Current Affairs

[screwy]

Hmm, reminds me of when I was stationed in Singapore in 1974.
Weekends down Bugis St. There was always some drunk Squaddie or Matelot would climb on the toilet roof ,strip off place a burning rolled up newspaper between his Butt Cheeks and dance around to the chants of ‘ Zulu warrior.’ Soon to be running away from the Mps’

You’d have loved it Gill.

[Kendhni]

Looking at the pictures from the football tournament going on. it appears none of the crowd have ever heard of COVID (or maybe they think football will protect them from it) - not much common sense or responsible behaviour from Wimbledon either.

[Kendhni]

if this story is correct then it sounds like Johnson is giving out a more sensible message - although it seems they have given up on their track and trace.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/britons-expec ... 36009.html

We have to keep this in perspective. Our GDP was only down by 9.9% year. While some/much of that will have been the result of COVID it is not the disaster to the economy that some appear to think. Naturally some industries were hit much harder than others and it is about finding solution to get all business up and running again in a responsible manner - especially the hospitality industry.

One solution that has been proposed is that the owners of establishments/organisers of events take full responsibility for behaviour of their customers on their premises/at their event based on one strike and you are out.

[Gill W]

I find it very disappointing that so many sensible posters on here, are still susceptible to the tabloid headlines, whether it's the Daily Mail or the BBC or Sky TV.

Tell us again where you get your news from?

Edited to add - just seen Ken’s news clip.

I see the messaging is all over the place, as usual. ‘You don’t need to wear a mask or work from home but you are expected to wear a mask and work from home’. You can’t make it up !

[oldbluefox]

For sale - one broken record.

[towny44]

I find it very disappointing that so many sensible posters on here, are still susceptible to the tabloid headlines, whether it's the Daily Mail or the BBC or Sky TV.

Tell us again where you get your news from?

Edited to add - just seen Ken’s news clip.

I see the messaging is all over the place, as usual. ‘You don’t need to wear a mask or work from home but you are expected to wear a mask and work from home’. You can’t make it up !

I get a lot of my news from the same sources as you I assume. But I dont expect, or want, my govt to give me consistent advice, especially when things are changing and advice has to be amended. However I accept that as a govt supporter my attitude may well be different to a govt hater, but even if Starmer were to be in charge I would hope that I would offer him the same tolerance.

[Onelife]

IT sounds as if Boris might be listening to what his scientific officers are saying again…

“While the vaccine rollout has severed “weakened” the link between Covid cases and hospitalisations or deaths, he stressed “the global pandemic is not over yet”.

[Ranchi]

I thought we were getting back to normal in England next Monday….seems I was mistaken.

49901FA6-3296-4D1F-8B2C-336BA73B8694.jpeg

A pleasant surprise..

[Quizzical Bob]

I thought we were getting back to normal in England next Monday….seems I was mistaken.

49901FA6-3296-4D1F-8B2C-336BA73B8694.jpeg

A pleasant surprise..

Indeed it is. Plus University Challenge. A heavy night in front of the tele.

[Ray B]

So after July 19 we are leaving it to the general public to be considerate and sensible.
Ha, ha, ha. That should have been one for Stephen's 'Morning all'.

[Gill W]

We’ve to proceed slowly and cautiously, whilst all legal restrictions disappear over night. That’s not a slow or cautious act.

Also the promise of this being irreversible has disappeared.

A very different tone from last week.

You know what’s going to happen. They are going to leave it to people’s discretion, then shove off on holiday while it’s all kicking off.

As I’ve been saying for at least two weeks, this is going to get bad.

[Kendhni]

So after July 19 we are leaving it to the general public to be considerate and sensible.
Ha, ha, ha. That should have been one for Stephen's 'Morning all'.

As I said several days back "The cynic in me says that the governments current proclamations are nothing more than an attempt at blame shifting from the government to individuals and society as a whole".

What I would like to see is a bit of lateral thinking into how we can squeeze a silver lining out of this pandemic and build a new structure that is more suitable for the 21st century that benefits all ... better than currently trying to desperately cling onto the old 'We did it that way 40 years ago and so should do it the same way today". We have a huge opportunity to resolve so many current issues.

[Mervyn and Trish]

And as I've been saying for weeks it doesn't matter one jot what Boris says or does his detractors will gripe about it. Stick to his guns he's ignoring advice. Listen to advice it's a U turn and mixed messages.

[towny44]

What I would like to see is a bit of lateral thinking into how we can squeeze a silver lining out of this pandemic and build a new structure that is more suitable for the 21st century that benefits all ... better than currently trying to desperately cling onto the old 'We did it that way 40 years ago and so should do it the same way today". We have a huge opportunity to resolve so many current issues.

Huge opportunities to resolve many current issues, that's going to cost a hell of a lot more than our fragile (according to you) economy can possibly afford, and frighten off the 1% of the population that currently contribute about 80% of our tax take. That does not seem a good idea at all.

[Ray Scully]

What I would like to see is a bit of lateral thinking into how we can squeeze a silver lining out of this pandemic and build a new structure that is more suitable for the 21st century that benefits all ... better than currently trying to desperately cling onto the old 'We did it that way 40 years ago and so should do it the same way today". We have a huge opportunity to resolve so many current issues.

Huge opportunities to resolve many current issues, that's going to cost a hell of a lot more than our fragile (according to you) economy can possibly afford, and frighten off the 1% of the population that currently contribute about 80% of our tax take. That does not seem a good idea at all.

John please can you direct me to the source of your information, I can only find references to the amount of income tax take being between 25 & 30%. I would hate to be labouring under any misapprehension.

[towny44]

What I would like to see is a bit of lateral thinking into how we can squeeze a silver lining out of this pandemic and build a new structure that is more suitable for the 21st century that benefits all ... better than currently trying to desperately cling onto the old 'We did it that way 40 years ago and so should do it the same way today". We have a huge opportunity to resolve so many current issues.

Huge opportunities to resolve many current issues, that's going to cost a hell of a lot more than our fragile (according to you) economy can possibly afford, and frighten off the 1% of the population that currently contribute about 80% of our tax take. That does not seem a good idea at all.

John please can you direct me to the source of your information, I can only find references to the amount of income tax take being between 25 & 30%. I would hate to be labouring under any misapprehension.

My guess was probably an over estimate, but your figures only relate to income tax, there is NIC, VAT, and Corporation tax as well, where the highest earners probably contribute a significantly higher proportion. Regardless of the accuracy of my figures there is a significant tranche of very mobile high level taxpayers who would be deterred from remaining as UK taxpayers if we were to increase the taxation levels to support any major reapportionment of the national income.

[Kendhni]

What I would like to see is a bit of lateral thinking into how we can squeeze a silver lining out of this pandemic and build a new structure that is more suitable for the 21st century that benefits all ... better than currently trying to desperately cling onto the old 'We did it that way 40 years ago and so should do it the same way today". We have a huge opportunity to resolve so many current issues.

Huge opportunities to resolve many current issues, that's going to cost a hell of a lot more than our fragile (according to you) economy can possibly afford, and frighten off the 1% of the population that currently contribute about 80% of our tax take. That does not seem a good idea at all.

First, I have never referred to our economy as "fragile" - in fact only a few posts above I made the point that last year our GDP was down by only 9.9% (some of which can be attributed to COVID). So you are mistaken if that is what you think. The UK has faired worse than other countries but that is as much to do with other factors as well.

Why do you think it will cost a lot more? One simple example (of several I have given) is promoting and retaining the work at home message where appropriate. That will remove thousands of vehicles from the roads reducing congestion and pollution in city centres; free up much needed space for both commercial and residential premises; free up parking space; reduce the need for child care etc. etc. Our buses and trains, which have been labelled as over crowded, would also become fit for purpose again.

These obvious impact of these ideas is to save money and reduce expenditure which, based on your argument, could be given back to the 1% for fear of them fleeing these shores - although I could think of 101 better uses for the savings. Many companies are/will adopt the work from home mantra (based on personal preference) and that is only going to grow (it is now listed on nearly every job opportunity I receive ... right at the top of the 'benefits' section) - that is 21st century thinking (family friendly practices giving a better personal/work life balance).

I watched the G7 leaders all shrugging shoulders over how to make an impact on the negatives of climate change - they have been presented with a small but significant golden opportunity, let's take it.

[Quizzical Bob]

First, I have never referred to our economy as "fragile" - in fact only a few posts above I made the point that last year our GDP was down by only 9.9% (some of which can be attributed to COVID). So you are mistaken if that is what you think. The UK has faired worse than other countries but that is as much to do with other factors as well.

9.9% is horrendous

[Kendhni]

9.9% is horrendous

True it is not good, and is (unsurprisingly) worse than other G7 countries, but when you listen to some reporting and posts you would think the GDP was down by 90%. The drop is the equivalent of going back to the dark nightmarish poverty stricken times of 2015. The problem is that this is not across the board with a significant portion taken by a small number of business sectors.

[Mervyn and Trish]

It's not good. But in the context of what we've been through it's miraculous. It's worse than many countries simply because of the proportion of our economy in the service and hospitality sectors. And in comparison with what so many people have lost in personal terms is utterly trivial.

[Quizzical Bob]

9.9% is horrendous

True it is not good, and is (unsurprisingly) worse than other G7 countries, but when you listen to some reporting and posts you would think the GDP was down by 90%. The drop is the equivalent of going back to the dark nightmarish poverty stricken times of 2015. The problem is that this is not across the board with a significant portion taken by a small number of business sectors.

More like 2012 and we have a long way to catch up with what it was before the Great Financial Crash. The last three years have seen successive drops. At what point does a slump become a depression?

You are right about the spread of suffering.

[Kendhni]

It's worse than many countries simply because of the proportion of our economy in the service and hospitality sectors.

I have seen that point being made on a few occasions and I keep meaning to check it out. My initial thoughts though are that many other countries rely on tourism/service/hospitality much more than the UK so it would be interesting to read a proper comparison ... if you have any links.

[Kendhni]

More like 2012 and we have a long way to catch up with what it was before the Great Financial Crash. The last three years have seen successive drops. At what point does a slump become a depression?

You are right about the spread of suffering.

I was looking at quarterly figures I am guessing you are looking at annual.
See: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/grossdom ... s/abmi/qna

[Stephen]

Breaking news.


https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-new ... re-5649169

[david63]

It it just me that thinks that the wearing, or not, of facemasks is rapidly developing into a political football?

Both the mayor of London and the mayor of Manchester are saying that masks will be compulsory on public transport in their jurisdictions. Is that a coincidence that they are both Labour?

Scotland are saying that masks may be compulsory until at least Christmas.

Wales, as usual, are sitting on the fence and saying nothing.

Personally I agree with the Boris approach - if you are on a crowded bus, train, tube then it is sensible to wear a mask but if you are the only passenger then it matters not.

There seem to be some who do not want to remove all restrictions and because they have the power to enforce some rules they are "flexing their muscles"