Cycling UK Forum

My Mrs lived a couple of doors away from our Tory MP, a thoroughly decent and hardworking MP. Now we have a Lib Dem MP. I dropped him a line about my sis in law who needs the WFA but wont get it. He is sympathetic and advised her to get benefits which she cant.

So, I replied, here is what I said....

Thanks for your reply. It was the Lib Dem conference a few days ago. The only thing we saw or heard was some twerp bombing around on a jet ski. If your party wants to be taken seriously you need a serious leader (preferably not tainted by the Post Office scandal) and some serious policies which you actually tell the electorate about.

I have no idea what distinguishes the Lib Dems from the other parties. Their large number of fairly useless MPs is because many voted for them not being the Tories (and not Labour)

Al

Ceasar adsum jam forte

History tells us all species are ultimately doomed to extinction, the question is when?

[Moderator note - post edited for breach of Forum Guidelines (viewtopic.php?t=3661)]

Al

I restarted cycling at age 64 in 2006 and got fit rapidly cycle touring in the highlands, islands and nearby France after discovering I was diabetic. I lost nearly 50lbs in flab too. Since then back in South Oxfordshire as well as touring I did loads of MTBing in the Chilterns until 2019 when I moved west. Down here there were lots of stinking hills when I was living in Devon. That tempted me onto an ebike.

Now in my early 80s I do are fair bit of ebiking everywhere giving it a bit of welly to retain my fitness.

Looking at many of my lifelong friends, only one seems as fit and capable as me, he has two collies and walks them twice a day! Many others who dont cycle seem to have physically deteriorated or died with all sorts of nasty physical conditions.

I love cycling. Being out in the fresh air with the sights and sounds of nature has been good for my body and mind. It reminds me of my childhood and youth when I cycled, toured and later raced, a simpler but better time.

So, there was a long gap from age 18 to 64 when I did only a little leisure cycling, but after that the pleasure came right back and stayed with me...

Al

Labour only won because everyone was pissed off with the Torys. Its a one term government unless they really pull their socks up.

Al

Making omelettes doesnt cause any harm to anyone but this emergence of serious harm to the weakest and most vulnerable does. Its a vile ill thought out nasty policy.

Al

Visited there many years ago, and, purchased their book long before solar and wind became common.

Al

I repeat, the level of your uk state pension is determined by the number of years you paid NICs, so, the two are linked. The more years you paid NICs, the greater your pension is ....Therefore its a pension you earned just like any private pension you paid into, not a benefit. The only difference is that the money comes from the total tax take including the NICs of younger folk.

Al

Tangled Metal wrote: ↑16 Sep 2024, 3:26pm
I still think the nasty party title needs to be dropped. It is so negative langauge and divisive. We need to improve politics such that it is not so negative and divisive, that takes all of us being careful with our language too!!

I agree, let Reeves apologise for her really vicious delivery of the bad news and find a way to make sure that the poorest pensioners get the WFA and I for one will drop the Nasty Party handle.

Actions speak louder than words...

Al

How about honesty? Send every pensioner a tick box claim form.....

1. I dont need/want the WFA

2. I have a low income and believe I need the WFA

Some will abuse it, many will complete it honestly.

Al

There is no specific place any tax is aimed at but in my personal budget NICs is what I had to pay to get a State Pension, so it is to me and everyone else including you Jonathan - so, Fail!

Sorry

Al

You are turning this subject into Pedants Corner Johnathan. Stick to the point!
I paid for all my pensions and none of them are benefits to me despite your protestations. Pensions are entitlements not benefits. Benefits arent earnt.... If someone doesnt work all their lives and despite that gets a pension then that pension does become a benefit.

Al

Well done tim! If Labour U turn and somehow we get a payment it will be going to sis in law who needs it.

Signed the petition and sent letter to our Lib local MP

Al

Jdsk wrote: ↑15 Sep 2024, 1:34pm

Jdsk wrote: ↑15 Sep 2024, 1:18pm ...
PS: When you say "benefits" do you include the state pension?

al_yrpal wrote: ↑15 Sep 2024, 1:27pm I mean pension credit or disability benefit, PIP etc. Above the State Pension

Thanks

This always fascinates me. The state pension is a benefit.

Jonathan

Is your NHS pension a benefit? Or, did you pay for it?

Al

I mean pension credit or disability benefit, PIP etc. Above the State Pension

Al