important thing for raising standards is to ensure a highly motivated and highly skilled teacher in every classroom....[ensure] that all teachers become properly qualified and continue to build their skills. This is how we narrow the attainment gap between deprived children and the rest."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-27886925" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[giselle97]

Schadenfreude - pleasure derived by someone from another person's misfortune

2015-06-02_102204.jpg (87.77 KiB) Viewed 10054 times

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisat ... ers-office

[giselle97]

A commenter at the G who I also used to enjoy at the BBC blogs before they wrecked them, Richard Bunning, has been saying again and again since the GE that the LibDems won't be able to come back very quickly. I'm being really polite there in my interpretation because if you look at some of his comments, they are quite forceful! https://profile.theguardian.com/user/id/2081713

He keeps commenting that, as 75% of the LibDems (& other leftish leaning parties) ideals are identical to the Real Labour Party, then they should all talk to each other in a "sort of alliance" to fight back against the extreme right wing Party which is now in government and the Labour Party which seems intent to turn right and go against the good and popular policies identified by EM etc. (some of which are curiously and very readily already being stolen by Cameron/Osborne - but RedEd heh!).

However, the comments Richard Bunning gets back - almost to a man/woman - say "stuff it - we'll recover to fight again on our own and we don't need to compromise any of our ideals".

The Tory Party will rule in England for ever is all I can see because we'll never get P.R. out of the Tories.

So what do none-Tories expect to happen?

P.S. to add - I put that comment up because of this comment from @tinyclanger2

Exactly. Which is one of the reasons I am disappointed by so many leaving here. If we can't overcome our differences to work together (rather than just tell each other that that's what we should do) then we have very little hope of creating the changes we all want.

[giselle97]

I saved this comment because it reduced me to tears.

JerichoG 13 May 2015 16:31

I have been told by many friends and loved ones that I should not worry. Many that live in the UK have frequently discussed about 'those people on Benefits' and the famous statement everyone seems to state:"I know this person that is abusing Benefits for years," only to turn to me and say "this isn't about you, mate." They speak about the scum, shirkers, and all of the other pejoratives that we have become all far too familiar. Being openly gay, and HIV-, I have dealt with a lifetime of prejudices that, in time, has brought an equality that was never expected in my lifetime. There's no reason why I should negate the same outcome for those of the Disabled.

I have generalised idiopathic familial Dystonia-Parkinsonism with Neuroacanthocytosis, and recently discussed a serious issue with my lower legs and feet. I wear braces, but the pain of my muscles hyper extending brings my big toes towards the sky and my outer feet press to the earth. The force is so strong that my Cuboids and Intermediate Cuneiform are being pushed out. I try my best to correct themselves, but the progression of my neurotransmitters are failing. We are looking into severing the ligaments to permanently freeze my feet to one position. Another option (and inevitable outcome) would be amputation below my knees.

I can't write, speak clearly, swallow with the possibility of food or drink entering the trachea, raise my hands, sit up for long periods without pain, nor handle bright light due to Blepharospasm. There is no cure. Medications do not eradicate the extreme pain I live with every day of my life.

Because of this, and the active discrimination against the Disabled, staying strong in determination is a battle I find increasingly difficult. I don't drink, and meeting mates in pubs turns me into an item for consternation, ridicule, and avoidance. I am disabled, but I have a heart. I have lost my relationship, with a better chance of a loving relationship in the future fading, and all due to something that I had no election to obtain. Local friends that visit has dwindled to two, and I feel isolated.

My greatest strength is my friends from around the world, who are my Chosen Family, that are a bond from the wonderful days before this started, and my two cats, that are the two reasons that I continue to be alive. I worked hard, and saw a married life with many wonderful adventures and a career that was entering the most lucrative in my life. I hate this more than anyone hates me. My career and personal life are shattered, and this was NOT in my sights. I wake every day wishing this was just a bad dream.

I have come to terms with my disabilities and I am still fighting against all odds. I want to be the one that beats this. I want to end Austerity, because whatever is said of it the benefit is not for the working class, middle class, nor the poor. This has doubled the earnings of Billionaires, while median incomes are nowhere near the point of their peak 8 years ago. There comes a point where investment into all aspects of infrastructure results into job creation; affordable housing; a decent, living wage; a net gain that will draw in confidence throughout and beyond Great Britain; and taking this £12 billion can be easily obtained by withdrawing the cuts given to the very people that doubled their income during the Great Recession. When you look at the scale of the entire budget £12 billion can be found elsewhere. The numbers of working families earning a wage that would no longer need to claim Housing Benefit and Child Credit would be eradicated. The numbers of jobs created by investing into more homes would help the crisis that we are all aware of today.

Throwing the blame on those that are genuinely incapable of work will not help the Budget, as it will litter one of the wealthiest nations in the World with roofless, vulnerable disabled people throughout the streets of the United Kingdom, bar Scotland, as they will rather break from the Union over this Policy and treating the Disabled with hatred. I'm a single man, and it's a struggle now. Lowering the cap again will dramatically reduce the ability to strive against all odds. Further restrictions of eligibility, and sanctions will only place any sense of dignity to the bin.

I am humbly asking Mr Cameron, Mr Osborne, Mr Duncan-Smith, and you to find a sense of compassion for the Disabled, and an end to the prejudice that is becoming a dangerous element in our country. Please do not assume that being disabled and incapable to work is something we see as a great life. The WCA has proven that Benefit Fraud was not widespread as suggested. Please take a moment and try to think of us as one of you, because I never expected this, and you do not know if you will find yourself in my situation.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... t-52107405

[LadyCentauria]

Thanks, @giselle97, for that superb and insightful comment from @JerichoG. It ought to make Cameron, Osborne, and Duncan-Smith, squirm with shame – it shames me that it's unlikely to do so. Instead, we have had the PM asked today to guarantee that he would not make any cuts to benefits for disabled people (let's take it as read that that term includes the long-term sick) – and did he guarantee that? Did he heck as like! No, once again he went bright red and blustery, put on his 'innocently outraged' face – which doesn't really look any different from his other faces – and declared that he has increased the amount of money that's spent on disabled people and that that was the intent of introducing PIP – "to give more money to people who need it most." No mention that, at the same time, he has either scrapped entirely (or shrunk dramatically) the funds which used to provide that 'more money,' the Independent Living Fund, Access to Work, Disabled Students' Allowance, Severe Disablement Allowance, to name but a few; and has not only put the Motability Scheme at risk, but he and his Chancellor are cutting £1.1bn from councils' Social Care budgets:

The £1.1bn cut planned for 2015/16 – calculated by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) – comes after councils have slashed their adult social care budgets by 31 per cent over the last five years.

Councils have been forced to impose steep cuts on adult social care because the money they receive from central Government has fallen substantially. Unlike other services, the social care budget is not ring-fenced.

Ray James, president of Adass, said: “What is at stake is the continuing capacity of adult social care to sustain services to those in greatest need. In virtually all our authorities, the number in need is growing, while the complexity of their needs is increasing.”

He added: “Short-changing social care is short-sighted and short-term. It must also be short-lived if we are going to avoid further damage to the lives of older and vulnerable people who often will have no one else but social care to turn to.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ho ... 95750.html

Suggestions were called for, earlier, as to what to rename 'benefits'. I liked the offering of Social Security Entitlement – certainly not 'Credit' as it reminds me to much of the floundering IDS' still-foundering toy boat, Universal Credit; but I think it most important that we continue (whatever our political persuasion) to promote the term 'Social Security' in place of the now-derogatory term, 'Welfare.'

[thatchersorphan]

http://www.leftfutures.org/2015/06/what ... austerity/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;