Current Affairs

[Frank Manning]

I still hope to get Covid as few times as possible in my life.

At 78 there is not a great deal that covid can do to shorten my lifespan, and even if it does I have had a good innings so far.

Yes one of my friends says look in the Personal Column of your local paper. If you're not mentioned, then you know you're still ticking over. I was 81 yesterday, and the biggest risk I had today was watching my grandson playing for Poole Phoenix and beating Nottingham 23 - 20 in the National handball final. That put the blood pressure up a notch or two. I too have had a good innings, with a good wife. You cant ask for more.

[barney]

It’s literally all about your health.
My dear old Mum had a great life, got pancreatic cancer and went pretty quickly.
My dear old mother in law has lived six years longer but with dementia, living in a care home and not knowing who we are or what day it is.
Basically, get up, sit around, go to bed.
Can’t watch tv or read so stares into space for hours on end.
The care home do a wonderful job keeping her alive.
I know which way I’d prefer to go.

[Ray B]

On a different note, it was mentioned on the news during a story relating to the amount of illegal crossings of the channel by migrants, that there are 100,000 on the list seeking 'asylum'. Put into context, about the size of a medium town/city.

[towny44]

On a different note, it was mentioned on the news during a story relating to the amount of illegal crossings of the channel by migrants, that there are 100,000 on the list seeking 'asylum'. Put into context, about the size of a medium town/city.

The entire Reandan asylum situation could be resolved if France agreed to take back all illegal asylum seekers, and ship them to an agreed staging post for applying for UK asylum.
Of course there would need to be a fairly reasonable number of annual claims, BUT once that number iwas reached no further applications should be tolerated until the following year, and of course any new illegals recycled to France.

[Onelife]

I don’t doubt that some of the migrants are fleeing oppression etc but in my opinion the majority are economic opportunists.
I think the Government are right in trying to stem the flow of migrant using the Rwanda experiment…illegal enter into this country has to have consequences, without them we will look back in ten years’ time saying why did we allow this to happen?

What worries me most is that these migrants will require support for years to come and will have to use whatever means they can to survive in what is already an overloaded benefit support system. Crime, and everything associated with it will be prevalent in areas where migrants are dumped, this will lead to even more ghetto’s being created.

Whilst it may seem harsh, the way to stop the influx of migrants is to let them know that if they arrive here by boat they will be sent back by plane.

[Stephen]

Couldn't agree more Keith.

Now where did I put the pain killers.

[oldbluefox]

It is not only the extra pressure on the benefits system. We also have to consider the consequences on education, the NHS, housing, etc.

I also have a concern about the culture of our country and whilst I am happy to embrace different cultures that should not mean diluting or changing the culture of the indigenous population to accommodate them and I fear this is already happening. They are happy to seek refuge here but there is a problem with integration whereby they have no allegiance to this country, no loyalty to our traditions and bring some traits which are really quite concerning.

If they are coming they come by legal means so we have some control over who comes and ensure proper provision is made for them. Illegals will be shipped out.

[barney]

This ‘problem’ is actually quite easy to solve.
In 2021, the French government said that they would give the U.K. permission to set up a migration centre in France but only away from the port so as not to attract another Sandgatte.
The immigrant or potential asylum seeker could be interviewed and the decision made quickly on whether they have a legitimate claim to asylum.
If so, bring them in by legitimate route.
If no, on your way.
Then state that anybody bypassing the system will be declared illegal and deported.
The U.K. upholds 75% of claims.
Denmark rejects 76% of claims.
Obviously asking different questions?

So, why hasn’t it been solved?
Well, because this inept and incompetent government literally couldn’t organise a pee up in a brewery.
I said to Mrs B when they announced this Rwanda plan, that if they pulled it off, they would be a shoe in for the next election.
I then said that there is more chance of a good news story in the Guardian than this shower getting it right, which has been proven.
80 seat majority and cannot get anything done.

[Onelife]

Couldn't agree more Keith.

Now where did I put the pain killers.

Hi Stephen…. I’ve got some Morphine which will definitely help ease your pain… best ignore the dosage instructions of two 3 times a day and take the whole lot in one go…sweet dreams!

[Onelife]

It is not only the extra pressure on the benefits system. We also have to consider the consequences on education, the NHS, housing, etc.

I also have a concern about the culture of our country and whilst I am happy to embrace different cultures that should not mean diluting or changing the culture of the indigenous population to accommodate them and I fear this is already happening. They are happy to seek refuge here but there is a problem with integration whereby they have no allegiance to this country, no loyalty to our traditions and bring some traits which are really quite concerning.

If they are coming they come by legal means so we have some control over who comes and ensure proper provision is made for them. Illegals will be shipped out.

Hi Foxy…. I agree with every word you have said…indeed, it saddens me greatly to see how our country is being taken down a path of accepting multiculturism at a cost of leaving our own cultural identity behind.

[david63]

I think, yet again, I am missing something.

We have this outcry about statues that highlight our history and that have to be removed but now the Government have just spent £1million on a statue for the Windrush Generation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61884535

[Onelife]

I think, yet again, I am missing something.

We have this outcry about statues that highlight our history and that have to be removed but now the Government have just spent £1million on a statue for the Windrush Generation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61884535

I suppose the difference is that the Windrush People were invited here not brought here as slaves.

[Stephen]

I think, yet again, I am missing something.

We have this outcry about statues that highlight our history and that have to be removed but now the Government have just spent £1million on a statue for the Windrush Generation - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61884535

I suppose the difference is that the Windrush People were invited here not brought here as slaves.

I wouldn't bank on that Keith as their pay packet may have reflected at the time.

[Manoverboard]

At that time English white workers generally earned at least 3d (old money) an hour more than those from overseas. Not just Caribbean, European Poles and Ukrainians were also discriminated against.

[Ray B]

Is one reason why no one seems to get deported being down to all the do-gooders protesting against it.
then there is the court of appeal ,I assume we pay for all the Barristers to fight their claim whilst paying for Barristers to defend the Government. A loose loose situation.

[Ray B]

looks like the nights are starting to pull in.

[barney]

looks like the nights are starting to pull in.

[Kendhni]

I don’t doubt that some of the migrants are fleeing oppression etc but in my opinion the majority are economic opportunists.
I think the Government are right in trying to stem the flow of migrant using the Rwanda experiment…illegal enter into this country has to have consequences, without them we will look back in ten years’ time saying why did we allow this to happen?

Sorry Keith I disagree with you on that. The Rwanda scheme is a desperate attempt by a government that promises big and delivers little ... and is quite honestly a disgrace to everything that the UK supposedly stands for ... in years to come it will be seen as another Windrush from a government willing to spend hundreds of millions on delivering their next failure ... what is this, their 5th or 6th attempt at throwing money and failed promises at the 'problem'?

What worries me most is that these migrants will require support for years to come and will have to use whatever means they can to survive in what is already an overloaded benefit support system. Crime, and everything associated with it will be prevalent in areas where migrants are dumped, this will lead to even more ghetto’s being created.

Some will but as the empirical evidence continually shows, the net impact to the UK economy of immigration has been positive. Approximately 1 in 3 of the company I work for are immigrants and I would say the company is the richer for it ... and that is the norm in the industry and in many others. People focus too much on the negatives, and there are negatives, but that is highlighting failures in other systems such as policing, social services and other government bodies.

Whilst it may seem harsh, the way to stop the influx of migrants is to let them know that if they arrive here by boat they will be sent back by plane.

That would be yet another nail in the coffin of the UKs record on human rights. Of course we could do what the government has laughably threatened, and leave the ECHR ... that would nicely align the UK with Russia and Belarus (and even Belarus has applied to join the ECHR).

[Kendhni]

Is one reason why no one seems to get deported being down to all the do-gooders protesting against it.
then there is the court of appeal ,I assume we pay for all the Barristers to fight their claim whilst paying for Barristers to defend the Government. A lose lose situation.

That is how the Daily Mail projects it, but it is much more complicated. The UK needs immigration otherwise it will rapidly descend into an aging society unable to fulfil vacancies in critical services or fund peoples pension expectations. The rights proffered to immigrants, including barristers, is part of their rights under the ECHR ... that the UK was a founding member of and chooses to be a member of. Maybe one way of keeping costs down is looking at the extortionate fees being charged by barristers.

The UK needs a steady flow of immigration and the UK is favoured for a mix of reasons (and mostly not those spouted by the Daily Mail). Successive governments have shown there is no simple solution to what is a fine balancing act and anyone that thinks they have one is just a delusional fool.

[Ray Scully]

Is one reason why no one seems to get deported being down to all the do-gooders protesting against it.
then there is the court of appeal ,I assume we pay for all the Barristers to fight their claim whilst paying for Barristers to defend the Government. A lose lose situation.

That is how the Daily Mail projects it, but it is much more complicated. The UK needs immigration otherwise it will rapidly descend into an aging society unable to fulfil vacancies in critical services or fund peoples pension expectations. The rights proffered to immigrants, including barristers, is part of their rights under the ECHR ... that the UK was a founding member of and chooses to be a member of. Maybe one way of keeping costs down is looking at the extortionate fees being charged by barristers.

The UK needs a steady flow of immigration and the UK is favoured for a mix of reasons (and mostly not those spouted by the Daily Mail). Successive governments have shown there is no simple solution to what is a fine balancing act and anyone that thinks they have one is just a delusional fool.

Priti Patel just a delusional fool. ???

[david63]

Why is this even a story other than it is a quiet news day? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61941113

The report actually says that it was not illegal. If it had been a cheque would it have made the news?

[oldbluefox]

Just stirring for the sake of it. Clickbait for the republicans?

[Kendhni]

Is one reason why no one seems to get deported being down to all the do-gooders protesting against it.
then there is the court of appeal ,I assume we pay for all the Barristers to fight their claim whilst paying for Barristers to defend the Government. A lose lose situation.

That is how the Daily Mail projects it, but it is much more complicated. The UK needs immigration otherwise it will rapidly descend into an aging society unable to fulfil vacancies in critical services or fund peoples pension expectations. The rights proffered to immigrants, including barristers, is part of their rights under the ECHR ... that the UK was a founding member of and chooses to be a member of. Maybe one way of keeping costs down is looking at the extortionate fees being charged by barristers.

The UK needs a steady flow of immigration and the UK is favoured for a mix of reasons (and mostly not those spouted by the Daily Mail). Successive governments have shown there is no simple solution to what is a fine balancing act and anyone that thinks they have one is just a delusional fool.

Priti Patel just a delusional fool. ???

She certainly makes Diane Abbott look like a political genius

[Kendhni]

Why is this even a story other than it is a quiet news day? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61941113

The report actually says that it was not illegal. If it had been a cheque would it have made the news?

My question is why is this being raised again after it was found to be a non-story and handled totally appropriately about 5-10 years ago? I am assuming it is the same incident and not another charitable donation in recent weeks.

[Ray B]

Why is this even a story other than it is a quiet news day? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61941113

The report actually says that it was not illegal. If it had been a cheque would it have made the news?

That was our thoughts also. Again it goes to show the tacky unprofessional type of reporters we have, trying to grab headlines to make them look good.