Current Affairs

[Kendhni]

There is/was nothing wrong with the 45% tax and banker's bonuses other the timing of it. You don't announce that those with the most will get more when those with the least will get less and those in the middle will just have to fend for themselves.

You do if you want it to fail.

My point is that she and her backers have loyalties that lie with the EU rather than GB PLC.

That is one tiny straw you are clutching at
Although you are not the first to make that joke.

[Mervyn and Trish]

they were demanding change

But it was a small number of Tory MPs whipped up by the media that was demanding a change of leadership.

So not Labour, the SNP, the Lib Dems and several of our members then?

But whoever it was, my point applies. Be careful what you wish for!

[david63]

So not Labour, the SNP, the Lib Dems

I include them as part of the media stirring - not sure if they stirred the media or the media stirred them.

Be careful what you wish for!

I did not wish for this - so don't blame me

[towny44]

You might call it communism David; I would call it a much-needed change of attitude by those who have neglected their responsibilities for a fairer distribution of wealth.

No need to take things to the extreme we just need to change our perspective of how we go forward.

As a lefty, I actually don’t mind the Royals.
I do object to paying for them given their personal wealth.
They could easily finance their living costs themselves and not even notice it.
King Charles raked in about £23 million a year from the Duchy.
I don’t believe we have a class issue.
We have a wealth issue.
There are too many struggling.

You're so right Barney poor Erling Harland must be struggling to cope with only £850000 pweek!!!!

[Mervyn and Trish]

I don't blame you David.

It was a general comment addressed at any whom the cap fits, as my Mum used to say. I am very fed up with those, on and off this forum, who constantly criticise without offering any positive ideas. And when they get what they wished for, be it Theresa May gone, Boris gone or now it seems Liz Truss gone, fail to state what they want instead, and just get ready to gripe again.

It is very much in line with Corbyn's statement that whatever deal Theresa May negotiated he would vote against it.

I am a believe in democracy, but for that to work it needs constructive criticism and alternative ideas from the opposition. Not just, I wouldn't have done that.

If anyone actually stands up and says I disagree with all the Tory ideas and says I will vote for the person who offers x or y, they have my respect, whether I agree or not.

When the Tory leadership contest started I asked on the Forum what policy ideas, members would like to see. For the most part there was the sound of rolling tumbleweed, or derisive comments about the ideas that were offered. And sadly we haven't moved much further forward.

For those attacking Liz Truss, just tell us what you do want. Not Liz isn't enough.

[Manoverboard]

There is/was nothing wrong with the 45% tax and banker's bonuses other the timing of it. You don't announce that those with the most will get more when those with the least will get less and those in the middle will just have to fend for themselves.

You do if you want it to fail.

My point is that she and her backers have loyalties that lie with the EU rather than GB PLC.

That is one tiny straw you are clutching at
Although you are not the first to make that joke.

No joke ... going forward the UK does not need to be restrained by EU policies

[Kendhni]

You do if you want it to fail.

My point is that she and her backers have loyalties that lie with the EU rather than GB PLC.

That is one tiny straw you are clutching at
Although you are not the first to make that joke.

No joke ... going forward the UK does not need to be restrained by EU policies

That's not quite true, going forward we WILL be restrained by EU policies in relation to items we wish to export to them.
Similarly, if countries wish to export their goods to the UK, then we will have policies that they will have to adhere to.

[Onelife]

Just my opinion but I do find all this whinging about the cost of living going up very frustrating.

We have been living in the bubble of never-never land for so long that we thought the day of reckoning would never arrive…well it has, and people need to start coming to terms with the fact that interest rates do fluctuate, as do energy costs, consumer goods and a host of other things in times of global economic uncertainty. How you alleviate the pain and hardship caused by the economic downturn is the most pressing of questions, especially for those at the bottom of the pile.

It is however easy to refer to what the government should have done in preference for what they have done, and let’s face it, there have been massive economic challenges this past two and half years which have required monetary intervention at every level.

Obviously in the short term we need to help those most in need, but this is an opportunity to reflect on where we go in the future…personal responsibility has to come into play…I was listening to a young woman being interviewed the other day who said she was struggling to feed her five children despite her and her husband being in work. After me and my wife had our first child, we decided we would struggle supporting another child so decide against it, not that we didn’t want more children but it was at the time when we were struggling to meet our 15% mortgage interest rates. I’m I being too judgmental? Probably yes, but to my mind this crisis might just been the turning point for fiscal responsibility, both for consumers and Governments in taking a different approach.

[towny44]

That is one tiny straw you are clutching at
Although you are not the first to make that joke.

No joke ... going forward the UK does not need to be restrained by EU policies

That's not quite true, going forward we WILL be restrained by EU policies in relation to items we wish to export to them.
Similarly, if countries wish to export their goods to the UK, then we will have policies that they will have to adhere to.

No more so than any other country not in the EU or their customs union.

[Kendhni]

No more so than any other country not in the EU or their customs union.

Exactly ... and no different to what we currently do when exporting elsewhere in the world.
But there is a lot to be said for having common rules (as many are), to save the need for 2 production lines, one for country A and one for country B.

[Kendhni]

Just my opinion but I do find all this whinging about the cost of living going up very frustrating.

I agree, to a certain degree. Many may have to learn that sometimes the answer is 'no' ... you cannot have more credit, you cannot have that upgrade etc. and many will have to compromise ... cancel those subscriptions, not eat out every night, look after their own children etc.

Obviously in the short term we need to help those most in need, but this is an opportunity to reflect on where we go in the future…personal responsibility has to come into play…I was listening to a young woman being interviewed the other day who said she was struggling to feed her five children despite her and her husband being in work. After me and my wife had our first child, we decided we would struggle supporting another child so decide against it, not that we didn’t want more children but it was at the time when we were struggling to meet our 15% mortgage interest rates. I’m I being too judgmental? Probably yes, but to my mind this crisis might just been the turning point for fiscal responsibility, both for consumers and Governments in taking a different approach.

I have often said 'if you can't feed it, don't breed it'. However, to be fair, in many families, things were affordable and jobs were secure until recently. Very few properly plan for the rainy day ... we all live in that delusional world of 'it will never happen to me'.

I still think the government solution to the energy crisis is wrong (I gave an alternative solution several months back). I also think the reliance on more and more benefits, including those in work, has been wrong (some brought in by Blair/Brown as a temporary measure are still in existence today).

Overall though I agree with you that we could be entering an age of more responsibility ... my concern though is that we have heard it before ... just after the 2008 global financial crisis ... yet within a few years the personal, commercial and governmental borrowing was totally out of control again ... the question for me is whether or not we will ever learn that just because credit is available does not mean we have to max it out? Sometimes you have to save and pay for those things you want!

[Manoverboard]

That's not quite true, going forward we WILL be restrained by EU policies in relation to items we wish to export to them.
Similarly, if countries wish to export their goods to the UK, then we will have policies that they will have to adhere to.

For manufactured goods I would agree but Financial Services should be competitive rather than being shackled to the weakest player.

[Onelife]

I thought this an interesting article which gives some guidance as to pension fund vulnerability/stability

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/money-mentor ... r-pension/

[Onelife]

I see Camilla won’t be allowed to have the Koh-in -nor diamond on top of her hat...may I suggest a Koh turnip as a suitable replacement.

[towny44]

No more so than any other country not in the EU or their customs union.

Exactly ... and no different to what we currently do when exporting elsewhere in the world.
But there is a lot to be said for having common rules (as many are), to save the need for 2 production lines, one for country A and one for country B.

Have you not noticed that our electrical appliances are different to everyone elses, and US and Europe are different again, and just about every country in the world has it's own rules and regs that need to be followed, even within the EU..

[Kendhni]

No more so than any other country not in the EU or their customs union.

Exactly ... and no different to what we currently do when exporting elsewhere in the world.
But there is a lot to be said for having common rules (as many are), to save the need for 2 production lines, one for country A and one for country B.

Have you not noticed that our electrical appliances are different to everyone elses, and US and Europe are different again, and just about every country in the world has it's own rules and regs that need to be followed, even within the EU..

I have.

[Mervyn and Trish]

When the lemmings are rushing over the cliff edge it's the wise one who decides to be different.

[Gill W]

The daily 'we can't go on like this post'.

Kwarteng saying there will be no U turn.

Yet rumours swirling round Westminster saying there will be a U turn.


It's just ridiculous

[david63]

Kwarteng saying there will be no U turn.

That makes a change from the "look what we have done to help with energy" - which is the other phrase that gets trotted out several times a day, especially if there is a difficult question about the economy.

[Kendhni]

It is pretty much accepted that the government will have to u-turn on something, because nobody is going to sign off on a £60bn hole in the finances. All that prolonging the decision is doing is making it more embarrassing for when it happens. I guess that is the problem with over-promising.

[Mervyn and Trish]

People are demanding a re-think.

If there is one they'll be screaming derisively U-turn.

So let's get ahead of the game. Do we want a re-think or U-turn or whatever we are calling it? And if we get one will we welcome it positively or have the usual outbreak of negativity?

[Kendhni]

Kwarteng saying there will be no U turn.

That makes a change from the "look what we have done to help with energy" - which is the other phrase that gets trotted out several times a day, especially if there is a difficult question about the economy.

Operating from a very limited script ... I watched part of Truss's speech at the tory party conference and it was like a rerun of her greatest hits from the recent electioneering.

When I look at it, based on comments made by Truss, one interpretation is that the government is effectively giving each household a £2000 'loan' that has to be paid back, through some, as yet, unclear mechanism ... it seems that when energy prices come back down the utility companies are not under obligation to pass the reduction onto the customer until such times as the 'loan' is repaid (or it is forced upon them by government).

[Gill W]

People are demanding a re-think.

If there is one they'll be screaming derisively U-turn.

So let's get ahead of the game. Do we want a re-think or U-turn or whatever we are calling it? And if we get one will we welcome it positively or have the usual outbreak of negativity?

I think the issue is that we shouldn't have got to this point in the first place.

[Mervyn and Trish]

But do you want a rethink or not?

[Gill W]

it would appear wise not to proceed on the current trajectory, in order to avoid complete collapse.

But huge damage has already been caused, and it's not just going to disappear as if it never happened