UK Politics

[wheelyhappy99]

The Elephant in the room is 'bonkers' government policies that waste billions.

Anyone who has worked in the Civil Service, Local Government, Academia
or the NHS will be well aware of Buggins Turn and waste on a grand
scale.

Two more claims, not specific about what policies, programmes or services you consider 'bonkers' or 'waste on a grand scale'.  Let alone evidence to support your opinion. Much like other similar posts you have made recently, and for which you have yet to provide supporting information, despite being asked.

You really need to set out very clearly what  you would stop doing Al, and why. That is if you want anything you say to be taken seriously. Otherwise it just comes across as an angry, baseless rant. 

[jimlews]

More Monkey Business.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AvHwUg22HU

[Carlton green]

More Monkey Business.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AvHwUg22HU

Thanks for that. The question is whether it’s Conservative Party infiltration of Reform or opportunistic abandonment of the Conservative Party in favour of the Reform Party. Whatever they will amount to much the same grouping of similar minded individuals and Farage might well end up losing leadership.

The name Reform itself is, imho, a con or deception for if change happens then it won’t benefit the masses who voted for it. Some of what’s wrong with existing politics might be pointed out by Reform and people will be tricked into voting for change, but change for the better will not arrive.

[Nearholmer]

“If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best colored man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pockets. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.” Lyndon Johnson, who was pointing out the tricks of certain politicians, rather than advocating an approach.

[pete75]

Yes, I realise that but just lately its been wage inflation that has determined the pension increase. So, we have just been keeping up with all those 'public servants ' etc...

Al

Are you suggesting that pensions should increase faster than wages?

Yes, if possible, the way UK pensions are reckoned is a bit of a disgrace and doesn't compare well with similar countries.

I know quite a few people who are on almost minimal State pensions and really struggle. But because they have been careful and very frugal throughout their lives and saved carefully for their old age they dont qualify for benefits because of the level of their carefully accrued savings.

Other members of this family are bare faced liars who falsely claim benefits " because everybody around here (Middlesborough) is doing it!"

Al

If they've saved carefully for their old age then why are they struggling financially?

[al_yrpal]

Because that sum that was saved is all they have in the event of ever deteriorating health and they guard it carefully. The basic state pension is only £176 per week.

Al

[roubaixtuesday]

Yes, if possible, the way UK pensions are reckoned is a bit of a disgrace and doesn't compare well with similar countries.

International comparisons: it's complicated; we're probably about average overall (see section 4).

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/re ... s/sn00290/

[Jdsk]

Because that sum that was saved is all they have in the event of ever deteriorating health and they guard it carefully. The basic state pension is only £176 per week.

The basic state pension isn't the only available state benefit:
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/infor ... ey-guides/

And, as above, many also have occupational and personal pensions.

And healthcare is overwhelmingly free at the point of care, especially as poorer old people are exempt from charges for prescriptions and similar:
https://check-for-help-paying-nhs-costs ... s.uk/start

Jonathan

[al_yrpal]

Yes Jonathan, but many people arent elligable for those benefits because they have more than £16000 in savings. Except Attendance Allowance of course.

Al

[al_yrpal]

Anyway, Starmers illegal anti democratic scheme to deny people the right to vote has been abandoned and they are paying Reform's legal costs.

Yet another U Turn from this useless bunch of klowns!

Al

[roubaixtuesday]

Anyway, Starmers illegal anti democratic scheme to deny people the right to vote has been abandoned and they are paying Reform's legal costs.

Yet another U Turn from this useless bunch of klowns!

Al

I don't think it was anti democratic, but agree on the clowns.

Always likely to be overturned in the courts on human rights grounds.

And it's a good precedent as nobody is proposing to leave the ECHR and repeal the act.

Are they?

[pete75]

Anyway, Starmers illegal anti democratic scheme to deny people the right to vote has been abandoned and they are paying Reform's legal costs.

Yet another U Turn from this useless bunch of klowns!

Al

Reform's Shadow Chancellor, Robert Jenrick "The government, with the collusion of Conservative leaders, are running scared of the electorate. You don't have to cancel election in order to reorganise local councils."

In 2021 Robert Jenrick, when serving as communities secretary under Boris Johnson, defended the government's decision to cancel elections in three counties where local government was being reorganised saying "Elections in such circumstances risk confusing voters and would be hard to justify where members could be elected to serve shorter terms".


Anyhow it's much less anti-democratic than Reform MPs trying to scare folk into voting for them promising a civil war if they don't win the next general election or win it and screw, which they would do. Civil war a dead cert either way then.

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/polit ... ar-403538/

[pete75]

Because that sum that was saved is all they have in the event of ever deteriorating health and they guard it carefully. The basic state pension is only £176 per week.

Al

That money ain't going to protect their health. The rich still get dementia, heart failure, cancer etc.

[al_yrpal]

No, but it may keep people comfortable for a bit and defray other problems if they become very ill. Hard to understand if you are sitting on millions...

Al

[pete75]

No, but it may keep people comfortable for a bit and defray other problems if they become very ill. Hard to understand if you are sitting on millions...

Al

I wouldn't know Al, but you obviously do. Why don't you use some of your millions to help them.