480 Responses to START THE WEEK OPEN THREAD….

  1. GCooper says:

    The BBC’s WATO seemed fascinated by McDonnell’s promise to end PFI schemes. On and on they went yet, curiously, somehow seemed to forget who it was who turned the taps on full and flooded the NHS with them. Step forward Gordon ‘McDoom’ Brown – father of a thousand failures and now airbrushed from history by his own kind.

       42 likes

  2. G.W.F. says:

    Labour Party Conference fringe meeting call to expel Jews from the party because Israelis are like Nazis.

    Hopefully the BBC will cover this bit of far left racism.

    From Guido
    https://order-order.com/2017/09/25/labour-fringe-expel-jewish-activists-israel-like-nazis/

       36 likes

  3. gaxvil says:

    Funny though – the more easily available, information there is to hand, book or keyboard, the more stupidity that’s apparent.
    Opinions are not facts or ultimate truths – they are just opinions. Some arrived at honestly, some touted simply as a means to an end.
    Israelis are not like Nazis you, dirty, filthy, Islamo-Marxist slime.

       17 likes

    • Lucy Pevensey says:

      gax,

      That’s right, Israelis are not like Nazis. Palestinians are like Nazis Nazi_Palestinians.jpg

      AlFatahPalestinianCommandoesNazSalute.jpg

      But “Liberals” are OK with that.

         35 likes

  4. Richard Pinder says:

    I understand that if Theresa May refuses to resign, she could face being prosecuted under the “Bribery Act 2010” which prohibits her from paying foreign officials £20 billion to obtain contracts or business advantage.

       33 likes

    • gaxvil says:

      The woman is redundant as of now. As of her election more accurately. She cannot deliver Brexit as she promised so she should go to her comfy retirement sooner rather than later.
      Damp squib, dead duck, chocolate teapot and ash-tray on a bike. Those heels were made for walkin’.

         33 likes

      • taffman says:

        gaxvil
        If the Tories don’t get her out and bring in Jacob Rees Mogg they are finished.
        Any party that guarantees an immediate Brexit will win the next GE.
        Any party that gets Nigel Farage as their EU negotiator is a winner!

           28 likes

  5. StewGreen says:

    Countryside Alliance head writes on celebs getting a platform from BBC then using it for Towniefile campaigning

       21 likes

  6. Emmanuel Goldstein says:

    If the remoaners get their way, you know, “I accept we are leaving the eu but…………..”
    Labour saying we will leave the eu but stay in the single market etc.

    Then, can somebody let me know what we have actually left by leaving the eu.

       25 likes

    • Oaknash says:

      Yes Emmanuel – We have LEFT the concept of leaving anything if it does not agree with the interests of the left establishment. I am afraid we are now in the new world of left wing ideological linguistics where phrases can mean whatever you want them to mean if you have a left wing narrative to push.

      It never ceases to amaze me at how prophetic Orwell was – though the left ( despite the main thrust of 1984) still tries to claim him as their own.

      I suppose we have also left the the concept of honest debate – though in all truth, this has been happening for years.

         18 likes

  7. gaxvil says:

    ‘Then, can somebody let me know what we have actually left by leaving the eu ?’

    That pretty blue flag with the stars on it. Apart from that, we are entering a, ‘transition period’ which will last a century or so, maybe two.

       25 likes

    • Guest Who says:

      Was travelling South Wales yesterday, and lost count of the number of ‘projects’ bearing that flag and some waffle that, loosely translated, meant ‘paid for by UK taxpayer money sent to Brussels and parsimoniously sent back eventually, less the vig’.

         31 likes

    • chrisH says:

      They`ll be twenty seven crescents within our lifetimes.

         15 likes

  8. StewGreen says:

    Matt Ridley on the darkening of enlightenment on uni campuses etc.
    ‘Shout em down, smash the statues’ etc

       14 likes

  9. Guest Who says:

    Global News has excelled itself just now, and surely Dateline London will not take this lying down.

    Their top ‘story’ was the NK foreign spokes weasel claiming that saying back off stuff was a declaration of war and they can now shoot down anything they fancy anywhere.

    Seems the ‘journalists’ at Global did not have the time or space to see how words stack up versus deeds;

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-32013750
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardment_of_Yeonpyeong
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41275614

    With luck the BBC may move beyond tucking the facts away on some cobwebbed online outpost, and maybe actually ‘analyse’ the difference?

       10 likes

  10. Pounce says:

    If only:
    Untitled-1.jpg

       61 likes

  11. Emmanuel Goldstein says:

    Do both Laura Kuennsberg and Duggie Carswell both speak out of the same side of their mouths?

    If they speak from different sides and they got together and had a baby, would it speak out of the middle of its mouth?

       24 likes

    • gb123 says:

      “would it speak out of the middle of its mouth?”
      Maybe. However, it would be with a forked tongue!

         19 likes

    • G says:

      EG,
      If they were both mozzies the, ‘a baby’ would be 8 or so. That could yield a considerable variety of contorted mouth shapes and if you add in the element of LGBT………ABCDEFG…..etc you could really arrive at the Heinz variety number.

         2 likes

  12. Sluff says:

    Biased BBC1 at 1759 just before the news. A trailer. For…..
    The Labour Party leader’s speech!!!!
    12 noon. Wednedsay. Live on the bBBC.
    Completely impartial, of course.

       28 likes

    • Fedup2 says:

      Sluff,
      In fairness they did big up the pm non speach last week about surrendering to the EU. It was in the vein of the “enough is enough” nonsense.

      I think when she goes she will be viewed similarly to that other joke – Gordon Brown – with his British jobs for British workers nonsence.

         5 likes

  13. Sluff says:

    Biased BBC at 1801.
    Labour will bring in house all the PFI contracts.
    How much will this cost and where will the money come from?
    No-one knows.
    And the bBBC are not exactly asking too enthusiastically.

       36 likes

    • countryblues says:

      They did ask about this on the 1.00 news…nothing to worry about apparently…roughly £100 billion or 2 or more. They hadn’t worked it out yet but, Diane can bring that figure down 🙁

         29 likes

      • Lefty Wright says:

        countryblues
        Looks like she needs to bring her own figure down first. I do hope I haven’t gone and hurt her feelingth.

           17 likes

      • Fedup2 says:

        Maybe Apple could do a hate crime emoji which reports you for retraining when one write s something a bit naughty. – I write this as I do not believe in the mad hate crime concept.

           3 likes

    • gb123 says:

      Liebour will also offer free marmite sandwiches and the winning numbers for the Euro Millions for the next 3 thousand years. Each UK citizen will also get to stay at Buckingham Palace free for a week. These promises are far more realistic than the ones being presented in Brighton today.

         27 likes

  14. chrisH says:

    Why do the BBC get away with their “far-right” description of the AfD? Why not “right” or “centre right”….”popular and democratically elected”…”resurgent or pioneering” …”women friendly and Judeao Christian”?
    Couldn`t all THESE be just as valid, had you the independence of mind to think for yourself? OK then-if not all this-why do they continue to call them “the anti-migrant party”?
    They are just as well knows as being the “anti-EU” or “anti-Euro” party as well.
    But these descriptions wouldn`t help the BBC to get them banned or attacked.
    Typical BBC.
    To be honest, I`m getting to like Erdogan more and more-wish we had his tactics to deal with the lefties, traitors and godless over here.
    THAT`S how bad the BBC are-I never used to think this way, but we`re going to need something like him to deal with our traitors,

       49 likes

    • Lefty Wright says:

      chrisH
      The BBC have an agenda and you and me are not part of it.

         28 likes

    • Tom_Kenny says:

      BBC R2 were at it again yesterday morning:

      “AFD is the first far right wing party to hold parliamentary seats in Germany since the Nazis. We ask: ‘Which British political party is most like AFD?'”

      …at which point I could see where the piece was going, and switched off with a view to keeping my BP down.

      I’ve been v busy at work recently so haven’t posted for some time. But while I’m on, last week’s “Any Questions?” from Lancing was a beaut: audience overwhelmingly and laughably Remoaner. So I switched that off too.

      And I’m not interested in cookery contests or ballroom dancing.

      Why should I be obliged to help pay for all this?

         28 likes

    • G says:

      ChrisH,

      Only a military coup would achieve anything. Short, sharp military rule would simplify daily affairs until a balanced political system could be installed. If that happened, I bet all the airports would be overrun by dual passport holders like pakistanis, heading out double quick.

         8 likes

      • Synchronised says:

        Chris, I’ve been saying for a long time that maybe in my lifetime or certainly in my children’s we will have tanks on the streets. My only worry now is who will be driving them.

           13 likes

        • G says:

          Sync,
          “we will have tanks on the streets.” Just like the 50’s but those were on their way to be mothballed.

             3 likes

          • Synchronised says:

            G, I can remember as a child in the sixties that the army would regularly be doing manoeuvre’s in our rural setting. I found it reassuring even then as they travelled through the village.. Anyway, maybe I should have put “our last remaining tank on the street”.

               4 likes

        • Guest Who says:

          It’s the ones on the pavements you have to watch for. They get as far as Westminster Square the nation’s ‘leaders’ may take note.

             3 likes

  15. JimS says:

    Jordan Peterson makes a good argument about work that could be applied to Brexit negotiations.

    If you don’t have an escape route then you are a slave.

       17 likes

  16. MarkyMark says:

    So working at Burger King means nothing …. a custodial sentence would damage her hopes of becoming a surgeon.

    You have created a parallel legal system. Well done!

       17 likes

  17. Thoughtful says:

    I thought I’d post this article from UK Polling which appears to fly directly in the face of what the BBC have been transmitting this past week. It will also serve as a yardstick as to whether what you are being told is the truth or if it is conjecture which cannot be justified:

    Yesterday I got a few questions about a new BMG poll in the Independent that had voting intentions in a hypothetical EU referendum tomorrow at 52% remain, 48% leave. The Indy wrote this up with a pretty hyperbolic “Majority want to stay!!!”. The full results – along with a fair more reasonable and caveated write-up by BMG themselves – are here.

    So, what is the bigger picture in terms of attitudes to Brexit, and is there any sign of people changing their minds?

    I should start by pointing out that how people would vote in a hypothetical referendum tomorrow is not necessarily the same question as what people think should happen now (perhaps surprisingly!). If you ask people what should happen now, a clear majority say Britain should leave the EU. If you ask people how they’d vote in a referendum now, they are split down the middle between Remain and Leave. The difference appears to be because there is a chunk of people who personally favour remain, but think the government has a duty to leave following the referendum. Neither of these is necessarily a “better” measure of public opinion, opinion is best understood by looking at both: that is, the public are split equally on what they’d prefer, but some remainers think that the referendum means Brexit should go ahead anyway.

    If we do look specifically at how people would vote in a referendum tomorrow, there is comparatively little change since 2016. Most Remain voters would still vote Remain, most Leave voters would still vote Leave. People who did not vote at all in 2016 tend to split in favour of Remain, meaning that the overall figure tends to be around a 50-50 split. Polls, of course, typically have a margin of error of around 2 or 3 points. This means if the actual position is a 50-50 split, then normal sample variation will inevitably spit out some results that are 52-48, or 48-52, or whatever. This is the unavoidable result of normal statistical variance, however, it does mean that now and again there will be a poll showing Remain with a small lead, which pro-Remain sorts will get wrongly overexcited about.

    In terms of a trend, my impression is that there is some small degree of movement against Brexit… but it is very small. It is hard to discern a trend from questions asking the referendum question because they are infrequent, different companies use different methods and there may be different “house effects”. BMG have probably asked it more regularly than any other company, and looking at just their figures (in the link above) there is a slight trend towards Remain.

    YouGov regularly ask a question about whether Britain was right or wrong to vote to Leave the EU (below), which also shows a very tight race, but a slight trend towards Remain. Last year it tended to show slightly more people thought it was the right decision than the wrong decision, now it tends to hover around neck-and-neck.

    bregrets2.jpg

    In summary, there hasn’t been any vast sea-change in attitudes towards Brexit. Most people who voted Remain would do so again, most people who voted Leave would do so again. There is some movement back and forth, but it mostly cancels itself out. If you look at the two most frequently repeated questions, the BMG question on referendum VI and the YouGov question on whether the decision was right or wrong, then there does appear to be movement towards Remain… but it is as yet pretty small and pretty slow. In short, there are some “bregrets”, but not enough to really get excited about. If there is going to be a big change, I still wouldn’t expect to see it until the leaving deal (and the consequences of it) become a bit clearer.

       10 likes

    • scribblingscribe says:

      BMG polls. Ah yes, the same ‘reliable’ pollsters who constantly found Remain ahead and the remain lead building up to polling day. Ideal fodder for the BBC, Independent and Guardian newspapers but not really worth troubling ourselves over.

      Here is more of their nonsense taken just the day before polling day:
      http://www.bmgresearch.co.uk/bmgherald-final-eu-referendum-poll/
      Remain 52%, Leave 48%, could they be any more off beam?

         11 likes

      • G says:

        SS,
        A mere ‘clerical error’ might be blamed.

           1 likes

      • Thoughtful says:

        I hate to tell you this scribblingscribe, but I’d say that’s pretty accurate and well within the margin of error. If you want greater accuracy than that then the only way is to wait for the actual result.

        But I wonder if you bothered to read the article? It tell you that nothing much has changed since the referendum despite what the BBC and its remoaning friends are telling us.

        If it’s too many words then read the last paragraph as it sums everything up, and it is the ammunition against those calling for a second referendum.

           2 likes

        • scribblingscribe says:

          Thoughtful, sarcasm and passive aggression is a wonderful weapon but not of use here.

          Yes, I did read the article but my point still stands. BMG were woefully wrong on the day before the election, in favour of the remain group.

          The same Independent newspaper questioned a poll showing how remainers now wanted a hard Brexit with a far greater percentage. -Well outside a margin for error, so place your poisoned quill back on the desk for a moment. Oddly, The Independent didn’t trouble itself to question the poll showing the 52% in favour of remain.

          http://www.independent.co.uk/infact/brexit-report-latest-remainers-deport-eu-citizens-uk-back-hard-european-union-study-explained-a7892216.html

          And I hope this isn’t too many for words for you, as I am sure you are desperate to go on and personally abuse someone else with a view you don’t share. And yes, you probably could find fault with my attempt at passive aggression and sarcasm. I guess some are better at that than actually reading a post for what it actually says. (And there I go again! Passive aggression and sarcasm must be addictive).

             3 likes

          • Thoughtful says:

            Wow you’re touchy!

            Passive aggression? You must have been to one of those snowflake training camps!

            The point of posting the article (yet again) is so readers might have the facts, the evidence, and be able to recognise the bias of the BBC when it arises, and be able to contradict it with example. Nothing has changed with Brexit, save for the fact that a sizeable number of those who voted remain accept the vote and now believe we should just get on with it.

            None of these it appears work for or appear on the BBC !

               2 likes

  18. Lucy Pevensey says:

    Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) has challenged Prince Harry to a fight in a new propaganda video.
    https://www.rt.com/uk/404465-isis-prince-harry-video/

       9 likes

  19. Lucy Pevensey says:

    ISIS agent tried to recruit BBC reporter for London Bridge attack
    https://www.rt.com/uk/401921-isis-bbc-terrorist-attack/

       10 likes

    • Dystopian says:

      The BBC reporter allegedly declined stating that his organisation were already massively helping their cause.

         5 likes

  20. StewGreen says:

    Donald Trump has just sent me a message

       16 likes

  21. taffman says:

    “Brexit an ‘awful complicated mess’ says Merkel adviser”
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41390661
    Of course he would say that wouldn’t he?

       16 likes

  22. StewGreen says:

    Eh up from Trendy Lefty lobby group Natnl Secular Society
    We should stop cruel animal slaughter in the name of religion, argues Keith Rossiter

       14 likes

    • MarkyMark says:

      Again … cruel animal slaughter plus employment discrimination. They need to combine the two as the discrimination gives it a legal angle.

      What is halal meat? {bbc.co.uk may2014}
      “The Islamic form of slaughtering animals or poultry, dhabiha, involves killing through a cut to the jugular vein, carotid artery and windpipe. … Animals must be alive and healthy at the time of slaughter and all blood is drained from the carcass. During the process, a Muslim will recite a dedication, know as tasmiya or shahada.

      – ‘a Muslim will recite a dedication‘ which means non-Muslims not allowed to carry out the slaughter. Which means employment discrimination – easily sorted by or converting to Islam to get the job.

         7 likes

  23. StewGreen says:

    Did 52% want to stay in the EU ?
    or did they say NO
    ..No means No !

       20 likes

    • MarkyMark says:

      YES = NO
      48% is greater than 52%
      2 + 2 = 5
      “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength”
      “United in diversity” (European Union Slogan)

      United – joined together politically, for a common purpose, or by common feelings.
      Diversity – a range of different things.

         9 likes

  24. Yasser Dasmibehbi says:

    While it is nice to see on this site that people are seeing through the charade of the Theresa May premiership at last, I am a bit confused by their call for her to step down. Who is going to replace her and her coterie? There is only one electoral option available and that is Jeremy Corbyn and with him his deranged followers. I don’t like it but that’s the way it is.
    Why is it that way? Simply because of the two party system.
    The UK voting system is not only out of date it is a damn liability. It is not fit for purpose. It is an ex-parrot. Whatever.
    Get rid of it!
    I made a promise earlier this year that I would stop banging on about Proportional Representation for six months as it upset quite a few people on here. That was before May called her stupid snap election and transformed Corbyn’s image from a clown to a potential leader.
    Surely now it must be obvious that PR is a must?

       14 likes

    • wronged says:

      If we had PR then UKIP would have had about 50 seats in the previous election. But there again it might see the fluffy rise of the deluded Greens and I couldn’t bear that. Maybe there would be too many deals done by too many parties and thus we would have an ineffectual government. But there again so what’s new about that you might well ask. On balance I don’t know. I think I’d just about stay with the current format but there again……..I knew I shouldn’t have woke up too early. Back to bed. Corbyn’s speech tomorrow, BBC will love it obviously, without asking and demanding any penetrating answers to questions. Cue Sarah Smith maybe. My god she is so bad at her job.
      Oh well back to the land of nod dreaming of a free from a German led EU. Free to make our own decisions, free to trade with the world,free from an EU Army, free from corrupt EU bureaucrats and straight bananas. Bliss.

         12 likes

      • Tom_Kenny says:

        “PR would be good because it would help UKIP, and I agree with UKIP. But then again PR would be bad, because it would help the Greens, and I disagree with the Greens.”

        No!

        PR is good because under PR, every elector’s vote counts.

        Personally I would favour PR where even “failure to vote” counts. In other words, if 10% of the electorate fail to vote, spoil their ballot paper, or tick “none of the above” then 10% of the seats in parliament remain empty.

           10 likes

      • Lefty Wright says:

        wronged
        In other words you used to be indecisive but now you’re not so sure.
        On the subject of PR I’m sure you’re not alone.

           4 likes

        • Yasser Dasmibehbi says:

          Consider this O ye doubters:

          Last weekend we saw two General Elections. They both used the same sensible system of proportional representation.
          Firstly in Germany where a new party the AfD were able to enter with a sizable number of seats. This has broken the liberal elitist monopoly and Merkel will have opposition for the first time
          Secondly in New Zealand where the NZ First Party has come to hold the balance of power between the pro-immigration National(tory party) and a Labour/ Green alliance. Yes it will be a coalition. But the NZ First party is led by Winston Peters who is an admirer of Nigel Farage and the party itself is in several ways similar to ukip. Whichever way it chooses to go it will be a voice for common sense and will foil the more extreme elements in the party of government.
          So there are two positive results for the MMP system.
          Meanwhile in the UK the parliamentary opposition to the current lunacy is…is…

             14 likes

    • JimS says:

      Not another referendum result to be over-ruled?

      Perhaps you are an illiberal non-democrat like Clegg?

         0 likes

      • Yasser Dasmibehbi says:

        Did I mention a referendum JimS? What would be the point at the moment as there never has been any real discussion on the issue. It would just produce the same result. There has to be public acceptance on the issue. It would take a several years to work up enough public support and not left to incompetent dingbats like the Lib Dems. The sort of people who need to get behind this first are the thinkers, who are many on this site. It’s been a few years since the previous referendum but I would be against calling for another until a few more years have gone by. But a proportional system has to be in our sights early and not left until the last minute.
        Campaigning for PR is as important as raising public awareness of the bias of the foul BBC. Which the thinkers on this site do very well.

        The name callers less so.

           1 likes

        • JimS says:

          I had in mind Nick Cleggs AV referendum of 2010 and his desire to re-run the 2016 EU referendum.

             0 likes

          • Yasser Dasmibehbi says:

            I know what you had in mind and I think I have answered that. To make my position clear I would think it very poor form of me or anyone to propose an immediate referendum so soon after the last one. You bring up a valid point.
            I think there should be a 10 or perhaps 12 year gap between referenda on the the same issue and have no time for the Sturgeons and Cleggs of the world with their constant squealing. I would suggest a referendum in 2022 at the earliest. But in the meantime it is perfectly legitimate to raise public awareness without being classed as ” an illiberal non-democrat”. Or are you really wanting to stifle discussion?

               1 likes

  25. Charlie Martel says:

    Wouldn’t you just know the beebistan would be all over this one? On their Home page, no less, under ‘Must See’ at time of writing. “How a Birmingham Muslim’s suitcase became art”
    Of course, it perfectly fits their endless relentless narrative of muslims as victims.
    Art? Agitprop more like. ‘Must avoid’.
    To save you the trouble of watching this steaming pile of poor-me crap, the ‘artist’ (ha ha) is moaning about being stopped and searched at airports. Racial profiling, boo-hoo. Well of course they profile you, you brown bearded moron, given that 99.99% of airplane terrorism has been by brown bearded morons like yourself. Who do you want them to stop and search, Mother Teresa’s nuns? How many times have THEY tried to blow up planes?
    Personally I’m reassured they DO search you. And given the huge amount of discomfort your co-religionists cause every single traveller with extra time-wasting security procedures, you should just shut up and suck it up. Or complain to the terrorists. Take your suitcase and exhibit it in the Islamic State – see if THEY give you a grant to moan.
    He whines, ‘Every time i go abroad i definitely have a second search, or potentially a second search.’ Potentially?? What does that mean? It means he’s making it up.
    Meanwhile every time I travel I have to queue forever, take my shoes off, take my belt off and shuffle along with my trousers round my ankles. And I blame brown bearded types like him! Search him officer, and take your time!

    “How a Birmingham Muslim’s suitcase became art
    An artist has taken inspiration from his suitcase for a new exhibition highlighting the prejudice he and others have faced as Muslims.
    Faisal Hussain, 40, from Birmingham, says he hopes his take on the “victimisation” of Muslim communities will lead to a better understanding of their experience.
    The exhibition is called Suspect Objects Suspect Subjects and can be seen at Birmingham’s Centrala Art Gallery.”

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-birmingham-41391091/how-a-birmingham-muslim-s-suitcase-became-art

       34 likes

  26. Roland Deschain says:

    Did I dream it, or did I actually see a fairly even-handed report on the AFD on last night’s News at Ten? Where they focussed on a group of voters and discussed how they came from a variety of voting backgrounds? Where they interviewed an elderly lady who explained how she dare not go out in the evening due to the numbers of young immigrant men roaming around? Surely not!

       20 likes

    • Charlie Martel says:

      By ‘elderly’ you mean more than 9, the permitted age?

         12 likes

      • Fedup2 says:

        Listening to a little bit of toady.
        The Islam job creation girl has a chat with the shadow health sec during the socialist conference. Just let’s him talk and talk. I heard redwood being interrupted by £650k hump last week and redwood wasn’t allowed to end a sentence before the next attack. Rich old hump is due for his al Beeb pension together with the grandiose naughtie still failing at his attempt at being alistair cook.

           22 likes

        • Lefty Wright says:

          Fedup2
          This is because the BBC is the propaganda section of the Labour Party who also I believe have a women’s section and a black section but no white section. Discrimination or no?
          Oh no they say, this is POSITIVE DISCRIMINATION which is a totally different animal. WTF?
          Talk about Newspeak

             11 likes

    • Synchronised says:

      In fairness James Naughtie was pretty even handed on R4 6 o’clock news last night. Maybe some of these are starting to realise that their way of life is under threat as much as the Plebs. Probably wishful thinking.

         7 likes

  27. Fedup2 says:

    Sync
    Maybe you’re right. However when the dangerous shadow chancellor announces the end of Pfi it does seem to be examined by al Beeb. Everyone one was wrong on pfi . Politicians like major and brown using accountancy tricks to get stuff built in key constuencies for political reasons and damn the contract details leading to hige liabilities year on year on public bodies.

    The cost of ending pfi would be huge but it’s another money tree job for the socialists.

       11 likes

  28. scribblingscribe says:

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/sep/25/chakrabarti-slams-governments-unjust-trade-union-laws

    “Shami Chakrabarti has criticised the government’s trade union legislation requiring a 50% turnout in strike ballots and said she would not condemn people for choosing to defy it.”

    So if it is ok to break any laws you don’t like, what is the point of lawyers like Shami Chakrabati?

       32 likes

  29. Sluff says:

    Surely PFI was just an accountancy trick to spend billions on public sector projects but crucially without it going on the books as current capital spending, but instead to be taken from future revenue.
    It was the spend spend spend Gordon Brown mentality writ large, without anyone noticing.
    Of course, ‘bringing it in house’ is gesture politics of the worst kind. Hugely expensive and with little actual benefit.

    A subject worthy of a fine impartial investigation. How about it, BBC? No, thought not.

    It also shows of course why Labour politicians should NEVER be put in charge of the nation’s finances. They regard the people’s money as theirs, to be spent or wasted at will, and that mentality is shared by the jobs-for-life civil servants. Hence, no-one can be bothered to check the fine print of the contracts.

       27 likes

    • Lefty Wright says:

      Sluff
      Great post. Thanks.

         7 likes

    • JimS says:

      Government is rife with these little tricks.

      Defence projects require administration. If the civil service do the job it’s a burden on the government’s current account, (pen-pushing waste). Pass the work over to a defence contractor and wrap it up with an equipment contract and it becomes ‘investment in front-line equipment’, (cutting-edge technology).

      I have a theory that the ancient Egyptians knew all about accountancy and management. Anyone that tells you that they have come up with an ‘innovative’ approach to either of those activities is a con man and their idea is either illegal or ought to be!

         8 likes

    • Up2snuff says:

      Sluff, in 1992 when PFI was introduced, the UK was still in near-recession (Recession Part 2) resulting from the Thatcher meltdown and Part 3 was about to follow. In addition, the Major Government was on the point of bankrupting the Bank of England with its abortive attempt to prove it was a big beast in Europe and the EU with the pound in the ERM. In those circumstances, carefully negotiated PFI contracts made some sense.

      You are right that Labour went overboard on them. Labour is generally shameless at seeking to buy votes. All Parties are, to an extent, but my ‘unbiased’ finger points at Labour as being the worst. Labour realised it could improve its standing within the business community in general and reassure Big Business in particular. This was a ‘community’ that was deemed hostile to Labour due to their past fiscal & economic impropriety.

      But the Labour Government of 1997-2010 was significant for other things as well. It started to game politics, much more than ever before, to seek to gain permanent advantage over the opposition. (It has always irked Labour that they have never held power for a full Parliamentary term of five years and then been re-elected to a second full term of five years. Yet another factor that contributed to 2007-09.) It therefore sought to shed responsibility for its specific actions, especially when they might harm their chances at General Election time. Handing Base Rate responsibility to the Bank of England is another example of this ‘distancing’.

      PFI contracts are advantageous because not only do they buy influence by shifting vast amounts of taxpayers’ money into business hands, they can do so at the remove of one, at least, from Westminster to Whitehall and possibly even further from Whitehall to some devolved body. This removes the possibility of a politician being held to account, especially later on when they are hoping to climb the Ministerial ladder into the Big Three and then, possibly, to PM. Then there is the hope of a Chancellor that the vast amounts of tax cash handed to the private sector both creates jobs and more tax and in the hands of executives gets invested in stocks & property in the UK and creates more tax revenues in its wake.

      Unfortunately Labour forgot to account for 1. their own greed for votes and 2. the greed of business & its executives, especially, 3. bonus culture that started in the 1980s and the distortion that that creates, and, 4. off-shoring, the movement abroad of personal wealth from accumulated income.

      I would echo your call for an investigation but I think it really needs to be a Judge-led Inquiry with full criminal prosecution powers. It will not happen. What is more likely to happen is that the next crash, whether an after-shock of 2007-09 or the Real Big One, will lay a lot of this bare but also make it a thing of the past.

         6 likes

    • Charlie Martel says:

      ‘They regard the people’s money as theirs to be spent or wasted at will’. Some might say like the beeb…

         15 likes

  30. Jerry Owen says:

    OT as not the BBC.
    However, I have just returned from holiday and a welcome break from political events. We recorded stuff on our SKY box and decided to watch the first of a new series of ‘Doc Martin’ with Martin Clunes. I enjoy this programme because of it’s setting and complete lack of political posturing, and it has a genuine feel about it with believable characters. Oh dear what a let down they have a new female vicar ( yes they exist but this is political posturing rammed down your throat ), they use her to make the locals look backward sexist and thick ( as they treat Brexit voters ), it transpires later in the programme ( and I guessed it was coming ) that she was a lesbian.
    I will watch episode two with trepidation now as no doubt further diversity quotas will enter the series.
    So sad that I now have to watch another programme with trepidation rather than joyful anticipation .

       30 likes

    • Lefty Wright says:

      Jerry Owen
      Yes,I entirely agree. Great shame.

         14 likes

    • honestus says:

      Jerry,
      they have been engaged in subtle and not so subtle viewer indoctrination for years. Look at Casualty/Holby City and Silent Witness in the last couple of years (Terrorism and Refugees) where they lay out their narrative for all to see, chapter and verse and dress it up as drama. The only difference now is they dispense with much of the subtlety and go full on libtard gospel.
      I’m just waiting for the next ‘right wing’ terrorist type drama or baby eating brexiteer nutjob serial killer to come slithering out of the rancid stable.

         19 likes

    • G says:

      JO,
      I buy a copy of the TV Times on a Friday and take a few moments out to look through and mark those programs I wish to view/record. The last six months? Down and down and down to perhaps twenty or so I now mark. Reaching the point where spending on the publication just does not seem justfiable. I’m conscious of the deteriorating lack of quality, even humour (good honest humour) seems defenestrated. Makes it even easier to ditch the tv licence when it comes up for renewal. I’ll switch to internet and Netfix or something for entertainment. Always got the radio for so-called “News”.

         13 likes

      • Jerry Owen says:

        G
        I do the same, tick off what I think I can stomach, but like you I find I tick very little, three or four days nothing. All of the criminal drama programmes are so samey, lead female cop who is smarter tougher than any other male, criminals who are always white male.. you know the end as soon as you see the start!
        I used to watch ‘Location location location’ however they have now taken to homosexual couples lesbian and mixed race couples so much now that a normal couple is not ‘usual’.
        Many homosexual couples talk about buying a house where they can raise a family… I’m not convinced Kirsty approves deep down as I think she is a traditionalist, but we all need a job!
        As for humour there is none whatsoever unless you consider bashing Trump Brexit and Tory MPs as humour… toilet humour maybe!

           12 likes

  31. MartinW says:

    Yup! You’ve guessed it – the alt-left American Naomi Klein puts in yet another appearance on the Today programme. Naturally, she is here to promote Corbyn’s alt-left government-in-waiting by making a speech at their conference, but managed to insert some anti-Trump comments aided and abetted by the egregious M. Hussein. I would have been disappointed had she not done so! I look forward to equal treatment during next week’s Conservative conference, with the Today programme interviewing Ann Coulter – or indeed John Bolton or Mark Stein. A great supporter of Chavez was our Naomi, but Hussein let her off with a few patsy questions about the present dire condition of that country.

       26 likes

  32. Foscari says:

    My ” Monty Python moment today was on the Breakfast Programme. Our Steff with her strong northern brogue
    was interviewing a Chinese lady expert about wind energy. She reminded me by her speech, of the Chinese doctor when
    examining an ugly women from top to bottom says to the patient ” I know what is wrong ! you have zachary syndrome.”
    “What’s zachary syndrome?” The poor girl retorts. ” Your arse looks EXACTLY the same as your face..”
    Yes that was my Monty Python moment on the Beeb this morning.

       14 likes

  33. Wild Bill says:

    Should be interesting on LBC now as James O’Brien tries to explain away “A fringe event at Labour conference has heard calls to expel Jewish activists from the party, while a speaker compared Israel to Nazis and the audience was banned from tweeting in an attempt to silence “hostile” coverage.”
    It was on Nick Ferrari earlier.

       19 likes

  34. Emmanuel Goldstein says:

    It may be temporary but do any of you have difficulty in getting Breitbart comments section today?

    I can read the articles but at the end the comments are missing from all the articles.

    Has it changed to some kind of subscription or something.

    I can’t see a login place at the top but whenever I’ve needed to login I’m directed to a login renewal page where I just tick the remember me box and it’s back to normal.
    None of that is available at the moment.

    Maybe it’s a breitbart issue and will soon return but do any of you have anything similar going on?

       4 likes

    • Jerry Owen says:

      Emmanuel
      I have been on their briefly this morning and no issues, however I find regularly that it takes a long time for the comments section to materialize. Sometimes I have to refresh the page. As for commenting I wouldn’t know as it isn’t a site I contribute on.

         0 likes

    • conanthelibrarian says:

      Hi Emmanuel-love the moniker.
      I can’t reach the comments section either-a search shows that ‘comments’ on various sites have been disrupted or removed. There was a comment re Yahoo that this was as a result of a new US govt. rule , but I have no confirmation of that.
      My gut feeling is that the Elite do not want lateral information flows (which they cannot control) but only ‘top-down’ information/propaganda that they can influence. If this is true , people will have to be a lot more circumspect in the future………and , of course, it chops off many sites at the knees (i.e. Brietbart) as the ‘comments’ section (or Vox-Pop as I like to think of it) was the most interesting and informative part of any ‘alt-right’ news site.
      Oh , and by the way , this DOESN’T mean that we’ll all be meekly going back to the biased BBC for our news-their version of ‘news’ belongs in a ‘Pravda’-type museum situated in West London somewhere.

         6 likes

    • Jerry Owen says:

      Emmanuel
      I eat my words just been on there again and no comments!

         4 likes

      • Emmanuel Goldstein says:

        I believe that Disqus is down.

        I expect it will be up and running normally again sometime.

        Having sites like this and Breitbart gives us at least some way of finding out truths which may otherwise be hidden from us.
        I wouldn’t be aware of half of what’s going on without sites like this.
        I would recognise the bbc bias but would possibly think I was over reacting without the confirmations I get from you lot out there.

           18 likes

  35. MarkyMark says:

    In 2012 the Trust decided to launch an impartiality review of the breadth of opinion reflected in BBC output.

    – I have not read this report. Dropped here incase someone has spare time.

    The work is carried on through two new posts – a News Editor and a deputy – whose jobs are to
    drive significant stories across all outlets and bring together teams to work on specific longerrunning
    stories. Examples include the ‘Trojan Horse’ story (claims that some Muslim groups were
    attempting to take control of a number of schools in Birmingham), British Jihadis fighting in Syria
    and Iraq, and the sex grooming cases in Rotherham and Rochdale.

    This is where the BBC is heading … in case you were in any doubt …

    This seems tied to the finding, unsurprising for a survey of those with a religious affiliation, that
    religion itself is a force for good in society. (all religions are good? all are equally good for society?)

    This research (Muslim/Hindu @44% , Christian @17%, Jewish @28%) will form the basis of how we best serve audiences and reflect the diversity of faiths and opinions in our programming going forward. {bbc.co.uk 2014 update}

       5 likes

  36. Jeff says:

    An interesting exchange on The Today prog’ this morning. Polly Toynbee was at the Labour Party conference and was enthusing about the atmosphere. “It’s all due to the election victory,” she cooed.
    Hang on a minute, Poll, I felt like saying, Labour LOST the last election. They (you) are in OPPOSITION.
    There seems to be a media meme that keeps suggesting Labour won even though they came second.
    And the only reason they did well at all was due to the Tories appalling manifesto and our disappearing prime minister, the ever dithering, Theresa Maybe.
    The really sad thing is the Conservatives had the chance to give us an attractive, bright, fresh PM, in the (comely) shape of Andrea Leadsome, but…
    Andrea didn’t duck any debates, was always coherent and controlled, was a committed and passionate Brexiteer and was able to speak human.
    Her innocent remarks regarding parentage were met with faux outrage and a nasty hatchet job did for her.
    And so here we are. An ineffectual robot in number 10 and an elderly commie waiting to move in and Europe rubbing their hands together.
    Wonderful…

       43 likes

    • Up2snuff says:

      Must be 1984-speak, Jeff.

      Losing is winning. I can be Prime Minister. Prepare for Government. UK taxpayers didn’t pay £361million per week to the EU in 2014 because they got a rebate of £200m p.w. straight back into their bank accounts. “I, Kim JongUn, will obliterate America with my nuclear missiles.” Anyone who is not in Momentum and/or the Labour Party is a right-wing Fascist. And racist. And misogynist. And capitalist.

         25 likes

    • honestus says:

      Jeff, the ‘victory’ I believe she refers to is one of propoganda. The young kiddies flocked to the banner upon a promise to ‘deal with student debts’. Luckily, although it bought them a not insignificant slurry of votes and they started to backtrack on this promise, they did not win thus were not in a position to honour their pledge. Also, Corbin signalled strongly that the referendum must stand in an effort to retain labour Brexiteers, of whom there are many. And now! Who the bloody hell knows. But in terms of disinformation, flip flops and basic untruths, Marx would have had tears of joy rolling down his face at this historic ‘victory’!!

         9 likes

  37. MarkyMark says:

    Neighbourhood Watch Cancelled …
    DKhU1pFXkAAMHkf.jpg

       54 likes

    • G.W.F. says:

      MarkyMark

      They probably enjoy additional defence from Tell Mama, Hope not Hate, UAF, Antifa, Class War, Momentum and the SWP, just in case someone tries to post a UKIP leaflet through the door.

         8 likes

      • MarkyMark says:

        There is no guarantee that they will be watching, too many to watch … “If they (terrorist) did anything out of the ordinary – if they weren’t in their normal location, if they were acting in an odd way and it was brought to somebody’s attention, or they did something criminal – then they would be looked at doubly.”
        Does a terror watch list exist in the UK and how is it used by police? {bbc.co.uk jun2017}

        – See what happened? We can’t watch the terrorists all the time, but when the terrorist does something odd we will get them, even though the chances are we missed it because we can’t watch them all the time.

           9 likes

  38. Sluff says:

    The bBBC have helpfully published a comparison between North and south Korea across a range of economic and social categories.
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41228181
    Not surprisingly it shows North Korea has, shall we say, underperformed somewhat.
    What a shame our fine impartial statist broadcaster cannot quite make the link between these proven relative capabilities of the socialist versus the market economic systems, and then apply them to the current policies of the Labour Party !!!!!

    Other socialist success stories are available of course. Cuba, Venezuela, pre 1990s China, etc.
    But somehow the bBBC just cannot quite bring themselves to spell this out.

       17 likes

  39. seismicboy says:

    Isn’t it odd when the Tories disagree over Brexit it’s a scandal. When the labour party won’t even discuss it it’s OK?
    Hmmm?

       28 likes

  40. countryblues says:

    The delightful Lady Nugee was interviewed last night on TV 🙁

    Q : What exactly is Labour’s position on the EU?
    A : ‘We’re absolutely clear on that…nothing is off the table’.

    Jeez!

       35 likes

    • RJ says:

      I’ve been wondering what the reply to that question will be when it’s the Conservative conference.

      The EU has insisted on capitulation over money, exclusive legal rights for EU citizens and the Irish border before any negotiations can begin. May’s Florence speech offered concessions and especially a substantial sum of money, but the EU response this week has been “Thank you, but it’s not enough”. If this intransigence continues through to the end of this week’s negotiating session it creates a situation where we have a clear choice – capitulation or defiance. The Conservatives could than rally behind the idea that our offer more than was generous but having it thrown back in our faces proves that the EU’s priority is to punish us for out vote to leave, and that we can’t negotiate with a counter party that merely repeats its initial demands.

      When the BBC ask Boris for the Conservative position on the EU the answer will be that we are leaving in March 2019; and that while we would like it to be as friends that’s their decision.

      He doesn’t need to stick two fingers up, but it would be an appropriate gesture – both to our enemies in the EU and the quislings in the BBC.

         14 likes

      • countryblues says:

        Whatever the Conservatives reply to that question doesn’t matter…both BBC and Labour will be hostile.

        For the rest of what you say I’m morosely in agreement 🙁

        The UK seems to be roundly criticised on both sides for making no proposals and coming up with no solutions to the initial 3 problems before negotiations proper can begin. It seems to me we’ve made offers on those? I just don’t believe they’re going to ‘negotiate’. All I’ve heard from the EU so far is totally unacceptable.

        Do they want an unfriendly and unhelpful nation at their door…I say let’s give them that. For my small part I stopped buying EU goods some time ago…it can be done 🙂

           7 likes

  41. StewGreen says:

    “Coming up we’ll be talking to Jon Lansman founder if the Momentum movement …which led to Jeremy Corbyn’s VICTORY”
    Actual words of the WatO trailer at 12:30
    Coming second in an election is not VICTORY
    …Except in an Orwellian dictionary.

       28 likes

  42. Synchronised says:

    Mr. Mc.Donnell says they will have “detailed implementation manuals” if elected so they can hit the ground running. Trust me John, the possible run on the pound will be like a Vicars tea party compared to what else will be forthcoming. As for “detailed implementation manuals” does it remind anyone else of something in the past and will the party workers be waving them at us with glorious celebratory music in the background. Somebody wake me up for Christ’s sake.

       25 likes

  43. StewGreen says:

    Jesus look at the wording of this radio 4 FB post
    “Fantasy of a small nation”

       16 likes

    • Guest Who says:

      It’s a DNA thing.

      Apparently.

      Maybe they can get Sir. Boaty to use it in an ‘interview’?

         7 likes

  44. StewGreen says:

    Wackiness from Lincolnshire police again
    Commissioned a new logo which removes Symbols of Lincolnshire
    But inserted the hugely symbolic 2017 trigger word “Pride” emphasized as if to say ‘gays are more equal”

       6 likes

    • StewGreen says:

      Old logo had the Lincolnshire shield
      The band of Ermine represents Ermine Street
      The band of blue represents : sea & rivers
      lincolnshire.gif

         13 likes

    • StewGreen says:

      Bbc Lincolnshire have put up audio of the Chief constable explaining

         6 likes

        • Cranmer says:

          This is fairly standard rebranding that dates from the Blair era – remove the crown and add some silly meaningless statement. The Home Office did this years ago. Of course we know the police are now completely politicised (probably with help from Common Purpose) so this is no surprise but what puzzles me is why has this not happened to the same extent with HM forces? The cultural Marxists have to destroy their traditional loyalty to the crown as they have done with most other institutions, so why is it not happening? Is it something to do with Blair’s middle east wars?

             8 likes

          • MarkyMark says:

            Should crosses be banned from classrooms? {bbc.co.uk oct2003}
            A court decision to order a state kindergarten to remove crucifixes from its classrooms has caused controversy in Italy.
            The ruling by a judge in the central town of L’Aquila, following a complaint by an Italian Muslim leader, has re-opened a bitter debate about religious symbols.


            This is clearly a problem of intolerance of the host country by an outsider, Mr Smith the Muslim leader has also called for the removal of a 15th century Christian Fresco in Bologna Cathedral on the grounds that it shows the prophet Mohammed This man is absolutely determined to ignore the fact that as a immigrant he should respect the culture and customs of his new adopted land. – Yan Michek, Switzerland

            I can’t help thinking that if it had been the opposite and a Catholic had sought the removal of Islamic symbols, they would have been slammed for being racist. Once again national culture and history are sacrificed on the altar of political correctness. – Dean, UK

            – This conversation has been going on for some time. The removal of history so we can all be filled with gay pride. If we remove our culture/symbols what will replace them?

               9 likes

        • StewGreen says:

          @Marky Someone points out there is an internal police buzzword PRIDE
          been used since 2016
          Now what do you believe
          option #1 it’s a complete coincidence that it fits with gay PRIDE
          option #2 The cheeky buggers thought of gay pride first and then thought a acronym to make it first.
          PRIDE in the normal sense of the word it’s quite a negative thing
          Pride= arrogance “Pride comes before a fall”
          I say internal police buzzword , cos on the Lincs Police website it’s only used on training PDFs except for one webpage
          https://www.lincs.police.uk/about-us/our-values-and-behaviours/
          They say it means
          Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Empathy.

          But when I search Facebook one of the two pages it produces shows it being used in a double way ..ie to also show respect to gays ….by West Yorks Police

             1 likes

  45. Lucy Pevensey says:

    A search is being carried out on Cedar Road in Fenham by counter terrorism police after a “22-year-old man” was arrested on Monday evening.
    http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/counter-terrorism-investigation-fenham-what-13675617.amp

       9 likes

  46. honestus says:

    Heard Harriet sounding off on R4 earlier. This to do with LK’s requirement for a ‘bodyguard’ allocation due to threats of violence (?) on twitter by some Labour foot soldiers (thugs). Now, I’ve seldom agreed with HH prior to this interview – ok – I’ve never agreed with HH in any shape or form BUT I find myself nodding like a parcel shelf dog when she proclaims the right of journalists to report events free from threats and intimidation and bias so that they can produce balanced even handed reports. When, says I. When do we get to see these non biased journalistic delights?
    She spoilt it then by making it a woman thing (men apparently are not so threatened) and, although making a passing reference to Labour, went on to included all political acitivists including………..right wing groups. WTF! I am sure the offensive tweet was Labour originated – and why no ‘left wing’ tags! Sigh…I was just beginning to warm to her.

       20 likes

  47. MarkyMark says:

    “Yo, how far off the rails is your country?” Pretty far fam “Lol check out Britain”

    Liberal Democrat politician says schools should be able to suggest PROSTITUTION as a career to pupils. Dennis Parsons compared prostitution with accountancy at a conference. {twitter}
    “Delegates heard that decriminalising prostitution would raise £1 billion a year for the Treasury in taxes.”

    Prostitution Revenue By Country: Germany$18 Billion (Legal Industry) …. and can build up the UKs manufacturing industry with sex meters … “German city of Bonn taxes prostitutes with meter” {bbc.co.uk aug2011}
    “The German city of Bonn has installed a meter to tax prostitutes for soliciting on its streets at a rate of six euros (£5.30; $8.70) per night.”

       5 likes

  48. StewGreen says:

    A bizarre post pouring bile on Laura Kuennessberg has appeared on the Radio4 supporters page.
    The instigator seems to be a poor person with mental issues who is easily stirred up by propaganda.
    ..but what gets me is that so many people go along with her
    .. Saying intimidation of a jpurno is OK
    https://m.facebook.com/groups/2219806568?view=permalink&id=10154947686001569&ref=m_notif&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic

       4 likes

    • honestus says:

      Stew, in all honesty, HH makes EVERYTHING a gender issue. That much I can agree with. The ranting on from this embodiment of moderation about LK being a right wing stooge is just laughable. Timmy Mallet could score points off of Corbyn and his ‘evovling’ policies and clearly this lady has had a common sense bypass.
      By the By, searched on ‘Corbyn conflict issues’ in Google and the whole first page consisted of left wing rags with their various links. Scary.

         6 likes