Starmergeddon: They Came And Ate Us

[_Os_]

Right now, with Trump in charge of the US, being out of the EU works in our favour, and tbh less complicated not more. Should Farage become PM, even more so. The difference in tone , body language, and what was actually said, between Trump macron and Trump Starmer , was pretty massive tbh - just remains to be seen how trustworthy or relevant to real life this becomes , because Trump changes what he says and does daily.

Trump thinks that Europe is more divided than it is which is eating up bandwidth on nonsense, on the top foreign policy issues Ukraine/NATO there is no difference between any European leader. They're all trying to handle Trump's ego as he rampages around international politics. Where it becomes a problem for the UK is how and where Europe reacts, the EU has scheduled talks/planning around defence this year, the UK could well end up being part of something it hasn't had much say in shaping (ironic given "EU army" was something Brexiters worried about). Frog Face would be a total disaster as PM, he has no firm position on anything and is always changing his mind (including on his favourite topics).

[Slick]

I would be fearful for the NHS under any agreement made with the US just now.
Another sector which will be targeted is the creative industry. AI companies want to overturn UK copyright laws and I’ve seen Trump and the tech industry push this.

Why would NHS be threatened if US companies came in to provide private medical care ? More people using private care would surely reduce strain on the NHS?
Private sector already poaches staff from NHS, if only there was a way to rectify that…

Funnily enough I was speaking to a guy in the know about this yesterday. He was saying that private companies come in and hive off the best bits by offering a lower price. Then after a couple of years when the NHS are dependant on them and it would be practically impossible for them to reverse it, the charges start going up and the service gets taken to the bare bones and often worse than what they started with.

dpedi will know more about it.

[Biffer]

I would be fearful for the NHS under any agreement made with the US just now.
Another sector which will be targeted is the creative industry. AI companies want to overturn UK copyright laws and I’ve seen Trump and the tech industry push this.

Why would NHS be threatened if US companies came in to provide private medical care ? More people using private care would surely reduce strain on the NHS?
Private sector already poaches staff from NHS, if only there was a way to rectify that…

Funnily enough I was speaking to a guy in the know about this yesterday. He was saying that private companies come in and hive off the best bits by offering a lower price. Then after a couple of years when the NHS are dependant on them and it would be practically impossible for them to reverse it, the charges start going up and the service gets taken to the bare bones and often worse than what they started with.

dpedi will know more about it.

It also means training and development of doctors is compromised.

[Sandstorm]

Ridiculous that a major thrust of the USA/UK negotiations is whether a geriatric's golf course gets a look-in at a 4-day tournament sometime around 2028 - the rest of the UK hold their breath while some more geriatrics mull it over.

Very fortuitous if something so trivial can get us significant concessions. Ultimately who cares whether Trump's course is on the open calendar? Completely meaningless in the grand scheme of things e.g. NATO.

Well quite. But if the future of UK prosperity and security rests on the shoulders of a bunch of retired, cantankerous Scots traditionalists, then some pressure needs to come from Whitehall too.

[Yeeb]

Right now, with Trump in charge of the US, being out of the EU works in our favour, and tbh less complicated not more. Should Farage become PM, even more so. The difference in tone , body language, and what was actually said, between Trump macron and Trump Starmer , was pretty massive tbh - just remains to be seen how trustworthy or relevant to real life this becomes , because Trump changes what he says and does daily.

Trump thinks that Europe is more divided than it is which is eating up bandwidth on nonsense, on the top foreign policy issues Ukraine/NATO there is no difference between any European leader. They're all trying to handle Trump's ego as he rampages around international politics. Where it becomes a problem for the UK is how and where Europe reacts, the EU has scheduled talks/planning around defence this year, the UK could well end up being part of something it hasn't had much say in shaping (ironic given "EU army" was something Brexiters worried about). Frog Face would be a total disaster as PM, he has no firm position on anything and is always changing his mind (including on his favourite topics).

Am not sure Trump can comprehend UK & Eu disagreeing on bendy bananas , sides of busses etc and Brexit , with a pretty solid (and consistently so since ww2) belief in nato and mutual defence.

[Deepsouth]

No one is trustworthy. Particly the South Africans....

[Biffer]

Ridiculous that a major thrust of the USA/UK negotiations is whether a geriatric's golf course gets a look-in at a 4-day tournament sometime around 2028 - the rest of the UK hold their breath while some more geriatrics mull it over.

Very fortuitous if something so trivial can get us significant concessions. Ultimately who cares whether Trump's course is on the open calendar? Completely meaningless in the grand scheme of things e.g. NATO.

Well quite. But if the future of UK prosperity and security rests on the shoulders of a bunch of retired, cantankerous Scots traditionalists, then some pressure needs to come from Whitehall too.

Never let it be said that you let an opportunity to have a dig at Scottish people pass you by. We've really got in your head, huh?

[I like neeps]

It's pretty clear that Europe have a joined up game plan in how to play Trump and his Government. None of what Starmer did hadn't already been discussed and agreed with the main EU players particularly Macron and Zelensky. Whilst the US think they hold all the cards they are a relatively inexperienced mob when it comes to the world stage and their strength is also their weakness - Trump! This is all about saving face for Trump and making him feel he is getting what he wants and 'winning' the game. For Trump it is all about three things - money, being seen as the 'Big Man' and collecting baubles like State Visits and Nobel Peace Prizes. All this shite about Trump being a clever negotiator, playing a game of 3-D chess or the 'art of the deal' is just plain shite, he is exactly what he is a street wise bully and there is no complicated, clever plan. It is like playing chess with a pigeon. Whilst Trump can be erratic he is also highly predictable - give him the impression he is getting these three things then he is happy. The likes of Macron, Starmer, Zelensky, Von Der Leyen are far more capable, have more cards in their hand than appreciated and will play a long game with Trump. However I am not sure anyone wins in this game.

Zelensky certainly doesn't have more cards than the US has considering that the US is currently a huge military and financial supplier for Ukraine...

Obviously ... but the EU is standing firmly behind Ukraine for obvious reasons and the EU, excluding the UK, has a comparable economy as the US with a larger population but smaller spend on military. However the EU has contributed about $20b more to Ukraine war efforts than the US so far.

Russia is interesting - it is only the 5th largest GDP in Europe behind Germany, UK, France and Italy. EU GDP is about 9 times that of Russia, more if you include the UK. Russian population is largest in Europe but is EU population, including UK, is about 3 times its size. Russian military is severely depleted after 3 years of war with Ukraine and despite efforts to ramp up production it is badly hampered by its poor economic performance, financial situation and sanctions - why else would they depend upon badly trained North Korean cannon fodder? Putin is desperate for a deal via Trump before his forces and economy implodes.

If Europe sticks together, and that's a big if, then they have the means by which to defeat an increasingly desperate Putin.

Russia does of course have the tacit backing of China, India, and looking like the US (who'd have thought that). Europe would have to find budgets in stalling economies to pretty significantly built up military stocks including procurement from the US who have also decided to start a trade war with them. You also have Macron likely losing power soon.

It's dark days for Ukraine and Europe sadly.

[Sandstorm]

Very fortuitous if something so trivial can get us significant concessions. Ultimately who cares whether Trump's course is on the open calendar? Completely meaningless in the grand scheme of things e.g. NATO.

Well quite. But if the future of UK prosperity and security rests on the shoulders of a bunch of retired, cantankerous Scots traditionalists, then some pressure needs to come from Whitehall too.

Never let it be said that you let an opportunity to have a dig at Scottish people pass you by. We've really got in your head, huh?

Not true. I love golf and Scotland, been up there many times. But if your old farts blow up NATO because of a golf tournament, I will make it my life’s work to ensure you never poach a decent front-rower again!!

[Tichtheid]

Well quite. But if the future of UK prosperity and security rests on the shoulders of a bunch of retired, cantankerous Scots traditionalists, then some pressure needs to come from Whitehall too.

Never let it be said that you let an opportunity to have a dig at Scottish people pass you by. We've really got in your head, huh?

Not true. I love golf and Scotland, been up there many times. But if your old farts blow up NATO because of a golf tournament, I will make it my life’s work to ensure you never poach a decent front-rower again!!

Boan Venter qualifies for Scotland just before next year's 6N.

He's the best loosehead playing in Scotland and probably the UK.

[Slick]

In domestic news, Annaliese Dodds resigns from Cabinet because of the slashing of overseas development aid

[dpedin]

Why would NHS be threatened if US companies came in to provide private medical care ? More people using private care would surely reduce strain on the NHS?
Private sector already poaches staff from NHS, if only there was a way to rectify that…

Funnily enough I was speaking to a guy in the know about this yesterday. He was saying that private companies come in and hive off the best bits by offering a lower price. Then after a couple of years when the NHS are dependant on them and it would be practically impossible for them to reverse it, the charges start going up and the service gets taken to the bare bones and often worse than what they started with.

dpedi will know more about it.

It also means training and development of doctors is compromised.

All true!

Private sector mostly/only do elective/planned stuff to people who are relatively healthy and low risk. There are a few private providers who do more complex services but they are the exception. This means they can get folk in and out very quickly for routine low risk operations/treatments and charge them as much as they can. The attraction of lower waiting times is key. Joint replacements, cataract removals, dermatology issues, minor surgery, straightforward cardiac issues, etc are fairly standard fare. GP, physio, dental, low level mental health care, etc are also included. There is also a very profitable market in provision of care for residential serious mental health type care, children's homes, etc. Most providers run a mile from having to provide intensive care, risky maternity services, full range of cancer services etc which are all very expensive and high risk services. For example very few, less than 10, private providers will deliver radiotherapy for cancer patients. Vast majority of private sector hospitals won't touch emergencies or anyone seriously ill, with a range of other illnesses/ailments or who might be classed as high risk. If any patient does become ill during a stay then they dial 999 and send them to NHS A&E.

These are high volume and low cost procedures on low risk patient groups, usually from middle to high earning bracket where they can be moved on quickly out of hospital beds ie no delayed discharges! Private sector will own and run hospital but are usually dependent upon NHS consultants/junior docs to actually do the work. They are independent contractors and will be paid per operation/patient/clinic. This can become an issue when looking at clinical governance, who is responsible for what a consultant does to a patient, who do you sue if things go wrong - the consultant or the hospital?

Private sector does little or no training of doctors, nurses or other clinical staff. They will recruit from experienced NHS staff.

Given the nature of private sector work the vast majority of consultants will do an NHS job and work part time in private sector - only the NHS can provide research, training and complex cases that these guys want and need to develop. Private work, in Scotland certainly, is a means for earning a good whack of cash for relatively easy work dealing with healthy patients in a nice environment for a day or two a week max. The guys I play golf with will work full time NHS, including providing out of hours cover dealing with emergencies, doing complex interesting work, leading and training team of juniors or undertaking research and do an afternoon and evening doing a clinic and simple operations ie cataract removal, hip replacement, in the private sector. Pays for ski holidays, school fees, new car, etc.

[Blackmac]

In domestic news, Annaliese Dodds resigns from Cabinet because of the slashing of overseas development aid

Talk about not reading the room.

[sockwithaticket]

Starmer is far from perfect, but after what we saw in the US yesterday, it was nice to see our leader embracing Zelesnky so warmly and lending full-throated support for Ukraine.

[Slick]

Starmer is far from perfect, but after what we saw in the US yesterday, it was nice to see our leader embracing Zelesnky so warmly and lending full-throated support for Ukraine.

I agree, you can quite easily imagine Boris/Truss etc just dumping him after yesterday

[dpedin]

Starmer is far from perfect, but after what we saw in the US yesterday, it was nice to see our leader embracing Zelesnky so warmly and lending full-throated support for Ukraine.

I agree, you can quite easily imagine Boris/Truss etc just dumping him after yesterday

Starmer is in a difficult position but I like his calm and steady approach. He might not get what he wants/needs but better doing what he is doing, speaking directly to Trump, Macron and Zelensky, than screeching on Twitter!

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Starmer is far from perfect, but after what we saw in the US yesterday, it was nice to see our leader embracing Zelesnky so warmly and lending full-throated support for Ukraine.

I agree, you can quite easily imagine Boris/Truss etc just dumping him after yesterday

Starmer has actually rather reminded me of Boris when it comes to Ukraine, saying lots of good things but not actually doing anything. Maybe he'll make a start soon.

But so far it's money will be spent, on our military and supplying Ukraine, than actually doing it. Rome wasn't built in a day, which is true, but given we started saying we'd be doing something back in Feb '22 it's wearing a little thin to perhaps almost be getting ready to start.

[Margin__Walker]

Starmer is far from perfect, but after what we saw in the US yesterday, it was nice to see our leader embracing Zelesnky so warmly and lending full-throated support for Ukraine.

I agree, you can quite easily imagine Boris/Truss etc just dumping him after yesterday

Starmer has actually rather reminded me of Boris when it comes to Ukraine, saying lots of good things but not actually doing anything. Maybe he'll make a start soon.

But so far it's money will be spent, on our military and supplying Ukraine, than actually doing it. Rome wasn't built in a day, which is true, but given we started saying we'd be doing something back in Feb '22 it's wearing a little thin to perhaps almost be getting ready to start.

The UK has provided 15.5 billion to the Ukraine in aid since the start of the conflict. That's before the couple of billion agreed yesterday.

I think that's something personally. Clearly the bus den may have rise in the current climate, but it's not like nothing has been happening.

[I like neeps]

In domestic news, Annaliese Dodds resigns from Cabinet because of the slashing of overseas development aid

Talk about not reading the room.

Just like politically Starmer had no choice to cut international aid, she politically couldn't not resign.

The cut to foreign aid cuts that the UK, US, France, Netherlands, presumably Germany too are doing will be hugely damaging to global stability and cause a lot of suffering. I do understand why the decisions are made but it's sad nevertheless.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

I agree, you can quite easily imagine Boris/Truss etc just dumping him after yesterday

Starmer has actually rather reminded me of Boris when it comes to Ukraine, saying lots of good things but not actually doing anything. Maybe he'll make a start soon.

But so far it's money will be spent, on our military and supplying Ukraine, than actually doing it. Rome wasn't built in a day, which is true, but given we started saying we'd be doing something back in Feb '22 it's wearing a little thin to perhaps almost be getting ready to start.

The UK has provided 15.5 billion to the Ukraine in aid since the start of the conflict. That's before the couple of billion agreed yesterday.

I think that's something personally. Clearly the bus den may have rise in the current climate, but it's not like nothing has been happening.

Ball parking it about half that will be for military assistance, and a lot of that will be the old crap we have them under Boris to kick things off which we were never going to use and were too slow to resupply.

(that's not to say the other 50% that's not military assistance isn't needed, just our governments can, accidentally I'm sure, make it sound like we're doing more on the arming front than is actually the case)

[Yeeb]

I agree, you can quite easily imagine Boris/Truss etc just dumping him after yesterday

Starmer has actually rather reminded me of Boris when it comes to Ukraine, saying lots of good things but not actually doing anything. Maybe he'll make a start soon.

But so far it's money will be spent, on our military and supplying Ukraine, than actually doing it. Rome wasn't built in a day, which is true, but given we started saying we'd be doing something back in Feb '22 it's wearing a little thin to perhaps almost be getting ready to start.

The UK has provided 15.5 billion to the Ukraine in aid since the start of the conflict. That's before the couple of billion agreed yesterday.

I think that's something personally. Clearly the bus den may have rise in the current climate, but it's not like nothing has been happening.

You should also really mention that when ussr ended , Ukraine signed away its nukes in return for certain assurances in the future for its existence , this 15+ billion is our share of the bill for having one less nuclear country in the world.
(Would Putin have invaded if Ukraine had nukes ? Methinks not)

That policy was brokered and guaranteeed by the US and France as well as uk. Remains to be seen how other wealthy but not military strong countries are going to chip in.

[Margin__Walker]

Starmer has actually rather reminded me of Boris when it comes to Ukraine, saying lots of good things but not actually doing anything. Maybe he'll make a start soon.

But so far it's money will be spent, on our military and supplying Ukraine, than actually doing it. Rome wasn't built in a day, which is true, but given we started saying we'd be doing something back in Feb '22 it's wearing a little thin to perhaps almost be getting ready to start.

The UK has provided 15.5 billion to the Ukraine in aid since the start of the conflict. That's before the couple of billion agreed yesterday.

I think that's something personally. Clearly the bus den may have rise in the current climate, but it's not like nothing has been happening.

Ball parking it about half that will be for military assistance, and a lot of that will be the old crap we have them under Boris to kick things off which we were never going to use and were too slow to resupply.

(that's not to say the other 50% that's not military assistance isn't needed, just our governments can, accidentally I'm sure, make it sound like we're doing more on the arming front than is actually the case)

c.8 billion in military aid. Very little of which will have been old crap. As I said, clearly the burden will increase but it's probably a misrepresentation to suggest we've not been doing anything.

[sockwithaticket]

Employment rights bill is finally ready to go before parliament. Haven't had a chance to read through all the amendments and see how badly it's been watered down yet, but the Unions still seem broadly supportive of it. Meanwhile the Torygraphy and Daily Heil are castigating it, so it's almost certainly a good thing.

[Biffer]

Employment rights bill is finally ready to go before parliament. Haven't had a chance to read through all the amendments and see how badly it's been watered down yet, but the Unions still seem broadly supportive of it. Meanwhile the Torygraphy and Daily Heil are castigating it, so it's almost certainly a good thing.

Yeah, I think there's been attempts to create division by the right wing press, suggesting it's been weakened, there's going to be a rebellion of backbench MPs, and the unions are furious behind closed doors, but they seem happy and I've seen suggestions it's been strengthened in some areas.

[Raggs]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2 ... SApp_Other

VAT on private schools doesn't appear to have actually lead to a mass exodus of pupils. So instead, it'll just be a boost to the coffers.

[Yeeb]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2 ... SApp_Other

VAT on private schools doesn't appear to have actually lead to a mass exodus of pupils. So instead, it'll just be a boost to the coffers.

Those stats are somewhat misleading or misinterpreted, it does say that overall school applications have continued to fall, not just private ones. If there are overall less children entering year 7, then there are less children entering private school year 7 too perhaps, so any decrease (exodus ?!) in the 7% of privately educated children, would be more than swallowed up in the decrease overall in total number of the remaining 93% of children.

Religion and charities vat exemption to be targeted next for some lovely tax harvest :)

[dpedin]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2 ... SApp_Other

VAT on private schools doesn't appear to have actually lead to a mass exodus of pupils. So instead, it'll just be a boost to the coffers.

Those stats are somewhat misleading or misinterpreted, it does say that overall school applications have continued to fall, not just private ones. If there are overall less children entering year 7, then there are less children entering private school year 7 too perhaps, so any decrease (exodus ?!) in the 7% of privately educated children, would be more than swallowed up in the decrease overall in total number of the remaining 93% of children.

Religion and charities vat exemption to be targeted next for some lovely tax harvest :)

You may be right but either way the state schools are not being flooded by pupils leaving private schools. If anyone thinks the Gov hadn't looked at projections for school age children for next 10 years plus when formulating this policy then they significantly under estimate the Civil Service. If you look at the birth rates and the falling school rolls then the issue we are facing is the need to contract the whole school - state and fee paying - sector. The collapse of the brith rate is feeding through and we will have excess capacity in schools and the funding models in some parts of the UK will mean schools will have to close or amalgamate to survive. I suspect some private schools will struggle to survive, not due to VAT but down to trying to attract pupils from a quickly reducing target market - there are only a finite number of well off families who can afford to send kids to private schools.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

So private schools will want more migration, but will pupils be allowed to bring their families?

[Yeeb]

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2 ... SApp_Other

VAT on private schools doesn't appear to have actually lead to a mass exodus of pupils. So instead, it'll just be a boost to the coffers.

Those stats are somewhat misleading or misinterpreted, it does say that overall school applications have continued to fall, not just private ones. If there are overall less children entering year 7, then there are less children entering private school year 7 too perhaps, so any decrease (exodus ?!) in the 7% of privately educated children, would be more than swallowed up in the decrease overall in total number of the remaining 93% of children.

Religion and charities vat exemption to be targeted next for some lovely tax harvest :)

You may be right but either way the state schools are not being flooded by pupils leaving private schools. If anyone thinks the Gov hadn't looked at projections for school age children for next 10 years plus when formulating this policy then they significantly under estimate the Civil Service. If you look at the birth rates and the falling school rolls then the issue we are facing is the need to contract the whole school - state and fee paying - sector. The collapse of the brith rate is feeding through and we will have excess capacity in schools and the funding models in some parts of the UK will mean schools will have to close or amalgamate to survive. I suspect some private schools will struggle to survive, not due to VAT but down to trying to attract pupils from a quickly reducing target market - there are only a finite number of well off families who can afford to send kids to private schools.

Agree with all of that. Any kind of ‘project fear’ whataboutery , rarely if ever comes to fruition or even close to the Armageddon predicted.

My own purely gut feel is that:
10% of kids who would have been sent to private, now won’t be because their parents can’t afford it
20% of kids who are borderline , now get access to some of these scholarships and bursaries that have suddenly appeared to pay 20% (think things limited to those already in the system)
50% of the rest will whinge and maybe put off buying a brand new Audi q7 that year
10% won’t care because they are army brats and the state picks up the bill
And remainder 10% won’t even notice because this won’t even fill a tank of avgas in their private jet

[dpedin]

So private schools will want more migration, but will pupils be allowed to bring their families?

Already happens mate - between 10-20% of pupils at 'top schools' are from overseas. Their parents probably arrive by private jets so there won't be any record of their passports being checked! A large % will be children of non doms. Money talks ...

[Biffer]

So private schools will want more migration, but will pupils be allowed to bring their families?

Already happens mate - between 10-20% of pupils at 'top schools' are from overseas. Their parents probably arrive by private jets so there won't be any record of their passports being checked! A large % will be children of non doms. Money talks ...

School registratioon figures are out and surprise surprise there's no impact on numbers at Private School after VAT is added to fees.

[Blackmac]

So private schools will want more migration, but will pupils be allowed to bring their families?

Already happens mate - between 10-20% of pupils at 'top schools' are from overseas. Their parents probably arrive by private jets so there won't be any record of their passports being checked! A large % will be children of non doms. Money talks ...

School registratioon figures are out and surprise surprise there's no impact on numbers at Private School after VAT is added to fees.

It would be fun if the media could drag back some of the doomongering private school spokespersons and challenge them on their shite.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

So private schools will want more migration, but will pupils be allowed to bring their families?

Already happens mate - between 10-20% of pupils at 'top schools' are from overseas. Their parents probably arrive by private jets so there won't be any record of their passports being checked! A large % will be children of non doms. Money talks ...

They'd want more is what I'd supposed, more of them and at more schools.

[Yeeb]

Already happens mate - between 10-20% of pupils at 'top schools' are from overseas. Their parents probably arrive by private jets so there won't be any record of their passports being checked! A large % will be children of non doms. Money talks ...

School registratioon figures are out and surprise surprise there's no impact on numbers at Private School after VAT is added to fees.

It would be fun if the media could drag back some of the doomongering private school spokespersons and challenge them on their shite.

They don’t really do that after Brexit and project fear / Obama types so wouldn’t imagine they would start now on the doomongers

[Yeeb]

Govt really needs to revamp car tax to take into account cars width, length and weight as well as emissions. It would be a wealth tax in all but name and would be very effective as would raise millions and would have little effect on end consumption from people who can’t drive and own these monstrosities because it makes them feel safer

[Paddington Bear]

Agreed, the weight of these new SUVs is farcical. Our roads are just not designed for it.

Also 90% of the people driving them can’t handle them but not sure taxation is the way to handle that

[Yeeb]

Agreed, the weight of these new SUVs is farcical. Our roads are just not designed for it.

Also 90% of the people driving them can’t handle them but not sure taxation is the way to handle that

Would be very easy to handle that , just have more classes of car category by weight that you have to pass , so that if you move from a mini to a Range Rover just because you have popped out a baby, you need to retake your test because the vehicle weight has doubled.
Air and sea licences have this sort of licence categorisation by size.

I would also require licence and tax from any bike that has a form of battery assist propulsion , as they have become a haven for lawbreakers with poor road skills

[Paddington Bear]

Agreed, the weight of these new SUVs is farcical. Our roads are just not designed for it.

Also 90% of the people driving them can’t handle them but not sure taxation is the way to handle that

Would be very easy to handle that , just have more classes of car category by weight that you have to pass , so that if you move from a mini to a Range Rover just because you have popped out a baby, you need to retake your test because the vehicle weight has doubled.
Air and sea licences have this sort of licence categorisation by size.

I would also require licence and tax from any bike that has a form of battery assist propulsion , as they have become a haven for lawbreakers with poor road skills

I believe a lot of the e bikes causing a menace are illegal anyway, the police just don’t enforce the law

[Sandstorm]

Agreed, the weight of these new SUVs is farcical. Our roads are just not designed for it.

Also 90% of the people driving them can’t handle them but not sure taxation is the way to handle that

Would be very easy to handle that , just have more classes of car category by weight that you have to pass , so that if you move from a mini to a Range Rover just because you have popped out a baby, you need to retake your test because the vehicle weight has doubled.
Air and sea licences have this sort of licence categorisation by size.

I would also require licence and tax from any bike that has a form of battery assist propulsion , as they have become a haven for lawbreakers with poor road skills

You can't get a test for 12 months for your first driving license due to staff shortages. Who the hell is going to test 75000 extra SUV mummies every March?

[Yeeb]

Agreed, the weight of these new SUVs is farcical. Our roads are just not designed for it.

Also 90% of the people driving them can’t handle them but not sure taxation is the way to handle that

Would be very easy to handle that , just have more classes of car category by weight that you have to pass , so that if you move from a mini to a Range Rover just because you have popped out a baby, you need to retake your test because the vehicle weight has doubled.
Air and sea licences have this sort of licence categorisation by size.

I would also require licence and tax from any bike that has a form of battery assist propulsion , as they have become a haven for lawbreakers with poor road skills

You can't get a test for 12 months for your first driving license due to staff shortages. Who the hell is going to test 75000 extra SUV mummies every March?

Keeping them off the road short term is a good thing, plenty will drive anyways and get fined so lots of lovely money for the government to waste
They won’t need testing every year, just if they want to drive a car twice the weight and 1m longer than what they learnt it
And govt can surely hire more of anyone it wishes to, if it has the will (which it rarely does). The standard of driving now is truly appalling tbh so anything to make the roads safer and earn some coin can surely only be a good thing, it won’t have the chance in a few years when everything is autopilot