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Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:14 am
by yermum
The UK is far less conservative in both the cultural and corporate spheres than Japan.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:23 am
by GogLais
yermum wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:35 am
I like neeps wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 7:50 am
Tichtheid wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 7:40 am


No one seems to ask the follow up question on cutting taxes, "what services are you going to cut?"
She has explained that one, she wants to borrow more and become more like Japan.

Nobody has asked if the rising interest rates wants to make her review that plan.
Why would any sane person want the UK economy to become more like Japan?

It was the second largest economy 30 years ago. Crippled growth since the 90s. They have tried everything QE -ve interest rates and are still fucked.

An aging workforce, limited immigration to make up the shortfall. Cultural and corporate conservatism that leads to lack of innovation.
I went on the World Bank site expecting to to be able to say "But their per capita GDP is still more than the UK's". Wrong! UK approx $50k on a par with France, Japan $40k.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:24 am
by GogLais
I like neeps wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:57 am
yermum wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:35 am
I like neeps wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 7:50 am

She has explained that one, she wants to borrow more and become more like Japan.

Nobody has asked if the rising interest rates wants to make her review that plan.
Why would any sane person want the UK economy to become more like Japan?

It was the second largest economy 30 years ago. Crippled growth since the 90s. They have tried everything QE -ve interest rates and are still fucked.

An aging workforce, limited immigration to make up the shortfall. Cultural and corporate conservatism that leads to lack of innovation.
Aside from limited immigration (as of now the Tories want to cut it) is this not the UK?
What happened to the points-based system? The point of which was to let in highly qualified or essential workers.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:48 am
by tabascoboy
GogLais wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:24 am
I like neeps wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:57 am
yermum wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:35 am

Why would any sane person want the UK economy to become more like Japan?

It was the second largest economy 30 years ago. Crippled growth since the 90s. They have tried everything QE -ve interest rates and are still fucked.

An aging workforce, limited immigration to make up the shortfall. Cultural and corporate conservatism that leads to lack of innovation.
Aside from limited immigration (as of now the Tories want to cut it) is this not the UK?
What happened to the points-based system? The point of which was to let in highly qualified or essential workers.
Turns out that no-one seemed have a real clue as to what defined "essential workers" - apparently not lower waged and lower-skilled EU migrants in the agriculture and food sector "taking our jobs". Presumably deemed non essential because the jobs would be filled by our unemployed - except they haven't been. So the points-system has been as half=baked an idea as so many others...

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 2:27 pm
by SaintK
So we are entering the worst recession and cost of living crisis for the past 50 years and:
Lame duck PM has dissapeared on a secret holiday (probably at someone else's expense) missing in action
Brand new Chanceller on holiday abroad at one of his several holiday homes unavailable for interview missing in action
First secretary to the treasury on holiday and unavailable for interview missing in action.

That idiot Kwarteng doing the news round this morning telling us that they were all over it and working incredibly hard and fully understood what was needed. Whilst spending most of his time bigging Truss up and knocking Sunak
Fuck me!!!! You couldn't make this up.
UK 2022 folks

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 2:53 pm
by Hal Jordan
I like neeps wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 8:53 am

Levelling up latest.
Saying the quiet part loudly.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 3:45 pm
by tabascoboy
SaintK wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 2:27 pm So we are entering the worst recession and cost of living crisis for the past 50 years and:
Lame duck PM has dissapeared on a secret holiday (probably at someone else's expense) missing in action
Brand new Chanceller on holiday abroad at one of his several holiday homes unavailable for interview missing in action
First secretary to the treasury on holiday and unavailable for interview missing in action.

That idiot Kwarteng doing the news round this morning telling us that they were all over it and working incredibly hard and fully understood what was needed. Whilst spending most of his time bigging Truss up and knocking Sunak
Fuck me!!!! You couldn't make this up.
UK 2022 folks
"Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng says support will not be introduced until ministers return to work."
But it doesn't matter as it's all the BoE's fault!

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:50 pm
by JM2K6
Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:38 pm
Torquemada 1420 wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:09 pm
Paddington Bear wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 11:54 am Any form of electronic voting is fucking nuts
Yeah. Because in a tech age where most people run their lives on computers or mobile phones, the notion of something that might make democracy more democratic is clearly nuts.
As so often, if you can't work out why electronic voting has such significant flaws compared to traditional methods to be considered 'nuts' (let alone taking a quick look over at the States) there is no helping you.
I do not know a single person with a serious job in tech who doesn't start reaching for something heavy whenever anyone starts talking about electronic voting systems. Jesus Christ. No thank youuuuuuu

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 8:34 pm
by Raggs
JM2K6 wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:50 pm
Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:38 pm
Torquemada 1420 wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:09 pm

Yeah. Because in a tech age where most people run their lives on computers or mobile phones, the notion of something that might make democracy more democratic is clearly nuts.
As so often, if you can't work out why electronic voting has such significant flaws compared to traditional methods to be considered 'nuts' (let alone taking a quick look over at the States) there is no helping you.
I do not know a single person with a serious job in tech who doesn't start reaching for something heavy whenever anyone starts talking about electronic voting systems. Jesus Christ. No thank youuuuuuu
If I can buy/sell a house using electronic identification I can certainly vote with it.

It may not be accessible to everyone, but it can still have a place.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 8:47 pm
by JM2K6
Raggs wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 8:34 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:50 pm
Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:38 pm

As so often, if you can't work out why electronic voting has such significant flaws compared to traditional methods to be considered 'nuts' (let alone taking a quick look over at the States) there is no helping you.
I do not know a single person with a serious job in tech who doesn't start reaching for something heavy whenever anyone starts talking about electronic voting systems. Jesus Christ. No thank youuuuuuu
If I can buy/sell a house using electronic identification I can certainly vote with it.

It may not be accessible to everyone, but it can still have a place.
Seriously, almost all modern tech at scale is an absolute fucking disaster security wise, held together by masking tape, with countless problems under the hood that no-one sees because companies are really good at hiding stuff. There are no secure digital voting options that exist currently that don't add more problems than they solve.

edit: Found this excellent (US-centric) article when searching for a relevant XKCD cartoon:

Image

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 9:07 pm
by PCPhil
After trying to teach 2 sets of grandparents how to use a mouse I have serious reservations about the typical tory party member and electronic voting.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 9:11 pm
by Raggs
PCPhil wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 9:07 pm After trying to teach 2 sets of grandparents how to use a mouse I have serious reservations about the typical tory party member and electronic voting.
Sounds ideal...

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:51 pm
by Biffer
yermum wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:14 am The UK is far less conservative in both the cultural and corporate spheres than Japan.
Innovation on the other hand, we suck at. We're OK at it in financial services, but other than that we're waaaay behind similar economies. We are terrible at industrial and translational R&D, which is disgraceful given the UK is the number 2 globally in fundental reaerearch by a distance.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:23 am
by Calculon
Biffer wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:51 pm
yermum wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:14 am The UK is far less conservative in both the cultural and corporate spheres than Japan.
Innovation on the other hand, we suck at. We're OK at it in financial services, but other than that we're waaaay behind similar economies. We are terrible at industrial and translational R&D, which is disgraceful given the UK is the number 2 globally in fundental reaerearch by a distance.
What would be the reasons for this?

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:16 am
by GogLais
Calculon wrote: Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:23 am
Biffer wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:51 pm
yermum wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:14 am The UK is far less conservative in both the cultural and corporate spheres than Japan.
Innovation on the other hand, we suck at. We're OK at it in financial services, but other than that we're waaaay behind similar economies. We are terrible at industrial and translational R&D, which is disgraceful given the UK is the number 2 globally in fundental reaerearch by a distance.
What would be the reasons for this?
Doesn’t answer your question but easier to make money by other means.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:26 am
by Biffer
Calculon wrote: Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:23 am
Biffer wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:51 pm
yermum wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:14 am The UK is far less conservative in both the cultural and corporate spheres than Japan.
Innovation on the other hand, we suck at. We're OK at it in financial services, but other than that we're waaaay behind similar economies. We are terrible at industrial and translational R&D, which is disgraceful given the UK is the number 2 globally in fundental reaerearch by a distance.
What would be the reasons for this?
Many. We make it more attractive to make short term profit and sell up rather than invest for the long term. The general bias against manufacturing in government policy makes it unattractive. Lack of funding for high tech research / development. Under investment in multinational infrastructures like ESA. Lack of support / underwriting of industry playing significant parts in multinational projects. Finance looking for quick returns not long term (5/10/15 years).

Sometimes it’s almost as if the system has been designed to deliberately prevent it.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:36 am
by fishfoodie

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:58 am
by tabascoboy
fishfoodie wrote: Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:36 am Image
That image doesn't seem to hotlink for me, it's a cartoon at https://www.irishtimes.com a little way down in the 'Opinion' section

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 1:05 pm
by Calculon
Biffer wrote: Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:26 am
Calculon wrote: Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:23 am
Biffer wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:51 pm
Innovation on the other hand, we suck at. We're OK at it in financial services, but other than that we're waaaay behind similar economies. We are terrible at industrial and translational R&D, which is disgraceful given the UK is the number 2 globally in fundental reaerearch by a distance.
What would be the reasons for this?
Many. We make it more attractive to make short term profit and sell up rather than invest for the long term. The general bias against manufacturing in government policy makes it unattractive. Lack of funding for high tech research / development. Under investment in multinational infrastructures like ESA. Lack of support / underwriting of industry playing significant parts in multinational projects. Finance looking for quick returns not long term (5/10/15 years).

Sometimes it’s almost as if the system has been designed to deliberately prevent it.
thanks for the answer

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2022 2:00 pm
by fishfoodie
Biffer wrote: Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:26 am
Calculon wrote: Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:23 am
Biffer wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:51 pm
Innovation on the other hand, we suck at. We're OK at it in financial services, but other than that we're waaaay behind similar economies. We are terrible at industrial and translational R&D, which is disgraceful given the UK is the number 2 globally in fundental reaerearch by a distance.
What would be the reasons for this?
Many. We make it more attractive to make short term profit and sell up rather than invest for the long term. The general bias against manufacturing in government policy makes it unattractive. Lack of funding for high tech research / development. Under investment in multinational infrastructures like ESA. Lack of support / underwriting of industry playing significant parts in multinational projects. Finance looking for quick returns not long term (5/10/15 years).

Sometimes it’s almost as if the system has been designed to deliberately prevent it.
The kerfuffle over the Newport Fab at the moment is a classic case of Tory apathy, to maintaining skills, & tech, that are crucial, but not especially glamorous.

While it isn't a particularly cutting edge facility, its tough to put a price on the decades of knowledge, & the development resource that the Fab is; & once it's gone, the UK is significantly worse off, because it will take decades to get a new Fab up to the same level, & will cost far more than the cost of keeping the existing facility in UK hands.

Scotland used to have fabs, & as investment waned, a lot of the engineers made their way to Ireland, & now there's how many fabs in Silicon Glen ?

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 7:59 am
by tabascoboy
Image

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 8:47 am
by Paddington Bear
Raggs wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 8:34 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:50 pm
Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:38 pm

As so often, if you can't work out why electronic voting has such significant flaws compared to traditional methods to be considered 'nuts' (let alone taking a quick look over at the States) there is no helping you.
I do not know a single person with a serious job in tech who doesn't start reaching for something heavy whenever anyone starts talking about electronic voting systems. Jesus Christ. No thank youuuuuuu
If I can buy/sell a house using electronic identification I can certainly vote with it.

It may not be accessible to everyone, but it can still have a place.
But again, the Russian state doesn't have too much interest in my house in suburbia, they do in the outcome of an election. Even with this I know conveyancers are shit scared of scammers in this sort of area and are having to beef security up all the time. All this is before we see a system crash on the day/shady corporate motives/a rogue techy at the firm who wants x party to win etc.

The cartoon JMK posted sums it up pretty well.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:16 pm
by Uncle fester
Biffer wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:09 am
Slick wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 8:45 am
Biffer wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 8:03 am

Bit of a blanket statement to say there’s been no movement. There were twenty consecutive polls in favour of independence in 20-21. That’s shifted back a bit,which is bound to happen in times of uncertainty, but the most recent poll was again in favour.

In the three years before the referendum there were only three polls in favour.
Well, OK, but there hasn't been the real shift that most were expecting, including myself, and it's unlikely that there is going to be larger opportunities for it to do so than Brexit or Boris.

I think it is a bit of entrenched views but also that the SNP offer no credible alternatives. It must be time for reflection for all independence supporters if two massive bombs don't change the dial, years of grievance and fairy tale notions of an amazing future with no credible policy to back it up hasn't pushed the right buttons. As I've said a few times, it needs a grown up debate with a realistic view of the probable outcomes and how tough it will be for a couple of decades. I honestly think that would have changed the numbers more than the constant and tired old bullshit.
I think there are many on the pro independence side who are relying on the campaign to shift attitudes in the same way as it did in 2014. This could well be a mistake. Equally when confronted with a definite decision, it may be a case of ' ok, here's the shitshow of the last ten years, make a choice' pushing indy over the line.

For a lot of the two years pre referendum, the debate was pretty grown up IMO. It was only when the howling UK media and westminster politicians got involved in the last few months that it got rabid.

Wrt quebec, if the unionists had any sense they'd follow that example. Two relatively close referendums, both lost, made the movement fade away. But by denying the second one and fuelling the grievance, they're making the indy movement stronger.
Risky strategy. Isn't that the gamble Cameron took on Brexit?

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 3:41 pm
by fishfoodie
Uncle fester wrote: Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:16 pm
Biffer wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:09 am
Slick wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 8:45 am

Well, OK, but there hasn't been the real shift that most were expecting, including myself, and it's unlikely that there is going to be larger opportunities for it to do so than Brexit or Boris.

I think it is a bit of entrenched views but also that the SNP offer no credible alternatives. It must be time for reflection for all independence supporters if two massive bombs don't change the dial, years of grievance and fairy tale notions of an amazing future with no credible policy to back it up hasn't pushed the right buttons. As I've said a few times, it needs a grown up debate with a realistic view of the probable outcomes and how tough it will be for a couple of decades. I honestly think that would have changed the numbers more than the constant and tired old bullshit.
I think there are many on the pro independence side who are relying on the campaign to shift attitudes in the same way as it did in 2014. This could well be a mistake. Equally when confronted with a definite decision, it may be a case of ' ok, here's the shitshow of the last ten years, make a choice' pushing indy over the line.

For a lot of the two years pre referendum, the debate was pretty grown up IMO. It was only when the howling UK media and westminster politicians got involved in the last few months that it got rabid.

Wrt quebec, if the unionists had any sense they'd follow that example. Two relatively close referendums, both lost, made the movement fade away. But by denying the second one and fuelling the grievance, they're making the indy movement stronger.
Risky strategy. Isn't that the gamble Cameron took on Brexit?
Cameron's mistake was in holding a Referendum, after 8 years of the Tories kicking working class people; & then expecting those same people to vote Remain, when the Tories told them to !

Personally I hope they do force a Scottish Referendum, after a couple years of Inflation running in the teens, & strong leadership from the Tinfoil Lady

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 4:05 pm
by Lobby
fishfoodie wrote: Sun Aug 07, 2022 3:41 pm
Uncle fester wrote: Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:16 pm
Biffer wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:09 am

I think there are many on the pro independence side who are relying on the campaign to shift attitudes in the same way as it did in 2014. This could well be a mistake. Equally when confronted with a definite decision, it may be a case of ' ok, here's the shitshow of the last ten years, make a choice' pushing indy over the line.

For a lot of the two years pre referendum, the debate was pretty grown up IMO. It was only when the howling UK media and westminster politicians got involved in the last few months that it got rabid.

Wrt quebec, if the unionists had any sense they'd follow that example. Two relatively close referendums, both lost, made the movement fade away. But by denying the second one and fuelling the grievance, they're making the indy movement stronger.
Risky strategy. Isn't that the gamble Cameron took on Brexit?
Cameron's mistake was in holding a Referendum, after 8 years of the Tories kicking working class people; & then expecting those same people to vote Remain, when the Tories told them to !

Personally I hope they do force a Scottish Referendum, after a couple years of Inflation running in the teens, & strong leadership from the Tinfoil Lady
Cameron's other mistake was failing to realise that most of the UK press had spent the previous 20 years telling the British public that Europe and the EU was to blame for everything. Corbyn refusing the campaign for remain, and the refugee crisis with Frau Merkel unilaterally opening Europe's borders happening at the same time as the referendum campaign didn't exactly help either

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 5:34 pm
by Hal Jordan
Corbyn was a Lexiter, though. The fucking idiot believed that it was stopping state aid, and that the EU was just a neo-capitalist structure to aid the suppression of the working class.

Cameron was a gutless coward, too scared to face down the threat of UKIP, who then scarpered after leaving a massive loose stool on the country when his half-arsed Remain campaign fell flat on its face.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2022 5:45 pm
by Dinsdale Piranha
Hal Jordan wrote: Sun Aug 07, 2022 5:34 pm Corbyn was a Lexiter, though. The fucking idiot believed that it was stopping state aid, and that the EU was just a neo-capitalist structure to aid the suppression of the working class.

Cameron was a gutless coward, too scared to face down the threat of UKIP, who then scarpered after leaving a massive loose stool on the country when his half-arsed Remain campaign fell flat on its face.
Historically the left have considered the EU too right wing and the right, too left wing.


Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 4:37 pm
by tabascoboy

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 4:56 pm
by sefton
It’s just dreadful, pandering to the lowest common denominator.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:05 pm
by Margin__Walker
Oh Jesus.

Regardless of the messaging, I can't get over how shit it is. I thought he was meant to be the slick one.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 9:05 pm
by pigsy
In one of the replies they are called the #selfservatives

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 7:54 am
by I like neeps


Something something efficiency, something something competition, something something investment.

The Avanti West Coast story is mental. A train franchise run on drivers working overtime?! Are there any good train franchises in the UK? I think Chiltern and GWR are mostly good. I remember liking stagecoach on the east coast mainline and I think when I've used LNER they've been mostly fine. The rest just seem a mess.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 8:08 am
by Hal Jordan
Margin__Walker wrote: Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:05 pm Oh Jesus.

Regardless of the messaging, I can't get over how shit it is. I thought he was meant to be the slick one.
Maybe he should have gone to someone with one of those worthless creative degrees that doesn't make you rich.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:05 am
by petej
Hal Jordan wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 8:08 am
Margin__Walker wrote: Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:05 pm Oh Jesus.

Regardless of the messaging, I can't get over how shit it is. I thought he was meant to be the slick one.
Maybe he should have gone to someone with one of those worthless creative degrees that doesn't make you rich.
Don't think you need a creative degree to realise this was tone deaf.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:11 am
by Paddington Bear
I like neeps wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 7:54 am

Something something efficiency, something something competition, something something investment.

The Avanti West Coast story is mental. A train franchise run on drivers working overtime?! Are there any good train franchises in the UK? I think Chiltern and GWR are mostly good. I remember liking stagecoach on the east coast mainline and I think when I've used LNER they've been mostly fine. The rest just seem a mess.
Yes Chiltern are pretty consistently excellent, rarely delayed and if it is it's by sub-10 minutes. In fairness it is probably the simplest route to run as their core line stops at Aylesbury and there aren't too many potential points of failure, but they've made travel to Birmingham and then Oxford very competitive and have maximised the potential of Marylebone.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:24 am
by I like neeps
Paddington Bear wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:11 am
I like neeps wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 7:54 am

Something something efficiency, something something competition, something something investment.

The Avanti West Coast story is mental. A train franchise run on drivers working overtime?! Are there any good train franchises in the UK? I think Chiltern and GWR are mostly good. I remember liking stagecoach on the east coast mainline and I think when I've used LNER they've been mostly fine. The rest just seem a mess.
Yes Chiltern are pretty consistently excellent, rarely delayed and if it is it's by sub-10 minutes. In fairness it is probably the simplest route to run as their core line stops at Aylesbury and there aren't too many potential points of failure, but they've made travel to Birmingham and then Oxford very competitive and have maximised the potential of Marylebone.
Yes agreed on that. My only complaint with Chiltern is they still are using some very old trains and the WiFi isn't good at all. But they run a good, reliable service.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:30 am
by Slick
I like neeps wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:24 am
Paddington Bear wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:11 am
I like neeps wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 7:54 am

Something something efficiency, something something competition, something something investment.

The Avanti West Coast story is mental. A train franchise run on drivers working overtime?! Are there any good train franchises in the UK? I think Chiltern and GWR are mostly good. I remember liking stagecoach on the east coast mainline and I think when I've used LNER they've been mostly fine. The rest just seem a mess.
Yes Chiltern are pretty consistently excellent, rarely delayed and if it is it's by sub-10 minutes. In fairness it is probably the simplest route to run as their core line stops at Aylesbury and there aren't too many potential points of failure, but they've made travel to Birmingham and then Oxford very competitive and have maximised the potential of Marylebone.
Yes agreed on that. My only complaint with Chiltern is they still are using some very old trains and the WiFi isn't good at all. But they run a good, reliable service.
LNER have always been pretty good to be fair, I use the Edinburgh - London route a lot, although the wifi NEVER works. Annoyingly, once the government took over prices seemed to go up and getting a cheap 1st class fare didn't happen.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:40 am
by Paddington Bear


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-o ... e-12651131

These two things aged very well, on topic.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 10:54 am
by fishfoodie
Modern politicians seem to be completely incapable of adopting policies that extend beyond the life of their current term !

In the case of the Tories, they seem to be able to have destructive ones, that do; i.e. running down the NHS, but constructive ones are few & far between. I suppose HS2, & Crossrail are two, but I water doesn't offer the same cosplay photo-ops, & Energy projects are constantly undermined by special interest groups.

The only reason the Bumblecunt latched onto the Modular reactors, was someone told him they could open a new one every year.

Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories

Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2022 11:55 am
by ASMO
fishfoodie wrote: Tue Aug 09, 2022 10:54 am Modern politicians seem to be completely incapable of adopting policies that extend beyond the life of their current term !

In the case of the Tories, they seem to be able to have destructive ones, that do; i.e. running down the NHS, but constructive ones are few & far between. I suppose HS2, & Crossrail are two, but I water doesn't offer the same cosplay photo-ops, & Energy projects are constantly undermined by special interest groups.

The only reason the Bumblecunt latched onto the Modular reactors, was someone told him they could open a new one every year.
The thinking being "why would i do something that could benefit the opposition in 10 years time" The lack of long term strategic planning is what has gotten us into all this mess in the first place. Fuck whats best for the country, i want to make sure the other cunts fail.