Tuesday 1 August: It’s time for the Government to end the unfairness of inheritance tax

Posted on by Geoff Graham

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508 thoughts on “Tuesday 1 August: It’s time for the Government to end the unfairness of inheritance tax”

  1. Good morrow, Gentlefolks, today’s story – the other side

    This Is For Men Tired Of Receiving Male Bashing Jokes

    How many men does it take to open a beer?
    None, it should be opened by the time she brings it.

    Why is a Laundromat a really bad place to pick up a woman?
    Because a woman who can’t even afford a washing machine will never be able to support you.

    Why do women have smaller feet than men?
    So they can stand closer to the kitchen sink.

    How do you know when a woman is about to say something smart?
    When she starts her sentence with “A man once told me…”

    How do you fix a woman’s watch?
    You don’t. There is a clock on the oven.

    Why do men pass gas more than women?
    Because women won’t shut up long enough to build up pressure.

    If your dog is barking at the back door and your wife is yelling at the front door, who do you let in first? The dog, of course. At least he’ll shut up after you let him in.

    All wives are alike, but they have different faces so you can tell them apart.

    I married Miss Right. I just didn’t know her first name was “Always.”

    I haven’t spoken to my wife for 18 months: I don’t like to interrupt her.

    Scientists have discovered a food to diminish a woman’s sex drive by 90%.
    It is Wedding Cake.

    Marriage is a 3-ring circus: Engagement Ring, Wedding Ring, Suffering.

        1. Yes
          The trick for staying alive is not to take too much notice of health measurements because they change from one second to the next and there’s no real test to check if you’re still alive or not except for your abikity to access Geoff’s NTTL site and post a comment.

  5. Covid Inquiry has spent nearly £40m after just 23 days of hearings. 1 August 2023.

    The Covid Inquiry has already spent nearly £40 million after hearing just 23 days of evidence, its financial report has revealed.

    Amid a glut of legal fees and spending on advertisements for its “listening exercise”, the long-awaited Inquiry has spent £38 million since it was announced.

    The figure only includes costs up to the end of June before its first phase came to an end in mid-July, with spending of more than £20 million on lawyers and £5 million on its own staff.

    In its first financial quarter of this year, the Inquiry spent £14.7 million, the equivalent of around £160,000 a day.

    And all one might point out, to no purpose whatsoever. None of the vast sums that were stolen, nor the people responsible will be returned or brought to book!

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/31/covid-inquiry-40-million-pounds-23-days-of-hearings/

    1. For a flu type virus a massive mistake by the reaction. masks and lock downs not needed. Recomendations. Dont do it again.

      1. 374992+ up ticks,

        Morning JN,

        By peoples of decency, but were a major ingredient of the
        politico / pharmaceutical scam.

    3. 374992+upticks,

      Morning AS,

      Audacity, audacity, & more audacity, a scam within a scam.

      Surely without satisfactory answers no voting, regarding positions of power for these current politico’s can take place.

      We could very well be putting politicians into power who have during the plague era,
      “made their bones” mafia speak for having killed for the mob.

  6. Before every election this century the Conservative Party has promised to deal with Inheritance Tax.

    After every election the subject is quietly and firmly shelved.

    What makes you think that it will be different after the next election?

    1. I remember Osborne saying that the threshold would be raised to over £1million. Of course he didn’t do it – he was, after all one of the nastiest and one of the worst chancellors we have ever had – just as bad as Gordon Brown.

      With the current rate of inflation and the increase in property values since then the new threshold that Hunt would promise and then ignore would have to be at least £2million.

      Keep on dreaming!

      1. Interesting thought Korky, and it will certainly come to that eventually.

        However the next election is scheduled for 2024.

        Perhaps it will be the last ever?

        1. I do not believe that there currently exists in the HoC one politician with the balls to try and bring forth a policy that will enable legislation to cancel a GE. If it is to be attempted it will be via another concocted disaster and the introduction of emergency powers; even with those conditions it will be a tough ask. There are only enough straws before the camel is disabled: trying to disenfranchise the people is likely to be that straw.

          1. Our opinion Korky is that when we re-enter the EU some concocted reason will be fed to the British

            public that general elections are no longer relevant.

            It will be done, not by cancelling elections, but by the PTB only allowing “approved” candidates to

            stand for election…….. No emergency powers required to make this “improvement”..

            Remember the pressure on the public over Covid? nearly all caved in.

            A similar percentage will cave in to agreeing that only “approved” candidates may stand.

          2. It will be done, not by cancelling elections, but by the PTB only allowing “approved” candidates to stand for election

            So far as the main parties are concerned, we’ve already got that.

          3. Well then Bob, we’re already half way there.

            No one has objected so far so expect the PTB to firm up on the Bonsall proposal

          4. A good alternative suggestion, janetjH but with the additional hurdle of getting the UK back into the EU. With the latter currently in a parlous state and its future prospects not looking too good this too will be a hard sell and an unpopular move if the government tries to force the issue.
            We are living through very volatile times and much can happen in short order.

          5. The Remainers had better get the skates on. When France, The Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Hungary have all left the EU what will be left to rejoin?

          6. Where is this parallel universe? The only lesson learned thus far from the UK’s exit is that it was a complete waste of time and money. Perhaps I’m being too impatient. Maybe the restoration of crown stamps on pint glasses will restore my faith.

          8. Isn’t that already what happens. In Iran the people choose from hardline islamist nos 1, 2, 3 & 4. Here we get globalist no 1, 2 & 3 and the plebs aren’t forcibly prevented from voting for anyone else but they’re repeatedly told that a vote for anyone else is a wasted vote. The sheeple respond, “Yes, Master” and vote as required. If they don’t, there are boxes of fake postal votes waiting in the wings. The system is fucked.

          9. The only ‘approved’ candidates will be those approved by the people.

            How’s your neck, Charlie?

          10. But Parliament cannot go against Magna Carta. Parliament is subject to it, and that would be the spark for the British Revolution.

      2. That’s one way to bring on a revolution and I think the armed forces and police will be on our side.

        Time to invest in guillotines, gibbets, execution blocks, not too sharp axes and piano wire.

    3. Fundamentally, not enough votes in abolishing it and plenty of cash generated by keeping it. I think a higher threshold would probably be a reasonable change.

      1. Certainly if you just change the conditions without firing any surplus civil servants there is more chance of the Civil Service approving your suggestion.

        1. The king, parliament and the civil service, will be the first executed in the British Revolution of 2024.

    3. Have a memorable day on your birthday Datz. It’s always nice to look back afterwards. Cheers 🥂🍾🤗

    1. Good morning Dandy Front Pager!

      You mentioned in a post last night that you were interested in finding good cover versions of well-known pop songs.

      Might I recommend Josh Turner and his group called The Other Favourites. There is plenty of their material on the Internet – I am very impressed by them and will try to see them if they come on tour to either the UK or France.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1T3B502Ut94

    3. Very important the requirement that there be an amnesty for the important people who have accidentally, or

      deliberately, messed up the modern world.

      I assume that this includes Mr Bliar, beloved by aliens everywhere.

  11. Good morning, all. Happy month – hope you don’t freeze to death.

    Dry but cloudy.

    1. Any news of the dates for your Church Fete, Bill? (I just lurve the MR’s homemade lemon curd.)

        2. Mr Harry Lime (The Master) says “Thank you, Bill” – and please keep us both up to date.

  12. Vladimir Putin is finally losing his psychological grip. 1 August 2023.

    Today, with every drone that hits Moscow, more and more of Russia’s power brokers will be looking towards a post-Putin future where they can walk away from and forget his disastrous war and its consequences. And once those elites anoint a successor – perhaps even with the Kremlin’s reluctant blessing – the spell Putin has woven over his people will vanish quickly and completely.
    .
    Wishful thinking! These drones are merely pinpricks breaking the windows in high rise buildings. Much like the article. There is no comparable figure to Putin that could takeover and there is no sign that the Russian people wish it to happen.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/31/vladimir-putin-is-finally-losing-his-psychological-grip/

    1. Araminta, are you keeping a tally of the number of occasions it has been reported that poor old Putin is on the verge of disaster? All this MSM wishful thinking has become a tad boring.

      1. Morning Korky. Yes there’s a lot of personalised propaganda about Vlad at the moment to keep the peasants minds off the war and the reasons for it!

    2. It’s being reported by more reliable sources that Russian losses are a maximum 50,000 soldiers while Ukranian losses are a minimum 300,000. Spinning that as a Ukranian victory is looking more and more ridiculous.

  13. Take physic, pomp;
    Expose thyself to feel what wretches feel,
    That thou mayst shake the superflux to them,
    And show the heavens more just.

    The muddle-headed, senile old King Lear realised that he needed to ‘take physic’ himself – the ‘medicine’ that ordinary people have to take. He realised that if he could not experience the suffering of ‘wretches’ because of the undistributed ‘superflux’ of wealth he enjoyed then the heavens were not just and he was a hypocrite.

    We now have a new muddled-headed senile king, Charles lll, who lacks the perceptive understanding of mad King Lear. How dare the idiot buffoon demand that we pay for his insane environmental nonsense while he does not experience the rigours he expects us mere wretches to endure?

    The Idiot King should spent the whole winter in an uninsulated hut in the grounds of one of his palaces with only a small solar panel and a little wind generator to provide him with electricity for his lighting, heating and cooking.

    1. It’s nearly as strange as if a Wembley stadium groundstaff grass cutter, might be working from home in Leeds.

  15. Good day all,

    Sunny start at McPhee Towers but some cloud cover expected soon. Wind in the West 14℃ rising to 20℃ today. Nothing much from me today, I’m off to Chichester to help my daughter decorate her new home.

    From the letters:

    SIR – The suggestion by Sir Howard Davies, the NatWest chairman, that Dame Alison Rose was brought down by politics must be challenged. My wife worked for a leading financial institute for more than 30 years. Anybody who discussed a client’s account with someone outside the organisation would be instantly dismissed without payment.

    Bill Glover
    Cople, Bedfordshire

    As an article in yesterday’s TCW posited, Alison Rose ( no ‘Dame’ from me) is the tip of a very nasty iceberg called Common Purpose.
    https://www.conservativewoman.co.uk/dame-alison-rose-portrait-of-a-climate-and-diversity-fanatic/

    1. I’ve been talking about Common Purpose for a long time now. The Cultural Marxist trojan horse.

  16. Starmer is about to be humiliated by the global retreat from net zero. 1 August 2023.

    This could be the beginning of the end of net zero. Eight years ago, it burst into our lives, a rapturous crusade of ambitious legislation, geopolitical grandstanding and share-boosting green PR. Today, what so many have exalted as an era of rapid, momentous change looks set to go down as the biggest damp squib in Western history.

    No! The powers that be are retreating from the image of net zero not its substance. As for Starmer you cannot humiliate someone who thinks that a woman can have a penis!

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/31/starmer-to-be-humiliated-by-global-retreat-from-net-zero/

    1. “As for Starmer you cannot humiliate someone enough who thinks that a woman can have a penis!”
      Change of emphasis, Minty. 😉

    2. Good morning, Minty

      This is the what I call The Uxbridge Effect – both Starmer and Sunak are beginning to realise just how much Net Zero is going to ruin people’s lives NOW and that this is of more concern to them than some hypothetical, specious destruction of the planet by unfounded pseudo-ecological science in the future.

  17. Morning, all Y’all.
    Less than 15C this morning. Wearing a jumper. On 1st August!!

  18. Good morning all.
    A currently dry start to the day with 10½°C outside, but rather overcast and threatening with the Met forecast page saying that it’s already raining!

      1. Same here, Alec. I hope it will be sunny and windy enough to dry the grass so that I can mow the overgrown lawns today.

  19. OT – we watched “An Englishman Abroad” last night. For me, first time for many years; the MR had never seen it.

    One forgets how good a good play can be. Not a wasted word and superb acting.

    And on the subject of a Broad – didn’t Broad do well in his last match? I expect he’ll b knighted, now…({:¬((…)

    2. It was a perfect ending to his cricket career. What a way to bow out!

      On the subject of titles, I quite understand them being used on formal occasions but listening to BBC radio’s coverage of the test match with Alastair Cook in the commentary box and to hear him frequently addressed as Sir Alastair I thought rather odd. Were they being needlessly deferential or has he become grand and demanding?

  20. Morning all 🙂😊
    Bright and very breezy.
    Breezy enough to keep the imagined pollution cloud away from our cities.
    Whoops that would make mayor kahnts tax hard to justify. But still he’s getting away with his monetary fantasy.

    1. It’s a strange kind of glory when it looks so cold, grimy, gloomy and depressing.

    3. Fritz the engineer: “…Pull zis metal ‘thing’ to the top!”

      Next time, Fritz, show us how to open the egg at the correct (i.e. blunt) end of the egg.

      2. What do you mean, the “correct” end? An egg is a bloody egg – not a work of art.

          3. I have eggisted for 82 years without being bothered about which end of an egg…..

          4. It’s okay to be wrong, Bill. Though it has just taken you an entire lifetime to get it right. Just do it right from now on and everything will be fine. :@)

        2. The blunt end contains an air pocket – so that when you bash it with the spoon it caves in.

          2. My info is from the Royal Navy. An uncle of mine used to provision the ships.

        4. I don’t eat bloody (fertilised) eggs. The blunt end facilitates the dipping in of buttered ‘soldiers’ (fresh bread or toasted, choose your favourite) much more efficiently than the sharper end does. The egg also sits in the egg cup with more stability with the blunt end up: it’s simple ergonomics, gammal böna.
          This is of no use, whatsoever, to someone who prefers to eat the much blander poached egg though.

          1. “Soldiers” dipped into the yolk is just a messy, pointless exercise. To be blunt!

      3. At sea the Royal Navy cooks every 2 weeks had to turn each egg in the trays over to help extend their life. the egg that is not theirs.

        1. We got powdered eggs as RAF apprentices. We complained – next time we had scrambled eggs it contained some eggshell which the cooks (?) had put in to fool us – oh yes that worked!

    4. It can’t have been an egg straight from the boiling water, given how he holds it. So if you want a lukewarm egg, this is the gizmo for you.

    5. One picture is worth one thousand words. I struggled to read and understand this morning’s letter describing this contraption, but the video explains it clearly.

  23. Good morning, chums. Pinch and a Punch, and White Rabbits. Enjoy your day – and your month, hopefully.

  26. ‘No timeframe’ on delayed opening of Bibby Stockholm asylum barge. 1 August 2023.

    A UK government minister has said he “cannot put a timeframe” on when the Home Office will open a controversial giant barge meant to house asylum seekers, which has been further delayed for checks.

    The initial plan had been to move people on to the Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset, from this week, with numbers due to rise over the coming months until the vessel held about 500 men.

    Asked on Sky News when the barge would be available, the transport minister Richard Holden said: “It’s going through its final checks at the moment. It’s right that … whatever accommodation we provide is safe and secure as well. I can’t put a timeframe on it.”

    Utter nonsense of course. The real reason is almost certainly because the Muzzies will have nothing to do with it and a public refusal would embarrass the Government

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/aug/01/no-timeframe-on-delayed-opening-of-bibby-stockholm-asylum-barge

    1. Put fake messages on Facebook and other social media saying that when the barge is full it is going to be towed to North Africa. Not one of them will step aboard.

    3. As the illegals won’t be press-ganged aboard, why not tow the barge to Westminster and use it for MPs accommodation. If nothing else it will stop them flipping their ‘home’.

    4. “ Utter nonsense of course. The real reason is almost certainly because the Muzzies will have nothing to do with it and a public refusal would embarrass the Government”.

      What do Muzzies have to do with it specifically?

    5. “- whatever accommodation we provide is safe and secure as well.”
      It needs to be secured so that none of the parasites can leave unless it’s for deportation.

      1. Yes it must be safe. If it sank when fully accommodated that would be a tragedy.

        1. A tragedy in that it couldn’t then be used to detain the next batch (after the first lot had been deported) – we can but hope.
          A tragedy for sea life from the pollution caused.

    6. There must be at least 500 people abandoned on the streets of London who would be very grateful for that accommodation.

  27. Interesting article, a bit of a long read.

    Covid wet marketeers like Fauci are checkersuckers. But they may still be right.
    In a perfect world, checkersuckers wouldn’t exist. But they do. They shit where they eat and they shit on what they feed you. But that doesn’t mean the food was bad before they defiled it.
    We still have to examine the data, even if those presenting it are dicks.
    A tough task. And frustrating. Because we don’t like to “side with” bad people.
    So forget the people and stay focused on the facts. I’ve been doing that for 34 years. It ain’t easy, and it ain’t pleasant. But if you want to discern the truth of something, it’s necessary.

    https://www.takimag.com/article/the-curse-of-the-checkersuckers/

  28. ‘Morning All

    Medley Time

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/346e669ab73412197b8bad1fa573eceb74a4e239e3420f57e1db57de2c06334b.jpg

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2a87e8f0f7378fcfa24da4d7e7dd7e245d0022ca44a73f67248b40cb9122ce3a.jpg

    http://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/df4598de3cb1da33e2e965478fb00bc67695e7f192fe7e23ac2475b701393656.jpg

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ae25f01bc5d72a88743aaaa2c4b57cbac6406e69ecfdf551d24650b60d004418.jpg

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/76cbb3d6f9dbf9533d7a0884a64a14508e618e959012643d725450edccf247d2.gif

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2c3d17d1b11358999190ba54115e550730688dccd0aae7c35d0dee69142e52fb.jpg

    That’s the way to do it!!

    https://twitter.com/LadyDetectives1/status/1685939188502347776?t=a0-D09VgucSJ-NqOZm3noA&s=08

        2. That would have been a familiar sight when I had my Mini only it would have been one leg out of each side window (mainly because the Mini didn’t have heel straps at the sides of the roof)

    2. Corbyn has committed no crime, therefore the police cannot do anything. If the shop wishes to take any action then it is a civil action, which they would lose.

      1. Threatening to call the police an old white man who paid for his goods. I wonder what their reaction to being stormed by a dozen armed black teenagers would be.

          1. They ought to form a Club on the Norfolk Broads and pay a large Ransome to Nigel Farage who has kidnapped their integrity and demands that they pay up!.

          6. Coot Club is the first of the Swallows and Amazons series of 12 novels which does not feature either the Blackett or the Walker families but the Callum children, Dick and Dorothea. The other story set on the Broads is The Big Six.

          7. My uncle used to keep a boat on the Deben at Ramsholt. While we were there one time, someone pointed out Arthur Ransome’s boat, Peter Duck.

          8. Peter Duck and Missee Lee are the novels involving voyages in the green schooner, Wild Cat, with Uncle Jim (aka Captain Flint).

            One of the delights of sailing around the Med in Mianda was that every evening either Caroline or I read aloud to Christo and Henry and over the years we covered a very wide range of children’s literature in French and in English.

    3. It makes as much commercial sense as featuring Amazonian Indians in your advertising because social justice demands that their profile be raised in order to highlight their plight.

    6. Had I not been told what this was about, I would never have noticed.

      Ignorant, obviously, me.

  30. Had to call the Doctor surgery yet again. The phone call i was waiting for didn’t happen last week so i have just chased them up again. Turns out i had been put on the wrong list and the call that i didn’t get was from the physio. Who i am not receiving treatment from.
    I was told that all GP appointments for this week are full and to call at 9am next Monday in the usual scramble for appointments.

    This has been going on since May.

    I really am giving up.

    1. Not good. We had an appointment this morning with the nurse, for blood tests. She was thorough and helpful, looked up the results of the previous tests and suggested she get the pharmacist to phone and discuss the meds. We’ve no complaints about our surgery.

      1. Nor have I, same doc seen, appointments as convenient (usually same day), helpful receptionist, phone answered immediately and prescriptions delivered.

        1. We don’t see the same doc each time, but they are all ok, our usual one retired a year or so ago now. The pharmacist did phone about half an hour ago, but OH wasn’t quick enough to pick up the call, and he’s watching the ladies footie……. but he called back and she’s lined up to phone again tomorrow morning.

          1. Only about 2000 patients in our group of 2 practices and 4 doctors, that’s why it’s such a good service

          2. Each GP is limited to a max of 1 750 patients on their list in Norway. Appointments typically 20 minutes long.

          3. I don’t know how many patients ours has but it’s a free-standing practice in a small country town which was formed over 25 years ago by amalgamating two practices.

    2. Morning Phizz.
      That’s really too bad. You must make a formal complaint.How far from the practice do you Iive? You couldg try going in person and refusing to leave until you’re seen by someone. It isn’t not be your own doctor but at least you could vent your frustrations at them.

      1. I don’t think any of them have ‘own doctors’ any more, do they? At least we’ve seen all of ours recently so they’re not strangers.

        1. Over the last year i have seen four different GP’s for the same condition. Not one of them being my own GP.

          2. They have to take extra time to familiarise themselves with my records.

            Last time the reception got it wrong and thought i was being treated for something else with a Doctor i have never seen.

      2. I’m just going to leave it. They did apologise for what that’s worth.
        I have quite enough appointments over the last four years.

    3. Give up…..this is exactly what they want you to do Phizz. FOAD.
      Keep the pressure up.
      My surgery is the same, 3 weeks to wait for an app while the GPs are out there working in the private sector.

    4. Go to the surgery and sit there until you’re seen.
      Take a packed lunch, afternoon tea and a sleeping bag. See what they do.

  31. 375042+ up ticks

    COMMENT
    Lockdown’s severe damage to children
    Were we to face similar circumstances in future, the social and emotional welfare of our children needs to be a priority.

    What has brought about this much needed change of mindset then?

    The likes of rotherham plus, the great 16 + year cover up did not alter the voting pattern one jot, in point of fact the governing political overseers were encouraged, via the polling stations, to produce more of the same hence the Dover campaign, incoming paedophilia importation was triggered.

    1. I guess the UK’s voting population isn’t as obsessed with paedophilia as you seem to be. They probably take other things into consideration when contemplating in which box to place their cross.

      1. What is your view of Ofcom effectively blackmailing GB News to get rid of Mark Steyn who brought up the topics of vaccine damage and gangs raping white girls?

        To their shame GB News seems to have capitulated completely and avoids any discussion of these things.

        1. My short answer is that Mark Steyn was too cavalier for his own good and that the impositions were not very demanding. He wouldn’t have had to concede much to have maintained a presence on the channel.

          What I thought unfair was that Steyn wasn’t given the opportunity to represent himself and that GB News wouldn’t allow him to do so in future but would make him personally liable if Ofcom were to fine GB News for further breaches.

          The two findings against GB News and Mark Steyn were in respect of some wild or poorly substantiated claims about Covid-19 vaccines. I’m not aware of gang rapes playing any part in the decisions.

          I see no particular “shame” or “capitulation”. GB News mounted a defence. That said, repeated violations of the code might have resulted in onerous fines or, in extremis, the loss of its broadcasting licence. The broadcaster had to take some measures to ensure it could continue.

          Nothing in the Ofcom findings says these subjects are now taboo. If they are no longer discussed, that’s down to GB News. I very rarely watch the channel, so I have little idea which topics it favours and avoids, although Twitter feeds in my inbox suggest that Dan Wootton has a bee in his bonnet about the Sussexes. If so, he’s best avoided.

          1. At the moment GB News is spending an inordinate amount of time on Harry and Migraine and seems to have given up entirely on the rape gangs and the vaccine damage.

            Mark Steyn wanted to interview representatives from Ofcom but they were not prepared to come forward.

      2. 375042+ up ticks,

        Afternoon DW,
        Me “obsessed”then how do you view those in rotherham other than concealing the truth at the cost of their childrens well being ?
        Do enlighten me as to what is of more importance than that of the childrens welfare.

  32. An interesting little BTL Exchange on the matter of the ECHR.
    It seems Master Bates has yet to learn that the ECHR has long been subsumed into the EU Apparat and can no longer be considered an independent organisation.

    CJ Laverick
    4 HRS AGO
    One of the reasons that I voted for Brexit – instead of which the Mays gave us the worst of all worlds in eg. invoking Article 50 without an acceptable arrangement with the EU to replace our membership – was to end Whitehall’s practice of gold-plating every EU law/directive and to remove us from the jurisdiction of the ECHR, disastrously over-interpreted by our courts in, as ever, seeking legal niceties rather than adopting the more pragmatic views on ECHR intent taken by others’ judges.
    Now, in this worst of all worlds, our judges continue as before, not least with regards to illegals and protestors : there was to be a comparison as to such UK interpretations and those in EU member countries?
    Eg In France road blockers s are promptly cleared off the highway but here our “Supreme” Court , under the same ECHR as the French, ruled that road-blocking by demonstrators is legitimate.
    We are lost.

    John Bates
    4 HRS AGO
    In that case I’m afraid you should have better informed yourself. As has been pointed out many times the ECHR (the court) is nothing to do with the EU. Leaving the EU did nothing to change our relationship with the ECHR (the convention).

    Ctrl Alt Delete
    3 HRS AGO
    And that pretty much sums up the Brexit vote, doesn’t it? You completely failed to understand the EU, voted to leave it, and then got angry when the vote didn’t achieve what you thought it would.

    D Taylor
    3 HRS AGO
    The trouble is it is not our elected representatives who govern us. The power rests with people who have no manifesto and democratic authority and our politicians are too frightened to disobey them.
    It’s a bit like the power the BBC exercises over their political victims. Instead of doing a Farage (“I am not having this…”) they meekly succumb to being a “gottcha” candidate.

    Echo Fish
    3 HRS AGO
    John may be you’d be better informed because the Lisbon treaty was the continuation of the work in 2010 in the EU around human rights and the Lisbon treaty, whilst acknowledging it had not achieved joining the EHCR, this would continue to be negotiated as per the text in the treaty.
    Indeed ratification is ongoing for the EU to finally join the ECHR soon:
    https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/council-europe/major-progress-path-eu-accession-echr-negotiations-concluded-technical_en?s=51

    John Bates
    3 HRS AGO
    Why? The simple fact is the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Council is and always has been a completely separate entity to the EU.

    Echo Fish
    2 HRS AGO
    John, it’s not, the charters and articles have repeatedly made it clear that the EU expected membership of the ECHR and pushed the larger nations into it, and as such linked the two organisations in spirit.
    So whilst the court is separate, yes, I will agree, membership of it was, and is, an EU objective and soon a requirement, therefore they become one of the same, which is CJ’s point4

  33. Rishi’s oil and gas bonanza heralds the end of net zero legislation which is hardly more than an attempt by King Canute to hold back the tide to demonstrate that he didn’t have the power to override nature:

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/31/starmer-to-be-humiliated-by-global-retreat-from-net-zero/

    Furthermore it makes good sense to make the most of UK’s fossil fuel reserves as OPEC+ has just agreed to cut their supplies of oil to the world in 2024:

    https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-opec-deal-cuts-oil-supply-until-end-2024-2023-06-05/#:~:text=As%20well%20as%20extending%20the,a%20combined%2040.46%20million%20bpd.

    This will boost fossil fuel prices that will increase profits for the big fossil fuel companies and offset some ot the costs that pension funds are being asked to make by investing a percentage of their funds in riskier investments:

    https://theconversation.com/uk-government-wants-to-make-pension-pots-bigger-with-riskier-investments-but-it-faces-big-challenges-209748

      1. Techology and world events are changing so fast nowadays that making manifestos to gain votes in an election becomes meaningless.

    2. Beware the operative word “pause” as let slip by that renowned sharp operator Priti Patel last week?

  34. Rishi’s oil and gas bonanza heralds the end of net zero legislation which is hardly more than an attempt by King Canute to hold back the tide to demonstrate that he didn’t have the power to override nature:

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/07/31/starmer-to-be-humiliated-by-global-retreat-from-net-zero/

    Furthermore it makes good sense to make the most of UK’s fossil fuel reserves as OPEC+ has just agreed to cut their supplies of oil to the world in 2024:

    https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-opec-deal-cuts-oil-supply-until-end-2024-2023-06-05/#:~:text=As%20well%20as%20extending%20the,a%20combined%2040.46%20million%20bpd.

    This will boost fossil fuel prices that will increase profits for the big fossil fuel companies and offset some ot the costs that pension funds are being asked to make by investing a percentage of their funds in riskier investments:

    https://theconversation.com/uk-government-wants-to-make-pension-pots-bigger-with-riskier-investments-but-it-faces-big-challenges-209748

  35. The zombie SNP. Spiked. 1 August 2023.

    Then there’s their incompetence. The SNP in recent years has shown itself to be incapable of managing Scotland’s economy. Just about every major intervention has courted disaster. Take the SNP’s long-running failure to build the ferries needed to serve Scotland’s island communities. The two boats it needs, which have still not been made, are now expected to cost a colossal £400million – an overspend of more than £300million. In 2019, the SNP poured £37million into the engineering firm Bifab to build wind turbines, only for the firm to be sold a year later for just £1 to a Canadian buyer. And while the Scottish government gave two steel plants to Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Steel for just £1 in 2016, the contract also commits the taxpayer to up to £500million in clean-up costs. No one in the world of business, even if they agreed with the party’s aims, would trust such people with their money.

    Reprehensible as this is, it is of course, dwarfed by the sheer ineptitude, massive fraud and corruption that permeates the Government of the UK. The difference is that no one wants to expose it because it would collapse the whole system.

    https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/08/01/the-zombie-snp/

      1. Why she was allowed into Scottish politics is beyond me – she should piss orf back to Canada where I’m sure Trudeau would welcome her politics

    2. Apparently a bottle return scheme – something corner shops managed with no trouble in our youth – is now likely to bankrupt the entire country.

  36. Here is one for Grizz… “Fans angry over Beyonce’s £122 ‘listening only’ tickets”. Seats behind the stage with no view of the performance, aimed at the terminally stupid I imagine.

    2. I once spent a sunny afternoon sitting on the steps outside Holland Park theatre listening to a rehearsal of La Traviata. There was a small gathering and we couldn’t see anything but we could hear perfectly. Lovely music free of charge.

      1. The last time I was in London, on a demo against trophy hunting, a friend and I had tea at St Martin’s and then went in and heard a rehearsal for the evening concert – a cracking Russian soloist and the orchestra played Mozart’s piano concerto no 20, one of my all time favourites.

        1. I remember a time when I’d visit London at least every month, sometimes twice, for evening leisure/entertainment and/or daytime shopping/browsing. Those days are long gone. I either pass through on the way to somewhere else or visit for hospital appointments. Going there for its own sake is a very rare occurrence nowadays.

          1. The last time I was there was April 2019. Something intervened that put a stop to normal life.

          2. Thankfully I don’t have to visit at all despite having lived in Peckham, Herne Hill and Streatham, but that was late 60s, early 70s.

            Today Londinistan is a shit heap that I certainly wouldn’t recommend to anyone, unless they were a black drug dealer with their own machete.

    3. A record would be cheaper and you can listen to it as many times as you like, although I expect once would be enough.

    1. My boycott wouldn’t count for anything. I’ve very rarely frequented one.

      1. Nor would mine – once was enough! But the petition already has over 6,000 signatures so it might be worth spreading.

        1. There’s an inherent contradiction in the petition.

          Speaking to CitizenGO, James Esses, founder of Thoughtful Therapists, a group of clinicians and trainee clinicians with concerns about the impact of gender ideology on counselling and therapy said, “For far too long, private corporations like Costa Coffee have gotten away with pushing dangerous ideology in pursuit of profit with no consideration for the harm they are causing. That must end now. They must be taught that there are consequences”.

          We urge Phillipe Schaillee, CEO of Costa Coffee, to reconsider this branding strategy. Costa Coffee stands to lose more than potential credit lines – it risks losing its entire customer base.

          Join our petition now to help #StopChildMutilation #BoycottCostaCoffee and send a message that when companies like Costa Coffee attempt to impose and promote harmful values in society, they will pay a heavy price.

          How can Costa Coffee be pursuing profit at the same time as risking the loss of its entire customer base?

          Personally, I can see little relationship between subtly depicting cosmetic double mastectomies – not that I approve of them but, like Bill, I wouldn’t have noticed without it being pointed out – and selling more coffee. There cannot be many people who would choose Costa Coffee over either a rival or no coffee on the basis of its virtue-signalling endorsement of the procedure.

          1. CC appear to think that using a mutilated cartoon model is a good advert for their coffee, but others may think differently, thus they risk losing customers, who otherwise might have bought one. Similarly, they may lose on their share price in the same way Bud Lite did when using a trans model upset women.

            Does that clarify it? Just to make things clear, I don’t intent to buy either.

          2. MB and I have just been to a Lidl branch that has a Costa next door.
            As we drew into the car park, we said in unison “Get your tits removed here”.
            I doubt we’ll be the only people to react that way.

          5. I wonder if they heard! Personally, I think it’s just another insult to women, especially those who have to have a mastectomy due to cancer. I was lucky to retain mine, but they are a bit mutilated.

      2. Been to one twice (my first and last) coffee was like paint stripper only stronger – never again!

    2. Alf and I are not frequenters of costacoffee, Alf prefers “free” coffee from Waitrose when we shop there. I’m not sure a petition to the CEO will make any difference, people will surely just vote with their feet.

    4. We never buy coffee outside our home, we much prefer our cafétière French ground coffee. I have, nevertheless, signed the petition and tweeted it. I find the advertisement exceedingly disturbing, and it is disturbing (and thus offensive) that Costa Coffee find it acceptable to present these sort of images to the public as a normal state of affairs. We are a terminally sick society.

    6. I only drink coffee I make myself when I can find good beans and they are not easy to find.

    7. Why would anyone want to be reminded of surgical scars when having a coffee?
      Clearly woke virtue signalling. I hope they go broke.

        1. And now Doc Martens.
          I think the Ad agencies have been infiltrated. Still, at the end of the day money talks and they will get fired.

      2. Thing is, there’re folk working in Costa Coffee who see this and groan, knowing it’ll damage their trade. Less trade means lower profits which means job losses.

        This pathetic virtue signalling damages real people, not those wafting along thinking such attitudes are ‘progressive’.

  38. Russian army chief makes rare front line visit – but stays indoors. 1 August 2023.

    Russia’s top general has visited the front lines in Ukraine’s south, its defence ministry said, as the Kremlin’s troops suffered from battle fatigue and ammunition shortages.

    Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff of Russia’s armed forces, was shown in a windowless bunker pouring over maps and receiving briefings, in a one-minute video released by the ministry.

    The general, who earlier this year took personal command of occupational forces in Ukraine, was then filmed climbing into a helicopter marked with the Russian “Z” symbol.

    This is the sort of cheap shot that we are coming to expect. Unless there was a tunnel to the bunker he must have been exposed to the air at some point. This does not of course absolve him of approaching down the trench system but one suspects that anything short of him dancing the balalaika in full view of the Ukies would draw some censure from the MSM who have abandoned analysis and truth. It is worth reflecting that in WWI Douglas Haig never once visited the front, or the wounded, during the whole of his command tenure. In fact the actual conditions were little understood by any of the rear echelon. It will probably take several years for us to hear a realistic account of the fighting in the Donbass!

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/08/01/russian-army-chief-makes-rare-front-line-visit/

  39. I am watching the Lionesses playing a supposed Chinese women’s team consisting of 50% small boys. Extraordinary corruption and extending to an authoritarian referee.

    2. I don’t understand why phonetic writing of names from a language with a different script sare spelled the way they are e.g the coach’s name is Qinjxhe, pronounced Kinshay.

      Why use a Q without a U and X instead of SH?

      There was an alternative spelling of Gadaffi, which was Qadaffi – again no U, so why a Q ot a K?

        2. Probably differences in pronunciation. More / less guttural for Ghaddafi/Gaddafi/Qaddafi, for example.

      2. The only plausible explanation I can think of is that the un-phonetic spellings indicate that the names are foreign.

      4. Given that the Roman alphabet bears no resemblance whatsover to Arabic letters or Chinese characters, it does seem bizarre. I’m also not convinced by the argument for Beijing in place of Peking.

        1. My Times Concise Atlas of the Word states that the nearest English-approximate pronunciation for Peking is “Pei-ching”. I just simply refer to it as Peking.

          Other inexplicable anomalies (to me) are: Piedmont/Piemonte; Hercules/Heracles; Boadicea/Boudicca; Koran/Quran; Mao tse Tung/Mao Zedong; Thomas à Becket/Thomas Becket among others I can’t quite bring to mind.

      6. The pronunciations of Irish Gaelic words bear no resemblance to their pronunciations in English.

  41. After all the bloody rigmarol with the GP i have put in a complaint.

    I would like to make a complaint.

    This comes in two parts.

    Firstly, after seeing a haematologist at QA they wrote to my GP and asked that i be prescribed two drugs.

    These were not prescribed and it was only discovered by chance 6 months later.

    Secondly, I was told by my GP that i was low on testosterone. This was
    in May 2023. He said i required a blood test and a prostate
    examination.

    These i had done. Then nothing happened.

    I contacted the practice in July to follow it up and was told a GP would phone me on 27th July at 4pm. This did not happen.

    On phoning the practice again it became apparent that i was put on the list for a physio phone appointment.

    Though i received an apology for that from reception i am left in the
    position where i have to begin the process all over again like a
    nightmare game of snakes and ladders.

    I was told to call next week for the usual 9am scramble for an appointment.

    This really isn’t good enough.

    What i would like to see happen is an appointment made for me to see a GP ASAP.

    If this is ignored i was escalate to the CQC

    What do Nottlers think?

    1. Phil. I needed to see a GP and phoned at 0830. After an hour I received a message that all were busy, call again later and then I was cut off.
      I phoned again in the afternoon and after 40 mins I spoke to a receptionist and explained my problem. She said go to the surgery tomorrow morning before 0830. At 0830 when they open the phone lines go to reception and ask for an appointment. I did and bingo! I got an appointment for that morning.
      If you able to get to your surgery it is worth a try.

      1. That kind of carp is why I left my previous Dr of about 20 years, because you needed to phone this morning for an appointment today, and nobody ever answered the phone. So, I dropped out of the system, as I didn’t see why I should be registered with a surgery when there was never anybody available.
        I registered elsewhere some time later, after a search for a surgery taht allowed web bookings – like an airline, or restaurant. Then I could book a time that was reasonably convenient, and block that time in my work calendar. Also, emails for repeat prescriptions and so on. Works pretty well, even if the Drs are wary of actually communicating with the patients.

    2. During my treatment for heart failure following a diagnosis for SupraVentricular Tachycardia I was prescribed so many drugs in follow up.treatments that I was able to choose the ones that suited me best from the list still held on file through https://tpp-uk.com/products/systmonline/

      i’ve never met or been called by my GP but he regularly signs of repeat prescriptions that I request on systmonline.

    3. I agree with the Black Princes’ boy.
      Insist on that appointment with your GP.
      How difficult is it for you to get to the surgery? Present yourself for making an appointment. Afternoon might be good when there is less of an audience so the receptionist won’t be so defensive and there should be GPs in the building catching up on paperwork and running clinics.
      Altogether, an absolutely appalling story. But make sure when you first write, your complaints are factual and all on one page.

    4. Write firm but polite letter to the senior”partner” BY NAME – setting out concisely the history. Try to get it all on one side – no one ever turns letters over or reads a second page these days.

      You could start by saying, “I am writing to you in despair…”

      1. I will wait for a response to my complaint first. Then i might contact one of those ambulance chasing lawyers.

          3. No Phil – it’ll put them on the defensive – they’ll get uppity and “refer your letter to the BMA (their Trade Union)…”

    1. Why don’t they just stop them coming here – there wouldn’t be any problems then. All this is of the governments own making.

        1. Maybe ‘The bastards’ are planning another attempt at the massacring of our indigenous population.

      2. How much longer can this go on these idiots in Westminster and Whitehall should be sacked this is an act of treason against the people of this country.

        1. I’m advocating the British revolution.

          First to the Headsman’s block, Charlie, HoC, except Bridgen, then all the snivel serpents.

          That should amuse the crowd on a Sunday afternoon – until we start on the slammers.

        2. If that useless boat actually houses 500 of the welfare criminals we would need two hundred of them every single year.

          That’s the scale of the invasion. Heck, we’re a bloody island. That water was our best defence to keep out the invader for over 500 years.

          1. and once they’re here there’s little chance of getting rid of them unless we can shepherd them into ghettos and let disease do it for us

          2. I couldn’t agree more.
            What these politcal bastards have done and are further doing to this country absolutely stinks.

      3. They arrive by boat in Italy. Are given free train tickets to cross europe. Allowed to camp at Calais to meet their travel agents. No identity checks take place. Quango charities give them everything they need including sex. They hop in boats escorted by the French Navy. Then the RNLI ferries them to safety. They are then bussed to their luxury accommodations. Given money, legal advice and free healthcare.

        It could be stopped or at least stymied at any point. The government is complicit regardless of what they say.

        2. Is it the RNLI now? I thought border farce were deliberately bringing them in out of spite.

    2. A pile of us were on site today and a woman was sat outside a Sainsburys local shop. Most folk walked past her.

      It was the ‘Lord Mayor’ driving on to the pavement into s space set aside for him that set me off. It showed the dichotomy of statist arrogance and pointlessness. It’s pathetic, but i bought her half a dozen sandwiches, a bottle of water, some cereal bars and stuffs. She could have been a druggie just wanting a fix and my efforts won’t help that but I tried.

      And we let the crappy Pixo’s tires down.

      Then I read articles like this about welfare shopper criminals and a part of me gets angry.

  45. We watched the game England v China. From Adelaide earlier.
    Apart from the other fairly obvious unusual football irregularities. That was the absolutely the most dreadful referreing I have ever seen in my entire life.

      1. There are news paper articles suggesting that the whole competition is fixed. But the better side will of course always win.
        But this ref was dreadful.

  46. Six more barrow loads shifted = that makes ten today = one third of a ton. Going for a walk now to ease my pore back.

      1. My in-house medical staff have so advised me!!

        Actually, done slowly – a bit of shovelling, lots of removing the tiny pieces of bind-weed root – is very relaxing. And the “dip” is being filled. One of those rare jobs where you can actually SEE the progress!!

    1. I’ve just ordered my winter fuel. The same amount as I bought last year at the same time of year now costs £500 more.

      1. I had a similar experience last year, so I dread to think what my bill will be this year.

  49. Doing this now as I have to brace myself ….
    You may recall that I told you last night that my husband was unwell. We went up to bed about 9 but he couldn’t get comfortable so I suggested something he’s done before which is to lie on the floor with a pillow and come to bed when he was comfy.
    He moved around in the night with me checking him every half an hour or so, This morning, I got up a six and came down to wash my hair etc and went back up; he’d moved a bit but there was blood coming out his mouth. I tried to get a response but to no avail. So I called an ambulance and they came quickly.
    To cut a long story short, my beloved husband died at 8.50 this morning.
    I am in shock and seeing him laid out on the bed and leaving with the undertakers was more that I could bear.
    Heart broken and have to let his son know and others.
    2 months shy of our 5th anniversary.

    1. Oh Ann, I am so sorry to see that, my heartfelt condolences to you. I shall keep you in my thoughts

    2. Oh God, Ann. I’m so dreadfully sorry. I don’t know what to say and wish I was nearer to you and could do something practical. My heart goes out to you and my thoughts and prayers are with you at this terrible time. I know how much you loved each other.

    3. Oh no…….. what a terrible shock. So sorry. He was such a support to you with your own health. I hope you have some support from his family and your own son.

    4. Oh Ann – how terrible – quite awful for you. My deepest condolences

      Is there anyone nearby who can keep company with you? You shouldn’t be alone just now.

    5. Oh bugger.
      With everything else going on I do not know what to say, condolences and sympathy somehow seem grossly inadequate.
      I do not pray very often, but I’ve just asked for you to be given the strength to get through this.

    6. So sorry for you both. It took you so long to find happiness and now it is gone.

      Wot Bill wrote, now is not the time for Pinot alone!

    7. Oh Ann, your one consolation taken away. Prayers that the Lord grant you strength to bear it and that you find support. Don’t despair.

    10. So sorry to hear this Ann, my sincere condolences. Thoughts are with you and family

    16. Dear Ann, this is terrible for you. My sincere condolences and may you be given the strength to face and deal with the days ahead.

    17. OMG that is absolutely tragic. I feel so sorry for you Ann and words will fail me if I try to express how sad I feel..
      I’ll be thinking of you but I am so so sorry.

    19. That is dreadful news.
      Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and condolences.
      I pray that you have someone close by who can be with you at this dreadful point.

    21. Simply awful for you, Ann, and you’ve both had to put up with so much. Any neighbours or nearby friend you could share a glass with or just give you a hug?

    22. Secondly, thank you for having the courage to post so soon, I’m certain every Nottler is rooting for you.

      1. Yes – I wish we lived near enough to be of use, but we are certainly with Ann in our thoughts.

    23. So, so sorry to hear that, Ann and there’s so little we can do to relieve the pain – just commiserate.

      I/we hope there is someone close by who can be with you so that, at least, you have a shoulder to cry on.

      I’d come down but a). I don’t know exactly where you are, and b). it”s a damned long way from Moffat.

      Be sure we’re all with you and urging you to KBO. Love and hugs.

    24. The sudden death of a loved one is a dreadful experience and difficult to reconcile. Try and remain busy and keep the glass half-full, think of the good times together. Condolences from Wales.

    25. That is dreadful news, you had such a short time together. You have had such an incredibly difficult time recently, but I hope that you are able to cherish the good times you enjoyed together.

    26. So, so sorry to read this. I know from your posts how much you loved him, and for what a short time you had him.
      I hope someone is with you on this worst of days.

    28. I’m so sorry, Ann. This is dreadful news. There’s nothing I can do and little I can say to assuage your anguish but be in no doubt that all at NTTL will be feeling great sorrow at what you’re having to endure. If it’s any comfort, you will be in the thoughts of all of us here and that we’ll be on hand for when you need someone to ‘talk’ to.

      😢😢😢😢

    29. Ann, I’m so sorry. Having been there, I know that no words of ours can ease your pain. Only time can do that. In time you will remember only the wonderful time you had together. Please try to be patient.

    30. My condolences Ann. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help with your own health care needs. Best wishes S

    31. Oh, Ann, that is so unbelievably awful. I am so sorry. You are in my thoughts, but there’s not anything I, or any of us, can say to ease your pain.
      A sense of unreality.
      Why do such tragedies happen to nice people.

    33. (I replied at the top of the page too.)
      An unbelievable tragedy for you both.
      No words really but I can only offer my heartfelt sympathy.

    34. I am so very sad to read this after all the travails you have been going through. My deelest condolences to you.

    35. Dear Ann,
      What an awful shock and we are speechless. What can we say. If there’s anything we can do you only have to say. You have our heartfelt sympathy. xxx

    37. As others have said, there are no words to describe our shock at the pain of your loss. So, so sorry to hear of the death of your dear husband.

    38. Oh dear, how awful Ann. I don’t really know the NOTTLers on here yet, being a relative new boy, but heartfelt condolences, what more can I say. I just popped back here before switching off for the night, this was not the sort of news I wanted to hear.

    39. Oh Lottie, I’m so desperately sorry for you. Truly awfuL news. Thoughts and prayers with you.

    40. Ann, this is desperately sad news. My thoughts are with you at this devastating time which I am sure are shared by all other NoTTLers.

    41. There is little I and my wife can say except to express our deepest condolences.

      We hope you will stay strong and weather this truly awful storm.

    43. Dear Ann, having scrolled through the responses, I think I can easily say that 100% of we NoTTLers are behind you in this rime of tragedy and you may call upon ANYONE of us to do what we may to alleviate the misery you must be feeling. We are ALL behind you in your hours of need. and can only wish you the strength to get through this tough time,. Love and lots of big ole’ hugs to you. Don’t be afraid to call for help.

  50. Struggled to get a Bogey Five.

    Wordle 773 5/6
    ⬜🟨⬜⬜🟨
    ⬜⬜⬜🟩🟩
    ⬜⬜⬜🟩🟩
    🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩
    🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    1. A par four. An odd one.

      Wordle 773 4/6

      ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
      ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
      ⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    2. Lucked in with par
      Wordle 773 4/6

      ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
      ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
      🟩🟨⬜⬜⬜
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    3. Par, but who gives a shit, I’ve just seen Ann’s post.

      Wordle 773 4/6

      ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨
      🟨⬜🟩🟨⬜
      ⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

  51. This white shaming has gone too far. A teacher in Toronto has committed suicide after he was shamed by some mandatory equality training.

    Here’s a great comment about white privilege from one of the newspapers.

    For Sale:

    My White Privilege Card. Over 50 years old but in mint condition. Never been used.

    Reason for selling: It hasn’t done any thing for me! No free college, no free food, no free housing, no free anything. I’ve had to go to work every day of my life while paying a boatload of taxes to carry those who chose not to work!

    If interested, I prefer cash but willing to do an even trade for a Victim Card which seems much more widely accepted and comes with countless benefits

    https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/warmington-plot-thickens-in-principals-tragic-suicide

  53. Another government clusterf*ck. Dartford Crossing. Notified the world in May that they were changing their “server” and that everyone with an account would have to revalidate a credit card after 28 July (well, they didn’t actually say that until much later and then very confusingly). Thought it best to leave it for a few days.

    This arvo. Took an hour waiting in a queue. And I am one of the lucky ones – as I didn’t need to pay for a crossing today; or book one; or pay a penalty. Simply update the card.

    Typical of a government organisation to underestimate by several hundred percent the likely impact of such a change. 160,000 crossings a day. Millions of subscribers.

    Britain broken again.

    2. I knew there was some sort of muddle as a friend was given 2 days – rather than 1 day – to pay the toll.

  54. That’s me for this grey but dry day. Rain tomorrow (as roofer returns).

    Let us all raise a glass (or a cuppa) to poor, lonely Ann tonight – and pray that she has the strength to cope with it all.

    A demain.

    1. What an appalling experience for Ann. My heart goes out to her; life is going to be awful the next few days, and I pray she gets support from friends and family. And the empty space…

    2. I know it’s not important how I feel, but I’m so upset for Ann. And her family. We have recently had a lovely old chap in our road who has just passed away.
      I’ve known Michael (past two years a TV star) for over 30 years.
      Unfortunately this is a typical experience for people in our age group.
      Say no more.

      1. Every week when we went to visit my grandmother, she invariably asked my Dad, ‘Do you remember Mrs/Mr so-and-so?’ To be followed by, ‘Well she/he died in the week.’ Yup, it’s an age thing.

          1. 18 months ago, we were shocked by the unexpected death of a very old friend, slightly younger than us. Her husband has health issues but she was generally fit and well.

        2. Certainly is Mum2 and I shan’t be too long in joining them, but I positively want to.

        3. When my wife, small son and I returned from Australia in 1980 we lived with her parents and heard the same stories.

  55. Justin Rowlatt has just been reporting on BBC1 News on why, at the current rate of installation, it’s going to take 400 years to get heat pumps installed in all UK homes.

    Rishi says that the granting of hundreds of fossil fuel licences is a pragmatic solution to UK energy needs so we should be expecting drilling to contine for up to the year 2023+400 = 2423!

          1. True, but if it wasn’t for my optimism Nottle would be a very sad place at times, and on a serious note, such as this evening.

  57. When I showed a GP at my local surgery an ecg trace that I had recorded myself I was informed that I had AFib but they refrained from explaining how that diagnosis could be derived from an interpretation the ecg trace.

    I have been unable to throw any light of my heart failure experience in hospital in respect to its relation to AFib recognition/treatment and its relevance to my SupraVentricular Tachycardia diagnosis in A&E.

    Until now, that is, when I found this video on how to reognise/deal with AFib and when you need to go to A&E:

    https://youtu.be/t5_XGA1QpLw

    I’m sure I don’t have AFib but due to its imprecise definition can anybody be sure that any heart rate disturbance isn’t AFib?

    P.S. I am on two drugs mentioned in the video to suppress an AFib attack.

    1. I always find your posts on these subjects very interesting.

      They make me realise that being a heartless bastard can sometimes have its advantages…

        1. That’s the good news.
          However, from your perspective, crosses, garlic, silver bullets, stakes etc won’t work.
          Be very afraid…

    2. My husband was diagnosed with A-fib following his heart surgery last December. He has a very rapid and irregular heart rate. A cardiologist a few weeks ago decided it was Atrial flutter, rather than A-fib, but the prescribed Amiodarone doesn’t seem to be making much of a difference.

      1. My story.
        Since my four hour prceedure I have been described Amiodarone three 200mg a day for a week two away for week two and one until the two packets of 28 are empty.
        I had an ablation 7 years ago and it lasted until my covid jabs.
        Two years after the diagnosis I managed to have another ablation this time it lasted four hours. On local anesthetic. Quite a daunting experience. But so far it’s been successful. But it was only carried out last Wednesday.
        There was never any explanation as to why it started nearly eight years ago. I had never heard of it before.
        Push for treatment, despite all the upset and difficulties it’s the only way to get back to as normal as possible.
        But I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to stop taking Apixaban, Bisoprolol or Candesartan. But at least after 53 years of working and paying tax and national insurance. It’s still free.
        But I suspect our slime bag political classes will attempt to get some of it back when I pass on.

        2. That seems to be the standard dosing of Amiodarone, with a loading dose of three a day, reducing to two, then one. He’s been on one a day for several weeks now. But the heart rate is still around 100. Do you stop taking the Amiodarone once you’ve finished those packets, or will it carry on? He also takes Bisopralol, Ramipril and a statin. And Furosemide as his ankles were slightly puffy. He reached the age of 80 with no medication, now he rattles with pills.

          1. Yes, I recognise Furosemide as a diuretic, hence it being used to counter puffy ankles. I was taken off Amlodipine because it had that (puffy ankle) effect. It seems that prescription medication is often a matter of trial and error.

          2. Yes – and people have various reactions. I think the drugs react with each other as well.

          3. As far as I can gather after the two packets are finished that’s the end.
            But it seems I might have to keep taking Bisoprolol but I only take 5mg when I wake up. I never had any swelling in my legs, but I could feel the water retention in my lungs and often had a rattle in my upper respiratory system. And an infection.
            I read that Amiodarone can also react with statins. I’ve had some terrible headaches since I started taking it. Which leads to paracetamol.
            We can’t win can we.
            But remember I have had the ablation. I think it’s prescribed to avoid any sudden issues with the afib kicking in again. I have an actual appointment in November with the local cardiology department. But I found the person I saw insensitive.
            Which I have indicated to the hospital management. Perhaps I’ll see someone else. He’s Greek with a very strong accent and I couldn’t understand much of what he was saying when I had the privileged of a phone call.
            Best wishes to your hubby I just hope they sort him out soon, it becomes very wearing for all. Both mentally and physically.
            I don’t remember my parents or grandparents generations popping so many pills. My terribly suspicious mind suggests we are part of an experiment.

          4. He’s had discussions today with the GP surgery’s pharmacist. She then contacted cardiology at GRH. The one we saw in June is on holiday this week, but she spoke to another cardiologist who said given the unpleasant side effects he’s been having, he should stop taking them now.
            So the next step will be a follow-up appointment hopefully fairly soon. He has an unopened packet so he’ll take those back to the pharmacy.

            We didn’t need all these drugs – and I’m sure things have got worse in the last few years. I’m now 75 and take nothing. He reached the age of 80 before he had the surgery and drugs. My mother made it to 80 but only just……. We have to live while we still can.

          5. My mother and her two sisters and one brother were over 90 when they passed on. Her elder sister 93 liked a wee dram before she went to bed.
            Father’s side didn’t do so well. Only mid eighties. Multiple Strokes.
            I’m not sure enough research has been carried out on the different reactions of all the mixtures they give us to take.
            I lost three old friends not long after the covid jabs started. All had underlying health problems. But it’s difficult to tie it all down to one particular health problem. Over enthusiasm with prescription Drugs may well have been the problem.
            Take care Ellie and look after the old chap. 🤗 I’m sure you are.

      2. I wanted to be one step ahead of cardiology matters so I could understand the terms doctors were using. I took some online cardiology tests that were difficult to fake. I got 80% in the broad knowledge but only 40% in the advanced test.

        Nonetheless I discovered that not all doctors can understand ‘cardiotongue’ and that there can be major differences of opinion on diagnoses and treatments. I have also discovered that is best to humour medical professionals and just present as a dumb patient.
        I am sure they use ChatGPT to keep up to date on heartfelt issues.

    3. I have just been diagnosed with aFib, arrythmia, and conduction disease, long two page letter from the consultant at Royal Berks.. But considered largely benign at the moment, to be reviewed in a year’s time with no medicines to control that. But have been prescribed anticoagulants to reduce the risk of a stroke which seems to be the norm. Saw GP this afternoon (bit of a mix up, he said 4pm, their check in machine said 4.40 then when I popped home instead of waiting they rang at 4.15 to say ‘the doctor is ready to see you now’!) He has prescribed Edoxolin for the anticoagulant, anybody know about that? Checking online I see one of the rare side effects is bleeding on the brain, go figure…
      (by the way I am a super fit 74 year old and do long long walks around London)

      2. Anticoagulants seem to be the norm nowadays not only for senior members of society. These are routinely prescribed after any surgical intervention that could result in undesirable clot formations that could end up blocking important arteries in the brain or heart.

        There are also complex structures inside the heart that are prone to clot formation so anticoagulants can also be prescribed to avoid stroke risk even without having had surgery.

        As you are aware these drugs slow down the clotting mechanism of the blood so evidence of leaking arteries anywhere in the body is possible.

        It may be necessary to withdraw anticoagulant use when undergoing planned surgical operations. At times when I notice signs of excessive bruising resolution I do temporarilly reduce my Apixaban dosage.

        1. I have abdominal surgery coming up in November to repair a hernia. I’ve already been advised to halt taking Apixaban 48 hours ahead of the procedure.

      3. I’m on Apixaban, Dave. I know little about the pros and cons of the various anti-coagulants other than Warfarin becoming outdated, but I can tell you that my medication has had no ill effects. Bleeding on the brain is something I was warned to beware of. More precisely, I was told by a nurse specialist to report to A&E in the event of a blow to the head to see whether any such bleed had taken place. This was four years ago and, thus far, I’ve yet to have a head bump of any consequejead

        1. Thanks David. Looking at Apixaban it seems much the same as Edoxolin as far as side effects are concerned, apart from it being two doses a day as against once daily for Edoxolin. So fingers crossed I will also have no symptoms.

    4. I had a straight line VF in 2002 which is opposite of A/F, It means you’re dead

      Fortunately the battery charger.brought me back and in 2023 i can thank those paramedics for an extra 21 years of life

      1. I had enough cardiac on-line training to suspect that I had an ongoing excessively high heart rate of 166 bpm for my age and that it was likely to be SupraVentricular Tachycardia (SVT).

        I walked into A&E but as I was being assessed by a triage doctor she confirmed my suspicions by saying that it was SVT. I then realised how serious it was when I was hurriedly bundled into a wheelchair and rushed into resus.

        Thankfully my decision to refer myself to A&E was the right course of action and the comprehensive NHS hospital treatment has given me many years of extra time and the opportunity to see a new granddaughter born into this world albeit during peak COVID.

  59. Watching al beeb on the Moscow drone attacks and the huge, nay vast, nay ginourmous amount of damage, I am reminded of walking to work after the IRA attack on Bishopsgate.
    The Moscow drones have hardly scratched the surface in comparison.

    1. Well when it comes to myths (and trans Myss) the Beeb does like to drone on and on …..

  60. After the news today I feel sad.
    I’m off for the evening to count my blessings.
    Good night all.

  61. Just to add to the dismal news of today, an ambulance rolled up at a neighbours house a half-hour ago. Blue lights. Just left, no lights, and no hurry. Oh, Lord. trying to keep positive, but it’s hard.

  63. I’m off for a bath and then bed.
    Still shocked and saddened by Ann’s news.

    Good night all.

  66. I thank you for all the condolences. Heading to bed now to see if sleep comes.
    It’s been a long, difficult day.

    3. I’m sure it has been, Ann. We’re all rooting for you. Lots of big love and hugs to you, our dear friend.

    4. I’ve just read your post from earlier, LotL and am deeply saddened. I send my heartfelt condolences.

      I hope you are able to rest – you must be exhausted, physically and mentally.

  67. Good night, chums. I hope you all sleep well, especially Ann who has so sadly lost her husband today.

  69. “I have a book to sell”, says Michael Coren

    Bigotry alone shouldn’t be a crime

    The painter who refused to decorate the house of a gay couple is absolutely within her rights to do so – even if her beliefs are obnoxious

    MICHAEL COREN • 1st August 2023 • 2:04pm

    I’m an Anglican priest, and while a straight, married man have authored two books outlining the Biblical, Christian arguments for same-sex marriage and full acceptance of LGBTQ people within the church. I’ve also written countless articles, and appeared on television and radio making the same defence, and suffered a great deal of abuse and threats as a consequence.

    And I also believe that a woman painter who recently refused to decorate the home of a gay couple should be allowed to make that decision and not face any legal consequences. Her reputation may be damaged and she could lose business, which is absolutely acceptable, but she has – if you like – the right to be wrong.

    The couple involved, Joshua and George (they’re withholding their surnames) have been extremely considerate in not naming the woman, likely realising that the social media and even personal attacks that would inevitably follow would be appalling. Nor are they planning on suing her under the Equalities Act 2010 which bans discrimination due to sexuality.

    Which indicates that they have a far deeper grasp than her on the basic Christian tenets of forgiveness, inclusion, and refusal to judge.

    The case itself is extraordinary in that it doesn’t involve support for a same-sex wedding, whether as a caterer, photographer, or cleric. The couple say that the tradeswoman changed her attitude to the job when she visited their home and realised the situation. She texted to them that as, “‘practising Christian” she could not proceed due to “recommended guidelines” at her church.

    I could counter with evidence that Jesus never mentions the issue, the Old Testament doesn’t refers to lesbianism, St. Paul condemns temple male prostitution rather than loving, consenting same-sex relationships, and that while the Bible speaks of the poor more than 2000 times, it hardly ever writes of what we today describe as homosexuality – the word is actually late 19th-century.

    But I also appreciate that there is disagreement within the wider church on this subject, and while I hope and pray that minds can be changed, I’ve met many people who disagree with me who are fine and selfless followers of Christ. This case, however, seems extreme from any point of view.

    In the public sector, discrimination based on sexuality, as well as race, religion, or disability is and should be illegal. Surely most of us agree on that. The state must never have a right to penalise someone because of who they are, and that’s as conservative a position as it is liberal.

    In the private sector, the free market, it all becomes rather blurred. What if the couple in question lived not in a large city but a small village, and there was only one painter available? What if the decision to reject the work was based on skin colour? Our reaction would surely be angrier. My father was Jewish, and lived in London at a time when there were implicit and even explicit barriers to work because of his religion. That all changed, but took a long time and involved a great deal of hardship.

    But then there’s simply common sense. This couple wouldn’t have been comfortable with a person so profoundly, perversely, opposed to their relationship painting their home, with them surrounded by her work for years to come. I’ve a feeling they know that, and far better than I do.

    “Just another day in the life of a practising homo – a tradesperson outright refusing to do some painting/decorating because of my sexuality”, said Joshua, one half of the couple. It may sound dismissive but it’s also deeply poignant. There’s an expression of hurt here that nobody should have to experience. He and his partner have done nothing wrong. The woman who treated them thus most certainly has.

    Society is seldom based on absolutes, and no solution to this absurd situation is going to satisfy everybody. Perhaps an altruistic soul will now offer to decorate their home as a gift, perhaps the woman will realise what she has done and change? Or perhaps not.

    Love God, love your neighbour as yourself, and do your job as advertised. But if you don’t, I’d rather God and your conscience respond and not the state.

    Rev Michael Coren’s latest book is The Rebel Christ

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/08/01/bigotry-alone-shouldnt-be-a-crime/

    It’s always bothered me that the ‘liberal’, rights-based conscience is happy to protect the followers of certain religious beliefs from public criticism even though it despises some of those beliefs (you know who and what I mean). It is an absurdity that under the Equality Act 2010, religion is a protected belief even though to act upon some tenets of some religions would be to commit serious crimes. Several respondents make this point.

    There’s some burning at the stake BTL:

    Gillie Heatlump
    Discrimination is not a dirty word. All the world’s religions have a massive great blob of it in their scriptures. The creator discriminated throughout creation if you believe such things. Survival of the group relies on such.

    You can relabel it if you wish and call it bigotry or some other fine word that ends with an “ism” but you would not be here today were it not for discriminatory behaviour. Creation relies upon it.

    Don’t forget though that it also relies on love. I don’t mean in the romantic sense (although that too is discriminatory) but rather the love (attraction) that joins the basic building blocks of life together chemically. Chemistry and physics are terribly discriminatory.

    Virtue signalling doesn’t change this fact.

    Mark Ready
    So they didn’t want to name the women but are happy to parade themselves all over the media, drama queens…

    Amelia Crisp-Packett
    Holy Moly batman, there’s some serious bias blindness going on in that article. You’re judging her for judging them.

    We all discriminate. The gay couple have made a private affair public. So now we all wonder who the tradeswoman is. You have picked up the story to defend her right to be a bigot, but can’t resist emphasising her bigotry. I’m reading this and judging you for being a hypocrite.

    John Smith
    So your interpretation of Christianity lines up perfectly with left wing progressivism? That’s pretty neat!

    Philip Firmin
    The decorator can refuse to paint rainbows, unicorns etc, but can’t turn down business on the basis of the sexuality of the customer. If I was a web-designer I should be allowed to refuse to create a website that supports Sharia law, but can’t refuse a job purely on the basis a customer is Muslim, if I would be happy to do the same for a non-Muslim.

    Clive Jones
    A fairly typical response from the Anglican church, no idea what they actually believe in. In supporting LGBTQ+ they include a group that supports and promotes the mutilation of children who have no capacity to make life changing decisions. Inclusivity, what a wonderfully simple and fundamentally idiotic idea.

    1. Clive Jones makes a presumption. Do we know what stance this couple has taken in respect of surgical treatment for those who claim to have gender dysphoria? My views are more closely aligned with those of Philip Firmin.

      1. He’s referring to the church rather than the couple. It’s a moot point as to whether supporting the alphabet movement as a whole is to implicitly support surgery for the questionable cases of ‘gender dysphoria’.

  70. Back up again- sleep is elusive.
    I have phoned my stepson and given him the news and he will inform that side of the family; spoke also to my husband’s brother and my sister in law. Spoken to a friend also. Still don’t know which end is up but guess I will get there.
    Thanks again everyone.

    1. Of course you’ll get there.Ann, you are our greatest example of strong womanhood and long may it be so.

      I’m a man who supports you 100% Don’t lose faith now..

      Take a Pinot or two and sleep my dear, ‘ Til morning’s light. More love and hugs.

    2. Have you got someone with you Lottie?
      It will be hard to sleep, but when you do, don’t feel guilty. Sleep as long as you like, whatever the time of day or night. The time for doing can wait.

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