Current Affairs

[Manoverboard]

Perhaps the Queen's chose Andrew in her knowledge that this is his last ' Royal ' role ?

If some 'royal insiders' are to be believed then it appears queenie may be about to bestow new honours on Andy.
Depending on what, when and how, that could be a PR disaster that substantially forwards the republican agenda.

Court gossip me thinks but would the steadfast Royalists really defect to a republican cause ?

[towny44]

Perhaps the Queen's chose Andrew in her knowledge that this is his last ' Royal ' role ?

If some 'royal insiders' are to be believed then it appears queenie may be about to bestow new honours on Andy.
Depending on what, when and how, that could be a PR disaster that substantially forwards the republican agenda.

Court gossip me thinks but would the steadfast Royalists really defect to a republican cause ?

If Ken really wants a republic, all he need do is emigrate to the sourh of Ireland.

[barney]

If some 'royal insiders' are to be believed then it appears queenie may be about to bestow new honours on Andy.
Depending on what, when and how, that could be a PR disaster that substantially forwards the republican agenda.

Court gossip me thinks but would the steadfast Royalists really defect to a republican cause ?

If Ken really wants a republic, all he need do is emigrate to the sourh of Ireland.

I think he’ll find himself living in Ireland within the next ten years if they decide they can afford to take NI in. Nobody will need to move because everyone in NI is already Irish.
The Republicans will be the largest party after the next election and the process will begin.
The sticky point is the NHS.
I don’t think that the U.K. government will even impose a leaving fee. Just be grateful to see the back of an ancient problem.

[david63]

the Queen propping up her son

Actually I thought it was the other way round - Andy was propping his mum up

[david63]

Heard an interesting comment on the radio earlier about the Shrewsbury maternity scandal. Apparently some of the blame rests with Jeremy Hunt who, when Health Minister, changed the culture in the NHS from being patient focussed to cost focussed. This is the same Jeremy Hunt who does not have a good word to say about how the current Government has handled anything to do with the Covid pandemic.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Jeremy hunt, who was described to me by a senior surgeon, as the worst Health Secretary we ever had.

[towny44]

Jeremy hunt, who was described to me by a senior surgeon, as the worst Health Secretary we ever had.

Wasn't he Keefies choice to replace his darling Theresa?

[screwy]

Genuine question.

How do you think England would cope if the other 3 went their own way.?

[barney]

Genuine question.

How do you think England would cope if the other 3 went their own way.?

Perfectly fine.
We massively subsidise all three.
It would just be a matter of agreeing the leaving fee as percentage of the national debt.
The constant question is do the three countries wish to go alone, but never does England.
At least we are no longer subsidising half of Europe anymore.
When Scotland has it’s next referendum, I’d prefer the U.K. government to remain neutral with no attempt to persuade to stay.
Just leave it all to the Scots to argue it out.
I’m pretty sure that NI would vote to leave the union but would Ireland want them?
I’m reasonably confident that Wales would vote to stay in the union.

[Kendhni]

Perhaps the Queen's chose Andrew in her knowledge that this is his last ' Royal ' role ?

If some 'royal insiders' are to be believed then it appears queenie may be about to bestow new honours on Andy.
Depending on what, when and how, that could be a PR disaster that substantially forwards the republican agenda.

Court gossip me thinks but would the steadfast Royalists really defect to a republican cause ?

I think there are many people in this country that do waiver on support, or not, of the Royal family. It may not take much for them to change allegiance.

[Kendhni]

Genuine question.

How do you think England would cope if the other 3 went their own way.?

I don't think it is a case of 'if', just a case of 'when'.

All parts of a dismantled UK will survive and probably do well.
Long term, I suspect that Scotland and Wales would rejoin the EU ... NI would unite with ROI, while maintaining some autonomy, under the EU and helped with continued US investment ... London will continue to subsidise (most of) the rest of England. But you shouldn't limit it to just the 'big 3', other areas may also start pushing a separatist agenda (maybe even Londependence at which point what would be left of England could be short lived).

Personally though I have always believed we are stronger working together on common goals.

[Kendhni]

If some 'royal insiders' are to be believed then it appears queenie may be about to bestow new honours on Andy.
Depending on what, when and how, that could be a PR disaster that substantially forwards the republican agenda.

Court gossip me thinks but would the steadfast Royalists really defect to a republican cause ?

If Ken really wants a republic, all he need do is emigrate to the sourh of Ireland.

What makes you think I want a republic?
And why would I need to emigrate?

[screwy]

Has anybody received the £150 council tax rebate yet.?

[Manoverboard]

Not entitled but if applicable would it not be shown on one's Council Tax Bill for 2022 / 23 ?

[Stephen]

No

How do you qualify. Be an immigrant, single parent with twelve kids or unemployed in a council house claiming every benefit under the sun while running around in a Range Rover.


I’ll chase them up n Monday

[screwy]

No, it just says a one off payment direct to account they collect the tax from, that’s if you pay by DD.starting in April.If you don’t pay by DD then you have to claim it from the council.

[Manoverboard]

By living in a house with a ' C ' Band, or lower, Council Tax rating ... for starters

[Stephen]

That me stuffed then as we’re F band.

[towny44]

That me stuffed then as we’re F band.

We downsized just in time then.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I think it's up to Band D. If so we scrape in. Now to decide how to spend it.

[oldbluefox]

Onelife wants to know do you still qualify if you've got a drawbridge?

[oldbluefox]

I think it's up to Band D. If so we scrape in. Now to decide how to spend it.

It is - Band D and below.

[Manoverboard]

A to D it is ... it says here

[Stephen]

Bl**dy favouritism.

[Stephen]

Onelife wants to know do you still qualify if you've got a drawbridge?

If you do then I''ll get Mrs S digging.