Current Affairs

[Kendhni]

So far all we seem to be getting is airy fairy pie-in the sky announcements to attract those that still believe a magic wand will fix the current problems. Archaic failed policies about adjusting tax thresholds and income tax and more shaking of the tory magic money tree ... I was hoping for so much more!

The current government was out of ideas at the start of this financial crisis and even now, during an election when they should be coming up with their best ideas, they are found seriously wanting ... relying on last century thinking (maybe they are, yet again, waiting for Starmer to tell them what to do next). They still have time to turn this around but they have to start applying original thinking and ideas.

[towny44]

So far all we seem to be getting is airy fairy pie-in the sky announcements to attract those that still believe a magic wand will fix the current problems. Archaic failed policies about adjusting tax thresholds and income tax and more shaking of the tory magic money tree ... I was hoping for so much more!

The current government was out of ideas at the start of this financial crisis and even now, during an election when they should be coming up with their best ideas, they are found seriously wanting ... relying on last century thinking (maybe they are, yet again, waiting for Starmer to tell them what to do next). They still have time to turn this around but they have to start applying original thinking and ideas.

I have never taken much store by pre election promises, and the media constantly trying to embarrass all govts by poring over the manifesto for missed promises.
A bit like a football team I want my govt to ensure they are able to set up their policies to counter any problems the opposing team might throw at them, and be sharp enough to counter any threats that substitutes might pose.
So I am happy to wait and see how well the new boss picks the team, and how they perform on the green stuff.

[Kendhni]

As I said, rather than relying on rehashing and regurgitating 6 years of failed government economic direction they still have a chance to show that they are capable of innovative and modern thinking as we approach the second quartile of this century ... but only if the tories have learned the lesson as to why they are so distrusted at the minute. I hope, for the sake of this country, they have more to offer than the brain dead machinations that they have come out with so far ... they owe it to the electorate.

[Frank Manning]

To be honest, although I am generally an optimistic and cheerful man, I am finding the current state of the country, and the lack of a long term national strategy very depressing. The media, the social media, everyone clamouring for things. It reminds me of the old saying "When you are up to your backside in alligators, its difficult to remember that the original intention was to drain the swamp."

I don't see anyone with a clear long term strategy, and part of the problem is that the extreme ends of both the main parties have a degree of control which is far beyond their actual remit. Politics is a shambles in the UK at the moment.

[barney]

Politics is a shambles all over the world Frank.
Read a bit of international press and you’ll see what I mean.
There is nothing unique about the U.K.
Spain are currently celebrating because they have got unemployment down to 12.5%
Italy is getting it’s third government of the year.
Germany is going into deep recession.
America already is.
France are , well French!

We have serious problems, but they are the same problems everyone else has.

[Onelife]

Looks like we are entering the "silly season" with the Tory leadership contenders.

Sunak - £10 fine if you miss two NHS appointments!
Does he not realise that (a) £10 will not be a deterrent to many, (b) Many will never pay it and (c) it will cost way too much to administer.

Truss - Anyone with top grades will have an automatic invite to Oxford and/or Cambridge!
Do these universities have sufficient places? Do all top grade students want to go to these universities? I also thought that all universities thrive on a diverse array of students - not just an "elite" group. And why select those two universities over all the others?

Two good points David....they'll be giving away free chocolates next

[Mervyn and Trish]

Well said Barney.

[CaroleF]

As a Tory member I have a vote but at the moment I don't know who I'll vote for. I know reasons why I don't want each candidate but not so clear on reasons why I would vote for one of them. Looking forward to a General Election I can't see either of them setting the world on fire. The MPs didn't think ahead to the possibility of winning an election. I really can't see the electorate taking to Sunak at all. Not that I they'll warm to Truss either.
Looking back at Labour, I think I'm right in saying that Brown got chosen as Labour Party Leader without a contest and that wasn't a brilliant Premiership was it!

[Mervyn and Trish]

You're right, he was crowned unopposed. I'll be interested to see the polls once the new leader is chosen and starts work. In reality Sir Hindsight doesn't set the world alight either.

[Frank Manning]

Politics is a shambles all over the world Frank.
Read a bit of international press and you’ll see what I mean.
There is nothing unique about the U.K.
Spain are currently celebrating because they have got unemployment down to 12.5%
Italy is getting it’s third government of the year.
Germany is going into deep recession.
America already is.
France are , well French!

We have serious problems, but they are the same problems everyone else has.

Thanks for cheering me up Barney.

[Kendhni]

To be honest, although I am generally an optimistic and cheerful man, I am finding the current state of the country, and the lack of a long term national strategy very depressing. The media, the social media, everyone clamouring for things. It reminds me of the old saying "When you are up to your backside in alligators, its difficult to remember that the original intention was to drain the swamp."

I don't see anyone with a clear long term strategy, and part of the problem is that the extreme ends of both the main parties have a degree of control which is far beyond their actual remit. Politics is a shambles in the UK at the moment.

That is exactly where I am with politics at the minute. There has been no strategy, no plan and no coherent direction for several years now. We have, allegedly, given ourselves the opportunity to do something but nobody seems to have any idea or vision on what they should do (apart from borrow more and more money to throw at it). I had hoped that getting rid of the clown in number 10 would clear the decks and allow innovative 21st century thinking to shine, but all we seem to have is same old failed thinking.

[towny44]

To be honest, although I am generally an optimistic and cheerful man, I am finding the current state of the country, and the lack of a long term national strategy very depressing. The media, the social media, everyone clamouring for things. It reminds me of the old saying "When you are up to your backside in alligators, its difficult to remember that the original intention was to drain the swamp."

I don't see anyone with a clear long term strategy, and part of the problem is that the extreme ends of both the main parties have a degree of control which is far beyond their actual remit. Politics is a shambles in the UK at the moment.

That is exactly where I am with politics at the minute. There has been no strategy, no plan and no coherent direction for several years now. We have, allegedly, given ourselves the opportunity to do something but nobody seems to have any idea or vision on what they should do (apart from borrow more and more money to throw at it). I had hoped that getting rid of the clown in number 10 would clear the decks and allow innovative 21st century thinking to shine, but all we seem to have is same old failed thinking.

Hang on a minute, as far back as I can remember the UK, along with most of the ROW has staggered from one crisos to another. Which is why I set littlte store in manifestos, because no sooner is the ink dry than something happens that takes precedence, both politicslly and financially, then even before thats fixed there is another crisis, and before long the govt is playing whack a mole. And I see no good reason to think that another covid, or Ukraine or climate change crisis or just simple inflation, is not going to upset anyones pointless strategic initiatives or political manifestos.

[Gill W]

To be honest, although I am generally an optimistic and cheerful man, I am finding the current state of the country, and the lack of a long term national strategy very depressing. The media, the social media, everyone clamouring for things. It reminds me of the old saying "When you are up to your backside in alligators, its difficult to remember that the original intention was to drain the swamp."

I don't see anyone with a clear long term strategy, and part of the problem is that the extreme ends of both the main parties have a degree of control which is far beyond their actual remit. Politics is a shambles in the UK at the moment.

That is exactly where I am with politics at the minute. There has been no strategy, no plan and no coherent direction for several years now. We have, allegedly, given ourselves the opportunity to do something but nobody seems to have any idea or vision on what they should do (apart from borrow more and more money to throw at it). I had hoped that getting rid of the clown in number 10 would clear the decks and allow innovative 21st century thinking to shine, but all we seem to have is same old failed thinking.

I agree with Ken and Frank.

Back in the day, it felt as if someone was in charge, with some sort of plan, even if you didn't always agree with the plan.

But now we drift along from crisis to scandal back to crisis, and there's no direction anymore, apart from meaningless sound bites

I've tried to engage with the Tory leadership contest, but without success. I don't think either of them are suitable, but we are going to be stuck with one of them for a while.

Instead, I've been diverted by Euro 2022 and the Lionesses' superb run and win last night.

I've seen a good joke elsewhere.

Men: 'It's coming home, it's coming home'
56 years later
Women: 'Oh for God's sake, we'll just do it ourselves'

I will now be watching the rest of the Commonwealth Games. When sport is done right, it can make you forget everything else for a little while

[screwy]

We’ll Gill, if you’re saying the girls get it done then I’m sure you’ll be shouting for Truss.?
BTW, I agree,the girls showed the overpaid prima donnas how to do it.

[Gill W]

We’ll Gill, if you’re saying the girls get it done then I’m sure you’ll be shouting for Truss.?

I would always chose the one best for the country, I'm glad I haven't got a vote, as I don't think much of either of them! But if pushed, I'd probably say that Sunak is less bad

I'm not paying much attention but it looks as if Truss got herself in a knot about public sector pay

[Mervyn and Trish]

With Comrade Corbyn's pronouncement on Russia today that's one bullet I'm very glad we dodged.

[Kendhni]

Indeed, we dodged a bullet ... pity we stepped on the landmine.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Whatever you may think of Boris I think he was the lesser of two evils. There's no evidence Corbyn would have handled Covid better and by now we'd be appeasing Putin.

I also read an interesting "fact check" on the BBC this week, reviewing Sir Hindsight's claims about the Tories stifling growth. It seems the economy actually grew between 2010 and 2020 by almost exactly the same percentage as the previous 10 years. Rose tinted specs eh?

[screwy]

Looking for some advice on energy companies.

Our granddaughter is moving into a rental property and will require gas and electric supply.

With the state of the market at present,is it going to be a case of just picking one and when things start to ease ( hopefully ) then look at finding a cheaper supplier.?

I’m sure there are some knowledgeable folk on here.

[Kendhni]

Best bet would be to go through the price comparison sites and see if anyone has a deal (I believe there isn't a lot out there at the minute). Then also look at the likes of Quidco to see if there is any cashback. Cheapest prices are usually for Dual Fuel, online bill, paying by direct debit.

The problem she may have is that suppliers may try to take an inflated DD payment. My own electricity supplier tried putting my DD up to over £100 ( my bill last month was £34 which includes the latest price rises) ... the gas company wants over £200 DD per month (I just laughed). If that is the case it may work out better to forego any DD discounts and pay monthly on bill.

MSE has been promoting https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/di ... t-event/p1

[Kendhni]

And, by coincidence the very next news story on my feed is https://uk.news.yahoo.com/martin-lewis- ... 15904.html

[Mervyn and Trish]

My DD with OVO is higher than I'm using at the moment but they currently pay 3% interest on any surplus I build up. That's better than any account I could find so I'm happy to let it go for now. My fixed price deal ends next Spring. That'll be when I feel the pain.

[david63]

Octopus are one of the better ones at the moment

[screwy]

Thanks folks, I’ve passed it all on to her.

[towny44]

Thanks folks, I’ve passed it all on to her.

At present with prices rising its best to go for a variable tariff, these are all capped and therefore very similar prices. Not until energy market prices peak will it be worth looking at comparing fixed tariffs.