Tuesday 11th April 2017

[PaulfromYorkshire]

Good Corbyn!

[PaulfromYorkshire]

I found this an interesting analysis of the French election

http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicd ... ly-chart-5" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

[PaulfromYorkshire]

https://www.theguardian.com/business/20 ... ving-costs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

uk-retail-sales-fall-living-costs

[PaulfromYorkshire]

And this will no doubt attract some attention

http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/fo ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

four-forest-of-dean-councillors-quit-labour-over-jeremy-corbyn-s-agenda

We need some local insight from Chris Dean!

[tinyclanger2]

Good Corbyn!

cheeky.

[PaulfromYorkshire]

http://voxeu.org/article/austerity-afte ... -recession" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A serious read.

efforts to reduce debt through austerity in the depths of the economic recession were counterproductive

[PaulfromYorkshire]

Meanwhile another Labour policy announcement

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/j ... s-10199644" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

jeremy-corbyn-accuses-big-business

[PaulfromYorkshire]

For anyone after some calm, common sense and insight this morning

Robin Lustig‏Verified account
@robinlustig

On my way to chat about this morning's papers with @adamboultonSKY and @camillatominey on #alloutpolitics at around 1015am.

[PaulfromYorkshire]

A Cabinet split over the UK's response to Syria has emerged as leaders of the G7 gather in Italy today to discuss further sanctions on Russia, according to reports.

Theresa May has so far refused to say she backs further US military action against President Bashar al-Assad, which has set her against both the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and the Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon.

Both Cabinet Ministers want the UK's foreign policy to be tightly aligned with America.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04 ... uss-fresh/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SpinningHugo]

I don't read BTL at the Graun very much anymore, mainly because too much is posted, most of it of very poor quality. I can't post anyway, as banned.

But, my word, the abuse of Polly Toynbee is astonishing.

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

It used to be the right (MoveAnyMountain) and so on abusing her. Now it is the left.

I assume it is even worse for Williams, Jones and Monbiot as they are Corbyn apostates.

It actually made me think we keep this board relatively civil.

[PaulfromYorkshire]

Evidence of a major cabinet split so it's obviously a quiet news day.

Or it was until this breaking news from the Huddersfield Examiner

The traditional Easter Sunday ringing of The Easter Bell at Dewsbury Minster will not happen this year - because a crack has been found in the bell.

[gilsey]

http://voxeu.org/article/austerity-afte ... -recession

A serious read.

efforts to reduce debt through austerity in the depths of the economic recession were counterproductive

They still are.

[Bonnylad]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/201 ... .html?_r=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[PaulfromYorkshire]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/201 ... .html?_r=1

This is surely one of the flaws that could stop Brexit.

There are already plenty of hints that Brexit won't mean Brexit for the banks.

When that finally sinks in, that the taxpayer is subsidising access to the EU for the bankers.....

It's untenable isn't it?

[HindleA]

Emergency crack team alert.

[AnatolyKasparov]

Some decent policy announcements from Labour in the past week.

And I think that is true even if you aren't entirely convinced by them - its the sort of stuff you expected a left-inclined leadership to be producing a lot sooner.

[Willow904]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/201 ... .html?_r=1

This is surely one of the flaws that could stop Brexit.

There are already plenty of hints that Brexit won't mean Brexit for the banks.

When that finally sinks in, that the taxpayer is subsidising access to the EU for the bankers.....

It's untenable isn't it?

I'm not sure the EU will be willing to provide access, even if subsidised, just for banks. There's no real reason why they would. Besides, passporting rights might be important to parts of the financial sector, but there are other players in the City of London who possibly have reasons to actually want Brexit, not least recent moves by the EU to increase transparency of EU-linked tax havens. This is something Ed Miliband had promised to facilitate if he became PM, yet another reason why a Labour victory was so feared in 2015 and why Corbyn and McDonnell, with all their baggage, will never get close:

http://www.newstatesman.com/economy/201 ... ation-city" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The tax haven in the heart of Britain
There is an institution with a murky history and remarkable powers that acts like a political and financial island within our island nation state. Welcome to the Square Mile and the City of London Corporation.

[HindleA]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/201 ... are_btn_tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


928 carers in England quit a day as social care system 'starts to collapse'
Figures analysed by the BBC come as homecare providers write letter to prime minister warning of crisis



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39507859" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[HindleA]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/201 ... are_btn_tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Housing associations face storm of complaints over new-build homes
Residents of London developments built with public funding tell of damp, lack of security, rats and poor customer service

[HindleA]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2 ... are_btn_tw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Schools battle to support special needs as teaching assistants lose jobs
Pupils are at risk of being turned away from mainstream schools as classroom support falls victim to budget cuts

[HindleA]

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



UK House Price Index (HPI) for February 2017

[HindleA]

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


Index of private housing rental prices (IPHRP) in Great Britain: Mar 2017

[seeingclearly]

https://www.theguardian.com/society/201 ... are_btn_tw


928 carers in England quit a day as social care system 'starts to collapse'
Figures analysed by the BBC come as homecare providers write letter to prime minister warning of crisis



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39507859" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not surprised by this at all. Weekends are a disaster here, breakfast calls at around one, tuckins at 5. No chance of a weekend outing, or a bit of well deserved normalcy for them or us, because not enough to go round.

A possible solution, widely publicise direct payments so people can manage own care, support to help find carers, and roll out to everyone who has capacity to deal with paperwork etc., furthermore if people want to be flexible about what they need care for then allow them to be. (Clue, having support to go out currently barely seen as a need for many, but a great preventer of isolation and far higher care home costs.) The PA model even for a few hours a week better than five minute flyins while distracted by mobile demands that yet another call needs to be fitted in. And gives some dignity too. I know it won't work for all, but would be excellent for many and cut out middle costs and give value for money.

Won't happen though, I don't think. Would just be a chance to see fraud and error in every nook and cranny. (I was on consultation panel for direct payments, never accepted for myself then, because had no clue about coming storm.)

[AnatolyKasparov]

Emergency crack team alert.

Is this related in any way to the current "spice" epidemic?

[SpinningHugo]

Some decent policy announcements from Labour in the past week.

And I think that is true even if you aren't entirely convinced by them - its the sort of stuff you expected a left-inclined leadership to be producing a lot sooner.

Stepehn Bush as ever excellent on this

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/we ... -labour-so" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you aren't going to be in government, your policy proposals aren't newsworthy. Labour is now in a bad place as a result.

[AnatolyKasparov]

Well, I can certainly think of the LibDems at times proving that bald assertion wrong in the past.

This is the right way for Labour to go, regardless.

[tinybgoat]

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/201 ... .html?_r=1

This is surely one of the flaws that could stop Brexit.

There are already plenty of hints that Brexit won't mean Brexit for the banks.

When that finally sinks in, that the taxpayer is subsidising access to the EU for the bankers.....

It's untenable isn't it?

Doesn't the EU parliament negotiations resolution,
make this unlikely?

25. Opposes any future agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom
that would contain piecemeal or sectorial provisions, including with respect to financial
services, providing United Kingdom-based undertakings with preferential access to the
internal market and/or the customs union; underlines that after its withdrawal the United
Kingdom will fall under the third-country regime provided for in Union legislation;

[SpinningHugo]

Well, I can certainly think of the LibDems at times proving that bald assertion wrong in the past.

This is the right way for Labour to go, regardless.

Really? How much attention has anyone paid to any policy announcement by the Greens or Lib Dems, outside of a General Election campaign? Example?

It isn't newsworthy (unless the policy is a mad one).

[HindleA]

@seeingclearly

DP/Personal Budgets should be offered.We were one of the first here,granted somewhat ahead of the field in development.Not for all,not least the responsibilities of being an employer.Again,here we used,I should really say better half used given my minimal input a disability organisation,for a small fee,to assist in terms of payroll,job advertising,etc (allowances for such costs in DPP)and a Council DP team,newsletter and training/meetings if needed.As regards flexibility,well that can became part of agreed contract.We had the advantage of,albeit a blithering idiot,of me and in practice more time in non personal social hours.


NB you don't have to become an employer,you can have budget but use agencies.


Apologies,I am doing my talking at thing and you know more than me,just the way jt worked for us

[PorFavor]

G7 rejects UK call for sanctions against Russia and Syria

Boris Johnson’s fellow foreign ministers say inquiry into chemical weapons attack is needed before new measures adopted (Guardian)

Oh, well done that man! What an asset he is.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/ ... -and-syria

[SpinningHugo]

G7 rejects UK call for sanctions against Russia and Syria

Boris Johnson’s fellow foreign ministers say inquiry into chemical weapons attack is needed before new measures adopted (Guardian)

Oh, well done that man! What an asset he is.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/ ... -and-syria

Johnson was right.

[AnatolyKasparov]

Of course, how outrageous to want an actual inquiry into the actual FACTS eh

[PaulfromYorkshire]

G7 rejects UK call for sanctions against Russia and Syria

Boris Johnson’s fellow foreign ministers say inquiry into chemical weapons attack is needed before new measures adopted (Guardian)

Oh, well done that man! What an asset he is.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/ ... -and-syria

Johnson was right.

Well we know where your political allegiances truly are now

[HindleA]

Probably just me,but those moving laughing symbols look particularly rude in triplicate.

[HindleA]

Derbyshire Labour pledge re free bus passes and WFP in response to Tory LGA head call for ending/ending automatic right to pay for social care and Tory Derbyshire leader agreeing.

[PaulfromYorkshire]

Jeremy Corbyn getting no coverage whatsoever for his new policy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39564284" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[PaulfromYorkshire]

No coverage here either

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/po ... 76226.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

or here

http://www.cityam.com/262733/jeremy-cor ... crosshairs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and none at all in Yorkshire

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/cor ... -1-8486279" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[PaulfromYorkshire]

Therefore Hugo, by your definition, the late payments policy is "a mad one". Care to elaborate please?

[SpinningHugo]

Well we know where your political allegiances truly are now

Very true. I am really pretty strongly opposed to the use of chemical weapons. I don't have a lot of time for regimes that prop up states that do, or those who make apologies for them.

Really, really funny, though, eh?

[SpinningHugo]

Therefore Hugo, by your definition, the late payments policy is "a mad one". Care to elaborate please?

It is the same one as in the 2015 manifesto isn't it? Seems ok to me.

[PaulfromYorkshire]

Well we know where your political allegiances truly are now

Very true. I am really pretty strongly opposed to the use of chemical weapons. I don't have a lot of time for regimes that prop up states that do, or those who make apologies for them.

Really, really funny, though, eh?

I know it's not a funny issue. Don't tug my heartstrings.

But a former Labour stalwart now flirting with the Greens who aligns himself with Boris Johnson against the G7.....

Good for you sticking to your principles though.

[SpinningHugo]

Of course, how outrageous to want an actual inquiry into the actual FACTS eh

I do think it is outrageous, yes. There isn't any dispute about the facts, and it is wholly obscure to me how either such an inquiry could be conducted or what further facts could be uncovered. It is just an attempt to stop taking action I think.

A number of western European countries are much more vulnerable to Russian countermeasures than the UK is because they are dependent on Russian gas. The reasons why Trump is unreliable on Russia are well known.

[SpinningHugo]

Well we know where your political allegiances truly are now

Very true. I am really pretty strongly opposed to the use of chemical weapons. I don't have a lot of time for regimes that prop up states that do, or those who make apologies for them.

Really, really funny, though, eh?

I know it's not a funny issue. Don't tug my heartstrings.

But a former Labour stalwart now flirting with the Greens who aligns himself against the G7 with Boris Johnson.....

Good for you to sticking to your principles though.

is it? Why is chemical weapons use funny?

I think Johnson is a buffoon who should never have been near the post he holds.

Is he right on whether further sanctions should be applied to a regime that has used chemical weapons? Yes of course.

I am not usually very po-faced, but this really isn't a lol point. I'll link you to some photos of what Assad did if you like.

[PaulfromYorkshire]

is it? Why is chemical weapons use funny?

I think Johnson is a buffoon who should never have been near the post he holds.

Is he right on whether further sanctions should be applied to a regime that has used chemical weapons? Yes of course.

I am not usually very po-faced, but this really isn't a lol point. I'll link you to some photos of what Assad did if you like.

I'm laughing at you for your "po-faced" hypocrisy. That's all.

[PaulfromYorkshire]

7 April 2017

The Green Party has responded to the US missile strike launched by Donald Trump against a Syrian air base following a suspected chemical weapons attack [1].

Jonathan Bartley, Green Party co-leader, said:

"We condemn President Assad’s barbarous and criminal use of chemical weapons against innocent men, women and children. This is the latest in a long line of attacks against his own people and the international community has clearly failed to hold him to account. We also remain concerned about the dire humanitarian crisis in the region. However, there is no simple answer to this most complex of crises and President Trump's air strikes risk exacerbating an already complex situation in the absence of any coherent strategy to contain the violence and in the longer term, build peace. In the interim, the UK Government should immediately reconsider its inhumane treatment of the people fleeing this terrible conflict. We must allow more refugees from Syria to find safety in our country."

Caroline Lucas MP, Green Party co-leader, said:

“If our ultimate goal is to protect people – and it should be – there are other effective steps that could be taken, including stepping up soft and hard diplomacy, looking anew at sanctions, the freezing of assets and the continued flow of arms to the region. Crucially we need to send a strong signal to Assad that his actions are intolerable whilst at the same time avoid any escalation of violence that puts more civilian lives at risk. It is deeply concerning that President Trump took this action without the permission of Congress and it is now of the upmost importance that Prime Minister Theresa May calls on him to help build some kind of international consensus around what happens next. I also urge her to remember that the UK must not commit to any military involvement in Syria without a vote in Parliament, and to confirm whether or not she is talking with Russia about the role they can play in bringing this conflict to an end."

[pk1]

Looking at the media links kindly provided by Paul, it seems 'the MSM ignore what Jeremy says' is indeed, nonsense.

Suprises me though that Labour supporters don't recognise existing policy being rehashed, none of his announcements this week are 'new' policy

[AnatolyKasparov]

£10 an hour across the board NMW is new, surely?

[pk1]

In 2014 Ed M is quoted as having said £8ph by 2020 but the bit that gets forgotten (deliberatly so ?) was that the plan was also to link the minimum wage to average earnings thus "substantially" raising its level.

The Res Foundation had suggested 60% of average earnings. I don't remember if Labour ever agreed with that figure.

2014 UK average earnings were £478pw = £12.92
2017 UK average earnings are £507pw = £13.70ph

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlab ... s/kab9/lms" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[SpinningHugo]

£10 an hour across the board NMW is new, surely?

It is just the old policy with a higher figure.

I think it is obviously wrong as well, as it is impossible to determine in 2017 what the appropriate level for a NMW is in 2020. The blame here lies with Osborne (who stole the idea from Miliband) who took the setting of the level away from the LPC. That body should be setting the economically viable rate, not politicians plucking nice round numbers out of their arses.

New Labour had this right. The Tories, and Labour now, don't.

[AnatolyKasparov]

Yes, but the higher figure isn't just a minor pernickety detail like