Tuesday 31st.May 2016

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Tue 31 May, 2016 6:31 am

Good morning.

I have decided there are reasons to be cheerful - 1,2,3......pace the late great Ian Dury.....and the miserable thing is soooo boring.

Alastair Cook got 10,000 runs in test cricket yesterday. He's the youngest cricketer to do this, and could set more records in future.
And he is really really good looking. Really.

Today I will be chasing up the enquiries I made before the bank holiday on local election spending here in Brecon&Radnor.
The Canary posted on Twitter yesterday that there are some big revelations coming - I hope it's true.
Eoin Clarke posted a spreadsheet of the Conservatives' national spending accounts over the weekend - there seems to have been a lot of money spent on air fares (yes, really), employment agencies, and all manner of "administration".
The Tories' latest wheeze is going to court (which they like doing for DWP) to fight the police requests for more time for investigation.
I don't think this issue is going to go away now.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Tue 31 May, 2016 6:48 am

ephemerid wrote:Good morning.

I have decided there are reasons to be cheerful - 1,2,3......pace the late great Ian Dury.....and the miserable thing is soooo boring.

Alastair Cook got 10,000 runs in test cricket yesterday. He's the youngest cricketer to do this, and could set more records in future.
And he is really really good looking. Really.

Today I will be chasing up the enquiries I made before the bank holiday on local election spending here in Brecon&Radnor.
The Canary posted on Twitter yesterday that there are some big revelations coming - I hope it's true.
Eoin Clarke posted a spreadsheet of the Conservatives' national spending accounts over the weekend - there seems to have been a lot of money spent on air fares (yes, really), employment agencies, and all manner of "administration".
The Tories' latest wheeze is going to court (which they like doing for DWP) to fight the police requests for more time for investigation.
I don't think this issue is going to go away now.

Morning all.

Going to court should be headline news. Sunshine is the best disinfectant after all.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Tue 31 May, 2016 7:07 am

Glad to see zelo_street's still going hard on this.

http://zelo-street.blogspot.co.uk/2016/ ... t.html?m=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Tue 31 May, 2016 7:11 am

Ha! Just seen the weather forecast. We're supposed to be going to Kew Gardens today. Torrential rain, chance of thunder and lightning. Not great given my tinfoil hat.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 7:39 am

Brother happened to be at the cricket,he goes to most of the tests travelling from Brussels as you do.Glad Eph is feeling better and have good day at Kew Stephen,if you go and a good day if you don't.If you are never severely pissed off you wouldn't really appreciate what it is like not to be,as Confucius didn't say on page 69.

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 31 May, 2016 7:42 am

Morning.

This has prompted a bit of interesting twitter to and fro with Brexiters etc. Mason also points out that this move will be in direct contradiction of the laws that Berlin and Barcelona have passed to regulate such trading - and asks if the Commission is going to act against them.

: Uberisation of work question.jpg (53.18 KiB) Viewed 7886 times

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 31 May, 2016 7:56 am

Robert Peston ‏@Peston 11m11 minutes ago
Traders pay for secret real-time Brexit polls on voting day;we'll know result from sterling option price, says @FT. Am I right to be queasy?

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Tue 31 May, 2016 8:11 am

Everything's a business opportunity.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 8:13 am

https://www.theguardian.com/science/201 ... s-disaster" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Trump's popularity inexplicable and Brexit spells disaster, says Stephen Hawking
Scientist repeats backing for remain in EU campaign and says US presidential candidate is ‘demagogue who appeals to lowest common denominator’

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 31 May, 2016 8:17 am

StephenDolan wrote:
ephemerid wrote:Good morning.

I have decided there are reasons to be cheerful - 1,2,3......pace the late great Ian Dury.....and the miserable thing is soooo boring.

Alastair Cook got 10,000 runs in test cricket yesterday. He's the youngest cricketer to do this, and could set more records in future.
And he is really really good looking. Really.

Today I will be chasing up the enquiries I made before the bank holiday on local election spending here in Brecon&Radnor.
The Canary posted on Twitter yesterday that there are some big revelations coming - I hope it's true.
Eoin Clarke posted a spreadsheet of the Conservatives' national spending accounts over the weekend - there seems to have been a lot of money spent on air fares (yes, really), employment agencies, and all manner of "administration".
The Tories' latest wheeze is going to court (which they like doing for DWP) to fight the police requests for more time for investigation.
I don't think this issue is going to go away now.
Morning all.

Going to court should be headline news. Sunshine is the best disinfectant after all.

Should be - but probably won't. Can't work out why on earth it should be a secret court hearing. Anyone?

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Tue 31 May, 2016 8:29 am

Brexit campaigners are telling us to vote leave and get our 5% VAT on fuel cut, which will help poor people.

Labour pro-leave MPs like Gisela Stuart have signed up to it, but it is pretty galling to see Tories suddenly professing concern for the poor. It was their party that imposed VAT on fuel.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-e ... m-36414761" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't think the Brexiteers have explained how they would make up the money.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 8:38 am

We will save ten zillion pounds a second from leaving the EU.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Tue 31 May, 2016 8:42 am

and the Great British Lion will roar again, according to a Brexiteer on Cif.
The idea of Brexit seems like viagra to some of them.

StephenDolan · Post by **StephenDolan** » Tue 31 May, 2016 8:49 am

yahyah wrote:Brexit campaigners are telling us to vote leave and get our 5% VAT on fuel cut, which will help poor people.

Labour pro-leave MPs like Gisela Stuart have signed up to it, but it is pretty galling to see Tories suddenly professing concern for the poor. It was their party that imposed VAT on fuel.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-e ... m-36414761" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't think the Brexiteers have explained how they would make up the money.

Stuart and Field, the figleaf pair that cover the naked Tory and only Tory issue that is Europe.

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Tue 31 May, 2016 9:34 am

StephenDolan wrote:Glad to see zelo_street's still going hard on this.

http://zelo-street.blogspot.co.uk/2016/ ... t.html?m=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That was a good spot (not in a Oleaginous Crabb kinda way- actually, that's his new name - The OC) by whoever identified the person named - I don't imagine that she is the only person who made many trips to marginals in the campaigning. There are probably dozens of them.

We knew about the free dinners and curry nights etc. but the tickets to go on the RoadTrip as advertised by Eventbrite are pretty cheap for what you get if accommodation is part of the deal. I wonder if the costs of taking the train were reimbursed by some petty cash fund yet to be uncovered?

Considering how close the Tories edge towards breaching the law, it's amazing how quick they are to ask it for help when things don't go according to plan.....

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Tue 31 May, 2016 9:47 am

yahyah wrote:and the Great British Lion will roar again, according to a Brexiteer on Cif.
The idea of Brexit seems like viagra to some of them.

And that sums up the case for Brexit (imo) - purely emotional, with no rational argument once the lies have been swept away.

Much the same as the 'case' for Scottish independence.

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Tue 31 May, 2016 9:53 am

We will save ten zillion pounds a second from leaving the EU.

And the Great British Lion will roar again, according to a Brexiteer on Cif.
The idea of Brexit seems like viagra to some of them.

But we'll be free. Free I tell you. FREE

ohsocynical · Post by **ohsocynical** » Tue 31 May, 2016 9:54 am

Good Lord. Talk about cold, wet and windy...Has someone reversed the seasons?

Eric_WLothian · Post by **Eric_WLothian** » Tue 31 May, 2016 9:59 am

ohsocynical wrote:Good Lord. Talk about cold, wet and windy...Has someone reversed the seasons?

Must be an EU directive. Vote Brexit - get rid of that nasty foreign continental weather.

nickyinnorfolk · Post by **nickyinnorfolk** » Tue 31 May, 2016 10:00 am

Blogger Another Angry Voice notes how Brexit Tories are furious about Cameron's lies, and yet enthusiastically went along with all the lies he told when they concerned Labour. Yes, I think we've all noticed that ....

One of David Cameron's favourite dishonest claims is that the UK was supposedly "bankrupted" during the New Labour administration, a lie he has told in parliament. Anyone who knows anything about economics knows that the claim that the UK economy has been declared bankrupt in the recent past is complete hogwash. Either the person claiming it is a complete economic illiterate who rote learns their facile political opinions from the pages of the right-wing press, or as in David Cameron's case, they're a despicable chancer who feels entitled to tell lies about the UK economy because he has such contempt for his audience that he thinks they're credulous enough to believe such absolute gubbins.

http://anotherangryvoice.blogspot.co.uk ... -care.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

nickyinnorfolk · Post by **nickyinnorfolk** » Tue 31 May, 2016 10:12 am

You’re witnessing the death of neoliberalism – from within

By Aditya Chakrabortty

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... ?CMP=fb_gu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Tue 31 May, 2016 10:40 am

nickyinnorfolk wrote:
You’re witnessing the death of neoliberalism – from within

By Aditya Chakrabortty

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... ?CMP=fb_gu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

That is worth a read.

Willow904 · Post by **Willow904** » Tue 31 May, 2016 11:29 am

AnatolyKasparov wrote:
nickyinnorfolk wrote:
You’re witnessing the death of neoliberalism – from within

By Aditya Chakrabortty

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... ?CMP=fb_gu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
That is worth a read.

A woman protesting in Turkey summed it up for me when she pointed out the limitations of democracy. When everyone shares a similar culture and belief in the status quo, democracy works as a way for people to exercise choice between a narrow range of acceptable options, but what if 51% of a population support something that is an anathema to the other 49%? Democracy should not afford a small majority the right to oppress a large minority. The responsibility of the elected to represent all, rather than just their supporters is a key component of democracy, but is a fragile one without which democracy can become a kind of tyranny. It should not be forgotten that some people vote for neoliberalism, not because they have been hoodwinked, but because they stand to benefit. We are almost entirely reliant upon the integrity and honour of our elected representatives to ensure what should be a majority choice between reasonable options within an agreed status quo isn't exploited by the strong to tyrannize the weak. It's our instinctive understanding of this that makes us appreciative of politicians that we regard as principled, even when we don't agree with those principles, and abhor self-serving opportunists of all stripes.

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 31 May, 2016 11:40 am

Good morfternoon.

I've just popped in (albeit probably briefly) to raise the tone -

JK Rowling's alter ego Robert Galbraith shortlisted for crime novel award

The book of the year will be chosen by a panel of judges in conjunction with a pubic [sic]vote. (Guardian - my emphasis)

I hope you're all well - good to see that TobyLatimer's back. It's peeing down here, blowing a gale and freezing cold. Still, the good news is - no more VAT on fuel, more schools, better transport and roads, NHS saved etc etc. And all for a knock-down price. I'm in! Or do I mean out?

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Tue 31 May, 2016 11:42 am

Hello there PF

<waves>

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Tue 31 May, 2016 12:14 pm

Just when I decided to be cheerful....

Postie has been and delivered my latest ESA50, to be completed and returned in 20 working days, according to the dates given.

My Support Group status doesn't run out until the end of September; knew this was coming, as they allow 3 months for sending the form, looking at the evidence, deciding whether to do a face-to-face assessment or a paper one, and reporting on it so the decision gets made before the deadline.

Beyond a new diagnosis of gallstones, things remain pretty much the same. It'll be interesting to see if I get another paper assessment; and if so, whether the Maximus how-dare-they-call-themselves-professionals and the untrained clerks at DWP come to the same conclusion as last time...

Rebecca · Post by **Rebecca** » Tue 31 May, 2016 12:24 pm

ephemerid wrote:Just when I decided to be cheerful....

Postie has been and delivered my latest ESA50, to be completed and returned in 20 working days, according to the dates given.

My Support Group status doesn't run out until the end of September; knew this was coming, as they allow 3 months for sending the form, looking at the evidence, deciding whether to do a face-to-face assessment or a paper one, and reporting on it so the decision gets made before the deadline.

Beyond a new diagnosis of gallstones, things remain pretty much the same. It'll be interesting to see if I get another paper assessment; and if so, whether the Maximus how-dare-they-call-themselves-professionals and the untrained clerks at DWP come to the same conclusion as last time...

Afternoon all.
I had to complete Rosies' ESA50 by 21 June 2015.Still waiting for a response.

frightful_oik · Post by **frightful_oik** » Tue 31 May, 2016 12:57 pm

First walk in town since I broke my leg. Why does it hurt more now than when I broke it? Weird. Having a cuppa at the Arts Centre.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 1:19 pm

"Ignore all your answers that you have just given about not being physically able to undertake a task,let us pretend no such physical reality exists,now can you undertake the tasks,let us try again,with the same questions"

Surreal.

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Tue 31 May, 2016 1:21 pm

It is rather Zen.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 1:34 pm

Have voted,I added another option of "shake it all about"

yahyah · Post by **yahyah** » Tue 31 May, 2016 1:40 pm

I'm sending my postal vote when we go into town later in the week.

Must say Gilsey's post last night helped tip my decision, not that it needed much help.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Tue 31 May, 2016 1:48 pm

HindleA wrote:"Ignore all your answers that you have just given about not being physically able to undertake a task,let us pretend no such physical reality exists,now can you undertake the tasks,let us try again,with the same questions"

Surreal.

Where is that from?

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 1:49 pm

Paraphrasing ESA 50 form.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Tue 31 May, 2016 2:08 pm

yahyah wrote:Brexit campaigners are telling us to vote leave and get our 5% VAT on fuel cut, which will help poor people.

Labour pro-leave MPs like Gisela Stuart have signed up to it, but it is pretty galling to see Tories suddenly professing concern for the poor. It was their party that imposed VAT on fuel.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-e ... m-36414761" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Don't think the Brexiteers have explained how they would make up the money.

They could easily make changes to the UK tax and benefits system to mitigate it. See also the "Brussels tampon tax".

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Tue 31 May, 2016 2:36 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:Morning.

This has prompted a bit of interesting twitter to and fro with Brexiters etc. Mason also points out that this move will be in direct contradiction of the laws that Berlin and Barcelona have passed to regulate such trading - and asks if the Commission is going to act against them.

Uberisation of work question.jpg

Can't find exactly what the EU have said. Something on RTE says that outright bans should be a "last resort". I'd guess there'd be ways they could restrict Uberisation without an outright ban.

ScarletGas · Post by **ScarletGas** » Tue 31 May, 2016 2:37 pm

George Osborne complaining (you couldn't make this up) that someone else is dealing in "fantasy economics" shows how bizarre this whole EU campaign has become.

After the Cameron shameless volte face on Khan it really does drive home to me the total disregard for the intelligence of the average British voter (from both sides of the argument)

Would anyone be surprised with a low turnout, to illustrate the general publics contempt for the political class as a whole after the conduct of both sides in this long drawn out display of the depths of dishonesty to which politicians/establishment will go to achieve what they want

To make it clear I am not advocating this as a course of (in)action but can see this occuring as a result of the (mostly right wing) approach to the discussion.

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Tue 31 May, 2016 3:36 pm

Right - job jobbed.

The form is bonkers. As am I. I have to answer a question on how much my behaviour upsets other people. How would I know that?
I wrote "I cannot answer this question".

I have avoided ticking boxes where possible, as none of them are actually in any way representative of what I can do, what I can't do, and how all that translates into any class of work.

I have also not included any evidence whatsoever. This is because last time I did that, sent by recorded delivery, DWP/Atos/whoever lost the lot.
I have pointed this out in........

.....a 5-page statement. This outlines all the health problems, how they affect me, what the Occ.Health consultants in the NHS had to say on my incapability for work, what DWP has agreed for the past 5 years is my incapacity for work or work-related activity, and to top it all off I cited Regulations 29 and 35 and how they apply specifically to my case in several different ways. Signed Moi, RGN/RMN/DipN/DipHE ex-DEA.

I know from many many people that Maximus are no more likely to read and/or understand evidence than Atos was (mainly because they're the same HCPs). I also insist that if they want more evidence they can write to the GPs. nursee, clinics, consultants, etc. involved as I have given them permission and handily supplied the relevant addresses and phone numbers.

I've asked for another "paper" assessment,on the grounds that things have not improved from last time so a face-to-face is pointless in view of the fact that the qualifying criteria haven't changed either. If I must have a face-to-face assessment, I have requested a home visit with a guarantee that a) it will be recorded, and b) the HCP is not in the throes of any communicable infection including the common cold.

I am sick enough without having to be made sicker by this shit. If I can't have my bloody pension on cue, then I fully expect the system to look after me now that I'm too ill to be useful any more. After all, us of the hoi polloi only have a use as economic units these days.

If I don't get the correct decision straight away because DWP say there is no evidence, I'll base the recon and the appeal on the failure of DWP to ask for said evidence having been given the contacts to obtain it. It is perfectly reasonable for me not to send any on the basis that DWP lost the lot last time and I had to get it all again at the expense of a lot of time and trouble.

And if I get any crapola from Maximarse, their Customer Journey Blue-Sky Thinking Experience Manager (Sue Marsh) will be hearing from me, and she'll earn her £70K a year by jiminy.

I have been through this performance so many times, and done everything they want, and every single time there's a battle. This time, I'm going in guns blazing and I don't fucking care any more. It'll be interesting to see whether this strategy works - playing their game by their rules very rarely does, in my experience.

The OC may think he can pray away the gay - he won't get rid of me so easily if his department plays its' usual tricks.

Ooh that's better......

PorFavor · Post by **PorFavor** » Tue 31 May, 2016 3:47 pm

The Guardian has just published its latest ICM polling on the EU referendum. Both the online survey and the phone survey show Leave ahead. (Politics Live, Guardian)

It's a 52-48 split, apparently.

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Tue 31 May, 2016 4:03 pm

So a big swing to "leave" from their last phone poll, but none since their most recent online survey (taken around the same time) Rather odd.

NonOxCol · Post by **NonOxCol** » Tue 31 May, 2016 4:20 pm

ephemerid wrote:Good morning.

I have decided there are reasons to be cheerful - 1,2,3......pace the late great Ian Dury.....and the miserable thing is soooo boring.

Alastair Cook got 10,000 runs in test cricket yesterday. He's the youngest cricketer to do this, and could set more records in future.
And he is really really good looking. Really.

Today I will be chasing up the enquiries I made before the bank holiday on local election spending here in Brecon&Radnor.
The Canary posted on Twitter yesterday that there are some big revelations coming - I hope it's true.
Eoin Clarke posted a spreadsheet of the Conservatives' national spending accounts over the weekend - there seems to have been a lot of money spent on air fares (yes, really), employment agencies, and all manner of "administration".
The Tories' latest wheeze is going to court (which they like doing for DWP) to fight the police requests for more time for investigation.
I don't think this issue is going to go away now.

I am a huge cricket fan. Really cannot stand Alastair Cook, I'm afraid. Not keen on people who brag about killing animals and pose with their corpses.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricke ... roics.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

rebeccariots2 · Post by **rebeccariots2** » Tue 31 May, 2016 4:29 pm

The Canary ‏@TheCanarySays 1h1 hour ago
We will be publishing two major reports on #toryelectionfraud today. At 1730 and 1815. Don't miss them.

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 4:33 pm

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/m ... CMP=twt_gu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Belgium disrupted by widespread transport and public sector strikes
Trains grind to a halt in French-speaking regions as drivers’ strike continues in Wallonia while workers march in Brussels

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 4:38 pm

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

Austin Reed to cut 1,000 jobs after administrators fail to find buyer
Tailoring brand will close 120 outlets as Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner Philip Day opts to buy the brands but only five concessions

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 4:44 pm

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... CMP=twt_gu" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This ban on legal highs will only have one effect: more drug-related deaths
David Nutt

HindleA · Post by **HindleA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 4:45 pm

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/201 ... oner-rules" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Conservative activist Elliott Johnson killed himself, coroner rules

AnatolyKasparov · Post by **AnatolyKasparov** » Tue 31 May, 2016 4:57 pm

rebeccariots2 wrote:
The Canary ‏@TheCanarySays 1h1 hour ago
We will be publishing two major reports on #toryelectionfraud today. At 1730 and 1815. Don't miss them.

Given recent, erm, non-developments on this topic - I hope they're good

citizenJA · Post by **citizenJA** » Tue 31 May, 2016 5:04 pm

Good-afternoon, everyone.

Tubby Isaacs · Post by **Tubby Isaacs** » Tue 31 May, 2016 5:18 pm

Let's see the Brexiters explain that. Given that so many of them are militantly pro-markets.

ephemerid · Post by **ephemerid** » Tue 31 May, 2016 5:19 pm

NonOxCol - I didn't know that about Cook.

Duly noted.

(He's still really handsome, mind......)