Thursday 28th January 2016

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:10 pm

BBC QT is being held just south east of Hope (just north of Peterborough) in Stamford School hall - some people (local media) seem a bit disgruntled - they don't seem to have very many locals attending, which surprises me, considering quite how Tory much of Stamford is.

I had a little look at the 'application' to be an audience member (much to Mrs Wolfies chagrin - she's not keen on me sharing my rantiness with the nation

) and, shock horror, there are a large number of questions, some of which I felt were a bit unnecessary...especially the one asking whether you were an 'In' or 'Out' voter in Clouncy Funts great unfinished EU shambolism negotiations...

https://ssl.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articl ... e-audience

Absolutely definitely nothing to do with selecting the 'right kind of people' - I'm absolutely definitely unshakeably confident that the audience will be 'balanced'.

(But then again, of course, I am a bit of a tin-foil hatter anyway!)

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:15 pm

This is very sad. I'm trying to ignore the sensatialist tone of the Mail ... whilst at the same time seeing that the kind of atmosphere and systems described as the way this call centre operates just doesn't sound OK or fit for purpose. Come back NHS Direct - please. Remember when the coalition destroyed them in the name of saving money and so called efficiencies. - pretty much just as they had found their feet and were operating fairly smoothly. It's not efficient to get rid of clinicians supervising and being responsible for responses and then have people die or not get the treatment they need.

NHS 111 call centre worker 'was found hanged in staff toilet at end of four 12-hour night shifts' at same trust that missed fatal sepsis in tragic one-year-old
Emma Alsopp, 22, died after hanging herself during her break from work
Colleagues at non-emergency helpline HQ in Devon found her in toilet
Had complained to family and friends about the pressures of the call centre
Operated by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Same health board responsible for 111 failings in death of tot William Mead
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... l#comments" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:15 pm

Harley wrote:
citizenJA wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:I wanna smack George Osborne every time I hear him say 'I wanna'.

Who does he think he is ... one of the Spice Girls?
I wish he were a Spice Girl.
Sneery Spice ?

Sniffy Spice ?

Brilliant!
[img]dancing%20grey%20thing%20edited%20out%20too%20creepy[/img]

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:18 pm

Harley wrote:
citizenJA wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote:I wanna smack George Osborne every time I hear him say 'I wanna'.

Who does he think he is ... one of the Spice Girls?
I wish he were a Spice Girl.
Sneery Spice ?

Sniffy Spice ?

Snooty Spice?

Snowy Spice?

Septumgone Spice?

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:19 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Rachel Reeves Retweeted
Paul Wilding ‏@Paul_Wilding1 2h2 hours ago
@RachelReevesMP DWP have issued advice to Local Authorities today to say they should ignore the CoA decision yesterday!!

Ignore a UK court ruling
George Smith's department tells LAs to ignore UK court rulings
Is this precedented?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:24 pm

If I may say so citizen - that's a particularly creepy little animation you've got going on there for George Osborne. Suits him to a T.

Lonewolfie · Post by **Lonewolfie** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:29 pm

Chris Bryant comments on the 'bunch of migrants'....

Chris Bryant Reminds David Cameron His Cabinet Are Children Of 'Bunch Of Migrants'

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/01 ... 97614.html

ttfn

tinybgoat · Post by **tinybgoat** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:32 pm

Lonewolfie wrote:
Harley wrote:
citizenJA wrote: I wish he were a Spice Girl.
Sneery Spice ?

Sniffy Spice ?
Snooty Spice?

Snowy Spice?

Septumgone Spice?

Giddy on Spice?

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:34 pm

tinybgoat wrote:
Lonewolfie wrote:
Harley wrote: Sneery Spice ?

Sniffy Spice ?
Snooty Spice?

Snowy Spice?

Septumgone Spice?

Giddy on Spice?

Snorty Spice?

Vordy · Post by **Vordy** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:42 pm

White Spice.

What’s Really Going on With Oil?
First appeared: http://journal-neo.org/2016/01/24/whats ... -with-oil/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If there is any single price of any commodity that determines the growth or slowdown of our economy, it is the price of crude oil. Too many things don’t calculate today in regard to the dramatic fall in the world oil price. In June 2014 major oil traded at $103 a barrel. With some experience following the geopolitics of oil and oil markets, I smell a big skunk. Let me share some things that for me don’t add up.
First appeared: http://journal-neo.org/2016/01/24/whats ... -with-oil/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Source:

http://journal-neo.org/2016/01/24/whats ... -with-oil/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:45 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Kerry McCarthy ‏@KerryMP 3m3 minutes ago
Kerry McCarthy Retweeted Labour Press Team
UK could get millions for Cumbria floods through EU Solidarity Fund - deadline approaching and still hasn't applied.
Can someone tell me why the govt doesn't seem keen to apply? Is it just because they'll have to stump up some money too?

“We are considering all forms of support, not at all ruling out using the EU Solidarity Fund,
but in considering whether to use that fund, it is important to note how long it would
take for the funding to be received and what ultimate cost/benefit it would bring,
given that it would not actually bring additional funding,” Baroness Williams of
Trafford told peers in the House of Lords.

Officials at the communities department, which has responsibility for flood defences,
told the Independent that the UK could draw on EU aid but said the costs of damage
were still be computed and had to be agreed of before a claim could be made.

The apparent delays could mean that Britain misses out on claiming from the fund.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 34906.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
None.

Labour MEPs have been pestering Dave and his Tory government for ages.

http://www.eurolabour.org.uk/eu-solidar ... line-apply" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.northeastlabour.eu/uk-govern ... e-runs-out" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:51 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:If I may say so citizen - that's a particularly creepy little animation you've got going on there for George Osborne. Suits him to a T.

I agree. I took it out. It's back in the box.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 4:59 pm

Apparently, this Tory peer, Baroness Williams of Trafford, is alarmed regular people flooded up North may benefit from the EU crisis account.
Tories don't like other people having nice things.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:12 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
RobertSnozers wrote:
rebeccariots2 wrote: Can someone tell me why the govt doesn't seem keen to apply? Is it just because they'll have to stump up some money too?
Wouldn't this be exactly the sort of thing that the government could point to and say 'hey, the EU also helps when bad stuff happens'?

Or is the strategy 'the EU was entirely awful until Dave swept in and made it entirely wonderful with his beauteous renegotiation'?
Yes - I just don't get it. I think Rory Stewart was questioned on this ... and can't remember what he answered except it wasn't very clear or convincing.

You'd have thought it would be just the sort of PR Dave would love to claim for himself.

He turned down EU money for feeding children too.

Post by **refitman** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:16 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Kerry McCarthy ‏@KerryMP 3m3 minutes ago
Kerry McCarthy Retweeted Labour Press Team
UK could get millions for Cumbria floods through EU Solidarity Fund - deadline approaching and still hasn't applied.
Can someone tell me why the govt doesn't seem keen to apply? Is it just because they'll have to stump up some money too?

If they apply it will prove the EU is helpful and that's the last thing they want at the moment.

gilsey · Post by **gilsey** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:23 pm

Re EU flood funding.

I heard an explanation of a sort, which was that the most of the funding was actually an advance and 2/3 of it would be deducted from the following year's EU contribution.
I would think that the 1/3 would still be worth having, they give me the impression they can't be arsed to fill the forms in.

gilsey · Post by **gilsey** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:24 pm

That's not right is it, it must be 'repaid' the following year.

No wonder everyone's confused.

gilsey · Post by **gilsey** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:25 pm

Maybe it's deducted from our rebate....

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:31 pm

norman smith ‏@BBCNormanS 57m57 minutes ago
Rob Semple stands down from 'TatlerTory' inquiry following threats to boycott inquiry by witnesses

How long does it take these people to get when something is just not right? He should have stood down from the start.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:33 pm

Ewen MacAskill ‏@ewenmacaskill 1h1 hour ago
Labour victory: parliamentary committee on arms exports to meet for first time since May election as result of pressure over Saudi and arms.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:38 pm

Have we mentioned the other big U turn today ... the govt aren't going to impose the new legal aid 2 tier contracts?

How much money has been wasted drawing that awful idea up?

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:46 pm

Just had an email - Saturday's meeting to vote for Phillipa Thompson as our Assembly candidate has been cancelled because she's pulled out !

Bad news, from what RR said she was a good candidate.
No one else in the frame at the moment. Hopefully someone good will step forward.
Ceredigion increased its Labour vote in May, may be in a position to do better for the Senedd too with the right candidate.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:46 pm

George Eaton Retweeted
Steve Peers ‏@StevePeers 1h1 hour ago
Steve Peers Retweeted The Secret Barrister
Gove and Grayling, summed up brilliantly here

The Secret Barrister
‏@BarristerSecret
@seanjonesqc @DinahRoseQC He's like a plumber walking round your flooded house aghast, asking, "Seriously, WHO did you get in last time?".

Dinah Rose ‏@DinahRoseQC 3h3 hours ago
Abandoning two tier contracts, Gove says the arguments were always "finely balanced". Is this code for "the policy was nuts from the start"?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:47 pm

yahyah wrote:Just had an email - Saturday's meeting to vote for Phillipa Thompson as our Assembly candidate has been cancelled because she's pulled out !

Bad news, from what RR said she was a good candidate.
No one else in the frame at the moment. Hopefully someone good will step forward.
Ceredigion increased its Labour vote in May, may be in a position to do better for the Senedd too with the right candidate.

Come on yahyah - your country is calling!

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:51 pm

That literally made me snort RR.

I'd make the worst ever representative for a political party.
Far too feisty and argumentative.

tinybgoat · Post by **tinybgoat** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:52 pm

belated respones to weekend thread by yahyah. (about bake off )

Fragrant Humble Crumble

She makes meals for the homeless, giving her time freely
While her husband strives to help provide, a stream of good causes daily
Stretching the limits of the law, to demonize the poor
she stirs in B9 denial of any irony

Chorus:-
And the aspirationally poor, reap what they've been sowing
across the land, the foodbank queues keep growing,
'Cos if they hadn't been so feckless, their kids wouldn't all have eat less
Maybe it's compassionate Conservatism showing.

Baking vol-au-vents on BBC, with poise and dignity
like Marie Antoinette, raising funds for charity,
Will his best remembered role, be stuffing a cake hole?
While hers rose above the taunts of depravity.

Applauding at party conference, in tearful admiration
Maintaining willful ignorance as he basks in adulation
welfare's systematically wrecked as they claim the opposite effect
while drip feeding hate into the faultlines of the nation

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 5:58 pm

Excellent TinyB !!

I wonder if SamCam actually has a heart beneath her carefully crafted doe eyed PR cup cake baker persona ?
Not sure how she can watch people like Paul Rutherford made to suffer ...after what she must have gone through with her own son. I'd be giving my husband a divorce if he behaved like Cameron does.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 6:22 pm

PASSIONATE MP SLAMS IAIN DUNCAN SMITH ATTEMPTS TO BLOCK ‘BEDROOM TAX UNLAWFUL’ RULING
http://politicalscrapbook.net/2016/01/p ... ul-ruling/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

one comment BTL includes this:

... The torygraph has even gone one step further, it no longer allows any comments on any articles that have IDS and welfare reform within them.

Is that correct?

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 6:29 pm

David Cameron is being offered a watered down “emergency brake” by Brussels allowing him to stop EU migrants claiming benefits in the UK for four years if European leaders give him permission, it has been claimed.
It has been claimed that the EU is now proposing that Britain will be allowed to deny benefits to EU migrants coming to the UK for up to four years if he is able to convince Brussels that UK public services are being put under strain because of foreigners.
Mr Cameron had pledged that as part of his renegotiation with Brussels he would stop all EU migrants coming to the UK from claiming in-work benefits until they have lived in the UK for four years.
The new deal on the table, reported by Reuters, would be a significant watering down of Mr Cameron’s original manifesto pledge and would be criticised by Conservative eurosceptics.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... ssels.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The only response really. This is getting more than ridiculous. As if this is going to convince people who think Brussels pulls the strings that the UK has more powers ... and as for acting as any kind of deterrent to people wanting to come here which is what Cameron claims it is intended to do .... that was always ludicrous.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 6:32 pm

It was Sellout Shirl's final Westminster speech today, wonder what she was spouting ?

Martin O'Neill ‏@DrNostromo 1h1 hour ago
Shirley Williams sneers at #Corbyn as an idealist; well fair play that was something she never was

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 6:33 pm

Andrew Brooks ‏@taxbod 7m7 minutes ago
A reminder of Shirley Williams' achievements. The list in full:

1)
2)
3)

I like the cut of that tweeter's jib

Andrew Brooks ‏@taxbod 7m7 minutes ago
Shirley Williams. A stupid person's version of Barbara Castle.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 6:33 pm

yahyah wrote:It was Sellout Shirl's final Westminster speech today, wonder what she was spouting ?

Martin O'Neill ‏@DrNostromo 1h1 hour ago
Shirley Williams sneers at #Corbyn as an idealist; well fair play that was something she never was

Apparently she bigged up the BBC and said she hoped it wouldn't be shrunk ...

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 6:38 pm

Hope she had the sense to keep schtum about what her party did for the NHS.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 6:45 pm

Yikes Lonewolfie - that QT you posted about. I've just seen who is on the panel. I might need a gag and restraints to sit through some of the responses ...

David Dimbleby chairs topical debate from Stamford, Lincolnshire. He is joined on the panel by Conservative transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, Labour's Jess Phillips, SNP leader at Westminster Angus Robertson, Independent columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and the boss of advertising firm M&C Saatchi, Moray MacLennan.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:18 pm

http://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/jan ... l-aid-cuts" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Domestic violence victims forced to face abusers in court due to legal aid cuts

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:29 pm

Ivan White ‏@ivanwhite48 1 hr1 hour ago

Murdoch used his Twitter feed to complain that Cameron has been easily swayed by a billionaire tycoon from Google exerting undue influence.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:30 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:Yikes Lonewolfie - that QT you posted about. I've just seen who is on the panel. I might need a gag and restraints to sit through some of the responses ...

David Dimbleby chairs topical debate from Stamford, Lincolnshire. He is joined on the panel by Conservative transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin, Labour's Jess Phillips, SNP leader at Westminster Angus Robertson, Independent columnist Yasmin Alibhai-Brown and the boss of advertising firm M&C Saatchi, Moray MacLennan.

Crikey, they don't allow McLoughlin out much. He seems, to be fair to him, a reasonable Transport Secretary, but I'm guessing he isn't a great debater. Given his background as a miner, he ought to be on much more.

Robertson is dreadful, and will doubtless lie about how "everyone" predicted oil bonanza revenues. (They didn't, not even the ones who predicted a high price, because there's the small matter of production too).

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:37 pm

Bedroom tax leaves Northumberland families with no suitable home, says Tory MP
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

... A Conservative MP has admitted the “bedroom tax” isn’t working in the North East - and urged the Government to change it.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, said cuts to housing benefit officially known as the under-occupancy penalty meant some people faced “a real struggle” to find anywhere to live.

The Government argues that the controversial policy, which critics call the bedroom tax and Conservatives call the spare room subsidy, encourages people who don’t need large homes to move into smaller properties, making it easier for larger families to find suitable accommodation.

But Mrs Trevelyan said there simply wasn’t anywhere for people affected by the cuts to go in smaller communities such as those in her constituency...

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:39 pm

They knew this.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:41 pm

The shadow housing minister, John Healey, called on the government to exempt supported housing
entirely from the cuts and the housing benefit cap. He said that for many people there was “no
alternative other than hospital or residential care” to supported housing and this is “much more
institutionalised for the residents, much more expensive for the taxpayer”.

Simon Hoare, the Conservative MP for North Dorset, said there was nothing kind or caring
about trying to “prop up an inflated and unsustainable” welfare system. “I’m not annoyed by
the fact that this is being debated or that this important issue has been tabled, but by the
odour of smug hand-wringing which has come from the party opposite and their crocodile
tears that they, in essence, as they always try to purport, have a monopoly on caring. They
believe that somehow or other that we are the nasty bunch that really couldn’t give a damn
about anything, and we’re not. We all have constituents who are in sheltered housing and we
want to make sure of the best provision for them.”

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2016 ... -postponed" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(my bold)

Simon Hoare, almost six years of your Tory government's policy is factual documentation about
who you do and don't care about. Tories don't care. We can't afford landlord profiteers like you,
Hoare. Why accuse those who've not voted for your indefensible policy of shedding fake tears?
They're real enough. Your boss, Dave, writes to his council indignant they don't magic up funding
after it gets taken away. Tory nutters from hell.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:43 pm

HindleA wrote:They knew this.

Yes, they did. And they're responsible for this misery. Bastards.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:46 pm

: Rowling v McGarry.jpg (46.75 KiB) Viewed 5901 times

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:53 pm

Simon Hoare I have literally no idea what the bollox you are talking about.Are you perhaps seeing benefits and reacting without thought,that doesn't excuse you,that makes you more culpable in exercising your base misanthropy.You are not alone,of course,witness the smug,handwringing of Tory MP's feigning horror at the effects of policies they voted for.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:55 pm

What in the world is McGarry thinking?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:58 pm

Your default is to punish,that is your preferred method,no caring person would hold that view.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 7:59 pm

Pitiful Plaid Cymru broadcast. Negative, targeted at Labour, with some unfunded promises chucked in at the end.

Hope they do badly.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 8:02 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
Bedroom tax leaves Northumberland families with no suitable home, says Tory MP
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor ... um=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

... A Conservative MP has admitted the “bedroom tax” isn’t working in the North East - and urged the Government to change it.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed in Northumberland, said cuts to housing benefit officially known as the under-occupancy penalty meant some people faced “a real struggle” to find anywhere to live.

The Government argues that the controversial policy, which critics call the bedroom tax and Conservatives call the spare room subsidy, encourages people who don’t need large homes to move into smaller properties, making it easier for larger families to find suitable accommodation.

But Mrs Trevelyan said there simply wasn’t anywhere for people affected by the cuts to go in smaller communities such as those in her constituency...

Anne McIntosh (since deselected) made the same point in 2014.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 8:05 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
David Cameron is being offered a watered down “emergency brake” by Brussels allowing him to stop EU migrants claiming benefits in the UK for four years if European leaders give him permission, it has been claimed.
It has been claimed that the EU is now proposing that Britain will be allowed to deny benefits to EU migrants coming to the UK for up to four years if he is able to convince Brussels that UK public services are being put under strain because of foreigners.
Mr Cameron had pledged that as part of his renegotiation with Brussels he would stop all EU migrants coming to the UK from claiming in-work benefits until they have lived in the UK for four years.
The new deal on the table, reported by Reuters, would be a significant watering down of Mr Cameron’s original manifesto pledge and would be criticised by Conservative eurosceptics.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... ssels.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The only response really. This is getting more than ridiculous. As if this is going to convince people who think Brussels pulls the strings that the UK has more powers ... and as for acting as any kind of deterrent to people wanting to come here which is what Cameron claims it is intended to do .... that was always ludicrous.

Indeed.

And of course anybody can register for an NI number in advance of a "brake" coming in.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 8:17 pm

ohsocynical wrote:
Plans to start the process to close the BIS office in Sheffield (St Paul’s Place) by 2018 have been announced today (28 January 2016) by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills Permanent Secretary Martin Donnelly.

The move will create a combined central HQ and policy centre in London.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bis- ... eld-office
As someone said "So much for the Northern Powerhouse".

So much for decentralizing from London too.

It's not always as easy to do that as people think.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Thu 28 Jan, 2016 8:22 pm

Have we had by-elections today?