Tuesday 5 July: The Government’s net zero fantasy will cost lives and jobs this winter

Posted on by Geoff Graham

An unofficial place to discuss the Telegraph letters, established when the DT website turned off its comments facility (now reinstated, but we prefer ours),
Intelligent, polite, good-humoured debate is welcome, whether on or off topic. Differing opinions are encouraged, but rudeness or personal attacks on other posters will not be tolerated. Posts which – in the opinion of the moderators – make this a less than cordial environment, are likely to be removed, without prior warning.  Persistent offenders will be banned.

Today’s letters (visible only to DT subscribers) are here.

688 thoughts on “Tuesday 5 July: The Government’s net zero fantasy will cost lives and jobs this winter”

      1. 353800+ up ticks,

        A morning greeting via, tom
        tom, are you in some way having a go at a sorely afflicted lap top ?

        1. I’m not the one having a go at a sorely afflicted laptop. Au contraire – I was taught, as a child, that, “It is a bad workman who blames his tools.“

          1. 353900+ up ticks

            NtN,
            Good morrow, Gentlefolk and to Ogga,

            You could very well have been taught as a child, pity that politeness was not inclusive.

            Seemingly not only having a pop at a limping laptop but also
            the laptop jab free driver.

    3. 353900+ up ticks,
      O2O,

      Ogs we really MUST go down to the forest today ,find a mighty oak of olde England and fashion a new crutch for the laptop.

    5. “…displaying her biased inverted snobbery.”

      And yobbery:

      Ms Rayner was criticised last year for using a speech at the Labour Party’s annual conference to refer to Conservatives as “scum”.

      “We cannot get any worse than a bunch of scum, homophobic, racist, misogynistic, absolute vile … banana republic, vile, nasty, Etonian … piece of scum,” she said at an evening event, before joking that she had “held back a little”.

    6. This from the party associated with Workers’ Institutes, night school and educating the masses.

  5. Morning folks.
    BKM…..

    “Lewes Priory Cricket Club has decided to ditch traditional whites for the first time in its almost 200 year history, to reduce the anxiety of female players taking to the field whilst on their periods. Teams will don a black kit instead in future, after the club received advice from gender inclusion consultants”

    I wonder how King Canute would have dealt with the apparent Oceans of PMT?

    4. Good morning

      My mother and father lived in various countries in Africa, 2 of them being the Sudan and Nigeria .

      Mother used to say never ever swim in the sea either with a wound or during the menstrual cycle .. Especially the Red Sea and the South Atlantic .

      I took that advice when I was a QARRN , when I was based in Malta in the year dot .. although they used to say the only sharks were the ones on dry land .

      My South African sisters say the same about swimming over there, Cape Town and Durban area in particular .

  6. ‘Morning, Peeps.  Dry and pleasantly cool outside with a forecast for a pleasant 21°C today.  Some rainfall would be nice but none darn sarf it would seem.

    Today’s leading letter:

    SIR – Any government’s fundamental role is to cater for the basic needs of its citizens, one of which is a secure and reliable energy supply.

    People will die this winter because they can’t afford to stay warm, and businesses will disappear, along with the jobs they offer. The environment will not be affected in the slightest.

    This was wholly avoidable, yet Boris Johnson’s administration persists with the fantasy of net zero.

    I don’t care about parties at Downing Street. I do care about a government killing its own people.

    Hamish Hossick
    Dundee

    Sorry to disappoint, Mr Hossick, but you should have realised by now that this government ain’t listening.  Their refusal to do so will be their downfall.

    This subject is occupying many of the BTL posters this morning:

    Nigel Harvey 2 HRS AGO

    Net zero is an essential policy. The climate emergency is an existential threat to us all. Every credible organisation, scientific and otherwise, confirms this. If we, and other major emitters do not achieve it quickly, we have more wildfires, deadly heatwaves, devastating storms, flooding, and crop failures leading to spiralling food prices and famines,

    Matthew Biddlecombe 2 HRS AGO

    Good morning Nigel, and I cannot make up my mind whether you’re writing this tongue-in-cheek, whether you’re playing devil’s advocate or whether you’ve fallen hook, line and sinker for the rhetoric that’s being forced upon us.

    There is a very real possibility that people will die this winter because they cannot afford to heat their homes. Are you really happy to sit by and allow that to happen just so that we can save emissions that will amount to around 0.01% of the total?

  8. SIR – Lord Frost offers a clear analysis of the energy options available to this country (“Energy rationing is inevitable without a fundamental rethink of net zero”, Comment, July 1). It is frustrating that he is not in a position to put his ideas into practice.

    The 2050 carbon-neutral target was conceived long before the invasion of Ukraine and needs to be revisited. The Government’s energy policy is built on a number of half-truths, not least about heat pumps and the likely availability of electrical power. The Soviet-style ban on new gas boilers, due to take effect in barely three years’ time, should be scrapped. There is nothing that can replace their efficiency and effectiveness within that timescale.

    Insufficient credit has been given to the rocketing price of fuel, which is far more likely to be effective in reducing carbon emissions.

    Energy policy directly affects every family in the land. If the Tories cannot get this right, and quickly, they are likely to lose the next general election.

    Michael Allisstone
    Chichester, West Sussex

    It’s obvious to all of us, but Johnson and his fellow lemmings are hurtling towards the cliff and show no sign of stopping.

    1. The WEF/NWO have ordered the destruction of Western Civilisation Johnson is one of their superstars…….
      Morning Hugh

  9. SIR – Lord Frost offers a clear analysis of the energy options available to this country (“Energy rationing is inevitable without a fundamental rethink of net zero”, Comment, July 1). It is frustrating that he is not in a position to put his ideas into practice.

    The 2050 carbon-neutral target was conceived long before the invasion of Ukraine and needs to be revisited. The Government’s energy policy is built on a number of half-truths, not least about heat pumps and the likely availability of electrical power. The Soviet-style ban on new gas boilers, due to take effect in barely three years’ time, should be scrapped. There is nothing that can replace their efficiency and effectiveness within that timescale.

    Insufficient credit has been given to the rocketing price of fuel, which is far more likely to be effective in reducing carbon emissions.

    Energy policy directly affects every family in the land. If the Tories cannot get this right, and quickly, they are likely to lose the next general election.

    Michael Allisstone
    Chichester, West Sussex

    It’s obvious to all of us, but Johnson and his fellow lemmings are hurtling towards the cliff and show no sign of stopping.

  11. Another outstanding soldier leaves us:

    Lt-Col Ian Crooke, SAS officer who rescued hostages in The Gambia and served in the Falklands war – obituary

    He was twice Mentioned in Despatches in Northern Ireland and played a key role during the Iranian embassy siege

    ByTelegraph Obituaries 3 July 2022 • 10:00pm

    Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Crooke, who has died aged 80, led a secret SAS mission to rescue hostages held by rebel forces in 1981 in The Gambia.

    In July 1981, the president of the former British colony, Sir Dawda Jawara, was in England for the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul’s Cathedral. While he was away, a Marxist coup d’état took place.

    Economic hardship, together with several years of poor harvests, had prepared the ground for a rebellion. There was resentment, too, that commerce in the country was dominated by foreigners at the expense of local businessmen.

    Troops from neighbouring Senegal had been sent to fight the rebels who had seized Lady Chilel Jawara, one of the president’s two wives, her children and other hostages. The insurgents also controlled the country’s armoury, airport, and a radio station in the capital, Banjul.

    Banks and shops were broken into and safe deposit boxes rifled. Liquor stores were looted and many of the gunmen were youths who had never handled weapons before and were drunk.

    The intervention of Senegalese forces led to an escalation of violence on the part of the rebels, and the president, a long-time ally of Britain, asked Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister, for assistance. Advised to move cautiously, she agreed to send a small reconnaissance team to liaise with Senegalese troops, report on the situation as it developed and await further instructions.

    Lieutenant-Colonel (now General Sir) Michael Rose, the CO of 22 SAS, decided to send Crooke. He told him to choose the men to accompany him and take whatever arms and equipment he needed. Crooke and two sergeants passed through the special forces security system at Heathrow airport and boarded a flight to Dakar in Senegal.

    There, they met a team from Delta Force. The elite special forces unit from the American army was commanded by Major “Bucky” Burruss but had no clearance from Washington to go into The Gambia. Burruss and Crooke, however, had built up a close rapport, having taken part in joint training exercises.

    Rose, in Hereford, was using a Delta force satellite radio to keep anxious officials at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office informed of developments. The FCO had strong reservations about intervening in the rapidly deteriorating situation.

    A French-trained Senegalese unit had recaptured the airport at Banjul, and Crooke and his small team, still in civilian clothes, flew there. A recce on foot confirmed their assessment that the rebels would not put up an effective resistance against a show of strength by trained troops and Crooke encouraged the Senegalese to employ a more forceful strategy.

    One of his sergeants stayed with the Senegalese force co-ordinating an attack. Crooke persuaded a taxi driver to take him and the other sergeant through the rebel lines to the British High Commission. There they learned that the rebels were holding Lady Jawara and her children at a British clinic nearby. Crooke said that he intended to rescue them, and when the High Commissioner demurred he insisted that he telephone the doctor at the clinic and say that SAS men were on their way there.

    Crooke and his sergeant disarmed the guards on the door of the clinic before slipping inside the building. The rebels were taken by surprise, and in a matter of minutes the hostages were freed and safe in the High Commission.

    Reinforcements enabled the Senegalese forces to establish control of most of Banjul. President Jawara flew in from Dakar and broadcast to the Gambian people from the Senegalese High Commission in an attempt to restore order. Within a week the coup, which had cost almost 1,000 lives, was over and Sir Dawda Jawara’s government reinstated.

    But the FCO was upset by Crooke’s high-handed treatment of the High Commissioner and there was talk of him facing a court-martial for exceeding his authority. On his return to London, however, he was taken to 10 Downing Street to brief the PM. She took a different view from her officials. He received a DSO and the sergeants DCMs. The award ceremony was conducted in private.

    Ian Warren Thomson Crooke was born on March 12 1942 in Darjeeling, India. He spent much of his childhood in Rhodesia before returning to England to attend preparatory school and then Wellington College.

    In August 1962, he was commissioned into the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and served with the 1st Battalion in Aden and then in Borneo during the Confrontation with Indonesia. After a posting to Osnabrück, West Germany, in 1977 he transferred to 22 SAS Regiment. Always known as “Crookie”, he served in Northern Ireland on two emergency tours in command of a troop and then a squadron. He was twice Mentioned in Despatches.

    In 1980, during the Iranian Embassy siege, Rose commanded 22 SAS in the operation to rescue hostages taken by heavily armed terrorists. Crooke was one of the two officers tasked with co-ordinating the military operation with the Metropolitan Police and the security services.

    After the Gambia mission, in 1982, at the outset of the Falklands Islands conflict Crooke, the SAS Operations Officer, played an important part in arranging an early deployment of D and G squadrons. He subsequently commanded B squadron in an operation which had to be aborted when the Argentinians surrendered.

    After commanding 23 SAS, Crooke retired from the Army in 1986. He became managing director of KAS International, a security company set up by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir David Stirling, the founder of the SAS. The original policy to gather intelligence evolved into a more ambitious plan to employ former SAS men for anti-poaching operations in southern Africa. After it became involved in commercial espionage in England, it was wound up.

    Crooke settled in South Africa. In 1993 he took part in a free-fall parachuting display for charity but he suffered a stroke and was seriously injured on landing. With characteristic courage and determination, he learnt to walk, talk and write all over again.

    Ian Crooke married first (dissolved), in 1972, Susan Godby. In 1990 he married Lesley Lock, who survives him with a son and two daughters of his first marriage and two stepsons of his second.

    Ian Crooke, born March 12 1942, died May 17 2022

    Some of the leading BTL comments:

    William Tell 5 HRS AGO

    Great man …. and as usual Maggie Thatcher made the right decision ensuring this man was honoured for his bravery and service. The current Government, no doubt, at the behest of the FCO , would have allowed him to be court- martialled.. EDITED

    Jánós Banffy 2 HRS AGO

    Well said. The FCO mandarins in those days were a spineless lot. Today, there are an even greater embarrassment. To be in a British Embassy for a reception these days is an embarrassment not an honour. Lt. Col. Crooke should have had the VC.

    John Huddlestone 8 HRS AGO

    Brilliant obituary, and of course he was a man who did not fail. Interesting to see Margaret Thatcher quickly cut through the dross. I imagine he will be greatly missed by the S.A.S. but his life and career will be an excellent yardstick, for those who follow him.

    RIP Sir, job done to perfection.

  12. SIR – Who, exactly, asked carmakers to produce “keyless” cars (report, July 4)? Who found it too demanding to stick the key into the ignition and turn it?

    It seems carmakers found a solution to a non-existent problem and foisted it upon us. In so doing they have created a much more damaging one.

    Andrew Perrins
    Measham, Leicestershire

    Quite so, Andrew Perrins.  But just think of the extra car sales to replace those that are stolen!

  15. Headline in today’s DT:

    Priti Patel urges police to shut down petrol protests as they threaten to block oil refineries next

    Urges? URGES? If we have the right laws in place then use them. If we don’t have the right laws in place then someone was asleep while the Extinction Rebellion mob was causing endless chaos!

  16. SIR – Regarding holiday heroism (Letters, July 2), my father, a motorcyle dispatch rider in the Second World War, drove a 500cc Norton sidecar outfit from Kent to Cornwall in the 1950s carrying my mother (on the pillion) together with me in the front of the sidecar and my sister holding my baby brother in the back.

    On the way home in the dark, we were hit by a drunken driver at Dorking, and the family was scattered into the road. My father had stopped to light a cigarette while my mother was feeding the baby on the pillion. After being attended to by the police my father got us all home later that night.

    Yes, we were tough in those days.

    Reg Hoare
    Canterbury, Kent

    You certainly were, Reg.  And your letter is likely to cause apoplexy to any elfin safety type reading it!

  17. SIR – If I visit my local Halifax bank branch and have a conversation with a badge-wearer, we shall both be using you, your, yours (Letters, July 1). With a label reading “She, Her, Hers”, has Halifax missed something?

    Sue Ward
    Guisborough, North Yorkshire

    Yes – simple common sense…

    1. If I was still a customer of that moronic bank (thankfully I’m not), I would wear a badge which had emblazoned upon it, in large letters: “I EXPECT YOU TO CALL ME SIR!”

  18. Legislation aims to shield UK internet users from state-backed disinformation. 5 July 2022.

    Changes to online safety bill require tech firms to minimise people’s exposure to ‘hostile online warfare’ the truth. There fixed that!

    Tech firms will be required to shield internet users from state-sponsored disinformation posing a threat to UK society and democracy, under changes to a landmark online safety bill.

    The legislation will require social media platforms, video streaming services and search engines to take action to minimise people’s exposure to foreign state-backed disinformation aimed at interfering with the UK. Such content would, for instance, include incidents such as the video of Ben Wallace being prank-called earlier this year by Russian hoaxers pretending to be the Ukrainian prime minister.

    In a world in which RT is banned and all information about Russia has to pass through the MSM filter this is surely about the lack of Credibility of the Elites. Despite this massive advantage they are still losing the Information War! This is not due to Ukraine per se, but is the legacy of the last twenty years where lies have become the norm. It is not Russian Propaganda they are concerned with, but that their own is not believed!

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jul/04/legislation-aims-to-shield-uk-internet-users-from-state-backed-disinformation

    1. “state-sponsored disinformation”
      So the 77Brigade and the Nudge Unit will be banned??
      Ah,it’s just fine when WE do it,now about the £100,000,000 we spent on the MSM promoting the Convid scam………
      Words Fail Me
      ‘Morning Minty

    2. Yo minty

      Legislation aims to shield UK internet users from discovering state-backed disinformation. 5 July 2022.
      The the Codename of the operation is The Beeb

    3. The ‘elites’ have belatedly realised that the #ScumMedia is no longer the gateway to ‘information’ and that the internet provides myriad sources with which to show up their sleight of newz.

      They have bought and paid for the legacy meeja but cannot control the web, nor the ability to screenshot their lies when the ‘elites’ direction of travel changes to suit the current fad.

      Of course, the only logical answer for the ‘elites’ is to destroy the truth and hope to carry on as before.

  19. SIR – Prior to tennis becoming a professional sport in 1968, players would applaud a good shot by their opponents. Not any more.

    The hostile act of waving a clenched fist at your opponent was also unknown. Should not this nasty habit in modern tennis be a code violation?

    Clyde Aylin
    Shrewsbury

    Yes, as should grunting, screaming, racket-smashing and foul language.  It all started with the unchallenged antics of Super Brat, who is now paid handsomely as a commentator.  Oh, the irony!

    1. Idiot ‘sport’, played by cretinous players, watched by imbecilic spectators, and commented upon by moronic commentators.

      I only watch real and exciting sports like test match cricket. Anyone witnessing the test match v India yesterday would have been enthralled. I can’t wait for today’s final day’s play to see who gets the upper hand.

        1. Yo, Mr Effort. None that I’ve noticed but they do have some loudmouthed yobs. Some of them, including a certain Mr Kohli (Mr Cabbage?) kept getting in the face of England batsmen, like Alex Lees, and “chirping” some vile aggressive vitriol. They picked on the wrong chap, though, Mr Lees gave back what he got then added some extra for effect. This tactic backfired on them since India are now fighting to save the test.

          The past test series against New Zealand (all white chaps) was played in the spirit of cricket with backslaps, handshakes and an acknowledgement of great sporting behaviour towards one’s opponents by both teams.

      2. There are reports from Edgbaston of ‘racist abuse’ directed at the Indian supporters. It’s understandable that they were upset by being called ‘P*ki scum’ by England ‘supporters’ making throat-cutting gestures…

        It’s plain yobbery. I lived in Nottingham for a while in the 80s and even after leaving I still had friends there and went to Trent Bridge a few times. It was clear even back then which way the game was going. As a white man in an entirely white crowd you were just as likely to be foully abused for daring to suggest that people behave. For as long as the media continue to feature with great enthusiasm the fun of the beer snake, the beach balls, the fancy dress and the Mexican waves, behaviour at Test matches will continue to go down the toilet.

    1. Quite so. I was dismayed that the A92 on Scotland’s East coast was targeted for a go slow. That is the route that we take when driving from the Borders to Elgin.where our youngest child lives. This is a journey of 240 miles that takes around five and a half hours on an average day if there are no abnormal delays. While we do not like high fuel prices I am rather baffled as to what the demonstrators expect to achieve, other than annoying ordinary people going about their business.
      Were they to mob MPs offices (“surgeries”) and blockade government offices, including Parliament buildings, that might make them take notice?

      1. The Downing Street gates are symbolic of a regime that is insulating itself from the masses.

  22. Germany’s economic foundations are collapsing. 5 July 2022.

    The UK’s problems can broadly be put down to incompetent governance and counterproductive policies. Yes, it has laboured under poor productivity and stagnant wage growth for the best part of two decades. But this should be solvable when and if the country is led by a government that can walk and chew gum at the same time.

    Germany’s issues, on the other hand, are more structural. Having been masked for decades by the euro – which, compared to the traditional strength of the Deutsche Mark, made German goods more competitive abroad – hidden flaws are now bursting into the open. The question is whether the country’s economic model can survive and, if not, what that might mean for the eurozone.

    Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’
    Keep those Sanctions rollin’
    Through Rain and Wind and Weather,
    Keep those Sanctions rollin’
    Soon well be riding high and wide.

    Keep movin’, movin’, movin’
    Though they’re disapprovin’
    Keep them Sanctions movin’,
    Don’t try to understand ’em
    Just pass’em, throw, and shov ’em
    Soon we’ll be livin’ high and wide
    Though my heart’s calculatin’
    Vlad will still be waitin’
    Be waitin’ at the end of it all.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/07/05/germanys-economic-foundations-collapsing/

  25. 353900+ up ticks,

    Morning Each,

    Tuesday 5 July: The Government’s net zero fantasy will cost lives and jobs this winter

    I really would think that is stating the bloody obvious, they are banking on it.

    For those hard core current lab/lib/con coalition party members the eyes TIGHT shut, party policy above ALL else just have to check recent past history & what they have put their names to, not once, twice, thrice but again & again.

    For what we are about to receive this winter in way of manipulating, very harmful / killer policy’s is just an update on last year, different issues to protect the political guilty.

    The main killer plague that has riddled the electorate via the polling booth is in NOT truly recognising the odious political truth as to what the governing
    body consists of and voting accordingly.

    Nobody but nobody who supports / votes for a party that they have witnessed flooded the nation with foreign bodies ( ongoing) covers up the mass rape & abuse of children, etc,etc can claim to be sane.

    That is the very reason mental health is openly neglected by the coalition overseers, they must have a compliant, submissive electorate that continues to allow them to operate, and brother they certainly have that.

  26. Yo all

    The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “End the UK’s membership of the World Health Organisation”.
    Government responded:

    No way hose B: WHO = WEF = Big Reset = Davos = The New Messiah Gates woud not allow it

  27. Good morning all. A bright start with scattered cloud and 10°C outside.

  28. Good Morning. Weather here is grey, cold and damp as it has been for the last fortnight (except for one day) and grey, cold and raining is forecast for the next fortnight.

    I cannot post link, but RT headlines include the news that the UK drone test squadron has no drones, and apparently has not carried out any tests in two years.

      1. Well, no. It has been miserable for about the last month except for one day. The Borders is a microclimate. We have been on the edge of the weather fronts for weeks.

          1. There has been some good weather in the NE on the Moray coast. Most of the rain has been in the West as usual

  29. Promised land: how South Africa’s black farmers were set up to fail. 5 July 2022.

    People remember the apartheid era as one in which the lights were always on. Now there are frequent power outages, and innumerable newspaper columns express bafflement and frustration about the government’s failure to sustain the state-owned power provider’s operational standard. What these neglect to mention is that, in the early 90s, only half of South African households even had access to electricity. The new government massively increased electricity provision; today, nine out of ten households has access to power. The power grid has been expanded, but it’s also overtaxed. The way white South Africans see it – literally, from inside their houses in formerly all-white neighbourhoods – it looks like all the lights are going off in the country one by one. But, meanwhile, they have not come on for black South Africans as they expected. All South Africans anticipated getting electricity not long after 1994.

    Of course it was beyond their capacity to realise that this program would require greater power generation!

    This is just one paragraph out of an attempt to explain the coming economic collapse of South Africa. It is (you will not be surprised to learn) all the fault of Whitey. South Africa wasn’t really the richest and most powerful state in Africa under White Rule, it was really a broken down polity that the Whites were only too pleased to hand over to the blacks and thus they were “set up” to fail! Black Rule was in essence an evil White Plan. That they have had nearly thirty years to overcome any difficulties is not worth the mentioning. I suppose you might believe this once but having heard it a dozen times it has lost its appeal.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/05/south-africa-apartheid-land-reform-black-farmers-set-up-to-fail

    1. Let us forget that in SA they can dig gold and diamonds out of the ground.

    2. Good morning Minty

      My younger sister is arriving here in the Uk for a holiday in a couple of weeks .

      She worked for a high powered company before she retired .

      She commented that young black South Africans , those who can afford it, go Uni and graduate with an ‘Ology… and no practical skills .. when electricians , plumbers , craftsmen of all varieties , nuclear scientists, engineers etc are required for the crumbling infrastructure and power outages .

    3. How long will it take the UK to be able to keep the lights on, without coal, fracked gas, Russian oil…?

    4. And look what happened in Rhodesia.

      My cousin built up a large and very successful farm which employed, housed, fed, and provided schooling and medical assistance for literally thousands of black people. Understanding that the blacks would eventually take over he organised schemes to send bright black farm workers to agricultural colleges so that they could run the farms efficiently when the white man was no longer there.

      His farm was stolen by Mugabe and given to Mugabe’s chums who had no knowledge of farming – they murdered the chaps who had been educated to farm effectively and kicked all the other workers out of their homes, their jobs, their schooling and left them destitute. Within five years one of the most profitable farms in the region had returned to unproductive wilderness whence it had come.

      He wrote a book about it called

      ALL FOR NOTHING?

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/673cc536a71eef029ca550616911f0905a6b16a18773d6d5a4aa6b6a7082ee13.jpg

    6. And another true factor was that most Africans had jobs. And now the once vibrant bustling popular tourist metropolis of JHB is now a scruffy shite hole prostitution and drug running is rife. And many of the established building burnt out or closed, as has been the Carlton Hotel for many years.
      There has also been a massive amounts of migration from northern parts of southern Africa into previously prosperous JHB.
      In one square there was a wonderful bronze statue of leaping impala In Oppenheimer park. Now only a white plastic table and some chairs are there, probably not noticed the furniture is white. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/dfab83be20400812ab4981d06dfe061ae65fa09399b773b097fb7284e301cca5.jpg .

  30. Ukraine must be rebuilt as a fortress of Western values – here’s a blueprint. 5 July 2022.

    If the people of Russia look across the border and see a beacon of Western capitalism, it will be the final rebuke to Vladimir Putin.

    Western values? Lol! Well Zelensky has already arrested the Leader of the Opposition and banned the parties that supported him so he’s off to a good start! It is interesting that the Author chose Capitalism and not Democracy for a comparison. The real extent of domestic support for Zelensky is hidden from us by Censorship and Propaganda.. The pro-Russian faction has been completely disenfranchised by the suppression of its representation in either Government or Media. One suspects that it is by no means negligible.

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/07/05/ukraine-must-rebuilt-fortress-western-values-blueprint/

  31. Ex-Tory minister calls Boris Johnson ‘monstrous figure’ in scathing attack

    A former Tory MP who tried to block Boris Johnson from becoming prime minister has described him as a ‘monstrous figure’. Ex-minister Rory Stewart was thrown out of the party for attempting to stop a no-deal Brexit and flatly refused to serve in a Johnson cabinet while running against him as leader. The ex-diplomat and London mayoral candidate has remained a vocal critic of the PM after leaving politics.

    https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/05/rory-stewart-calls-boris-johnson-a-monstrous-figure-16941826/

    Is there no one of some stature and sense who will give Johnson the broadside that is needed to make him disappear? In his own way, Stewart is just as big a tit as Johnson. And to think we thought for a while that he looked like a promising figure…

  32. Ex-Tory minister calls Boris Johnson ‘monstrous figure’ in scathing attack

    A former Tory MP who tried to block Boris Johnson from becoming prime minister has described him as a ‘monstrous figure’. Ex-minister Rory Stewart was thrown out of the party for attempting to stop a no-deal Brexit and flatly refused to serve in a Johnson cabinet while running against him as leader. The ex-diplomat and London mayoral candidate has remained a vocal critic of the PM after leaving politics.

    https://metro.co.uk/2022/07/05/rory-stewart-calls-boris-johnson-a-monstrous-figure-16941826/

    Is there no one of some stature and sense who will give Johnson the broadside that is needed to make him disappear? In his own way, Stewart is just as big a tit as Johnson. And to think we thought for a while that he looked like a promising figure…

  33. I see the PTB have “instructed” the perlice to be tough on petrol protesters.

    But not – of course – the Extinction Racket terrorists.

  35. That’s another Independence Day over with. Every year we are reminded that America would have been British if we had given them a few seats in Parliament. It is the norm for UK governments to be exceptionally stupid. The only times that this is not the case is when the government is driven and led by somebody with strong ideas, determination and consistency.

      1. I’m fairly au fait with British history but I don’t seem to recall a PM called ‘Morning’. What party was he/she? A Whig, perchance? 😉

      2. I’m fairly au fait with British history but I don’t seem to recall a PM called ‘Morning’. What party was he/she? A Whig, perchance? 😉

        1. Sir Good of Morning! Actually, I had cause to use Mornington Crescent tube the other day and wondered where the name comes from. I know that the Duke of Wellington’s grandson is styled Earl of Mornington but where is Mornington and why is it one of the Duke’s titles?

          1. Good afternoon, lovely lady. ‘Pon my soul, you do set me some tasks.

            Trying to find a reference to anything “Mornington” is not easy. I have, though, discovered that the Earldom of Mornington is a title in the Peerage of Ireland and was created in 1760, and named for the estate of the Anglo-Irish politician and composer, Garrett Wellesley, who had had inherited the Dangan and Mornington estates in County Meath. I suspect that “Mornington Crescent” and all other UK mentions of this word stem from there.

            There is a chain of hotels called The Mornington Group which has a number of premises in Sweden as well as London and elsewhere in Europe.

            Mornington is also a common place name in Australia with the Mornington Peninsula, south of Melbourne being a prominent (in every way) one.

          2. Aha! Thank you. That explains the Wellington/Wellesley connection perfectly.

      3. Yes. Not too many all things considered. Blair is also one, but he was evil, through and through.

    2. Looking westwards at the moment, thank goodness for Lord North’s stupidity.
      We’ve enough problems here already.

  36. IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
    [George Orwell: Nineteen Eighty Four]

    Angela Rayner: I won’t let Parliament correct my working-class grammar
    Deputy Labour leader says ‘Hansard have a bit of a nightmare’ with her speeches, but argues against ‘the professionalisation of politics’
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/07/04/angela-rayner-wont-let-parliament-correct-working-class-grammar/

    Well done Angela – you’ve arrived in the nightmare. The working classes should not aspire to learn anything properly because then they can be kept in their place. What a tremendous insult to everyone.

    4. If the truth was known most politicians don’t write their own speeches, they only leave notes with their assistances on what they want to say or mean.
      And the usually are mean.
      Angella Rayner is the political version of Peggy Mount.

  37. Discussion point. Before we went away, the MR booked four hotels. All done on line and “booking references” sent.

    However, at three of them, on arrival ad presentation of the booking ref, the receptionist first stared hard at us, as though unused to seeing would be guests; then stared for five minutes at her computer screen – and finally, after about 15 minutes grudgingly provided a key for a room.

    When one turns up and presents booking ref – why doesn’t the receptionist smile, greet one and immediately hand over a key?

        1. We generally use Logis and find them to be reasonably efficient, with pleasant staff, although not effusive. Possibly because they tend to be family run, so it’s “their” hotel. I wasn’t being totally flippant, higher end hotels may well be hiring staff who don’t care as much.

          Perhaps their main source of bookings is from travel agents for groups rather than as individuals so they are looking in the wrong place on the system?

          1. These were not posh hotels – just ordinary ones. One was part of a chain; the other two family owned.

            Their gaze at the screen often suggests that they have never seen one before.

    3. Probs, because your English, quite a lot of Europeans seem to have been coerced into taking adverse reactions towards the English for some time. Something to with a vote around 4 years ago.
      Even our neighbours who mainly live in France say they will be coming back to the UK over winter. And they only speak English, not born and bred here.

    4. It is the same here in Wales. We had a family gettogether on Sunday and I pre-booked Sunday lunch for 5 and one baby. They told me what was on the menu and said they would provide a baby chair. We duly arrived to be told they don’t do Sunday lunch.

      2. We had similar experience in Wales too. Triple checked the room booking (twin with bath) but when ww got there they said they had no such room.

  39. I am a nerd about London Transport. There, I’ve come out.

    There is an interesting series on some TV channel – which has two presenters. The “important” one – male (I think), silly telly clothes, unwashed look – is simply dreadful. He cannot read an autocue. He can’t ask a question or say anything unless it is written down for him to read badly. Often repeats what an interviewee has just said. The other presenter, a woman – is brilliant. Knows her stuff. Never uses an autocue – just talks in normal language. A delight to listen to because of her depth of knowledge.

    The bloke is just awful and is really off-putting. Yet HE is the “expert historian”….

    Funny old world, eh?

    1. Where have you been BT, that’s been the usual format for TV presenters for yonks. Specially selected people on the streets, you know what I mean. And obviously anyone who’s opinion differs from the journalists is excluded.

    3. When was the last time you stood first in line a London Bus stop and when the bus arrived every one behind you barged you out of the way to make an attempt to get on before others had not yet even alighted ?
      British Manners have long since dissolved.

  40. Interesting discussion with Dr Very Sensible just before we went away. (On a day when I was feeling like death slightly warmed up). I told him that the heart tabs made me feel ill. He said that they had a 5% effect. I asked whether that was good or bad. And here is the interesting bit. He said that for the NHS as a whole, a 5% effect could mean that as many a 3 million people might benefit and so not trouble the NHS. But for an individual in his 80s 5% really made very little difference. Fascinating. I stopped them and have felt better and fitter!! He was also a “statin sceptic”, which encouraged me.

    He also urged me to go on holiday. “If you are ill, the French have doctors; if you die – well, you die. You are more likely to feel better and get fitter.” That is my sort of GP.

          2. I hadn’t opened the link at that time. If you are going to be mean to me i shall swan off to the South of France… :@)

    4. I have a very similar problem so much so that I now only take half of my heart tablet in the morning and the other half mid arvo.
      Which tablet were you taking ?
      Mine is Bisoprolol.

      1. Edoxaban This “thinner” made my nose bleeds worse. I then discovered after six weeks that the tabs were actually CAUSING the nose bleeds….

        Then Bisoprolol.

        Both made me feel very unwell – esp the Bisoprolol.

        1. I was only taking 2.5 mgs of bisoprolol. Until and because of the second covid jab, I again ended up in A&E. And they kept me in overnight. And gave me a ‘one off’ 10 mgs and it stopped the rapid heart rate. But because it worked they kept me on that dosage. After the increase, some days I had to go back to bed around two hours after taking it with other medication. That’s why I self medicated and chopped them in half. My gp was useless in this situation. The people in the cardiology department at the hospital agreed that it had been the Covid jabs that had caused the damage.

        2. Edoxaban (Lixiana) was promoted by the NHS during the 2020 lockdown because although it is more expensive than warfarin, it does not require a fortnightly blood check at your local GP surgery, and also it does not have the warfarin side effect of making the patient feel cold. On the other hand it can make people feel breathless. Or just bloody unwell.
          The risk of using edoxaban is that any haemorrhage cannot be halted as quickly as with warfarin, which is basically stopped by an injection of vitamin K1 in the form of Four Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (PCC).
          I am not in any way qualified to give advice about anything whatosever.

        3. Have you stopped taking the Bisoprolol now Bill ?
          I take apixaban, two a day. It’s a far better option than warfarin and the endless blood tests.

          2. You sound like me medication wise. I think our GPs just take the easy way out, dishing out anything that might do.
            It’s a bummer eh, but I’m just getting out of the chair,…. again for another glass of van roooge. Great result in the Krickett today. 🏏

    7. I did at one stage of my NHS treatment surmise that I would feel better dead. 🤔

  41. Morning all 😃
    Line-acher at it again.
    He’s been accused of backing the protest that held up the F1 race at the weekend.
    It’s about time the bbc got rid.

  42. 353900 + up ticks,

    My dads view of the germans was ” move along the bayonet please room for one more”.

    But they could, against all wishes of the lab/lib/con supporter / voter,be the saving salvation of the United Kingdom.

    We have another 1948 / 49 Berlin airlift & once again
    fulfill the german needs, whats not to like, I ask you.

    Even Amid Ongoing Energy Crisis, German Government Demands More Migrants ‘Immediately’

      1. If anyone thinks ‘We ain’t all gonna die.’, they have another think coming.

    3. There is a very simple solution to all these gluings. Just let them know the place closes at 5 and walk on.

        1. Yes, but acetone – to dissolve the superglue (which is made from oil) will destroy the frame.

          They’re selfish, spoiled children. Cut their toes off with bolt cutters, then start with their extremeties, work your way up to the torso.

      2. Leave them with plenty of water to drink. Wouldn’t want them to get dehydrated!

    5. Not only will you get the satisfaction but also the £250 for the You’ve Been Framed video!

    6. If they are stuck there for ages what do they do when a call of nature comes? Do they bring potties and do they bring a screen so they don’t cause even more offence by urinating or defecating in flagrante?

    7. What about all those keepers, usually sitting on chairs by the gallery doorways?
      Normally you only have to lean over the rope for them to stir themselves.

      1. If you touch a protester the plod will arrest you. Same as security guards in shops.

        1. They ain’t hackers, but they are tree-mendously well attached to a piece of timber. Also the chainsaw noise would be more convincing than gently waving a hacksaw in the air.

    1. How perceptive of the Government to choose a BAME soldier who’s illegal actions have reinforced the very view of his culture, that the advert was supposed to overcome.
      Infact, he did it in Spades

  46. The Beeb is devoting hours upon hours of programmes slagging off Boris. The potential next Prime Minister is Dominic Raab (Deputy PM), not exactly a favourite of the EU lovers in the BBC. Have they got some other menial dependant in the back room they want to promote and carry out their plan for total subservience to the EUssr? Who might that be?

  47. This chap Pincher caught groping men at the Carlton Club is a disgusting pig, yet what did we see in the media at the weekend , twerking men and painted policemen , and masses of stuff none of us wants to really know about ..

    Was Boris encouraging gay behaviour , or wasn’t he .

    We seem to be living in the last days of the Roman Empire … Bawdy manners and behaviour .. and especially so by viewing Starmer and his Auburn haired squeeze arm in arm at that Gay Pride parade ..

    Westminster is full of licentious sexual behaviour .. something to do with power perhaps ?

      1. It would be appropriate if Boris Johnson lost his position in September as we could say that he fell in the fall.

          1. At least Reggie Perrin got where he got today by rising again after his fall.

    2. We seem to be living in the last days of the Roman Empire…

      Morning Belle. Yes it has all the signs of a decadent and currupt former civilisation on its last legs. Boris is just an overweight Elagabulus!

      1. Had to Google that one….!

        Elagabalus, also called Heliogabalus and officially known as Antoninus, was Roman emperor from 218 to 222, while he was still a teenager. His short reign was conspicuous for sex scandals and religious controversy.

    3. Yo T_B

      In days of yore, a man was named after his occupation

      Carpenter, Baker, Smith, Wright etc

      Pincher is just doing the same

      1. Is he related to Chapman Pincher who used to work for the Daily Express?

    4. I certainly get the picture of some of the more over-heated 1950’s ‘epics’ about ancient world excesses.

    5. Westminster is full of licentious sexual behaviour .. something to do with power perhaps ?

      And whilst working their way up TB 😏

      1. It’s important to note that the state is trying to undermine the child exploitation act to make paedophilia far harder to prove. Odd, that that comes about at the time of massive uncontrolled gimmigration and forced ‘diversity’.

    1. And how does a person who has probably suffered life changing conditions and on going consequences, make a prospective claim against the NHS or the company who might be proven responsible.
      When originally asked My gp told me it probably wasn’t a good idea for me to have a booster. About 3 months later he told me that it was up to me. Not positive medical advice was it ?

  50. Are the Prince of Wales and Justin Welby working in tandem to interfere where they should keep their noses out of things?

    A future monarch mired in politics is very bad but an Archbiisihope of Canterbury being woke is (to borrow from Angela Rayner!) even badder!

    Church of England borrows money to fund net zero drive
    The church hires several wall street giants to gauge market interest about a bond sale

    “The Church of England has invited money lenders into the temple as its main foundation borrows money for the first time to help finance its net-zero drive.

    The Church Commissioners for England, which manages a £10bn investment portfolio on behalf of the church, has hired Wall Street giants JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Bank of America to gauge market interest about a bond sale.

    The borrowed money will be used to fund environmental and social projects as well as other general purposes, Bloomberg first reported.

    It comes as the church embarks on an aggressive environmental drive with the aim of becoming net zero by 2030.

    The Church of England’s target is more ambitious than that of the Government, which has an overall target of 2050, with a pledge to ban gas boilers in new buildings from 2025 and to prevent them being sold at all from 2035.

    Last year, Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, likened climate change to the rise of Nazism, although he later apologised for the comparison.

    Earlier this year, clergy members warned that Mr Welby’s eco-drive could force churches to close and leave congregations shivering in the pews.

    The church proposed to cajole vicars into replacing traditional boilers with green alternatives, a move likely to pile excessive costs on parishes when some are already close to collapse.

    The timing of the bond sale is unusual as it comes as many other organisations are scrapping debt raisings due to market volatility, triggered by the deteriorating economic outlook. Borrowing costs have also spiralled in recent months.

    The church has a history of active investment, especially in socially responsible causes. The Church of England Pensions Board has sold bonds in the past and currently has two bonds that total £150m.

    In 2018, it issued £50m of bonds, which were used to fund clergy retirement housing.

    Proceeds from another sustainable bond are being used to finance green and social projects, such as renewable energy, clean transportation, green buildings and climate change adaptation, according to the church’s sustainable finance framework.

    Representatives from the church started to speak with investors on Monday to determine market interest, with the US banks arranging the virtual investor meetings.

    The Church of England declined to comment. “

    1. Maybe if I prayed that the CoE would take a passing interest in Christianity, someone might hear me?
      (You know, the all-seeing chap that when we were children we hoped couldn’t see us on the loo.)

    2. Are the Prince of Wales and Justin Welby working in tandem to interfere where they should keep their noses out of things?

      Those two will be wearing knee pads soon to join in with others at short notice.

        1. One day there were dreadful floods. Helpful farmers went round all the houses in the village and offered to take people to higher, drier ground. Most accepted. When the trailers got to Samuels’s house, he refused help. He told the farmer that “God would look after him”. The next morning the floodwaters had risen so high that Samuel had to move upstairs. A rescue boat come through the village and picked up one or two people who had not left the previous day. When they came to Samuel’s house , Samuel leaned out of his bedroom window and said that they could go away, “God will take care of me”. As the day wore on into the afternoon, the water continued to rise and Samuel climbed up onto his roof. As dusk approached he heard the noise of a helicopter and it came close with a searchlight shining down on his roof. A ladder was dangled down and they shouted to Samuel to get on. But Samuel refused, “God will save me” he shouted up to them.
          In the gathering gloom the helicopter left. During the night the flood waters continued to rise, and rose over the roof of Samuel’s house. Samuel drowned.
          Samuel went to Heaven. Samuel was very pissed off. He complained to God that whereas he had trusted God to save him, He hadn’t. He had been let down by God. What was Faith worth, all that stuff in the Bible… Samuel said he’d believed and trusted it all but…Indeed Samuel ranted on for quite a while*.
          God listened quite patiently for sometime* and then He extended His arm and pointed His finger at Samuel. Samuel shut up. “Listen to Me”, said God. “first I sent you a trailer, then I sent you a boat, and finally I sent you a helicopter.” What more could you bloody well want?

          *Difficult to measure in eternity, of course

        2. One day there were dreadful floods. Helpful farmers went round all the houses in the village and offered to take people to higher, drier ground. Most accepted. When the trailers got to Samuels’s house, he refused help. He told the farmer that “God would look after him”. The next morning the floodwaters had risen so high that Samuel had to move upstairs. A rescue boat come through the village and picked up one or two people who had not left the previous day. When they came to Samuel’s house , Samuel leaned out of his bedroom window and said that they could go away, “God will take care of me”. As the day wore on into the afternoon, The water continued to rise and Samuel climbed up onto his roof. As dusk approached he heard the noise of a helicopter and it came close with a searchlight shining down on his roof. A ladder was dangled down and they shouted to Samuel to get on. But Samuel refused, “God will save me” he shouted up to them.
          In the gathering gloom the helicopter left. During the night the flood waters continued to rise, and rose over the roof of Samuel’s house. Samuel drowned.
          Samuel went to Heaven. Samuel was very pissed off. He complained to God that whereas he had trusted God to save him, He hadn’t. He had been let down by God. What was Faith worth, all that stuff in the Bible… Samuel said he’d trusted it all but…Indeed Samuel ranted on for quite a while*.
          God listened quite patiently for sometime* and then He extended His arm and pointed His finger at Samuel. Samuel shut up. “Listen to Me”, said God. “first I sent you a trailer, then I sent you a boat, and finally I sent you a helicopter.” What more could you bloody well want?

          *Difficult to measure in eternity, of course

    4. There is a Save the Parish conference in York on Thursday. I’ve decided to take a day out and attend. Apparently the Archbishop of York has got wind of it and asked to be included on the guest list. He has agreed to take questions and, it appears from the agenda, to be interviewed by Giles Fraser. I will report back.

    2. In my new empire Blair will be black bagged, his assets seized – in entirety, including his sons – and removed to a prison somewhere where he will never, ever again be out. He will be given a constant stream of news papers, written specifically for him printed using his money that talk of how his life’s work – fascism – has been destroyed.

      Matrix chambers will be disbarred and the costs of all HRA expenses billed to them directly.

      1. He has the same problem I do. Short legs, long body, wide shoulders. Nothing will ever fit properly, ever.

        The Pope, however is clearly ill. It is pride keeping him upright.

        1. With his money he can afford to have them specially made if that was the case

  53. Good morning. This is the government response to a petition for UK to leave the WHO. Nottlers may judge whether the government is serving the British people or not on this issue. My belief is that the government is now branch office of what C S Lewis called the Hideous Strength. Their praying democracy in aid of this evil is chilling. IHR – the new lingo mantra for Dictators with syringes….

    The Government believes the World Health Organization has a vital role in global health and views the International Health Regulations as important in protecting citizens from the spread of disease.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) is the main forum for global health cooperation. Through the WHO, countries share information concerning international disease outbreaks and best practice on how to counter global health threats and emergencies. and make commitments to avoid activities which could be detrimental to health and undertake activities to promote better health.

    COVID-19 has demonstrated that no-one is safe until we are all safe, and that effective global cooperation is needed to better protect the UK and other countries around the world from the detrimental health, social and economic impacts of pandemics and other health threats.
    Amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) are continuing, as a way of improving the framework in light of lessons learnt from the
    COVID-19 pandemic.

    The IHRs are an important legal framework intended to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease in ways that are commensurate with and restricted to public health risks, and which avoid unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade.

    Limited amendments to the IHRs were adopted at the recent WHO World Health Assembly (WHA). The only substantive amendment was to Article 59
    that reduced the time parties have to reject/submit reservations to future amendments from 18 to 10 months. These IHR amendments come into force for all parties, including the UK, on 31 May 2024. Should the UK wish to reject the amendments or submit a reservation to them, then the UK must do so by December 2023.

    All amendments to the IHRs follow the same process. Any Member State or the WHO Director General can submit an IHR amendment to the WHA for
    consideration.

    The WHA requires a two thirds majority to adopt any IHR amendment which come into force for all Member States, including the UK. Member
    States can reject amendments or submit reservations to them (within a set time period).

    Should the current or a future democratically elected UK Government wish to accept an IHR amendment then amendments to domestic law may be
    required depending on the content of the IHR amendment. Any changes to domestic law – considered necessary or appropriate to reflect
    obligations under the IHR amendment – would require domestic legislation, which in turn would be subject to parliamentary scrutiny by
    democratically-elected parliamentarians (as well as by Members of the Lords). In all circumstances, the UK’s ability to exercise its
    sovereignty would remain unchanged and the UK would remain in control of any future domestic decisions about national restrictions or other
    measures.

    Department of Health and Social Care

    Note the contradictions on the supposed sovereignty of local decision. We spent 3 years getting out of the EU to be pitched into this stinking hole of corruption by the very creature who prated about our sovereignty then. Johnson and his chums should be before a court for mass manslaughter and misconduct in public office. We must call this evil for what it is.

    1. “COVID-19 has demonstrated that no-one is safe until we are all safe…”
      The eternal mantra of tyranny.

    2. 353900+ up ticks,

      Morning JWE,

      I do believe that the whole odious caboodle within the hol / hoc can be incapsulated in the immoral words of a Political party: Labour mp.

      Born,( unfortunately ) Nigel Keith Anthony Standish Vaz immoral words
      to a couple of foreign rent boys
      you bring the necessaries I’ll bring the drugs
      Labour MP Keith Vaz, 59, allegedly met up with two male prostitutes
      He was caught on camera talking to the pair but kept his identity a secret
      Mr Vaz, who is a father-of-two, claimed he was a salesman called Jim

      1. Industrial washing machines, I think.
        Or was it industrial levels of lying?

    3. Surely a lot simpler to have said ‘Nah nah, we’re not listening!’

      Close the department for health. What does it do?

      2. It would be more honest, Wibbles, but who expects honesty from Politicians?

  55. To the title:
    Extreme profanity does not adequately express my contempt for this government.

    Apart from that, Mornin’ All. And a lovely morning it is too.

    1. Au point, Milord Cuivre.

      Grey and dull and a tad chilly in yer Narfurk.

      1. Cuivre made me chuckle.
        Not heard that before.
        Banham was nice at the w.e.
        Heading off to Verneugheol and then Conques in a month. Will be disappointed if its chilly, there.

    2. Most people are now aware that the Conservatives’ only hope of survival is that Lord Frost becomes prime minister and returns the party to conservatism, gets Brexit finished, Net Zero drastically modified and punitive taxes on private businesses reduced. Any of the other ‘candidates’ would merely guarantee the party’s total extinction. Most people know this. But how many Conservative MPs – especially the backbenchers who were elected on the back of the 2019 manifesto – are aware that this is their only chance of survival. How many of them would actively set about ensuring that this happens?

      In my view a caretaker leader such as John Redwood or David Davis is needed as soon as possible until such time as David Frost can renounce his title and be given a safe Conservative seat in the House of Commons.

      2. The problem seems to be that there are a lo of people who are, frankly too stupid to understand why those are rational proposals. Suggest that business should pay less tax and some moron will leap up and say ‘no! They should pay their fair share!’

        To which I keep wanting to reply, “Why? Do you want to pay more?” but they do not understand. It is a freight train of pure ignorance. Such people will only be stopped and the country returned to an even keel by removing such fools from the voting pool.

      3. You know he wrote the exit agreement for Boris. He’s also a career politician.

        Davis is useless. Redwood has the charisma of a corpse.

  56. ‘I love you so much’: Victoria and David Beckham toast their 23rd wedding anniversary in Paris with rooftop drinks at sunset, a personalised wine bucket and heart-shaped balloons.

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10982785/Victoria-David-Beckham-celebrate-23rd-wedding-anniversary-date-night-Paris.html?login#readerCommentsCommand-message-field

    Very wisely Victoria has decided not to have disgusting and vulgar body graffiti injected into her skin. I wonder what she honestly thinks of her husband’s and her children’s foul tattoos? My wife and I have agreed that even our long, happy and beautiful marriage would be sorely tested if either of us went in for being inked!

    1. I might be accused of being an absolute biatch but it does looks as if she’s had a tad of top lip injection. I expect Dayfidd didn’t mind.
      I saw an actress on TV yesterday who has had that done she looked daft.
      As far as i know we don’t have a single Tat in our family.

    1. “….might get my bottom pinched!”

      Oh, so you are going to see your MP?

      1. I was at Charing Cross Hosp to see their colorectal surgeon this morning. Sure way to get my…

        1. Ah, Sue, now you what it’s like when we men have to have the finger-wag.

    1. Looked and copied out this

      Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan
      @MayorofLondon
      ·
      15h
      Islamophobia will not be tolerated in our city. I’m shocked to hear news today about Muslims being bullied and harassed at work because of their faith. I’ll continue working with the Met to ensure a zero-tolerance approach to hate crime & that perpetrators are brought to justice.

      1. He’s such an absolute POS. No wonder he has 24/7/365 armed protection.

      2. …and of course he’ll do the same for the BLM stabbers and the bomb-making Islamic ideologists?

        1. Why not? What about arachnophobia? Claustrophobia? Those are irrational fears to.

          If you mean abuse of Muslims, well, perhaps they shouldn’t be so damned disruptive to our society and culture, demanding that we change to suit them rather than the other way around. Stop letting them change the street signs. Stop printing languages for them. Ban their dresses and stop funding them through welfare. Get uppity? Then they can leave. Don’t like it? Go. Please.

        2. A fine thread I was happy to RT. One, very minor, quibble, the Glasgow newsagent was wishing his customers a Happy Easter before his assailant travelled up from Bradford to correct through the medium of stabbing.

          I once wrote to my MP – just another Nationalist drone – asking why her Nationalist party in the Shortbread Senate party were so incensed by Celtic and Rangers fans singing sectarian songs at each other, whilst simultaneously importing sectarian issues that would make the Old Firm look like Laurel and Hardy.

          I presume the reply got lost in the post but this poor man is exactly what I was on about. His branch of mohamadism obviously didn’t fit in with the views of the more eager sects of the 7th century death cult.

        3. What’s he plan to do about the imams that preach kill the white infidels?

          Hate crime works both ways.

      2. They do like gathering inn one place though. Ideal opportunity to solve many problems all at once.

    1. Wasn’t there a Conservative in her time who accidentally killed himself while getting a thrill from being trussed up and deprived of oxygen? Classy? Really?

      1. Stephen Milligan.
        I think fish net stockings, plastic bags and satsumas entered the equation.

    2. Politicians are, by their basic nature, effluent. The few who go in seeking public service should be applauded, but sadly these few are kept away from the levers of power. Principles will do that to you.

      The majority are expected to lie, cheat and steal. That’s why they became politicians, after all. However, if their policies are good for the nation, then we ignore them. It’s when their policies directly make us poorer while they trough away that we notice.

    3. I wonder what John Major would have to say about this?

      To be fair Ms Currie was far more open, honest and humorous when her affair with Major came to light – her main embarrassment was caused by the fact that people could see what a terrible lapse in taste and judgement she had made in selecting the nasty little turd as her lover.

      The nasty little turd, by contrast, seems completely oblivious to the fact that he no longer has any credibility about anything at all.

  61. Euro slumps to 20-year low against dollar in fresh blow for Brussels – live updates.

    The euro has dropped to a 20-year low against the dollar as traders scaled back bets on further interest rate rises amid the growing threat of a recession in the eurozone.

    The common currency sank as much as 1.2pc to $1.0298 – its weakest level since December 2002.

    Euro? Oh! I thought it said Rouble! Lol!

    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/07/05/ftse-100-markets-live-news-flight-cancellations-nuclear-power/

    1. Somewhere, somehow, a remoaner is desperately trying to blame that on Brexit.

    2. Apart from the first lockdown blip the GB£ is also at the lowest against the US$ since 1985.

  62. I was driving around the other day and started to feel really horny, so pulled up to this well known dogging spot.

    I had a great time, but think I failed my driving test.

  66. I hope to god the intelligent life that exists elsewhere in the universe never gets to find out that ‘human’ beings managed to create the ‘Flaming Pussy’ Doll…

    Among the scientific community, it’s widely believed that so far humans have only discovered about 5% of the universe.

    Yet we’ve still managed to discover galaxies billions of light-years away from Earth.

    This graphic by Pablo Carlos Budassi provides a logarithmic map of the entire known universe, using data by researchers at Princeton University and updated as of May 2022.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/536d2f8b6589363b220d539830558d5e551d47c2c9f617c926d62209ae0b8761.jpg

    The image can be enlarged here: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/logarithmic-map-entire-observable-universe

    (So you can spot the aliens) [PS They are all around us on Earth!!!]

    1. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “It is deeply misleading to draw a causal link between deaths and those on an NHS waiting list, as people may be waiting for a range of treatment, including routine surgery, and their deaths may be completely unrelated.”

      Obviously not as certain as Covid deaths.

      I wonder how many on the lists who are older than, say, 50 were in the country before 1st May 1997…

      1. Quite simple, all Wokeristas and NHS empoyees must be placed at the end of the waiting list.
        Everybody else just joins the list infront of them.
        Sorted

          1. Office staff and management. Nurses get accelerated up the list. Well, we do need healthy nurses.

          2. Aoart from royalty Politicians will be top of the list.
            Contributions pay for by UK taxpayers.

    3. A spokesman for the Spamhead Slammer said, “Well, they were all going to die eventually – so, so what?”

    4. Quite possibly more and more doctors and surgeons are moving to private practice. Three people I have been seeing over the past years are more private than NHS. But not including the new guy I have to see in August who is also part time NHS.
      As far as I know because of the contributions made through taxes in the UK. People who have private medical insurance are paying twice.
      And those who don’t apear to be paying with their lives.
      Same old story in the UK…..everything our political classes and civil service comes into contact with………

  68. 353900 + up ticks,

    Pork producers quitting the business one reason being the cost of feed, if that be the case bring back the pig bin on the streets, we all knew where we stood those days with the only ones in governance positions trying to kill us being the nips,krauts & itie’s.

    While what is nearer the truth of why porkey is trotting of the menu has I do believe a very ,very strong islamic flavour.

    Even indigenous current member / voters must have a little doubt regarding the party’s policies, childrem mass raped & abused, illegal invasion numbers openly mounting daily premeture death & injuries roam the streets, does NOT ruffle the majority voters feathers BUT you threaten the bacon buttie / roll you do so with dire consequences.

    s

      1. 7,000 more pubs closed last year as well.
        They have to be ‘encouraged’ to leave.

      2. 353900 + up ticks,

        Afternoon TB,

        It could never have got this far on many issues without the consent of the lab/lib/con coalition voter who are the majority voters if they continue unchallenged then the bacon butty is an endangered species,.as for a pigs trotter I’m still trying to prise my fingers apart since finishing the last one yonks ago.

      3. You could have stopped after “killing” Maggie – unless you meant mosquitoes, of course.

    2. It was the EU Brussels mafiosi who insisted that we fed our pigs grain. After the last swine flu outbreak.
      When I was a youngster the truck used to pull in every school day to collect the leftovers from school dinners. Local pig farm was the destination. And in the autumn the smell during muck spreading, if you were down wind.
      We had this locally late last season. The smell lasted for about a week.

      1. I don’t know what they were spreading, but I was stagging on up in one of the guard sangers adjoining a neighbouring farm at Castle Dillon in NI in ’79 when they were muckspreading. Bloody awful stench!!

        1. My sister and BiL use to live in Totteridge North of London.
          Some of the very well seeded and wealthy also lived and still do, along Totteridge Lane. And the stench of pig manuer was horrendous. Given the chance they’ll eat anything they are even cannibalistic.

      2. RNAS Yeovilton grew their own pigs (no not Naval Officers) on the food left from all the messes.

        1. Our school had a piggery behind the hockey pitches. We suspected the dinners were deliberately ghastly so there was plenty of waste food.

    3. Yes, we had a pig bin for leftovers eg potato peelings and the farmer collected it, as well as all the bins from our neighbours.

  69. The banks and financial institutions are always banging on about keeping personal information secret, don’t tell anyone you account number, bla bla bla… well, I spent all morning shredding old bank, credit card statments, and other account information of Mother’s and, without exception, the supporting information (like, call this 0800 number if you have a query, this is what this kind and that kind of account does) has name and account number printed on the top. Why? Most will just throw it away, but anyone can then read that you have an accound of this number at that bank/finance house, and put together a case for stealing your identity and money.
    Why not just label the statement page with he account details, not every blasted page? My God, but there’s a lot of confetti now to be got rid of.

      2. Problem is, each item needs looked at to see what it’s about, is it important, and does it need shredded or kept? Takes forever, just on lunch break, to resume after emptying her car for scrapping tomorrow.
        Poor little car; she never loved it, and now it’s a rust-heap with a perfect interior. Sigh

    2. When clearing out my mother place I had to go through about ten years worth of cover letters from the banks – no statements, she had just kept the covering letters.

      It’s a horrible job, although she didn’t drink my mother had at least maintained a healthy drinks cabinet.

    3. Cheques have your name, bank sort code and account number printed on them. No-one seems to worry about keeping these details private when writing a cheque.

      1. But you don’t throw a cheque away in the general rubbish or paper recycling when you’ve done with it. That’s the issue – folk going through the paper recycling once it’s left your property. Here – shredded. Much more difficult to read.

  70. Michael Ellis has been defending Boris in the House with regard to his briefing about the Pinchgate affair by pointing out that Boris has more important things to deal with. I think Ben Wallace must have briefed Boris by now that the British Army must prepare, as a NATO member, to go to war with Russia.

    https://youtu.be/Y0GagvW2QYU

    The prime minister, who flew directly to Madrid for a dinner with NATO leaders, refused to be drawn on reports suggesting U.K. Defense Secretary Ben Wallace is pressing him to increase Britain’s defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP — boosting the current budget by an extra 20 percent a year. The reports coincided with a stark warning from the head of the British Army that the West must get ready for war with Russia.

    https://www.politico.eu/article/boris-johnson-arrives-at-nato-poised-to-boost-uk-defense-spending/

    1. Life is much too short to have to listen to any of the prolix perorations uttered by the unguinous in the House of Borborygmi.

      1. I can’t complain – I was born during the last WW in South London just as the Government found that they could divert the German bombers away from the city centre by bending the enemy’s navigation beam over my birthplace using health service radiotherapy units. Of course that may be as true as eating carrots to improve night vision for allied pilots.

          1. “I can’t see where that’s going”
            said the rabbit as it dropped its carrot down a bunny hole.

          3. You should eat more carrots – then you would be able to see the rabbits eating carrots at night.

    2. Those on the opposition benches all knew about the child grooming gangs, they knew the people that turned a blind eye, they promoted them to positions of authority, but somehow that is no nearly as bad as Boris not knowing pincher groped men when drunk.
      They all make me sick

    3. Those on the opposition benches all knew about the child grooming gangs, they knew the people that turned a blind eye, they promoted them to positions of authority, but somehow that is no nearly as bad as Boris not knowing pincher groped men when drunk.
      They all make me sick

    4. The prime minister, who flew directly to Madrid for a dinner with
      NATO leaders, refused to be drawn on reports suggesting U.K. Defense
      Secretary Ben Wallace is pressing him to increase Britain’s defenCe spending to 2.5 percent of GDP —

      and there I was thinking the DT employed failed Brit Sub Editor, not failed Yank one

      1. But the defence spending was in the Conservative manifesto.
        Not employing pinching whips wasn’t.

  71. It occurs to my little brain that the Ban Oil XR loonies are using superglue which contains acrylic resin. Glues made from either animal products or petroleum derived synthetics are neither vegan nor green?

    5. Brilliant stuff. I was once employed in an old ropery in Leith, a shed half a mile long.

      1. The one at Chatham was very impressive, particularly when they stress tested ropes, probably too dangerous now for H&S.

        If ever you are in that area the Historic Dockyard is a superb day out.

        1. Years ago, I worked with a client in the dockyards, as you say it is a wonderful place to visit.

          A top attraction used to be the very traditional workman’s cafe. Any combination of eggs, chips and beans with a mug of tea.

      2. I stopped off in Leith,
        On ma way up tae Keith.
        When I got lost in Beith,
        I was sick tae the Teith.
        ©1994Grizzly.

  73. Switzerland resists Ukrainian plan to seize frozen Russian assets. 5 July 2022.

    The Swiss president, Ignazio Cassis, pushed back on the plan, saying protection of property rights was fundamental in a liberal democracy. He underlined at a closing press conference the serious qualms of some leaders that proposals to confiscate Russian assets will set a dangerous precedent and needed specific legal justification.

    “The right of ownership, the right of property is a fundamental right, a human right,” he said in Lugano, adding that such rights could be violated, as they had during the pandemic, but only so long as there was a legal basis.

    It takes a Swiss citizen to see this. Probably the last real democratic state in the West. The rest are just Globalist lackeys.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/05/switzerland-resists-ukrainian-plan-to-seize-frozen-russian-assets

    1. The Swiss are quoting the need for legal basis. Of course, were they to breach their own laws, all those with money and valuables in Swiss banks would likely go elsewhere. There would be no more new business. Panamanian bankers might be happy.
      The underlying message is that moral values no longer exist. Theft is being perpetrated and they hardly bother to hide it. Some obfuscation promoted by the MSM, and the populace are happy. It’s not their money. Just wait though…

  74. Zimbabwe to introduce gold coins as local currency tumbles. 5 July 2022.

    Zimbabwe will start issuing gold coins as legal tender in late July, its central bank has said, as the country battles to control runaway inflation that has considerably weakened the local currency.

    The inflation rate more than doubled last month to 191%, stoking memories of the hyperinflation of the 2000s that saw the Zimbabwean dollar redenominated three times before being effectively abandoned in 2009.

    The governor of the Central bank, John Mangudya, said the gold coins would act as a store of value and were expected to reduce the demand for US dollars – a phenomenon largely blamed for the tumbling value of the local currency.

    You could weep at what has been done to this country in the name of anti-colonialism and black rule! Post War it must have been one of the best places in Africa to live; ironic really, particularly if you were black!

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/05/zimbabwe-to-introduce-gold-coins-as-local-currency-tumbles

    1. Is the white Caucasian race finished – not just in Africa but in Europe too?

      No white politician in the Western World has dared to tell the whole truth about Rhodesia and South Africa since Ian Smith was replaced by Robert Mugabe and F.W. de Klerk was replaced by Nelson Mandela.

    2. Is the white Caucasian race finished – not just in Africa but in Europe too?

      No white politician in the Western World has dared to tell the whole truth about Rhodesia and South Africa since Ian Smith was replaced by Robert Mugabe and F.W. de Klerk was replaced by Nelson Mandela.

    1. A cow burp emits such a high level of methane that it can stop a sheep dead in its tracks.
      The sheep was just playing along to that EU theory by pulling the wool!

    2. Denis Healey: “Being criticised by Sir Geoffrey is roughly the equivalent of being savaged by a dead sheep!”

    1. Well done, sweetie ! … x
      Wordle 381 5/6
      ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜
      🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
      ⬜⬜⬜🟩🟨
      ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
      Bogey Five for me …

    2. Par 4.
      Wordle 381 4/6

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

    3. Another bogey five

      Wordle 381 5/6

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

    4. Great minds…
      Wordle 381 3/6

      🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜
      🟩⬜⬜🟨⬜
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

    5. Am I the only one that takes full advantage of the tries available
      Wordle 381 6/6

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

    6. Wordle 381 3/6

      ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨
      🟩🟩🟨🟨🟩
      🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

      3 too. Very lucky with my 2nd guess.

  77. Canadians will be required to get a Covid shot every nine months for the foreseeable future, says Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. Previous definitions of “fully vaccinated” made no sense, he told reporters.
    “Nine months is very clear and will help people understand why ‘up to date’ is the right way to think about vaccination now,” said Duclos.
    ‘Fully vaccinated’ makes no sense now. It’s about ‘up to date.’ So am I up to date in my vaccination? Have I received a vaccination in the last nine months?”

    They are well and truly Canuked!

      1. The Laurentiis elite. Liberal frogs with a sense of entitlement that matches their distaste for things western.

        1. Are there published figures for the vax take up levels on the reservations? Is it promoted as aggressively there?

          1. Your first nations get priority treatment, they had fly in teams doing vaccinations in the northern areas. They were also prioritized down here in the south.
            This time last year about 80% had received at least one dose, about 90% of the over 70s.

            Of course historical abuse and neglect are great excuses to not be vaccinated. It normally takes money to get the natives accept anything.

          2. Cruel though it is, at the individual level I wish them no harm, but at the macro level I would laugh if the vaccinations were the 21st century equivalent of smallpox.

          3. We have to drive through the local reserve to get to the regional hospital. They were given priority on vaccinations because they live a long way from medical care.
            Quite a few took exception to this discrimination against whitey.

            But not enough to stop us saving money by refueling our cars up at the reserve.

          4. Many, many years ago I studied North American Indian (as it was then) culture.
            I have a very high regard for them and their traditions. It was fascinating history and social anthropology.

            I shudder to think what the woke will have done to that course.

          5. There is a long history from before the Europeans arrived, it was hardly ever mentioned in polite society.
            It has all changed with recent history being demonized. Some idiot town council in Manitoba even decided to avoid our colonial past and renamed Canada day as New Day.
            All according to trudeaus plan to discriminate and divide the nation.

          6. One never hears about how dreadfully the indigenes treated their neighbours and captives, as bad as anything in Africa and elsewhere in the world.

    3. That’s the good news!
      There are some health ‘experts’ talking of three monthly vaccinations. Back in the days of panic vaccine buying, Trudeau and friends committed to about ten doses for everyone so they will have enough to repeatedly vaccinate us against last year’s variant.

      No wonder they are pushing their ArriveCan app, it doesn’t just track passport details, it keeps track of vaccinations. It will be no vax so no planes or trains for you (except blackface groper, we pay for his private jet).

      Of course the vaccine works – I only know four or five people staying home because of covid right now and I believe that I am on that path.

  78. The Government’s net zero fantasy will cost lives and jobs this winter

    Well excuse me for stating the obvious, but wasn’t that always the plan?

    1. Not me.

      That would probably entrench Tory governments forevermore and I’d have to emigrate.

  81. Electric police cars ‘run out of puff’ on way to emergencies, says commissioner
    The blue lights and sirens drain the batteries and there are not enough charging points, a Police and Crime Commissioner warns
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/07/05/electric-police-cars-run-puff-way-emergencies-says-commissioner/

    We need more up-to-date policing but I think I have found the answer – each police constable should be issued one of these rather than an electric car:

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/364d2363eae325bf213a79c4ac885a3182f1474abc6e3c085a7238d47fe39dea.jpg

  82. Electric police cars ‘run out of puff’ on way to emergencies, says commissioner
    The blue lights and sirens drain the batteries and there are not enough charging points, a Police and Crime Commissioner warns
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/07/05/electric-police-cars-run-puff-way-emergencies-says-commissioner/

    We need more up-to-date policing but I think I have found the answer – each police constable should be issued one of these rather than an electric car:

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/364d2363eae325bf213a79c4ac885a3182f1474abc6e3c085a7238d47fe39dea.jpg

  83. That’s me for today. Have a jolly evening – praying for rain.

    A demain.

          2. That something that I never thought that I would see on this site!

            BBC News and True in the same comment.

    1. And Squalid Jawdrip has resigned as well as Richie Sunak in a concerted effort to depose Boris Johnson. There is, as it were, dark work afoot!

      This will doubtless precipitate the end of Johnson but it will also precipitate the end of the Conservative government unless David Frost becomes party leader and fully completes Brexit and begins to honour the other pledges in the party’s 2019 manifesto.

      1. Hmm, hmm, hmm. I, Teresa May now realise that my resignation was a mistake, I will resume ownership of this shabby lot

      2. Javid ha been getting a great deal of flak on Twitter re the vaccines and adverse effects, the voices are getting stronger every day. They know we know.

  87. Resignation of Chancellor and Health Secretary.

    That’s Boris holed beneath the waterline ….

    1. Both citing lack of confidence in the mamagement. Oops. Took them a while to work it out.

      1. I suspect they both have their own agenda.
        Has Boris ever told the truth about anything?

          1. Put it this way: I wouldn’t believe them if they said they were lying.

        2. I’m not sure he knows the difference, Ann.
          But yes, the hidden agendas are showing… race for party leadership is on!

          1. Who would want the party leadership right now? Anyone coveting that role should automatically be banned from the role.

            We have a conservative party leadership election over here at the moment. Paul Poliviere the leading candidate is a real conservative, needless to say Trudeau and his left wing media (all of them) are in full attack mode.

          2. As it is said in the Order of St. Benedict….anyone who actively campaigns for the office of Abbot or Abbess, deserves to get it;-)
            Actually, the last little bit is from The Abbess of Crewe by Muriel Spark.

    1. Well the Tories have been utterly useless since 2010 so they broke the country and as they have been so terrible I doubt anyone really cares about the party. There’s barely been a single competent minister in 12 years.

        1. I would have said 50+ but it would upset all those people who think Maggie was divinity.

          1. …and she had a handle on economics, “you spend more than you earn.”

            My only concern with her is that, while union bashing (and it was needed) she neglected the manufacturing base – it dwindled and went overseas.

          2. It was allowed to go overseas. We facilitated it.

            The government is not and never has been a household. You can’t run a government like a household successfully.

      2. That’s about the size of it.
        Not sure there were many contenders for competence before then, either.

        1. Everything bad that is happening is almost entirely due to Blair’s government. They laid the groundwork for every woke infringement that is happening.

        2. To be fair yes and no. Some things got better, some got worse.

          I’d still take New Labour over any government after it. It’s not like they were the socialist Labour of the past.

          1. Well of course you would, you support the social, economic and ethnic destruction of the country.

          2. Total rubbish.

            I didn’t like a lot of what New Labour did with the social side of things, but to be fair Major was fairly similar and every government that followed were the same.

            Economically New Labour had a good record until the GFC which I doubt any banking regulation regime would have stopped. No developed country got away scot free.

          3. You stated :
            I’d still take New Labour over any government after it. It’s not like they were the socialist Labour of the past.

            Economically the problems were deep under the surface, PFI, private pension alterations etc, Brown was a disaster and his policies were a major contributory factor in the GFC.

          4. Was he controlling USA at the time then?

            Do you believe any financial regulation would have stopped the GFC? The debt packages were sold as top grade debt.

            PFI started under Major and seemed a sensible solution to the lack of schools and hospitals. Sure it’s expensive but that’s what involving the private sector gets you. But that money circulates domestically which is the important thing.

          5. Brown’s policies were the same as those in the USA and overlapped with the great conman Clinton and his shitministration.
            All part of a worldwide idiocy, driven by a belief that property couldn’t go anywhere but up.

            I would have placed good money on your bringing up PFI , pension fiddling etc etc under the Conservatives.

            Brown saw the opportunity and used it to wreck the economy, we’re paying for that even now.

          6. Here’s an article on PFI in healthcare which makes for a little interesting reading…
            https://www.hospitaltimes.co.uk/pfi-in-healthcare-what-went-wrong-what-went-right-and-why-does-that-matter/

            The fact is there was no appetite for public investment after the Thatcher years. It was always seen as best to involve the private sector as much as possible. It was that or no new schools and hospitals with some of the replaced buildings being so bad they had to be knocked down. My local hospital back then, Barnet General was one such hospital. It was largely totally rebuilt. The work started in 1999 and finished in 2002 at a cost of 54M quid.

            Brown’s policies were hardly the same as Clinton’s we have two very different fiscal systems. Property isn’t allowed to fall in value significantly. Is there any other market which gets so much government involvement in keeping prices high?

            Brown never deliberately wrecked the economy. He’s one of the better chancellors of the past 100 years. You’re very biased but the economic stats speak for themselves.

            Final salary pensions were pretty much closed to new entrants which is why I started my pension pot on my 18th birthday. That was 1988, some time before Brown.

          7. Thatcher bad Blair/Brown good and that’s the sum of your argument.

            We had a similar discussion the other night where you tried to choose links that supported your case but when examined in any depth proved exactly the opposite of what you were claiming, I can’t be bothered this evening.

          8. Not at all. Both were bad. New Labour are after all Thatcherites so continued in the same vein. The difference for me was that New Labour cared more about the poor whereas Thatcher cared only for the wealthy. You may well have seen that as a backward step from the excesses of the Thatcher years but I did not.
            There hasn’t been a good government in my whole lifetime. You’d have to go back about 20 years before I was born to find a government I consider decent. Attlee over-nationalised but overall did a decent job. I thought the SuperMac government did a fair job too. Eden was a disaster but removed quickly. Churchill did pretty well but he had one of the best chancellors of the 20th century in Rab Butler.

        1. The ME have hated us for a lot longer than that. We’re strong supporters of Israel and they seemed to have forgotten that we tried to set up Palestine for the arabs.

          1. Rubbish.

            The Foreign Office has been heavily Arabist since before Lawrence.

          6. 2 out of 20+ countries in Europe. 5 out of 180+ countries in the world. Hardly everyone. Just the Israel supporters in the Yom Kippur war.

          8. Germany, Italy, France? They were all big economies back then.

            Sure there’s some big economies in those 5 but also many that weren’t included in the embargo.

            I doubt I could find world GDP figures for 1973.

          10. So nice of you to hunt those out. I honestly thought my best bet of finding the figures would be an economic paper from the late seventies.

            Back of fag packet calc shows about 40% of world GDP was embargoed, but the US and Canada both had significant oil reserves of their own. It badly affected us with the North Sea not online properly and the Netherlands were badly affected too. Meanwhile the rest of the world could buy the oil they needed at a quarter of the price to us. I’m not sure how much effect it had on Japan, I’ve mostly looked at Japan from 1985 onwards studying the lost decades period and run up to it. All because we supported Israel.

          11. Rubbish again.
            The Arabs raised the prices for everyone, they may have restricted supply to those they thought were pro Israel, but they were opportunists, pure and simple

      5. Any of the alternatives will be just as bad. I see the only solution being the small, vote-splitting parties uniting with a manifesto that the electorate could vote for.

        1. Probably. There’s no talent in the HoC. No one with a strong vision for the future or any idea how to get there.

  89. Are we experiencing a huge conspiracy and an axe attack … some people doing a Major and Heseltine..

    There will be an Asian take over of this government if we are not careful, some people can smell the power in front of them .

    What a mess.. and the BBC and Labour are no better either.

  90. Don’t forget

    1: It helps Javid get off the hook for the possible jabbing scandal.
    2: It helps Sunak get off the hook for wrecking the economy.

    Both probably counting their lucky stars
    Bastards All………

    2. Their faults are seemingly effortless, continuous and therefore never-ending.

    4. Lay low for the average lifespan of a politicians values (five minutes) and then come back as the great saviour.

    1. In your dreams T_B
      In 3,2,1 Blair launches new WEF/NWO uniparty to “Save Britain” is more like it we’re utterly flucked

    1. Hmmm “You’re unable to view this Tweet because this account owner limits who can view their Tweets“

      1. I didn’t realise that. I didn’t realise I was one of the favoured few! I’ll copy it if it lets me. Hang on a sec.

      2. Here you are. It just amused me as the conversation yesterday was about black holes….
        “Two of the top cabinet quit within 20 mins of each other. Rushi and Jabbit? Maybe that Hadron Collider thing DID work!”

    2. “Two of the top cabinet quit within 20 mins of each other. Rushi and Jabbit?
      Maybe that Hadron Collider thing DID work!”

  93. Through every adversity lies the seed of greater benefit.

    This could be good news , and we will hopefully have some one who has OUR best interests at heart and who LOVES our UK and protects our borders , and who will rid Britain of Woke rubbish , restore our great history and kick the bleeding heathens out back to where they belong if the don’t play to the rules of our game .

    2. 353900+ up ticks,

      Evening TB,

      There was a couple that built an answer to many of our problems party in a successful fitst & due to treachery last year in office.

      Batten & Braine to successful by half in their construct, they had to be stopped … and were.

      We now suffer the odious fallout.

  95. We’re saved. The answer to the difficulty with variable output from solar panels and wind mills – TADA is a very BIG battery. All sounds fabulous. Job done! Except there are no figures as to how many buildings can be heated this way by one battery. I’m thinking that this is piling insanity upon insanity.
    It is hardly an elegant solution, unlike building a coal-fired power station over a coal mine and the distributing the cheap electricity to the entire country from there.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61996520

    1. Sand batteries. The Sahara means the Arabs have all the resources again then.

      On another note, we are all living on an immense battery, one that has been around for billions of years and will probably be viable for a few billion more.
      Geothermal energy is still the great untapped energy source that we’ve only made a few attempts at harnessing.

      1. Knowing how mankind works, we’ll probably set it up to fail and to destroy what we are trying to save.

  96. I’ve been busy for the last couple of hours packing tea towels and cards for the first big event for three years……… What’s been going on?

    2. Apparently Rishi Dishi and Jabba the Hutt have conveniently resigned. Or summat like that.

  97. https://savebritain.org/sajid-javid-and-rishi-sunak-quit-cabinet-as-pm-admits-it-was-a-mistake-to-appoint-sleaze-mp-chris-pincher/

    Boris Johnson is tonight teetering on the edge as Chancellor Rishi
    Sunak and Health Secretary Sajid Javid both quit his Cabinet within
    minutes of each other.

    Shortly after the Prime Minister issued a grovelling apology over his
    appointment of shamed MP Chris Pincher, Mr Johnson was hit by the
    double blow.

    In his resignation letter, Mr Sunak told the PM that ‘we cannot continue like this’.

    And Mr Javid publicly questioned Mr Johnson’s integrity, competence and ability to act in the national interest.

    He told the PM: ‘It is with enormous regret that I must tell you that
    I can no longer, in good conscience, continue serving in this
    Government.

    ‘I am instinctively a team player but the British people also rightly expect integrity from their Government.’

  98. 353900 + up ticks,

    Has the political Odessa line been triggered, is there an
    islamic hydra head forming will the HOC / HOL sprout domes & minarets via the lab/lib/con coalition party member / voters it has been three plus decades in the construct is it being launched, these questions must be asked … and answered.

  99. STOP PRESS

    As I was enjoying my well-earned glass of medicine, I learned that two immigrants had “left the government”.

    So, an elderly cynic writes, the Spamhead Slammer has known BPAPM for years and, indeed, left the govt last year. He must, therefore have known that BPAPM lacks “integrity”. (ie: lies through his teeth). What persuaded him to return – and what has changed to make him leave?. Fishi Rishi is known to be duplicitous (Green Card/ Tax and all that).

    So did the two immigrants plot this together? And may we expect (and hope) that other immigrants (Priti Awful and the Education bloke + plus others) to do likewise?

    Answers on a postcard, please.

          1. Asia were a conglomeration of instrumentalists from other bands who got together to celebrate one another’s talent. Steve Howe (guitarist, Yes), John Wetton (bass, vocals, King Crimson, Uriah Heep), Greg Downes (keyboards, Buggles), Carl Palmer (drums, Emerson. Lake & Palmer).

          2. As I recall, there were lots of such groups.

            I just enjoyed the music but never paid much attention to who was who.

            As I recall, Cream must have been one of the earlier super-groups.

          7. Had a pretty easy day. Felt a few head twinges on way to work so bought some ibuprofen but took it too late. Boss took me out for lunch and I pretty much couldn’t manage more than a few mouthfuls as when I get a bad head I get nauseous with it. Ten mins after being back in the office the pills had kicked in and i was starving lol.
            My boss is very much like me, the only difference is I love rock music and he’s a lover of 80’s electronic rubbish. He’s a chemist who went into software development and gave it up to become a ecommerce analyst. He’s also from a close-by area of London to the area I grew up in, and just six years younger than me.
            Thanks for asking Sue.

          8. 80’s electronic rubbish! There is no bad 80’s music!

            On the headaches/migraine thing, if one bashes me I’ve two choices – vomit, or sleep. Bit unpleasant convo but I thoroughly sympathise.

            Glad to hear the new role is a good one!

          9. For me, Wibbles, I cannot think of any good ones but then I was brought up on 50s, 60s and the merest smidgeon of 70s music. After that it all seemed to go to pious hell.

            As for today’s ‘Rappers’ – well renamed ‘Crappers’ ‘cos that’s all they can produce – non-tuneful, political black crap. Yeuuuugh!

          11. Depeche Mode, Eminem? I think I’d rather stick needles in my eyes, the screams would sound better.

            But then, each to his own…

          12. Depeche mode had some fantastic songs. Enjoy the silence, personal jesus, just can’t get enough, and others. Way better than most 80s bands.

            Eminem is a different sort of rapper. I really dislike almost all rap music but I can listen to eminem, he’s very different from your average rapper.

          14. There’s plenty of bad 80’s music.

            How about Milli Vanilli? Rick Astley? Aswad?

          15. Delighted it went well…ish! Sounds interesting and wish you the best of luck with it!

    2. And of course there’s also that POS posing as the Mayor of London.
      Spending British tax payer’s money destroying our culture and social structure.
      Before it’s too late, It’s about time we all woke up, in the old sense of the word.

  100. From the Speccie Evening email:

    “At the No. 10 lobby briefing,
    journalists opened by asking the Prime Minister’s official spokesman
    whether he was going to tell them the truth. In this morning’s cabinet
    meeting, ministers looked as though they were sitting in a crematorium.”

  101. I have sent this email to my local Conservative chums, including the agent. Enough is enough.

    “I am trying to keep an open mind as I realise that the MSM are gunning for Boris Johnson.

    However, I have to say that I am sick of MPs who are junior to him being wheeled out to take the flak for his carelessness. This has happened too frequently to be passed off as a blip; a pattern is emerging and it is one of people’s loyalty being abused. I think Will being wheeled out was the final straw. Whether those defenders are Deputy PMs or Parliamentary cannon fodder, this is now beyond the joke. The people being interviewed are briefed with half truths or down right lies and are then having their legs cut out under them a day later by further ‘revelations’.

    The original transgressions are part and parcel of being in the adult world, but the frantic attempts to cover incompetence and bad (or lazy) judgement are an indictment of a political culture that has lost contact with decency.

    Quite frankly, Downing Street needs a thorough clear out; it has become a cess pit of untruths and incompetence.

    A”

      1. 353900+ up ticks

        Evening N,
        Sad to say that time has long past the damage done via the [ab/[ib/con political knotweed coalition & long term voters.

        n

        3. These days you wouldn’t use gunpowder, you’d use something smaller and much more potent. Something like Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane. Now that’s a lot of nitrogen pumped into a small molecule. Mmmmm bang!

          1. Personally I’d go the long game. Something like polonium under a cloth, left hanging about the Commons then calling a session to discuss MPs expenses being capped.

          2. Alpha releaser. Won’t pass the cloth you wrapped it in let alone skin. Must be ingested.

    5. The whole of Westminster needs clearing out and the senior civil service.
      There’s no hope for our country unless there’s some sort of revolution.

      1. The gates of Downing Street are becoming as symbolic of a deaf political class as the gates fronting the Winter Palace.

    6. Richard Drax MP

      Member of Parliament for South Dorset

      House of Commons

      London SW1A 0AA

      This is an automated message.

      Thank you for your email.

      I receive an extremely large amount of emails, letters and telephone calls each day. Let me assure you that I do my best to respond to each enquiry in a timely manner.

      If you are a constituent of mine, please ensure that you have included your full name and address, so that I can take further action on your behalf. If you haven’t included these in your email, please resend your email with this information.

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      If you are abusive or threatening, I will not respond to your emails.

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      Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

  102. Funny that the Wily Orientals are the ones claiming the high moral ground!!

    I really am leaving, now.

    1. Well, Dick, I did not go along with it. No masks, no injections. Aside from deep suspicion and time-consuming research, I am a cantankerous, contrary , obstinate person. Always have been. And tat’s why.

  104. LittleBoats 🇬🇧NI🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿En
    @LittleBoats2020
    Will
    @pritipatel
    go too 🙄

    The irony is if Boris goes it won’t, be because of his govts record on mass immigration, the 53k illegals they’ve taxied in, record taxes, the net zero BS or letting NI get annexed. it will be because of a fcukin party & some old goat touching up men

    1. Not going to watch that, don’t have any blood pressure pills strong enough.

    2. IRA Scum of today with Blair’s forgiveness letters safe in their pockets and their lawyers pursuing British Soldiers, who were doing their duty, as commanded by Westminster.

  106. TUESDAY, JUL 05, 2022 – 07:45 PM
    The European energy crunch is set to worsen this week after Norwegian offshore oil and gas workers went on strike, threatening to sever the Scandinavian country’s energy supplies to the UK and Europe, according to Reuters.

    As much as 1,117,000 barrels of oil equivalent, or 56% of daily natural gas exports, while 341,000 barrels of oil would be lost by Saturday if strikes continue closing down fields, the Norwegian Oil and Gas (NOG) employer’s lobby warned.

    “The strike has begun,” Audun Ingvartsen, the leader of Norway’s oil workers’ union, Lederne, said in an interview. He added the strike would escalate as workers pressure oil/gas companies to increase wages and benefits amid the worse inflation in Europe in decades.

    Norway is Europe’s second-largest energy supplier after Russia. The timing of strikes comes as European countries rush to inject NatGas supplies into storage ahead of the winter, and Russian energy giant Gazprom significantly reduced Nord Stream flows to Europe. Gazprom plans to halt Nord Stream flows for routine maintenance from July 11 for ten days.

    Norway’s Gassco, a state-owned pipeline operator, explained to Financial Times, “in a worst-case scenario, deliveries to the UK could stop totally.”

    2. The Norwegians were the only nationality to have a union (as far as I’m aware) on oil rigs and platforms as well as seismic exploration vessels. Foreign companies that took on Norwegians had to bow to their union.

  107. So England administers a sound thrashing to India in the test match and they all resign from government.

    2. But who will be the third man to resign? And how many more slips will Bojo make? And all because a silly point stroked a long leg.

  109. The coup d grâce for the suicidal Conservative Party would be to invite Theresa May to take the leadership again with David Cameron as her second in command.

      2. 353900+ up ticks,

        Evening A,
        regarding lab/loib/con coalition followers , repeatedly again & again.

  110. I see the rats are deserting the sinking ship. I wish I felt we’d get a sensible government, but I fear we’ll get more of the same.

    2. 353900 + up ticks,

      Evening C,
      Now lets be fair it is / will be by majority
      vote, “more of the same please” from a multitude of bloody weak willed olivers.

      1. 353900+ up ticks,

        Evening A,
        We are having one voted in in the shape of reset/replace leave it to the majority voter.

      2. We need the bloodiest of a revolution. With the armed forces on our side:

        Take over the BBC
        Take over the Radio, MSM and all newspapers.
        Declare Martial Law.
        Clear out and hang the Westminster Cesspit – both (all) houses.
        Clear out and hang the snivel serpents.
        Appoint new Ministers of the Crown for Defence, Health, Law, Monetary Policy, Border Control, Foreign and Home Office. That’s it, every thing else is subordinate to those 7 and that means that the devolved assemblies and the Wee Pretendy Parliament are no more – a few more hangings won’t go amiss.

        Then I’ll make it up as we go along.

  112. It might be that I watch the news less often than I once did but I rather get the impression that a male MP groping a man has been met with far less outrage than if the victim had been a woman. There appears to be more indignation about Pincher’s appointment as a whip than there is about his actions. Look the other way!

    1. 353900 +up ticks,

      Evening WS,
      Nothing in the “look the other way ” department can compare with lab/lib/con
      supporter / member / voters, post Jay report regarding rotherham it did NOT
      ruffle one feather among the foul
      hard core supporter/member/voters..

      1. Let’s face it, if a desperate drunken man has never made a pass at you it’s simply because you are ugly.
        (or a nun in an enclosed order)

        1. I’m sure the reason the warqueen has me go to these parties is to act as security. It’s also a bit sad, as the majority who do come on to her physically – and think it odd when the looming Herman Munster behind her sets about breaking their wrist. One bloke even kept trying as his bones creaked.

    3. The truly sad thing is the column headings given to an MP doing this versus the mechanised gang rape by pakistani muslim paedophiles of white girls.

    1. It’s a tough call. More than half the Country and a large proportion of the Party telling him to go and Mrs Johnson in No 10 supporting him to the hilt!

      2. To keep herself in fancy knickers – green of course.

        Wasn’t Marie Antoinette foist with the blame for the French Revolution. “Aux barricades mes amis!“

  114. 353900+ up ticks,

    labs turn next that’s the way a coalition works,

    Beginning of the End for Boris?
    Rishi Sunak, Sajid Javid Resign over Sleaze Scandal…
    Labour Calls for General Election.

    A General Election, the result of which is already in place before a vote is cast among the toxic trio the three, for the sake of the herd, play musical chairs with four chairs, the electorate with eyes tight shut pretend not to notice, they find comfort in the devil they have supported for so long and know so intimately.

    1. I said they’d never let us leave. The entire state edifice has actively fought any and every attempt to diverge from the destructive EU policies. Big state, high tax, Left wing.

      Bet you as soon as they force us back in, all the carnage will magically go away….

      2. Neoliberalism (what the entire EU is predicated on) is a right-wing philosophy. Do you think Milton Friedman was a socialist?

      3. Can we put the head of Thomas More back on its rightful place and let him sort this debacle out.
        Utopia

          2. Johnson is shot. He is going down slowly, like a shot rhinoceros. He cannot simply shuffle his weak hand and continue to reward the substandard morons holding onto his coat tails from the lower ranks.

            Rank hypocrisy and flagrant malfeasance in public office should have seen the back
            of Johnson from the start of the Covid nonsense and his first recital of the words: “Build Back Better”. The ghastly man is just another WEF Young Global Leader, set on the destruction of our nation state.

    3. I suppose it’s too much to hope that someone called Smith or Jones might be in charge of our finances.

    4. Will it see a radical change of direction ot sound economics and common sense?

      Will the green nonsense be abandoned? Will energy taxes be binned, fuel duty scrapped, inflation properly managed, interest rates left to the market?

      Will we get sound, rational government focussed on sbsolute essentials rather than the faux socialist nonsense?

      3. No.

        No. No. No. It is unless you want mass unemployment. No, the BoE sets the bank rate which influences market rates.

        No.

      4. 353900 + up ticks,

        Evening W,
        If your needs are satisfied then you will have a very upset electorate majority, it flies in the face of decades of their voting
        actions.

    6. ,,,and their qualifications, apart from ‘O’ level maths and a first-aider’s course?

  117. As far as I am concerned we have 650 MP’s all complicit in the great reset we have been sold a fake pandemic, we have been sold fake climate change, our economy is being dismantled, all our services are being sabotaged.
    There are no good guys that will take over, nobody is on our side, they are all corrupted and useless.
    That goes for you guys at the speccie too.

    1. So what you are saying is that the evidence for all these crises has been fabricanted?

      1. Yep, but i appear to have posted this in the wrong group,
        doh shouldn’t have opened that second bottle

        1. You have 650 good reasons as to why you should have opened that second bottle!

          1. I opened my second bottle….gawd almighty- what a disaster this once great country has become.

    2. It’s entirely deliberately. The effort these creatures are putting into ruining the country is staggering – all for a cushy after office job on the hector circuit.

      1. Where all the men are strong and the women are beautiful… or words similar.

      2. I loved his programs on MPR but it seems he has fallen foul of ‘inappropriate touching of a female’ and been cancelled.

    2. Welcome back, Bill. You have been missed. But I am sorry to read your post referring to “wogs”.

      2. Good morning, Harry. I am sorry you don’t like that word. I was born and brought up with it. And, more to the point, I am sick to death of the country being run (badly) by people whom I do NOT regard as British (or, for that matter, English).

  122. Goodnight, Gentlefolk and God bless. I shall go to bed and dream of revolution.

  123. Goodnight Y’all. Try and behave yourselves until I return to supervise you tomorrow;-)))

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