Current Affairs 2023

[Mervyn and Trish]

And if it isn't?

Just to be entirely clear on the Israel/Palestine situation I am not anti Israel or anti Jewish. I am pro humanity. What Hamas did in October was appalling and there is no excuse. But the Israeli response is equivalent to if we'd bombed the hell out of Dublin to try to eliminate the IRA. And is likely to be as effective.

The situation in that region is complicated and has been for decades. Israel is not an innocent bystander. They have illegally occupied territory which is not theirs. And that breeds resentment. Hamas is not an innocent party either. But one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Never forget Nelson Mandela was imprisoned as a terrorist.

What concerns me is the children, on both sides, are innocents. In particular at this stage premature babies in incubators cannot be considered as terrorists or terrorists supporters. Israel is fast losing the PR war. That is why Jews across the world are being targetted, though they are no more responsible for their government's actions than the majority of Palestinians are for Hamas.

If Israel has hard evidence (not just videos) it needs to produce it to the UN. Not to justify further action but to give some credence to what it has done so far. And depending on what it is shown the UN needs to take a firm stance one way or another and the killing has to stop. Otherwise what is the point of it?

[towny44]

Does anyone else think that the "rumoured" cut to Inheritance Tax shows a complete of being in touch with the general public? Inheritance Tax will only affect a small percentage of the population and any cut will only affect a small percentage of those.

When I am Chancellor in Keefies new government the first thing would be to reduce, or preferably eliminate, the national debt. This would free up £billions in interest payments which could then be used to fund schools, NHS, roads etc. and only then would taxes be cut.

I assume you will have a money tree to pay off the national debt. Or like Labour borrow money to pay it off.

[towny44]

These days I think these "rumours" are deliberate leaks to test the reaction before actually making a decision. But I agree with David. Won't make any difference to me or my family. If there is any money to give away increase the threshold at which people start to pay tax. Take the lowest earners out of it altogether.

With property prices in London and some other places being as high as they are, then a very large percentage of the property owning middle classes will easily fall into the IHT trap.

[towny44]

If Israel has hard evidence (not just videos) it needs to produce it to the UN. Not to justify further action but to give some credence to what it has done so far. And depending on what it is shown the UN needs to take a firm stance one way or another and the killing has to stop. Otherwise what is the point of it?

It does rather seem that the majority of Western nations are to blame for the ferocity of Israel's response to the Hamas atrocity. Their initial support for Israel should have made clear to them that the sort of response we are now seeing would not be accepted, and that their initial support would be withdrawn and a multi national peacekeeping force would need to occupy both Gaza and parts of Israel, to ensure a peaceful and proportionate outcome.

[david63]

I assume you will have a money tree to pay off the national debt.

Don't need a magic money tree. If there is an ability to reduce taxation then rather than doing that the amount that would be lost to the Treasury should be used to reduce the debt which in turn would reduce the interest being paid on the debt thereby providing more spare money to pay off even more debt.

[towny44]

I assume you will have a money tree to pay off the national debt.

Don't need a magic money tree. If there is an ability to reduce taxation then rather than doing that the amount that would be lost to the Treasury should be used to reduce the debt which in turn would reduce the interest being paid on the debt thereby providing more spare money to pay off even more debt.

Unfortunately David whilst this might seem to be a sensible long term policy, it would not have any positive impact on the economy at all. In fact it would very likely lead to a prolonged period of stagnation or worse still a recession.
However the chancellor hope's that pumping the same amount of money into the economy will help to kick start growth, which in turn would increase the govts tax take.

[Onelife]

And if it isn't?

Just to be entirely clear on the Israel/Palestine situation I am not anti Israel or anti Jewish. I am pro humanity. What Hamas did in October was appalling and there is no excuse. But the Israeli response is equivalent to if we'd bombed the hell out of Dublin to try to eliminate the IRA. And is likely to be as effective.

The situation in that region is complicated and has been for decades. Israel is not an innocent bystander. They have illegally occupied territory which is not theirs. And that breeds resentment. Hamas is not an innocent party either. But one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Never forget Nelson Mandela was imprisoned as a terrorist.

What concerns me is the children, on both sides, are innocents. In particular at this stage premature babies in incubators cannot be considered as terrorists or terrorists supporters. Israel is fast losing the PR war. That is why Jews across the world are being targetted, though they are no more responsible for their government's actions than the majority of Palestinians are for Hamas.

If Israel has hard evidence (not just videos) it needs to produce it to the UN. Not to justify further action but to give some credence to what it has done so far. And depending on what it is shown the UN needs to take a firm stance one way or another and the killing has to stop. Otherwise what is the point of it?

If it isn’t

I’m presuming they’ll just carry on where they left off?
Israel didn’t start this war and it won’t be finished until Israel feel they have eliminated or thwarted the likelihood of future threats. No one in their right mind would condone what is happening to the innocent civilians in Gaza, but war is a nasty business where innocent people /children get killed.

Can this war be justified in what is becoming a one-sided conflict? I believe the answer to that question is Yes! However, there won't be an outright winner to this conflict just an uneasy peace where Israel will have to recognise the rights of the Palestinian people, who in turn will have to accept that their future depends on installing a less radical governing power if there is ever going to be a negotiated land treaty.

[Onelife]

Does anyone else think that the "rumoured" cut to Inheritance Tax shows a complete of being in touch with the general public? Inheritance Tax will only affect a small percentage of the population and any cut will only affect a small percentage of those.

When I am Chancellor in Keefies new government the first thing would be to reduce, or preferably eliminate, the national debt. This would free up £billions in interest payments which could then be used to fund schools, NHS, roads etc. and only then would taxes be cut.

Hi David, you will be right at the front of the queue when it comes to keefy forming his new cabinet, especially if you/we are around in 50 years’ time.

In terms of reducing debt, I would require you to investigate how PFI contracts were allowed to charge exorbitant interest rates, which have, and will continue to cripple this country for many years to come…. And Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, these interest rates are linked to inflation…whoever wrote that into the contract needs shooting.

I trust you will be more responsible than those who recklessly allowed this to happen? At the very least it appears that private investment was allowed to write their own terms and conditions.

[Mervyn and Trish]

These days I think these "rumours" are deliberate leaks to test the reaction before actually making a decision. But I agree with David. Won't make any difference to me or my family. If there is any money to give away increase the threshold at which people start to pay tax. Take the lowest earners out of it altogether.

With property prices in London and some other places being as high as they are, then a very large percentage of the property owning middle classes will easily fall into the IHT trap.

HMRC reckon 3.76% of the population fall into Inheritance Tax. I wouldn't call that very large. On the other hand the 96.24% who don't is!

[Onelife]

Does that figure of 3.76% include savings and valuable processions of the deceased…seems a bit low to me?

I think 40% on anything over £500,000 is a bit steep.

[david63]

I think 40% on anything over £500,000 is a bit steep.

Or £1million if you get your house in order (literally)

[Mervyn and Trish]

Does that figure of 3.76% include savings and valuable processions of the deceased…seems a bit low to me?

I think 40% on anything over £500,000 is a bit steep.

I'm only quoting HMRC. They says 3.76% of people who die are liable for the tax. I doubt they'd miss charging anyone so I presume so!

[Onelife]

I think 40% on anything over £500,000 is a bit steep.

Or £1million if you get your house in order (literally)

Just so we can work well together in the future…please divulge your squirreling options…I promise I won’t tell anyone

[david63]

Just so we can work well together in the future…please divulge your squirreling options

A couple can pass any unused Inheritance Tax to the other partner.

[Onelife]

Just so we can work well together in the future…please divulge your squirreling options

A couple can pass any unused Inheritance Tax to the other partner.

Thanks David…I was aware of this but how do I make it up to a million?

[david63]

but how do I make it up to a million?

Try winning the lottery, or robbing a bank

Currently you each have £325k allowance and if you pass your main property to a child/grandchild then there is another £175k each making a total of £1 million.

[Onelife]

With the proviso that mom and dad survive seven years before it becomes valid to reap the full benefits.

There is no way I would hand over my house to our daughter (25% maybe) until such time that I have vetted her future husband… with a hitman on standby just in case I don’t like him.

[david63]

With the proviso that mom and dad survive seven years before it becomes valid to reap the full benefits.

That has nothing to do with Inheritance Tax that is to do with gifting.

[Onelife]

With the proviso that mom and dad survive seven years before it becomes valid to reap the full benefits.

That has nothing to do with Inheritance Tax that is to do with gifting.

I’ve found a different Chancellor, but thanks for your interest

[Onelife]

You’ve gota give it to Charlie, he certainly knows how to make a bob or two not!

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... to-charity.

My suggestion would be…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2udNi4mZ90U

[Stephen]

The Tower just phoned. Apparently your rack bed is now ready for occupation.

[Frank Manning]

I have been missing for a while, waiting for an operation to remove a tumour on my pituitary which was lifting my optic nerve and threatening my sight. Happily they removed it 7 weeks ago by laparoscopy up my nose, and I am just starting to catch up. NHS have been fantastic. Wishing everyone the best. I see the main protagonists are still active, keep it going.

[Onelife]

It’s amazing what they can do up your nose…pleased to hear things are improving for you Frank…

Keeeeeep painting!

[oldbluefox]

Welcome back Frank. Sorry to hear you have been unwell but wishing you all the best for a quick recovery which is exactly what Luton could do with right now.
Nice to see you back in the fold.

[oldbluefox]

Keeeeeep painting!

I tried to persuade him to do some of the P&O fleet to be sold in the on-board shops. They could do with something more upmarket as a memento. Frank is that good .
Maybe the fact I offered to be his sales agent put him off!!!