Stop voting for fucking Tories

[Insane_Homer]

[Openside]

Laugh?? I thought my pants would never dry!!

[tc27]

On one hand the Government is stupid to dig its heels in over what amounts to chump change in the current climate.

But surely the existing welfare functions like UC are supposed to assist those on low incomes to provide for their children? When did it become the expectation that the state must directly provide meals outside of school time?

Surely its more dignified to give parents money through UC rather than get them to queue up for free lunches?

[Tichtheid]

On one hand the Government is stupid to dig its heels in over what amounts to chump change in the current climate.

But surely the existing welfare functions like UC are supposed to assist those on low incomes to provide for their children? When did it become the expectation that the state must directly provide meals outside of school time?

Surely its more dignified to give parents money through UC rather than get them to queue up for free lunches?

You're right that it's not a lot of money in the scheme of things, it's a PR disaster for them, they can't be seen to have policy made by a footballer. In fact they could, all they had to do was say, "yeah, fair enough, this is an extraordinary time, needing extraordinary measures" but no.

turnaround in UC claims is slow, there are many more people coming out of furlough or losing jobs, initial claims can take six weeks to process, there was talk of "starter payments" but I don't know if they are somehow managing to jump that queue

[robmatic]

On one hand the Government is stupid to dig its heels in over what amounts to chump change in the current climate.

But surely the existing welfare functions like UC are supposed to assist those on low incomes to provide for their children? When did it become the expectation that the state must directly provide meals outside of school time?

Surely its more dignified to give parents money through UC rather than get them to queue up for free lunches?

You're right that there is a bit of 'mission creep' here but in the grand scheme of benefits expenditure and misaligned incentives it shouldn't really be a big deal.

[dpedin]

Surely the right decision is to just feed the kids over half term and if required Xmas holidays and buy time to make sure the system for UC or whatever is up and running smoothly and coping with the forecasted huge numbers of new applicants. To leave kids hungry and hide behind half truths and lies about money being made available to councils and schools during a pandemic is a crime and is Boris's equivalent of Maggie taking the school milk off kids. It will never be forgotten. He is a dead man walking now.

[sturginho]

Surely the right decision is to just feed the kids over half term and if required Xmas holidays and buy time to make sure the system for UC or whatever is up and running smoothly and coping with the forecasted huge numbers of new applicants. To leave kids hungry and hide behind half truths and lies about money being made available to councils and schools during a pandemic is a crime and is Boris's equivalent of Maggie taking the school milk off kids. It will never be forgotten. He is a dead man walking now.

Whining about Tory Scum, Tory Austerity or Tory Cuts, doesn't really do anything except get Labour's supporters riled up and they are going to vote labour anyway. But with this, you have to think that they have just handed Starmer free ammunition to use for the next 5 years, something that really strikes a chord with voters. All he has to do now is include a line in the next manifesto about not letting kids starve, and just repeat the line over and over, there's no answer the goverment can then give that doesn't sound like an excuse

[charltom]

...or alternatively they analyse which councils used their extra money to feed the children and which didn't. It may make for interesting reading.

[Sandstorm]

On one hand the Government is stupid to dig its heels in over what amounts to chump change in the current climate.

But surely the existing welfare functions like UC are supposed to assist those on low incomes to provide for their children? When did it become the expectation that the state must directly provide meals outside of school time?

Surely its more dignified to give parents money through UC rather than get them to queue up for free lunches?

You're right that there is a bit of 'mission creep' here but in the grand scheme of benefits expenditure and misaligned incentives it shouldn't really be a big deal.

But that was Labour's manifesto and the majority of the country rejected it and gave the Tory's a big victory. Boris is just doing what the people want, extraordinary circumstances or not.

[Sandstorm]

...or alternatively they analyse which councils used their extra money to feed the children and which didn't. It may make for interesting reading.

Mine did. Tory council

[SaintK]

On one hand the Government is stupid to dig its heels in over what amounts to chump change in the current climate.

But surely the existing welfare functions like UC are supposed to assist those on low incomes to provide for their children? When did it become the expectation that the state must directly provide meals outside of school time?

Surely its more dignified to give parents money through UC rather than get them to queue up for free lunches?

You're right that there is a bit of 'mission creep' here but in the grand scheme of benefits expenditure and misaligned incentives it shouldn't really be a big deal.

But that was Labour's manifesto and the majority of the country rejected it and gave the Tory's a big victory. Boris is just doing what the people want, extraordinary circumstances or not.

Yes, that's obviously why his personal polling is at it's lowest level since the election

[Sandstorm]

Yes, that's obviously why his personal polling is at it's lowest level since the election

That's nothing to do with school dinners. That's because he's a toolbag.

[sockwithaticket]

On one hand the Government is stupid to dig its heels in over what amounts to chump change in the current climate.

But surely the existing welfare functions like UC are supposed to assist those on low incomes to provide for their children? When did it become the expectation that the state must directly provide meals outside of school time?

Surely its more dignified to give parents money through UC rather than get them to queue up for free lunches?

You're right that there is a bit of 'mission creep' here but in the grand scheme of benefits expenditure and misaligned incentives it shouldn't really be a big deal.

But that was Labour's manifesto and the majority of the country rejected it and gave the Tory's a big victory. Boris is just doing what the people want, extraordinary circumstances or not.

While it's true that the majority of the country didn't vote for Labour and their plans, that's also true of the Tories. 43.6% of the country voted for them, That this translates to such a parliamentary majority is evidence of how misrepresentative FPTP is rather than the wishes of the people.

[Margin__Walker]

On one hand the Government is stupid to dig its heels in over what amounts to chump change in the current climate.

But surely the existing welfare functions like UC are supposed to assist those on low incomes to provide for their children? When did it become the expectation that the state must directly provide meals outside of school time?

Surely its more dignified to give parents money through UC rather than get them to queue up for free lunches?

You're right that there is a bit of 'mission creep' here but in the grand scheme of benefits expenditure and misaligned incentives it shouldn't really be a big deal.

But that was Labour's manifesto and the majority of the country rejected it and gave the Tory's a big victory. Boris is just doing what the people want, extraordinary circumstances or not.

The election wasn't run and lost over the issue of free school meals during non term times though. Polls weigh fairy convincingly in favour of providing them. Labour would be unlikely to make a play on it if they didn't

[Sandstorm]

While it's true that the majority of the country didn't vote for Labour and their plans, that's also true of the Tories. 43.6% of the country voted for them, That this translates to such a parliamentary majority is evidence of how misrepresentative FPTP is rather than the wishes of the people.

True, but it's also not a 2 Party system in the UK.

[Margin__Walker]

By the way, even as someone who would never in a month of Sundays vote Tory in the current climate, people droning on about 'Tory Scum' is unhelpful.

At least in an unscientific social media poll of acquaintances, tends to be the domain of ex Corbynistas.

[sockwithaticket]

While it's true that the majority of the country didn't vote for Labour and their plans, that's also true of the Tories. 43.6% of the country voted for them, That this translates to such a parliamentary majority is evidence of how misrepresentative FPTP is rather than the wishes of the people.

True, but it's also not a 2 Party system in the UK.

Indeed not*. The 56.4% of voters who didn't cast a ballot for the Tories are also comprised of Lib Dem, Green, UKIP etc. All these voters are ignored when people try and equate a parliamentary majority with views and policies a majority of voters agree with.

* There is a lot to be said for FPTP enforcing a more or less de facto 2 party system or forever pushing further in that direction as it becomes incredibly difficult for other parties to make an impact. See the Lib dems, 11.6% of the vote, 1.7% of parliamentary seats. Mad.

[Lobby]

While it's true that the majority of the country didn't vote for Labour and their plans, that's also true of the Tories. 43.6% of the country voted for them, That this translates to such a parliamentary majority is evidence of how misrepresentative FPTP is rather than the wishes of the people.

True, but it's also not a 2 Party system in the UK.

Indeed not*. The 56.4% of voters who didn't cast a ballot for the Tories are also comprised of Lib Dem, Green, UKIP etc. All these voters are ignored when people try and equate a parliamentary majority with views and policies a majority of voters agree with.

* There is a lot to be said for FPTP enforcing a more or less de facto 2 party system or forever pushing further in that direction as it becomes incredibly difficult for other parties to make an impact. See the Lib dems, 11.6% of the vote, 1.7% of parliamentary seats. Mad.

Not all parties suffer in the same way as the Lib Dems. The SNP got 3.9% of the vote, but 7.4% of the seats.

[dpedin]

By the way, even as someone who would never in a month of Sundays vote Tory in the current climate, people droning on about 'Tory Scum' is unhelpful.

At least in an unscientific social media poll of acquaintances, tends to be the domain of ex Corbynistas.

Don't disagree! No need to resort to this, better to stand back and let Boris and his Brexit ultras shoot themselves in the foot with both barrels trying to defend this one! I just don't understand why they have decided to pick a fight on this one when they have just spent another £180m issues dodgy contracts with the big private consultants to do feck knows what! Don't they realise this is hammering them on the PR front trying to fight Rashford and public opinion and pissing off their new northern MPs who are shitting bricks trying to defend this one. I just don't get it, are they really too fearful of following the lead of a young black northern footballer?

[Hal Jordan]

I see today's social media dead cat being three line whipped is that The Left are racist because they were rude about everyone's best mate, and definite man of the people, Rishi.

[sockwithaticket]

By the way, even as someone who would never in a month of Sundays vote Tory in the current climate, people droning on about 'Tory Scum' is unhelpful.

At least in an unscientific social media poll of acquaintances, tends to be the domain of ex Corbynistas.

Don't disagree! No need to resort to this, better to stand back and let Boris and his Brexit ultras shoot themselves in the foot with both barrels trying to defend this one! I just don't understand why they have decided to pick a fight on this one when they have just spent another £180m issues dodgy contracts with the big private consultants to do feck knows what! Don't they realise this is hammering them on the PR front trying to fight Rashford and public opinion and pissing off their new northern MPs who are shitting bricks trying to defend this one. I just don't get it, are they really too fearful of following the lead of a young black northern footballer?

One course of action enables them to enrich their class mates (in both senses) while the other would assist the poor. I think it has a lot more to do with disdain and antipathy for the latter group than fear of appearing to be led by Rashford, though that likely doesn't help bring them to the more humane decision.

[sockwithaticket]

True, but it's also not a 2 Party system in the UK.

Indeed not*. The 56.4% of voters who didn't cast a ballot for the Tories are also comprised of Lib Dem, Green, UKIP etc. All these voters are ignored when people try and equate a parliamentary majority with views and policies a majority of voters agree with.

* There is a lot to be said for FPTP enforcing a more or less de facto 2 party system or forever pushing further in that direction as it becomes incredibly difficult for other parties to make an impact. See the Lib dems, 11.6% of the vote, 1.7% of parliamentary seats. Mad.

Not all parties suffer in the same way as the Lib Dems. The SNP got 3.9% of the vote, but 7.4% of the seats.

True, I probably should have put in the work in to find the England only information as it's here where we're increasingly locked into a state of affairs where "there's no point voting for anyone else".

[Sandstorm]

Hang on! Tory Party is always the frugal one who tries to keep the deficit in check. They handed out billions to Mums and Dads thru Covid19 already and now you want to feed their kids too?

You're all Commies!

[tc27]

The irony is the Tory party wins elections but the overton window moves ever away from them.

[charltom]

...or alternatively they analyse which councils used their extra money to feed the children and which didn't. It may make for interesting reading.

Mine did. Tory council

Indeed.

[Openside]

wasn't £15 added to UC at the beginning of lockdown for expressly this purpose? leaving aside the extra 63M given to councils?

[Lobby]

Indeed not*. The 56.4% of voters who didn't cast a ballot for the Tories are also comprised of Lib Dem, Green, UKIP etc. All these voters are ignored when people try and equate a parliamentary majority with views and policies a majority of voters agree with.

* There is a lot to be said for FPTP enforcing a more or less de facto 2 party system or forever pushing further in that direction as it becomes incredibly difficult for other parties to make an impact. See the Lib dems, 11.6% of the vote, 1.7% of parliamentary seats. Mad.

Not all parties suffer in the same way as the Lib Dems. The SNP got 3.9% of the vote, but 7.4% of the seats.

True, I probably should have put in the work in to find the England only information as it's here where we're increasingly locked into a state of affairs where "there's no point voting for anyone else".

Indeed, mind you the discrepancies last year were as nothing compared to 2015, when UKIP secured 12.6% of the vote for 0.2% of the seats. (At least on that occasion we could be thankful for FPTP).

[sockwithaticket]

Not all parties suffer in the same way as the Lib Dems. The SNP got 3.9% of the vote, but 7.4% of the seats.

True, I probably should have put in the work in to find the England only information as it's here where we're increasingly locked into a state of affairs where "there's no point voting for anyone else".

Indeed, mind you the discrepancies last year were as nothing compared to 2015, when UKIP secured 12.6% of the vote for 0.2% of the seats. (At least on that occasion we could be thankful for FPTP).

While tempted to agree since I find their politics destructive if not repugnant, I don't know whether they would have seen that much of the vote if they'd been legitimised in earlier elections by seeing their proportion translate into parliamentary representation. That in turn might not have spooked the Tories into the Brexit referendum and... well, you know the rest.

Perhaps more loftily, I do believe that the way the electorate votes should be meaningfully represented in parliament even if that empowers those whose ideas I disagree with.

[Glaston]

wasn't £15 added to UC at the beginning of lockdown for expressly this purpose? leaving aside the extra 63M given to councils?

Give them all a 5kg bag of porridge oats
for half term.

[Insane_Homer]

[fishfoodie]

And as expected, the Bumblecunt has had to make yet another U-Turn, & the Government will now fund school meals thru to March '21

a cynic might suggest that he's trying to bury this news, by announcing it on the day after the US Election was called, Remembrance Sunday .....

The hundreds to Tory MPs he forced to vote against it initially; will be thrilled that he made them look like scum in the first place

[PCPhil]

And as expected, the Bumblecunt has had to make yet another U-Turn, & the Government will now fund school meals thru to March '21

a cynic might suggest that he's trying to bury this news, by announcing it on the day after the US Election was called, Remembrance Sunday .....

The hundreds to Tory MPs he forced to vote against it initially; will be thrilled that he made them look like scum in the first place

We can all have different political views but it's the bare faced ineptitude of this lot of chancers and cast offs that is staggering. Be great to play them at chess. They can't even think one move ahaed.

[Random1]

The footballers could always opt to pay extra tax to pay for it.

[tabascoboy]

[Ymx]

The footballers could always opt to pay extra tax to pay for it.

No doubt they’re IR35 tax dodgers.

[Insane_Homer]

The footballers could always opt to pay extra tax to pay for it.

No doubt they’re IR35 tax dodgers.

Just like Julia Hartley-Brewer and Farage?

[Bimbowomxn]

The footballers could always opt to pay extra tax to pay for it.

No doubt they’re IR35 tax dodgers.

Just like Julia Hartley-Brewer and Farage?

And IT consultants.

[Insane_Homer]

And IT consultants.

I'm PAYE and I'm not a consultant but other than that spot on. Another big swing and a miss

[fishfoodie]

Luckily the UK has more Tory Scum running their Vaccine program !

Vaccine tsar Kate Bingham has spent £670,000 on PR consultants in a decision which was not signed off by ministers, it has emerged.

Boris Johnson appointed Ms Bingham as the chair of the Government's vaccine task force during the peak of the first wave of coronavirus in May.

From June, the former venture capitalist and wife of Conservative minister Jesse Norman, has used eight full-time consultants from Admiral Associates - a London PR agency - to oversee her media strategy, according to the Sunday Times.

and surprise, surprise; she has a massive conflict of interest.

The head of the government’s vaccine taskforce has failed to publicly declare that she manages private investments in two companies involved in the race to develop coronavirus drugs.

Kate Bingham is a managing partner at SV Health Investors, a venture capital firm. Two months after she was appointed by Boris Johnson, she said it was the “perfect time” to launch a fund that invested in a company researching coronavirus antibody cocktails, The Times can reveal.

The Sunday Times reported last week Ms Bingham had shown government documents to US investors at a $200-a-head virtual conference. Ministers did not sign off on her appearance, although Ms Bingham said that had she received approval from officials at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Scum !

Will the UK get, the best vaccine, or the one that it's vaccine czar has invested in ?

[C69]

Luckily the UK has more Tory Scum running their Vaccine program !

Vaccine tsar Kate Bingham has spent £670,000 on PR consultants in a decision which was not signed off by ministers, it has emerged.

Boris Johnson appointed Ms Bingham as the chair of the Government's vaccine task force during the peak of the first wave of coronavirus in May.

From June, the former venture capitalist and wife of Conservative minister Jesse Norman, has used eight full-time consultants from Admiral Associates - a London PR agency - to oversee her media strategy, according to the Sunday Times.

and surprise, surprise; she has a massive conflict of interest.

The head of the government’s vaccine taskforce has failed to publicly declare that she manages private investments in two companies involved in the race to develop coronavirus drugs.

Kate Bingham is a managing partner at SV Health Investors, a venture capital firm. Two months after she was appointed by Boris Johnson, she said it was the “perfect time” to launch a fund that invested in a company researching coronavirus antibody cocktails, The Times can reveal.

The Sunday Times reported last week Ms Bingham had shown government documents to US investors at a $200-a-head virtual conference. Ministers did not sign off on her appearance, although Ms Bingham said that had she received approval from officials at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Scum !

Will the UK get, the best vaccine, or the one that it's vaccine czar has invested in ?

Scum indeed, filthy Tory scum some may say.