Re: Stop voting for fucking Tories
Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:14 am
The UK is far less conservative in both the cultural and corporate spheres than Japan.
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.yermum wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:35 amWhy would any sane person want the UK economy to become more like Japan?I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 7:50 amShe 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.
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.
What happened to the points-based system? The point of which was to let in highly qualified or essential workers.I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:57 amAside from limited immigration (as of now the Tories want to cut it) is this not the UK?yermum wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:35 amWhy would any sane person want the UK economy to become more like Japan?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.
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.
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...GogLais wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:24 amWhat happened to the points-based system? The point of which was to let in highly qualified or essential workers.I like neeps wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:57 amAside from limited immigration (as of now the Tories want to cut it) is this not the UK?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.
Saying the quiet part loudly.
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
But it doesn't matter as it's all the BoE's fault!"Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng says support will not be introduced until ministers return to work."
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 youuuuuuuPaddington Bear wrote: ↑Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:38 pmAs 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.Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:09 pmYeah. 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.
If I can buy/sell a house using electronic identification I can certainly vote with it.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:50 pmI 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 youuuuuuuPaddington Bear wrote: ↑Thu Aug 04, 2022 12:38 pmAs 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.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.
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.Raggs wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 8:34 pmIf I can buy/sell a house using electronic identification I can certainly vote with it.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:50 pmI 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 youuuuuuuPaddington 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.
It may not be accessible to everyone, but it can still have a place.
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?Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:51 pmInnovation 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.
Doesn’t answer your question but easier to make money by other means.Calculon wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:23 amWhat would be the reasons for this?Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:51 pmInnovation 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.
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).Calculon wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:23 amWhat would be the reasons for this?Biffer wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 11:51 pmInnovation 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.
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
thanks for the answerBiffer wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:26 amMany. 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).Calculon wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:23 amWhat would be the reasons for this?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.
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.Biffer wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 11:26 amMany. 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).Calculon wrote: ↑Sat Aug 06, 2022 7:23 amWhat would be the reasons for this?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.
Sometimes it’s almost as if the system has been designed to deliberately prevent it.
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.Raggs wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 8:34 pmIf I can buy/sell a house using electronic identification I can certainly vote with it.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 05, 2022 6:50 pmI 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 youuuuuuuPaddington 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.
It may not be accessible to everyone, but it can still have a place.
Risky strategy. Isn't that the gamble Cameron took on Brexit?Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:09 amI 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.Slick wrote: ↑Wed Aug 03, 2022 8:45 amWell, 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.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.
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.
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.
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 !Uncle fester wrote: ↑Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:16 pmRisky strategy. Isn't that the gamble Cameron took on Brexit?Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Aug 03, 2022 9:09 amI 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.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.
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.
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 eitherfishfoodie wrote: ↑Sun Aug 07, 2022 3:41 pmCameron'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 !Uncle fester wrote: ↑Sun Aug 07, 2022 12:16 pmRisky strategy. Isn't that the gamble Cameron took on Brexit?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.
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
Historically the left have considered the EU too right wing and the right, too left wing.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.
Maybe he should have gone to someone with one of those worthless creative degrees that doesn't make you rich.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.
Don't think you need a creative degree to realise this was tone deaf.Hal Jordan wrote: ↑Tue Aug 09, 2022 8:08 amMaybe he should have gone to someone with one of those worthless creative degrees that doesn't make you rich.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.
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.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 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.Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:11 amYes 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.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.
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.I like neeps wrote: ↑Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:24 amYes 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.Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Tue Aug 09, 2022 9:11 amYes 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.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.
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.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.