Starmer's vision quest

[First Aspect]

And, FWIW, I can't tell you what a relief it is when you do a job that isn't so dependent on British weather. Having watched the first series of Clarkson's Farm (sorry), his absolute frustration at not being able to plant anything for two solid weeks because it was pissing down was as genuine a thing as I've ever seen Clarkson do. It's no wonder that the suicide rate amongst farmers is stubbornly high, as it might feel to some as if it's the only thing they've got some agency about.

tl:dr - this isn't saying that farming subsidies are immutable & incontestable, but if you were to fade them out, you'd need to make sure that whatever replaced the current systems could deliver better outcomes in many spheres (environmental, societal, continuity of supply at whole-population level, etc) at lower overall cost. Purist ideologies tend to be more often fundamentally flawed than ideological compromises that muddle through (somehow) year after year with something that actually Isn't Too Shit.

No one was suggesting doing away with subsidies. Just that they aren't often part of the narrative, and might add a little balance.

 

[Rusty Nails]

No one was suggesting doing away with subsidies. Just that they aren't often part of the narrative, and might add a little balance.

Just out of interest can I ask what is your involvement in the farming industry?

As someone whose only involvement is eating the output I haven't a clue about the rights and wrongs of this debate.

 

[First Aspect]

Just out of interest can I ask what is your involvement in the farming industry?

As someone whose only involvement is eating the output I haven't a clue about the rights and wrongs of this debate.

Ah, right, in that case I assume you have essentially no political views at all, just on things you have a direct involvement in, such as ironmongery?

 

[briantrumpet]

Just out of interest can I ask what is your involvement in the farming industry?

As someone whose only involvement is eating the output I haven't a clue about the rights and wrongs of this debate.

Perhaps if more people took an interest in the food they eat, and how it gets there (at what cost), we might end up with better solutions. Buying food is, in itself, a political act.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Ah, right, in that case I assume you have essentially no political views at all, just on things you have a direct involvement in, such as ironmongery?

Talking about the intricacies of farming finances is not primarily about political views.

I have had over the years quite a direct involvement with ironmongery, on a purely amateur level of course, but as yet have not allowed my political views to influence my thoughts on how I could most efficiently utilise my ironmongery.

 

[Ian H]

I can just about understand Pasta Panic, as at least it's a concentrated belly-filler. Maybe they need to invent toilet paper that is similarly efficient, along the lines of those things you get in Indian restaurants. As long as one doesn't get the two things confused and end up with uncooked spaghetti up your arse.

It does imply that people don't understand the properties of flour.

 

[Rusty Nails]

Perhaps if more people took an interest in the food they eat, and how it gets there (at what cost), we might end up with better solutions. Buying food is, in itself, a political act.

I knew there was a reason I disagreed with my wife over whether to have Red Leicester or blue Stilton at the supermarket earlier today.

 

[First Aspect]

Talking about the intricacies of farming finances is not primarily about political views.

I have had over the years quite a direct involvement with ironmongery, on a purely amateur level of course, but as yet have not allowed my political views to influence my thoughts on how I could most efficiently utilise my ironmongery.

I don't think it's unreasonable for members of the rest of the population to form a view on the IHT issue.

If you don't like it, by all means we can discuss the merits of the UK joining the Unitary Patent Court, or something like that.

We can't talk about anything fun like football, because I've never been paid to play it. Sorry.

 

[Rusty Nails]

I don't think it's unreasonable for members of the rest of the population to form a view on the IHT issue.

If you don't like it, by all means we can discuss the merits of the UK joining the Unitary Patent Court, or something like that.

We can't talk about anything fun like football, because I've never been paid to play it. Sorry.

Of course it's not unreasonable, but at the same time it's not unreasonable to say that most people don't understand all the complex issues involved in farm ownership, profitability, subsidies and IHT beyond a very superficial level so I treat their views with all the respect they deserve.

I am quite happy with people treating my views on a wide range of issues for which I have little detailed knowledge with exactly the same level of respect.