Starmer's vision quest

[CXRAndy]

View: https://x.com/dapperlaughs/status/1983475688071221730?t=fIvaSJRNgYP61vVAd8xmxg&s=19

 

[bobzmyunkle]

Agree re triple lock

Leave the triple lock alone. UK pensions aren't exactly generous compared to other European nations.
And don't means test pensions, tax the rich.
Queue whingeing about who the rich are (no-one on here) and whether they'll leave the country (who cares).

 

[bobzmyunkle]

Sex offender who was sent on freebie walkabout by the prison service, has been deported to Ethiopia.

What cant all the the illegal immigrants be immediately sent back to their respective countries or Ethiopia?

Apparently they gave him £500 to go quietly. Surprised you haven't whinged about that.

 

[BoldonLad]

Sex offender who was sent on freebie walkabout by the prison service, has been deported to Ethiopia.

What cant all the the illegal immigrants be immediately sent back to their respective countries or Ethiopia?

I am surprised, you missed out the £500 "gift" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly9rxlvp85o

I see Bobzmyuncle beat me to it 😊

 

[BoldonLad]

I'm very unsure about this and a lot depends on what replaces the "tripple lock". Most say it would become a "double lock" with the inflation and wage growth increases - which in reality wouldn't change much.

The difficulty is that a fair number of pensioners are entirely dependent on the state pension and that means a struggle. Cost of living is different for retired vs working in complex ways eg no travel to work costs but also being home means higher heating bills, lower mobility, etc. many complex factors. eg food inflation is currently significantly higher than general inflation and struggling pensioners who don't use train, air flights, etc. are thus suffering harder than many.

My current thoughts is that condemning struggling pensioners to below inflation income rises is no "solution" but rather pensions should be means tested. There are many changes that could be made to raise treasury income from pensions without making life more of a struggle for those already struggling eg why the tax exemptions on private pensions (eg 25% lump sum tax free).

I suspect removing, or reducing this would disproportionately affect Public Sector workers, and, Labour may not want to rock that particular boat.

How about charging NHI on Pension Income, as well as wages/salaries? It could even be argued that is "fair" since the elderly use more health type resources.

 

[BoldonLad]

As usual, the evidence is contrary to your claim.

View attachment 10748

What are those charts? ie are they English attitudes to splitting from Scotland, Wales, Northern Island?

 

[BoldonLad]

Yes, but I carefully note that the evolution of different species has occurred at differing rates, which may help to explain your ''variety of folks'' people that you know as background for your attempted claim for a majority, or even many.

Are there different species of humans on earth now?

 

[monkers]

Are there different species of humans on earth now?

I was trying to avoid saying ''homo erectus'' with CXRAndy on the thread. Now look what you made me do!

 

[matticus]

... there are far too many people who don't work because they are told they are permanently sick

Genuine question: what do you mean? Where does this happen - are folks being tapped on the shoulder in the workplace?
Or report to GP with a minor ailment, then told they may never work again?

 

[monkers]

What are those charts? ie are they English attitudes to splitting from Scotland, Wales, Northern Island?

https://yougov.co.uk/politics/articles/31803-how-do-english-and-welsh-people-feel-about-scotlan

Apologies, I should have included the link.

 

[BoldonLad]

I was trying to avoid saying ''homo erectus'' with CXRAndy on the thread. Now look what you made me do!

sorry about that, but, to me, my question required a yes/no response, which you still have not given.

 

[First Aspect]

Genuine question: what do you mean? Where does this happen - are folks being tapped on the shoulder in the workplace?
Or report to GP with a minor ailment, then told they may never work again?

The data shows the UK is an outlier, that our long term sickness and non-employed working age population is both large and a major reason for comparatively poor productivity, and that costs have gone up drastically in a small number of years.

I don't want to get drawn into anecdotal whataboutery, however.

 

[monkers]

sorry about that, but, to me, my question required a yes/no response, which you still have not given.

I think the scientific opinion is that we are all homo sapiens. I was amused by Andy's ''variety of people'' comment, and was feeling playful.

Apparently the scientific community are not in full agreement about our evolution.

https://madan.org.il/en/news/we-dont-know-which-species-should-be-classed-human

 

[Xipe Totec]

I was trying to avoid saying ''homo erectus'' with CXRAndy on the thread. Now look what you made me do!

MAGAndy's only 'Homo Erectus' when Twitter tells him someone foreign has done something awful. That keeps him up all night.

He'll be cross at the 'Homo' bit, obvs.

 

[BoldonLad]

I think the scientific opinion is that we are all homo sapiens. I was amused by Andy's ''variety of people'' comment, and was feeling playful.

Apparently the scientific community are not in full agreement about our evolution.

https://madan.org.il/en/news/we-dont-know-which-species-should-be-classed-human

Wasn't it ever thus?, and not only on that subject 😂