Current Affairs 2025

[Ray B]

For God's sake, it was only Sycamore tree and some person suggesting one of the chainsaw gang for which he could receive a "lengthy" prison term,
REALLY!

[david63]

For God's sake, it was only Sycamore tree and some person suggesting one of the chainsaw gang for which he could receive a "lengthy" prison term,
REALLY!

It was a protected tree which makes it a far more serious crime

[towny44]

It was a rather iconic sycamore tree, so a prison sentence to deter other potential despoilers, or a large fine seems appropriate to me.

[Ray B]

I dont think the tree had a protection order on it, just happened to be in a National Park.
A Sycamore tree is really a weed tree, it just happened to be in a spot between two hills.
I would guess the roots may have been impacting on the Roman wall . What a golden opportunity to grub out the rest of the tree and replant into the spot, a bit further away from the wall, a fine Engish Oak tree.

[Onelife]

Nothing like a bit of controversy to get the forum moving…Well done Ray

I have to agree with towny on this …if the judicial system doesn’t set a severe example, what’s to stop another chainsaw massacre on any other sightseeing place of special interest?

[david63]

I dont think the tree had a protection order on it, just happened to be in a National Park

But the wall did

[CaroleF]

I think they deserve whatever the judge gives them!

[Ray B]

Nothing like a bit of controversy to get the forum moving…Well done Ray

I do try.

[oldbluefox]

I can't for the life of me understand what made them do it. What were they aiming to achieve apart from upsetting a lot of people for whom the tree had special significance and which had become a bit of an icon in the local landscape. What a pair of morons. They deserve to be locked up and made to pay for the damage they caused.

[david63]

Today MPs are discussing changes to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill but one thing that I do not agree with is that "MPs have been given a free vote, meaning they can decide based on their conscience rather than having to follow a party line.". Shouldn't MPs be voting following the views of their constituents rather than their own personal views?

[david63]

Today MPs are discussing changes to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill but one thing that I do not agree with is that "MPs have been given a free vote, meaning they can decide based on their conscience rather than having to follow a party line.". Shouldn't MPs be voting following the views of their constituents rather than their own personal views?

[Onelife]

That’s a good point David, one which one would like to think has been sought before voting on their own personal preference.

[oldbluefox]

"But we know better ".
How much do they actually represent constituents once they get into power?

[towny44]

Today MPs are discussing changes to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill but one thing that I do not agree with is that "MPs have been given a free vote, meaning they can decide based on their conscience rather than having to follow a party line.". Shouldn't MPs be voting following the views of their constituents rather than their own personal views?

But how would they accurately establish the majority view of their constituents. Similarly I doubt that many voters check the personal views of their candidates, and just vote for their party, and traditionally a free vote has always allowed MPs to vote for their conscience

[Onelife]

Whilst a free vote allows MPs to vote with their conscience, I think a constituency consensus gives them a little wriggle room should he/she have to explain their decision later down the line.

[david63]

But how would they accurately establish the majority view of their constituents.

Unless I am missing something isn't that part of the job to be aware of their constituents views on all pertinent matters. If an MP actually bothers to visit, let alone live in, their constituency then going round talking to their constituents or holding meetings would give them an insight into what their constituents want. The problem is that many MPs think they know better than the people that they represent.

[towny44]

But how would they accurately establish the majority view of their constituents.

Unless I am missing something isn't that part of the job to be aware of their constituents views on all pertinent matters. If an MP actually bothers to visit, let alone live in, their constituency then going round talking to their constituents or holding meetings would give them an insight into what their constituents want. The problem is that many MPs think they know better than the people that they represent.

I doubt that the people that MPs see at their clinics or at arranged meetings, will necessarily be a true representation of the entire constituency electorate.

[Onelife]

That may be so John but it is that section of the electorate that generally have more influence within the constituency and are probably one of the factors as to whether or not an MP gets re-elected.

A few disgruntled electorates can make or break an MP’s party.

[towny44]

That may be so John but it is that section of the electorate that generally have more influence within the constituency and are probably one of the factors as to whether or not an MP gets re-elected.

A few disgruntled electorates can make or break an MP’s party.

The activities of the inner circle of the constituency only affect the amount of door to door campaigning, which over recent years has declined in our area to zero.
The media have the biggest influence on voting, and certainly led to the rout of the Conservatives in last year's GE.

[Onelife]

I wouldn’t disagree with that John; they are the most influential campaign tool that all political parties want on their side.

They have also manipulated our political system to a point where it has become dysfunctional at almost all levels and corrupted the electorate into believing the crap they dish out is believable.

[Ranchi]

From today’s press.

Status luggage has packed its bags for good
With thieves now targeting ‘logo-mania’ suitcases, here’s how to travel in safety and style

My late father-in-law who travelled the world for almost 40years always advocated using a scuffed fibre-board case tied up with a length of sisal string - ‘no one will look twice at a case secured with string’. It served him well on all his travels. His only mishap was when his Merchant Navy record book (which contained a record of all his voyages) was taken from a buttoned trouser pocket on his last voyage. He still had a hand written record of his trips but not the original.

[Mervyn and Trish]

At last our government has woken up to the reality that Israel's response to the Hamas attacks has gone too far. Innocent babies are not Hamas members or fighters. Using starvation as a weapon is a war crime.

[towny44]

At last our government has woken up to the reality that Israel's response to the Hamas attacks has gone too far. Innocent babies are not Hamas members or fighters. Using starvation as a weapon is a war crime.

Unfortunately Merv I can't see Israel taking any notice until the US join in the condemnation, and who knows what Trump will do, he is far too unpredictable

[Onelife]

It’s difficult to argue against what Israel is doing isn’t disproportionate but while Hamas hide under the baby’s cots I can’t see much changing.

[Mervyn and Trish]

The Hamas hiding in hospitals argument is a worn our cliche. Israel have a huge presence on the ground and could surround the places they claim Hamas are hiding and winkle them out. There is no need to bomb hospitals in the certain knowledge innocents including children will die. We didn't flatten Catholic areas of Belfast to fight the IRA. They cannot trade for ever on sympathy for what they suffered in the holocaust 80 years ago, which was awful, when they are doing such dreadful things now. One of them has even used the word "cleansing" to describe their aim. Chilling and despicable. I have absolutely no issue with Jews, just the Israeli government. A shame others can't see the same distinction between innocent Palestinians and Hamas.