Random political stuff - old news, or not news

[briantrumpet]

John Crace more or less supplying documentary evidence of Liz Truss's descent into insane irrelevance.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/sep/16/liz-truss-deranged-delusional-podcast

 

[icowden]

OK, well lets rephrase it to say the there has been an unrelated increase in road deaths afer the 20mph limits have been extended.

FTFY

 

[icowden]

Nope, not needed. People who think we need 20mph limits everywhere to be safe should probably take the bus.

Well that's no-one. How is that going to help increase those using public transport?
Good to see you advocating for more environmental travel though.

 

[briantrumpet]

Well that's no-one. How is that going to help increase those using public transport?
Good to see you advocating for more environmental travel though.

For context, it might be worth knowing that Stevo can argue for the 20mph limit on the main road in his own village, because it makes it safer there. But obviously that's different.

 

[First Aspect]

FTFY

Despite the EUs speed limit warning legislation for new cars, there has been absolutely no change in aviation incident rates since 2023.

That's about the same as Stevo's argument.

 

[farfromtheland]

I have 3 arguments against blanket 20 mph limits,
1. tend to congest
2. don't do enough to encourage road safety education for children or phone zombies
3. make cycling downhill less inspiring

 

[farfromtheland]

I'd also like to say that Liz Truss honed her debating skills in my Local Council's chamber, for what it's worth.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I have 3 arguments against blanket 20 mph limits,
1. tend to congest
2. don't do enough to encourage road safety education for children or phone zombies
3. make cycling downhill less inspiring

Living and driving in Wales I have seen that point 1 is not true.

Congestion is mainly caused by traffic volumes and roadworks.

2. is not the fault of the limits.

3. I quite enjoy overtaking the occasional car, if just for the surprise on their faces.

 

[First Aspect]

I have 3 arguments against blanket 20 mph limits,
1. tend to congest
2. don't do enough to encourage road safety education for children or phone zombies
3. make cycling downhill less inspiring

Point 1 is the opposite of true. Why is it you think they use variable speed limits on motorways? Slower moving but constant speed traffic flows better than where there are larger speed variations.

Point 3 is, I will admit, somewhat my initial thought about some parts of my old Edinburgh commute. The reality though is that its quite rare to find yourself on a bit of road where, when it is safe to do this the cars aren't all speeding anyway.

Point 2 is easy to solve by taking children right to the edge of the pavement on busy trunk roads and trying to scare the shìt out of them. 20mph zones don't stop us from doing this.

 

[secretsqirrel]

1. better traffic flow less congestion, cars less bunched up so junctions are quicker.
2. speed limits don’t teach road safety. Phone zombies gonna zombie.
3. downhills are less inspiring in built up areas whatever the speed.
4. blankets are not only permissible in Wales they are advisory in certain circumstances.

 

[briantrumpet]

Hmm, looking at the portraits on the cover, I do question whether Mr Bush would have got his paintings published in a book were it not for his having been POTUS. I suppose at least his choice of subjects is a nod in the right direction (or an effort to expunge memories of what he actually did while in office).

 

[Ian H]

Hmm, looking at the portraits on the cover, I do question whether Mr Bush would have got his paintings published in a book were it not for his having been POTUS. I suppose at least his choice of subjects is a nod in the right direction (or an effort to expunge memories of what he actually did while in office).

View attachment 17325

Badly painted from photos. The vast majority of paintings from photos add absolutely nothing to the mix. Akin to painting by numbers.

 

[briantrumpet]

Badly painted from photos. The vast majority of paintings from photos add absolutely nothing to the mix. Akin to painting by numbers.

That would have been my guess. I suspect you'd do better on your phone, from memory, in about 15 minutes.

 

[Pross]

Living and driving in Wales I have seen that point 1 is not true.

Congestion is mainly caused by traffic volumes and roadworks.

2. is not the fault of the limits.

3. I quite enjoy overtaking the occasional car, if just for the surprise on their faces.

It's amazing how many of those with strong views on the subject don't live here or drive here on a regular basis.

 

[Ian H]

That would have been my guess. I suspect you'd do better on your phone, from memory, in about 15 minutes.

You mean like this? (an old one).