NPR

robmatic wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:43 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:27 am Crossrail/Elizabeth Line to open later this month. Obviously it's late and will have teething problems, but this is an incredible piece of engineering and a step change in infrastructure terms. Possible to get very negative about the country, but projects like this are things we do very well.

I'm sure this news will warm the heart of passengers chugging along on TransPennine Express.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:47 am

robmatic wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:43 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:27 am Crossrail/Elizabeth Line to open later this month. Obviously it's late and will have teething problems, but this is an incredible piece of engineering and a step change in infrastructure terms. Possible to get very negative about the country, but projects like this are things we do very well.

I'm sure this news will warm the heart of passengers chugging along on TransPennine Express.

The fact that other services are shit doesn't change what I've posted. I've posted before that we need to change the Treasury's attitude to infrastructure projects outside of London, but this is still a good value project that will provide serious economic benefits, and is a very impressive engineering feat.

robmatic wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:43 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:27 am Crossrail/Elizabeth Line to open later this month. Obviously it's late and will have teething problems, but this is an incredible piece of engineering and a step change in infrastructure terms. Possible to get very negative about the country, but projects like this are things we do very well.

I'm sure this news will warm the heart of passengers chugging along on TransPennine Express.

petej wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:40 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:47 am

robmatic wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:43 am

I'm sure this news will warm the heart of passengers chugging along on TransPennine Express.

The fact that other services are shit doesn't change what I've posted. I've posted before that we need to change the Treasury's attitude to infrastructure projects outside of London, but this is still a good value project that will provide serious economic benefits, and is a very impressive engineering feat.

It isn't a step change in infrastructure terms. They've always been willing to spend there. Stop with the self congratulatory bullshit. Be happy for London but fuck right off on this people shouldn't be so negative about this country. Building good infrastructure in one region of the country doesn't make it less shit elsewhere particularly when elsewhere is aware of it.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:54 am

petej wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:40 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:47 am
The fact that other services are shit doesn't change what I've posted. I've posted before that we need to change the Treasury's attitude to infrastructure projects outside of London, but this is still a good value project that will provide serious economic benefits, and is a very impressive engineering feat.

It isn't a step change in infrastructure terms. They've always been willing to spend there. Stop with the self congratulatory bullshit. Be happy for London but fuck right off on this people shouldn't be so negative about this country. Building good infrastructure in one region of the country doesn't make it less shit elsewhere particularly when elsewhere is aware of it.

I'm not sure what your point is - my point was that we can build superb infrastructure when we put our mind to it and should do more, as I've mentioned a number of times. Besides, this connects Reading/Heathrow to Woolwich/Shenfield through Central London which I'd guess makes this line accessible to what? at a minimum 1/8th of the population, probably significantly more. Not to mention I was discussing with a mate who lives in Devon and needs to be in the City twice a week how much easier this will make his life, same is true for South Wales.

We don't solve any issues in the north or anyone else by holding London back, and this is clearly a step change in infrastructure terms.

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 12:50 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:54 am

petej wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:40 am
It isn't a step change in infrastructure terms. They've always been willing to spend there. Stop with the self congratulatory bullshit. Be happy for London but fuck right off on this people shouldn't be so negative about this country. Building good infrastructure in one region of the country doesn't make it less shit elsewhere particularly when elsewhere is aware of it.

I'm not sure what your point is - my point was that we can build superb infrastructure when we put our mind to it and should do more, as I've mentioned a number of times. Besides, this connects Reading/Heathrow to Woolwich/Shenfield through Central London which I'd guess makes this line accessible to what? at a minimum 1/8th of the population, probably significantly more. Not to mention I was discussing with a mate who lives in Devon and needs to be in the City twice a week how much easier this will make his life, same is true for South Wales.

We don't solve any issues in the north or anyone else by holding London back, and this is clearly a step change in infrastructure terms.

Much as I understand when people say that London shouldn’t be held back in order to spend in the North, no one seems to object to holding back the north in order to spend 9n London, except in a cursory ‘oh yes, isn’t it awful, tsk tsk’ way

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 1:46 pm

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 12:50 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:54 am

I'm not sure what your point is - my point was that we can build superb infrastructure when we put our mind to it and should do more, as I've mentioned a number of times. Besides, this connects Reading/Heathrow to Woolwich/Shenfield through Central London which I'd guess makes this line accessible to what? at a minimum 1/8th of the population, probably significantly more. Not to mention I was discussing with a mate who lives in Devon and needs to be in the City twice a week how much easier this will make his life, same is true for South Wales.

We don't solve any issues in the north or anyone else by holding London back, and this is clearly a step change in infrastructure terms.

Much as I understand when people say that London shouldn’t be held back in order to spend in the North, no one seems to object to holding back the north in order to spend 9n London, except in a cursory ‘oh yes, isn’t it awful, tsk tsk’ way

I get the point but I've been pretty consistent on here when it's come up that we could and should spend much more on transport in the north, up to and including entirely resetting how the Treasury calculate Cost to Benefit ratios. I'm not an MP and no party is offering what I propose so I'm not sure what else I'm supposed to do. It also isn't relevant to my points about economic benefits and how impressive the infrastructure actually is.

Also relevant is that 70% of the funding came directly from Londoners, and without getting too granular a pretty significant chunk of the remaining 30% would have as well.
Basically this shouldn't be a 'one or the other' situation - London can fund a lot of it's own capital investment but does need Central Government involvement as well as it is a massive globally competitive city. The 70/30 local:central ratio probably needs to be reversed to get things off the ground in Manchester/Leeds etc but there's no reason we can't do both at the same time.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:30 am Crossrail took out two of the best and most accessible (for those coming in via Waterloo) venues in London. RIP The Astoria and Mean Fiddler.

bogbunny wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 3:31 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:30 am Crossrail took out two of the best and most accessible (for those coming in via Waterloo) venues in London. RIP The Astoria and Mean Fiddler.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loved that place around '89/'90

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 4:44 pm

bogbunny wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 3:31 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:30 am Crossrail took out two of the best and most accessible (for those coming in via Waterloo) venues in London. RIP The Astoria and Mean Fiddler.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loved that place around '89/'90

I spent a good chunk of the 00s in there watching various heavy bands. For a while it was one of the few spots other than The Underworld you could reliably go for those sorts of gigs.

Just in terms of layout it was one of the greatest venues I've ever had the privilege of going to and I still miss it.

Slick wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 6:40 pm Thoroughly enjoying my father in law telling me there is no way Boris can be replaced because of the job he is doing In Ukraine and that “the Daily Mail say Lord Frost should become an MP and be the next leader”

This is what we are up against

Muttonbird wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 12:00 am

Slick wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 6:40 pm Thoroughly enjoying my father in law telling me there is no way Boris can be replaced because of the job he is doing In Ukraine and that “the Daily Mail say Lord Frost should become an MP and be the next leader”

This is what we are up against

What do you mean, we? You're a hard right wing nub job as far as I can tell.

Slick wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 6:36 am

Muttonbird wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 12:00 am

Slick wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 6:40 pm Thoroughly enjoying my father in law telling me there is no way Boris can be replaced because of the job he is doing In Ukraine and that “the Daily Mail say Lord Frost should become an MP and be the next leader”

This is what we are up against

What do you mean, we? You're a hard right wing nub job as far as I can tell.

I think that’s probably because you are an idiot though

Slick wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 6:36 am

Muttonbird wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 12:00 am

Slick wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 6:40 pm Thoroughly enjoying my father in law telling me there is no way Boris can be replaced because of the job he is doing In Ukraine and that “the Daily Mail say Lord Frost should become an MP and be the next leader”

This is what we are up against

What do you mean, we? You're a hard right wing nub job as far as I can tell.

I think that’s probably because you are an idiot though

Muttonbird wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 12:00 am

Slick wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 6:40 pm Thoroughly enjoying my father in law telling me there is no way Boris can be replaced because of the job he is doing In Ukraine and that “the Daily Mail say Lord Frost should become an MP and be the next leader”

This is what we are up against

What do you mean, we? You're a hard right wing nub job as far as I can tell.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:54 am

petej wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:40 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 10:47 am
The fact that other services are shit doesn't change what I've posted. I've posted before that we need to change the Treasury's attitude to infrastructure projects outside of London, but this is still a good value project that will provide serious economic benefits, and is a very impressive engineering feat.

It isn't a step change in infrastructure terms. They've always been willing to spend there. Stop with the self congratulatory bullshit. Be happy for London but fuck right off on this people shouldn't be so negative about this country. Building good infrastructure in one region of the country doesn't make it less shit elsewhere particularly when elsewhere is aware of it.

I'm not sure what your point is - my point was that we can build superb infrastructure when we put our mind to it and should do more, as I've mentioned a number of times. Besides, this connects Reading/Heathrow to Woolwich/Shenfield through Central London which I'd guess makes this line accessible to what? at a minimum 1/8th of the population, probably significantly more. Not to mention I was discussing with a mate who lives in Devon and needs to be in the City twice a week how much easier this will make his life, same is true for South Wales.

We don't solve any issues in the north or anyone else by holding London back, and this is clearly a step change in infrastructure terms.

petej wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 9:16 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:54 am

petej wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:40 am
It isn't a step change in infrastructure terms. They've always been willing to spend there. Stop with the self congratulatory bullshit. Be happy for London but fuck right off on this people shouldn't be so negative about this country. Building good infrastructure in one region of the country doesn't make it less shit elsewhere particularly when elsewhere is aware of it.

I'm not sure what your point is - my point was that we can build superb infrastructure when we put our mind to it and should do more, as I've mentioned a number of times. Besides, this connects Reading/Heathrow to Woolwich/Shenfield through Central London which I'd guess makes this line accessible to what? at a minimum 1/8th of the population, probably significantly more. Not to mention I was discussing with a mate who lives in Devon and needs to be in the City twice a week how much easier this will make his life, same is true for South Wales.

We don't solve any issues in the north or anyone else by holding London back, and this is clearly a step change in infrastructure terms.

It is a self perpetuating cycle. It will help route more things through London which you kind of have to do because lets be honest public transport is fucking shite everywhere else. The structure of tfl and public transport in London is an absolute pisstake when the rest of the country has to put up with shitty disorganised privatisation. What you'll have noticed about various big infrastructure projects (London 2012 Olympics, super sewer, crossrail, hs2) is that they all serve the same population. The capability to build infrastructure never went away the political will did.

petej wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 9:16 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:54 am

petej wrote: ↑Wed May 04, 2022 11:40 am
It isn't a step change in infrastructure terms. They've always been willing to spend there. Stop with the self congratulatory bullshit. Be happy for London but fuck right off on this people shouldn't be so negative about this country. Building good infrastructure in one region of the country doesn't make it less shit elsewhere particularly when elsewhere is aware of it.

I'm not sure what your point is - my point was that we can build superb infrastructure when we put our mind to it and should do more, as I've mentioned a number of times. Besides, this connects Reading/Heathrow to Woolwich/Shenfield through Central London which I'd guess makes this line accessible to what? at a minimum 1/8th of the population, probably significantly more. Not to mention I was discussing with a mate who lives in Devon and needs to be in the City twice a week how much easier this will make his life, same is true for South Wales.

We don't solve any issues in the north or anyone else by holding London back, and this is clearly a step change in infrastructure terms.

It is a self perpetuating cycle. It will help route more things through London which you kind of have to do because lets be honest public transport is fucking shite everywhere else. The structure of tfl and public transport in London is an absolute pisstake when the rest of the country has to put up with shitty disorganised privatisation. What you'll have noticed about various big infrastructure projects (London 2012 Olympics, super sewer, crossrail, hs2) is that they all serve the same population. The capability to build infrastructure never went away the political will did.

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 9:43 am

Another normal day in our retreating democracy.

shaggy wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 9:49 am

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 9:43 am

Another normal day in our retreating democracy.

I very rarely bother to comment here but is there a difference in the ID needed to obtain those types of passes, hence some have more ‘integrity’ than others?

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 10:09 am

shaggy wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 9:49 am

I like neeps wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 9:43 am

Another normal day in our retreating democracy.

I very rarely bother to comment here but is there a difference in the ID needed to obtain those types of passes, hence some have more ‘integrity’ than others?

I have never applied for an old persons bus card. I have applied for railcards and to do you so need a passport. So I can't possibly imagine how...

sturginho wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 10:43 am Fun times ahead....

https://inews.co.uk/opinion/boris-johns ... ns-1610163

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:02 am

sturginho wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 10:43 am Fun times ahead....

https://inews.co.uk/opinion/boris-johns ... ns-1610163

One challenger taken care of, so move the other one in where she can take the blame for the fucked economy, & cost of living crisis

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:06 am

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:02 am

sturginho wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 10:43 am Fun times ahead....

https://inews.co.uk/opinion/boris-johns ... ns-1610163

One challenger taken care of, so move the other one in where she can take the blame for the fucked economy, & cost of living crisis

Christ alive, Truss as Chancellor; what next? Fabricant as Foreign Secretary?

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:06 am

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:02 am

sturginho wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 10:43 am Fun times ahead....

https://inews.co.uk/opinion/boris-johns ... ns-1610163

One challenger taken care of, so move the other one in where she can take the blame for the fucked economy, & cost of living crisis

Christ alive, Truss as Chancellor; what next? Fabricant as Foreign Secretary?

petej wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:55 am

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:06 am

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:02 am

One challenger taken care of, so move the other one in where she can take the blame for the fucked economy, & cost of living crisis

Christ alive, Truss as Chancellor; what next? Fabricant as Foreign Secretary?

Chris Grayling, Nadine Dorries, Matt Hancock, Mark Francois, Lord Frost? Plenty of top notch candidates for either position.

petej wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:55 am

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:06 am

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:02 am

One challenger taken care of, so move the other one in where she can take the blame for the fucked economy, & cost of living crisis

Christ alive, Truss as Chancellor; what next? Fabricant as Foreign Secretary?

Chris Grayling, Nadine Dorries, Matt Hancock, Mark Francois, Lord Frost? Plenty of top notch candidates for either position.

Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 12:10 pm

petej wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:55 am

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:06 am
Christ alive, Truss as Chancellor; what next? Fabricant as Foreign Secretary?

Chris Grayling, Nadine Dorries, Matt Hancock, Mark Francois, Lord Frost? Plenty of top notch candidates for either position.

Bridgen not in the running? Okay a judge called him dishonest and noted he lied in court, but that's surely not an issue

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 12:58 pm

petej wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:55 am

tabascoboy wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:06 am
Christ alive, Truss as Chancellor; what next? Fabricant as Foreign Secretary?

Chris Grayling, Nadine Dorries, Matt Hancock, Mark Francois, Lord Frost? Plenty of top notch candidates for either position.

Mark Francois for Defence, surely ?

Or no doubt The War Office, as he'd rename it

C69 wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 5:46 pm

Camroc2 wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 12:58 pm

petej wrote: ↑Thu May 05, 2022 11:55 am

Chris Grayling, Nadine Dorries, Matt Hancock, Mark Francois, Lord Frost? Plenty of top notch candidates for either position.

Mark Francois for Defence, surely ?

Or no doubt The War Office, as he'd rename it

Nah Mark Francois is surely nailed on for Minster for Women

Two businessmen who together donated more than £1m to the Conservative party have been handed prominent public health jobs, igniting a new “cronyism” row.

After the government came under criticism for its awarding of Covid contracts, including a “VIP lane” for suppliers, Labour raised fresh questions about recent appointments to NHS England and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

One of those given a senior public health advisory role was chair of a firm that reportedly sued the NHS for hundreds of millions of pounds over a failed IT project.