Thursday March 2nd 2017

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 6:52 am

Morning

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... ane-abbott" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Watchdog says police cuts have left force in 'perilous state

https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk ... ness-2016/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 6:55 am

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39071485" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Four in five hospitals 'not safe enough' in England

http://www.cqc.org.uk/content/cqc-revea ... re-england" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 8:01 am

Morning all.

Tubby, any improvement to the fairness of the tax system is a good start. Like every area that a party should target it doesn't have to be done all at once.

Post by **adam** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 8:25 am

Sessions was under oath when he gave evidence to his confirmation hearing.

Sessions was specifically questioned by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, during his confirmation hearing about the alleged ties between Trump's campaign and Russia.

"If there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?" asked Franken.

"Senator Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities," said Sessions. "I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians and I'm unable to comment on it."

But Sessions did have contact with Russia on two occasions, including a meeting in his office with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in September that was listed on his public schedule.

Clinton was impeached for perjury to a congressional committee.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 9:15 am

adam wrote:Sessions was under oath when he gave evidence to his confirmation hearing.

Sessions was specifically questioned by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, during his confirmation hearing about the alleged ties between Trump's campaign and Russia.

"If there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?" asked Franken.

"Senator Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities," said Sessions. "I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians and I'm unable to comment on it."

But Sessions did have contact with Russia on two occasions, including a meeting in his office with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in September that was listed on his public schedule.
Clinton was impeached for perjury to a congressional committee.

Talkshow radio and Fox will be all over this day after day, right?

Post by **adam** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 9:24 am

StephenDolan wrote:
adam wrote:Sessions was under oath when he gave evidence to his confirmation hearing.

Sessions was specifically questioned by Sen. Al Franken, D-Minnesota, during his confirmation hearing about the alleged ties between Trump's campaign and Russia.

"If there is any evidence that anyone affiliated with the Trump campaign communicated with the Russian government in the course of this campaign, what will you do?" asked Franken.

"Senator Franken, I'm not aware of any of those activities," said Sessions. "I have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and I did not have communications with the Russians and I'm unable to comment on it."

But Sessions did have contact with Russia on two occasions, including a meeting in his office with Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in September that was listed on his public schedule.
Clinton was impeached for perjury to a congressional committee.
Talkshow radio and Fox will be all over this day after day, right?

The republican voices are saying that any contacts he had were as part of his membership of the Senate armed forces committee and not in relation to the campaign, and therefore he did not lie or mislead. That's relevant because the argument about Clinton largely came down to the issue of misleading (actually it didn't it came down to the republican majority in congress hating Clinton and being prepared to spend any amount of money and go to any lengths at all to attack him, but still...) - with apologies for getting down and dirty, it was whether 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman - Miss Lewinski' meant 'I had no sexual contact at all' (which would not be true) or 'I did not have sexual intercourse' (which Clinton maintained was what he meant and which was true).

Sessions seems to be claiming that 'I did not have communications with the Russians' means 'I did not have communications with the Russians about the presidential campaign', and that 'I did not have communications with the Russians' does not mean 'I did not have communications with the Russians'.

Post by **adam** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 9:45 am

Another NHS spending graph...

: Screen Shot 2017-03-02 at 09.42.11.png (95.71 KiB) Viewed 11793 times

It's a 10 year average graph, so - I think - the spending starts to rise in around 1988-90 because of rises ten years later, and yet still falls off a cliff in 2010 because of Lib Dem and Tory coalition policies.

Edited to add - from here.

NonOxCol · Post by **NonOxCol** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 10:12 am

Hello.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... are_btn_tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not open for comments.

I can't imagine why.

Post by **adam** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 10:14 am

IFS: Growth in UK living standards worst in 60 years
The Institute for Financial Studies is predicting that households will be almost 20% worse off by 2021

From here.

gilsey · Post by **gilsey** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 10:24 am

adam, you're not the only one to use that analogy.

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RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 10:25 am

Morning all.

So the DfE are going to force schools to publicise the attractions of UTCs and Studio schools because they're clearly such a safe option for kids...oh...what's this?

Future Tech Studio School to close - less than three years after it opened

http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/new ... /?ref=fbpg

FUTURE Tech Studio School is to close – less than three years after it opened.

Parents were called to a meeting at the school yesterday, Wednesday, for staff to break the news that it will shut at the end of the academic year.

The multi-million pound school, which opened on Warrington Collegiate’s Winwick Road campus in September 2014, aimed to give 14 to 19-year-olds a curriculum specialising in engineering, IT and telecommunications.

It offered GCSEs and vocational qualifications and had room for 300 students.

But in September the school closed its year 12 provision due to low student numbers, forcing 11 pupils to find places at other schools.

Cllr Colin Froggatt (LAB – Poulton South) said there was no need for extra pupil places at the time Future Tech Studio School was built and added it was sad the school’s students would now be unsettled by the closure.

Lucky we're awash with cash and can afford splashing out on these...

Post by **adam** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 10:50 am

UK aid company bosses quit in crackdown on profiteering
Four executives at Adam Smith International step down amid government pressure over misconduct

From here

Adam Smith International was set up by the Adam Smith Institute but became a seperate body. It's described in different stories as 'one of the biggest' and 'the biggest' private UK aid contractor.

So it would seem that our overseas aid has been spent on british companies encouraging foreign governments to privatise and deregulate everything. Astonishingly (okay, okay) that isn't why they're in trouble.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 11:15 am

John McDonnell Warned A ‘New Organisation’ Could Replace The Labour Party
In 2012, told protestors to ‘kick off’ at Labour and Tory MPs over cuts

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/j ... k-politics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 11:24 am

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistic ... ine-report" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

National Statistics
English Housing Survey 2015 to 2016: headline report

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 11:34 am

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... t-94157485" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sophia’s parents are fighting for her life and fighting for support at every step
Frances Ryan

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 12:17 pm

StephenDolan wrote:Morning all.

Tubby, any improvement to the fairness of the tax system is a good start. Like every area that a party should target it doesn't have to be done all at once.

But it's not going to be a start, is it? The plan's only for the richest. Why?

A government has all the info it needs to make the tax system fair already.

Lost Soul · Post by **Lost Soul** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 12:19 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:John McDonnell Warned A ‘New Organisation’ Could Replace The Labour Party
In 2012, told protestors to ‘kick off’ at Labour and Tory MPs over cuts

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/j ... k-politics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2012 eh... I suppose that was pre- party loyalty.. support the leader...so on, so forth etc...

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 12:31 pm

Nigel Farage's allies have rented him a house in the US to use when visiting Trump

Banks and Wigmore have nicknamed the property the "alternative British embassy" and expect it host a range of high-profile US politicians as Farage continues to develop his close relationship with the US President.

http://uk.businessinsider.com/ukip-dono ... ?r=US&IR=T" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 12:37 pm

adam wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:
adam wrote:Sessions was under oath when he gave evidence to his confirmation hearing.
Clinton was impeached for perjury to a congressional committee.
Talkshow radio and Fox will be all over this day after day, right?
The republican voices are saying that any contacts he had were as part of his membership of the Senate armed forces committee and not in relation to the campaign, and therefore he did not lie or mislead. That's relevant because the argument about Clinton largely came down to the issue of misleading (actually it didn't it came down to the republican majority in congress hating Clinton and being prepared to spend any amount of money and go to any lengths at all to attack him, but still...) - with apologies for getting down and dirty, it was whether 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman - Miss Lewinski' meant 'I had no sexual contact at all' (which would not be true) or 'I did not have sexual intercourse' (which Clinton maintained was what he meant and which was true).

Sessions seems to be claiming that 'I did not have communications with the Russians' means 'I did not have communications with the Russians about the presidential campaign', and that 'I did not have communications with the Russians' does not mean 'I did not have communications with the Russians'.

Won't there be some kind of record of official business like representing a Senate Committee?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 12:38 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:Morning all.

So the DfE are going to force schools to publicise the attractions of UTCs and Studio schools because they're clearly such a safe option for kids...oh...what's this?

Future Tech Studio School to close - less than three years after it opened

http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/new ... /?ref=fbpg

FUTURE Tech Studio School is to close – less than three years after it opened.

Parents were called to a meeting at the school yesterday, Wednesday, for staff to break the news that it will shut at the end of the academic year.

The multi-million pound school, which opened on Warrington Collegiate’s Winwick Road campus in September 2014, aimed to give 14 to 19-year-olds a curriculum specialising in engineering, IT and telecommunications.

It offered GCSEs and vocational qualifications and had room for 300 students.

But in September the school closed its year 12 provision due to low student numbers, forcing 11 pupils to find places at other schools.

Cllr Colin Froggatt (LAB – Poulton South) said there was no need for extra pupil places at the time Future Tech Studio School was built and added it was sad the school’s students would now be unsettled by the closure.
Lucky we're awash with cash and can afford splashing out on these...

Yeah, disaster policy. Being kept up as a "see, we care about vocational learning!".

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 12:48 pm

https://www.congress.gov/committee/sena ... ces/ssas00" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 12:53 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39141391" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Marine Le Pen loses immunity from prosecution over IS images

Post by **adam** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 12:53 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:Won't there be some kind of record of official business like representing a Senate Committee?

Yes - that's how the information that he'd definitely been talking to Russian politicians came out. Given that there is a very live issue about Trump and his campaign's contacts with Russia, and that Sessions said 'I did not have communications with the Russians', and that another Trump appointee has quit/been fired (stories vary) because he lied about having had contact with Russia, I'm not sure this matters.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 1:07 pm

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/go ... ar_twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

How death of Gordon and Sarah Brown’s daughter saved Labour leader John Smith’s grandaughter

Gordon and Sarah Brown lost their daughter, Jennifer, but launched an amazing campaign to help other parents

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 1:12 pm

adam wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:Won't there be some kind of record of official business like representing a Senate Committee?
Yes - that's how the information that he'd definitely been talking to Russian politicians came out. Given that there is a very live issue about Trump and his campaign's contacts with Russia, and that Sessions said 'I did not have communications with the Russians', and that another Trump appointee has quit/been fired (stories vary) because he lied about having had contact with Russia, I'm not sure this matters.

Ah right.

He's not going to be sacrificed by Trump, too important.

Post by **adam** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 1:15 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:
adam wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:Won't there be some kind of record of official business like representing a Senate Committee?
Yes - that's how the information that he'd definitely been talking to Russian politicians came out. Given that there is a very live issue about Trump and his campaign's contacts with Russia, and that Sessions said 'I did not have communications with the Russians', and that another Trump appointee has quit/been fired (stories vary) because he lied about having had contact with Russia, I'm not sure this matters.
Ah right.

He's not going to be sacrificed by Trump, too important.

I agree. I've mentioned before that sometimes all you can do is stand on the sidelines and shout 'wanker'. It's absurdly hypocritical for the Republican congress to sit on their hands about this, but there you go.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 1:17 pm

"Incredible scenes. There's a conspiracy theory about today's Guardian cryptic crossword calling Nicola Sturgeon a racist"

(Yesterday)

(12 ac Sturgeon 14 ac Racist)

https://www.theguardian.com/crosswords/cryptic/27133" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 1:18 pm

Afternoon - back from Y5 swimming and here for a bit before going off to the library.

If it wasn't obvious that Education Policy Institute was taking over as the edu thinkatnk that matter (bye bye policy Exchange...) then this might clinch it.

Sir Michael Wilshaw joins board of Education Policy Institute

http://schoolsweek.co.uk/sir-michael-wi ... institute/

Sir Michael Wilshaw has become a trustee at Education Policy Institute (EPI) following his departure from Ofsted at the end of last year.

The former chief inspector has joined the board at EPI, a think tank based in London, at which he has given talks and even spoken critically with regards their reports previously.

He swells the ranks of other well-known names at the think tank, including Sir Theodore Agnew, chair of the Inspiration Trust academy chain, Charles Brand, a television producer and member of the Royal Television Society, and Baroness Sally Morgan, a Labour Party politician and advisor to Ark. Morgan herself also held a role at Ofsted as its former chair.

RogerOThornhill · Post by **RogerOThornhill** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 1:40 pm

As an example of "Sigh. Hannan's got it wrong. Again" this is excellent.

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Has any other politician been so wrong about everything he talks about?

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 1:50 pm

AngryAsWell wrote:John McDonnell Warned A ‘New Organisation’ Could Replace The Labour Party
In 2012, told protestors to ‘kick off’ at Labour and Tory MPs over cuts

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/j ... k-politics" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If Labour are so bad, why has he stuck around ? He's very welcome to leave - the sooner the better.

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 1:51 pm

HindleA wrote:http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/go ... ar_twitter

How death of Gordon and Sarah Brown’s daughter saved Labour leader John Smith’s grandaughter

Gordon and Sarah Brown lost their daughter, Jennifer, but launched an amazing campaign to help other parents

Thanks for the link, even if it did make me cry

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 1:54 pm

From AS blog re McDonnell's q&a:

He says Corbyn took a brave decision to impose a three-line whip backing article 50. But if Labour had not backed that, it would have been damaged in the country.

He says Labour was united on all the amendments.

(my italicising)

Telling outright & easily provable lies to the press is unlikely to help foster good relations.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:00 pm

If McDonnell does sit down with Progress, he could do worse than discuss this.

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/ec ... -should-do" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:36 pm

From having his rant published on Monday to "Mandelson made a wonderful speech, I'd like to meet with him" on Thursday. I'm sure he'll run rings about Putin and Merkel with that sort of skill.

Also offers Owen Jones a formal advisory post.

Amateurs.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:38 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:As an example of "Sigh. Hannan's got it wrong. Again" this is excellent.

" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Has any other politician been so wrong about everything he talks about?

It's the manner that Hannan talks in, and gets treated, that's so glaring. The media don't pretend David TC Davies or Andrew Bridgen aren't fools.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:44 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:From having his rant published on Monday to "Mandelson made a wonderful speech, I'd like to meet with him" on Thursday. I'm sure he'll run rings about Putin and Merkel with that sort of skill.

Also offers Owen Jones a formal advisory post.

Amateurs.

Can you explain your Putin and Merkel comment?

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:46 pm

Good-afternoon, everyone.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:49 pm

StephenDolan wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:From having his rant published on Monday to "Mandelson made a wonderful speech, I'd like to meet with him" on Thursday. I'm sure he'll run rings about Putin and Merkel with that sort of skill.

Also offers Owen Jones a formal advisory post.

Amateurs.
Can you explain your Putin and Merkel comment?

International politics is chess, not ludo.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:50 pm

Is it a coincidence that Champion and McGovern have been highlighting the total debt run up by the Tories since they took over? Hopefully not, more of this please.

Contrary to some (the majority?) here, I thought there was plenty in McDonnell's speech. Everything on a wishlist? Of course not, but public sector pay cap removal, house building, business rate change and of course the (borrrrrring!) NHS.

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:51 pm

Tories can be utterly hopeless and get away with it
The opposition requires competence, talent and luck

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:53 pm

DWP pursuing (stayed because of Supreme Court Hearing)the Carmichael case in Upper Tribunal.(Bedroom Tax).Not legally minded but gov.lost in SC,changed regs,applying from 1st April.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:55 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:
StephenDolan wrote:
Tubby Isaacs wrote:From having his rant published on Monday to "Mandelson made a wonderful speech, I'd like to meet with him" on Thursday. I'm sure he'll run rings about Putin and Merkel with that sort of skill.

Also offers Owen Jones a formal advisory post.

Amateurs.
Can you explain your Putin and Merkel comment?
International politics is chess, not ludo.

That didn't explain your comment.

Are you saying that the Shadow Chancellor should be the match of the Russian and German leaders? If so, perhaps you can demonstrate how all previous SC's have done this.

I enjoy some of your posts TI, and there's more than enough to be critical of McDonnell for, but jeez, come on.

pk1 · Post by **pk1** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:57 pm

Have the MPs that resigned from the SC been replaced yet & if so, who has been appointed into those roles ?

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 2:59 pm

He should look like he's up to the big league. Gordo did.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 3:00 pm

StephenDolan wrote:Is it a coincidence that Champion and McGovern have been highlighting the total debt run up by the Tories since they took over? Hopefully not, more of this please.

Contrary to some (the majority?) here, I thought there was plenty in McDonnell's speech. Everything on a wishlist? Of course not, but public sector pay cap removal, house building, business rate change and of course the (borrrrrring!) NHS.

I think they're a decent choice for the roles. Hopefully they can bring some focus to what the investment would look like that. That's been a failing so far.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 3:07 pm

RogerOThornhill wrote:Morning all.

So the DfE are going to force schools to publicise the attractions of UTCs and Studio schools because they're clearly such a safe option for kids...oh...what's this?

Future Tech Studio School to close - less than three years after it opened

http://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/new ... /?ref=fbpg

FUTURE Tech Studio School is to close – less than three years after it opened.

Parents were called to a meeting at the school yesterday, Wednesday, for staff to break the news that it will shut at the end of the academic year.

The multi-million pound school, which opened on Warrington Collegiate’s Winwick Road campus in September 2014, aimed to give 14 to 19-year-olds a curriculum specialising in engineering, IT and telecommunications.

It offered GCSEs and vocational qualifications and had room for 300 students.

But in September the school closed its year 12 provision due to low student numbers, forcing 11 pupils to find places at other schools.

Cllr Colin Froggatt (LAB – Poulton South) said there was no need for extra pupil places at the time Future Tech Studio School was built and added it was sad the school’s students would now be unsettled by the closure.
Lucky we're awash with cash and can afford splashing out on these...

There's a good Opposition policy in rolling these back, I'd have thought.

Not just on money grounds, but a "broad education till 16" sounds sensible. And indeed it's what parents are thinking in skipping these UTCs.

Even a bit of anti-Blairism in this- Adonis liked them.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 3:07 pm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39138775?o ... ce=twitter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Pay disabled workers below minimum wage - Rosa Monckton

""Unless the law changes, they can expect a life spent in the shadows, slumped on a sofa, eating the wrong sort of food, watching daytime television"

Hmm.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 3:07 pm

Tubby Isaacs wrote:He should look like he's up to the big league. Gordo did.

Osborne would've run rings around Merkel and Putin? How about May? Hammond? Leanne Wood? I'm assuming you think yes because they've not been criticised in the same manner.

AngryAsWell · Post by **AngryAsWell** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 3:43 pm

Meanwhile as we look away from Labour towards the Tory's, others are noticing that all is not sweetness and light in the blue camp. Glad I'm not the only one to suspect Mayham has problems in her camp.

Cracks start to show between No 10 and No 11
iain martin
Faced with a supine opposition the government is coasting but there are tensions in the Hammond-May partnership

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/crack ... -lbmhh67zb" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Thu 02 Mar, 2017 3:47 pm

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... ulars-2017" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HB circular(A3) re.SC bedtax decision