General News Thread

[leicsmac]

5 minutes ago, Dreadnought said:

The new deckchair layout on the Titanic looks pretty similar to the old one & it’s the same captain steering towards the iceberg!

It isn't just the UK onboard that particular vessel and far too many of the many captains involved fail to understand that the true iceberg is even there, or that it even exists. 

[Parafox]

1 hour ago, Lionator said:

This country is a joke how ministers can just move around posts. How can you ever have any long term planning or idea when you can just flip from Home Secretary to foreign Secretary? 

They're basically heads of a government department which will have dozens of civil servants and skilled and knowledgeable time served experts to advise them.

 

Basically a Government Secretary is a figurehead who makes the decisions based on expert advice but who then takes the flak or the plaudits as a result of his/her decision.

 

At least I think that's how it works.

[Lionator]

45 minutes ago, Parafox said:

They're basically heads of a government department which will have dozens of civil servants and skilled and knowledgeable time served experts to advise them.

 

Basically a Government Secretary is a figurehead who makes the decisions based on expert advice but who then takes the flak or the plaudits as a result of his/her decision.

 

At least I think that's how it works.

Which is fine, but surely then that legitimises the whole ‘blob’ and democracy argument. If the civil service is driving policy and not elected ministers, then we’re not a democracy. 

[st albans fox]

2 hours ago, leicsmac said:

 

Lammy did everyone a disservice by not sticking to his guns regarding members of the current US administration. Perhaps the new person will treat them more like the highly potential belligerent they are. 

You think?

[Robo61]

3 hours ago, st albans fox said:

If you’re in public office then you shouldn’t be avoiding paying taxes  (which is legal). That should be part of the deal. 
if that means we have to pay those people a bit more then so be it.

it probably also means that we wouldn’t have wealthy people as public servants. 
 

for the rest of us that’s what nearly all of us would do.  Just because you have a few bob, doesn’t mean you don’t want to find ways around paying more tax. And that applies even more to those at the lower end. Although the amounts they save mean that there is no ‘industry’ created to assist them and the room for financial manoeuvre is limited in any case. 

I am struggling though to see where the line could be drawn beyond what is legal.  For example wouild they be alowed to hold ISSA's

[Sampson]

43 minutes ago, Lionator said:

Which is fine, but surely then that legitimises the whole ‘blob’ and democracy argument. If the civil service is driving policy and not elected ministers, then we’re not a democracy. 

The civil service does not drive policy, they follow the law. The government changes that law after vetting through the House of Lords and the Minister can decide what to focus on within the law.

 

The civil service is there as an important check and balance in democracy to ensure the law is followed and individual parties or ministers do not have the power to completely do what they want. The reason so many right wing populists want to gut the civil service is to give them the power to do what they like without pushback. It *should* be hard for ministers to do what they like and the civil service *should* have the expertise and right to tell a Minister what they can and can’t do in a democracy without legal changes through the proper vetting process.

Edited 6 September 2025 by Sampson

[st albans fox]

1 minute ago, Robo61 said:

I am struggling though to see where the line could be drawn beyond what is legal.  For example wouild they be alowed to hold ISSA's

An ISA is a basic govt approved (and encouraged) tax efficient savings tool.  I get your point in where is the line to be drawn. I think it’s common sense. Anything that requires professional advice being off limits is the starting point. 

[CornwallFox]

32 minutes ago, Lionator said:

Which is fine, but surely then that legitimises the whole ‘blob’ and democracy argument. If the civil service is driving policy and not elected ministers, then we’re not a democracy. 

The elected official determines the direction of travel and overall policy but it's the civil servants who then enact that. Despite claims to the contrary, you do need expertise.

[davieG]

37 minutes ago, Lionator said:

Which is fine, but surely then that legitimises the whole ‘blob’ and democracy argument. If the civil service is driving policy and not elected ministers, then we’re not a democracy. 

Depends on the Minister but if they are worth their salt and not totally driven by party dogma they will get the civil servants to provide details, facts and scenarios of at least two options and then make their / their party's decision based on the info received.

[leicsmac]

32 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

You think?

No. Too much realpolitik, not enough trousers. 

 

But it would be nice. 

[Dr The Singh]

3 hours ago, Lionator said:

This country is a joke how ministers can just move around posts. How can you ever have any long term planning or idea when you can just flip from Home Secretary to foreign Secretary? 

In terms of talent in Labour, the barrel is dry.  They have no choice but swap around the deadwood

[st albans fox]

11 minutes ago, Dr The Singh said:

In terms of talent in Labour, the barrel is dry.  They have no choice but swap around the deadwood

You sound like Brendan 😄

[MaidstoneFox]

11 hours ago, CornwallFox said:

An immediate removal of income tax to 20k cost tens of billions of pounds. It's not going to happen.

And if people suddenly had a load of extra money what would happen? Inflation would increase. 

Oh I agree, I think the markets might tank if Reform got in on this platform.

 

But it's exactly the same election strategy as the Brexit NHS millions that never materialised.

[CornwallFox]

13 minutes ago, MaidstoneFox said:

Oh I agree, I think the markets might tank if Reform got in on this platform.

 

But it's exactly the same election strategy as the Brexit NHS millions that never materialised.

Same as stopping the boats in two weeks. 

Complete and utter nonsense.

[MaidstoneFox]

11 hours ago, BlueSi13 said:

Yes, at the moment he's absolutely sailing in to Downing Street.

 

Poll of Polls:

Reform - 31%

Labour - 20%

Conservatives - 17%

Liberal Democrats - 14%

Greens - 9%

 

Based on electoral calculus that would give Reform 394 seats and a majority of 138.

 

Labour reduced to 97 MPs and Conservatives 28.  Effectively both facing extension level events.  BTW that is before Corbyn's new far-left party starts to eat in to the Labour vote even further.  

 

This Labour governments approval rating is the lowest on record.  Maurice Glasman said in July that Labour has 6 months to turn the ship around.  It's gotten worse since then.  

 

If Labour can't get a grip and continue to circle the economy around the drain come new year I predict one of a few things.  Moves will be made to replace Starmer/they'll start talking about bringing in PR to try and stop Farage/rumours of deeper collaboration between Lab-Lib-Cons/They'll throw in the towel and call an election late 2026/early 2027.

Or of course they could just limp on delaying the inevitable.  

 

 

 

Despite those polling figures, let's not forget that in parliament, Labour has a massive majority and Reform just has single figure MPs. Fundamentally, Reform are still a protest party (give Farage a chance, the rest are useless), a big noise on social media and a home for disgraced Tories or general social outcasts looking for a bandwagon to hitch to. After so many years in opposition and with so many MPs, I can't see Labour calling an election in a year's time, that would be political suicide and there's no precedent for it unless Starmer had a vote of no confidence.

Edited 6 September 2025 by MaidstoneFox

[CornwallFox]

41 minutes ago, Dr The Singh said:

In terms of talent in Labour, the barrel is dry.  They have no choice but swap around the deadwood

Don't be daft. You just don't know who they have. Which is fine, they've been in two minutes. 

The state of the nation when they got in was terrible. It still is. They haven't turned it around yet. But they certainly are doing better than the Tories were, even if you never hear about any if the good initiatives they have going on.

[Robo61]

2 hours ago, st albans fox said:

An ISA is a basic govt approved (and encouraged) tax efficient savings tool.  I get your point in where is the line to be drawn. I think it’s common sense. Anything that requires professional advice being off limits is the starting point. 

Pretty sure many have been adviced by their IFA, to invest their money in ISSAs pensions etc.

[Dr The Singh]

1 hour ago, CornwallFox said:

Don't be daft. You just don't know who they have. Which is fine, they've been in two minutes. 

The state of the nation when they got in was terrible. It still is. They haven't turned it around yet. But they certainly are doing better than the Tories were, even if you never hear about any if the good initiatives they have going on.

2 mins, don't be daft, they've been in over a year and over 20% of there term.  

 

Name me 5 or even 2 people from that party you would pay for talent.

 

What good initiatives?  The economy has tanked, people are more divided.

 

Im sorry to say of people in this country are going to applaud or even accept this type of poor leadership in our country, no wonder this country is in such a mess.

 

[Dr The Singh]

1 hour ago, st albans fox said:

You sound like Brendan 😄

[st albans fox]

22 minutes ago, Robo61 said:

Pretty sure many have been adviced by their IFA, to invest their money in ISSAs pensions etc.

Anything promoted by Martyn Lewis isn’t what I’d consider requiring ‘professional advice’ ! 

 

im speaking about stuff/schemes that aren’t  well known about.    Of course your IFA is going to push isa and pension because they’re the basic investment tool for the vast majority.  and most importantly, there are limits on what can be invested into them each year 

[Dr The Singh]

On 05/09/2025 at 09:10, Tommy G said:

Foreign legend 

Racist

[bovril]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/sep/05/such-a-vibrant-feeling-reform-uk-devotees-gather-party-conference

 

Quote

Worried he was going to die before Farage becomes prime minister, he turned his fire on Keir Starmer.

 

[CornwallFox]

1 hour ago, Dr The Singh said:

2 mins, don't be daft, they've been in over a year and over 20% of there term.  

 

Name me 5 or even 2 people from that party you would pay for talent.

 

What good initiatives?  The economy has tanked, people are more divided.

 

Im sorry to say of people in this country are going to applaud or even accept this type of poor leadership in our country, no wonder this country is in such a mess.

 

The economy hasn't tanked at all. It's no better, granted, but also pretty much the same as before. Aren't we the fastest growing economy in the g7?

 

In terms of good things:

- set up national wealth fund

- set up GB energy which is the only way to get around privatised energy contracts that allow charging based on most expensive energy source (gas)

- finally released compensation to those affected by the infected blood scandal

- national mental health 111 helpline

- free breakfast clubs in schools

- introduced plans to remove hereditary peers 

- renter's rights bill 

- great British railways

- Hillsborough law so those responsible for public disasters can't avoid justice.

- acted upon grooming gang recommendations the Tories sat on for years

- veterans, care leavers and abuse victims have improved access to social housing

- warm homes grants

- laws to combat fire and rehire and abuse of zero hours contracts 

- crackdown on online knife sales

- foundation apprenticeships

- women's justice board

- NHS dentistry recovery plan

- scrapped onshore wind ban (with it being the cheapest energy source) 

- law to support small businesses struggling with late payments from other companies

- planning reforms introduced

- Floods resilience taskforce

- measures to penalise water company bosses for pollution

- £63bn in additional private investment

- £10bn worth of warships being purchased by I think it's Norway

[urban.spaceman]

18 minutes ago, Dr The Singh said:

2 mins, don't be daft, they've been in over a year and over 20% of there term.  

 

Name me 5 or even 2 people from that party you would pay for talent.

 

What good initiatives?  The economy has tanked, people are more divided.

 

Im sorry to say of people in this country are going to applaud or even accept this type of poor leadership in our country, no wonder this country is in such a mess.

 

Bill/Policy Name	Parliamentary Stage	Royal Assent Date / Expected Effectiveness	What It Will Do	Impact on the Country and Citizens
Budget Responsibility Act 2024	Act of Parliament	10 Sep 2024	It legally formalises the government’s fiscal rules, including mandating that the current budget moves into balance and that debt falls as a share of the economy. It also strengthens the role of the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).	The bill's swift passage was a strategic move to demonstrate a commitment to economic stability, aiming to provide certainty for business and the markets and to distance the government from the financial turmoil of the past.
Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024	Act of Parliament	28 Nov 2024	It delivers a core manifesto pledge to bring the operation of passenger rail services back into public ownership as existing contracts expire. The law removes the legal presumption in favour of private sector operation.	This is a major ideological shift away from privatisation, aiming to address fragmentation and improve services through a unified, whole-industry approach.
Water (Special Measures) Act 2025	Act of Parliament	24 Feb 2025	It gives regulators new powers to hold water companies accountable for pollution. It includes provisions to ban bonuses for executives of companies that fail to meet standards, and it introduces a "fit and proper person" test for executives.	This legislation imposes statutory requirements for transparency and accountability on water companies, ensuring that corporate accountability for pollution is legally enshrined.
Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025	Act of Parliament	3 Apr 2025	It introduces new security requirements for public venues to prevent terror attacks.	This legislation, also known as Martyn's Law, is a response to tragic events and is intended to help keep the public safe and improve protective security.
Bank Resolution (Recapitalisation) Act 2025	Act of Parliament	15 May 2025	It reforms how the Bank of England responds to failing banking institutions.	This is a technical but highly significant bill that aims to strengthen the financial system and prevent a future crisis.
Great British Energy Act 2025	Act of Parliament	15 May 2025	It establishes a new publicly owned clean power company, Great British Energy (GBE), to accelerate the development of clean, domestically produced energy. The company will invest in, own, and operate clean energy projects.	This is a fundamental shift in energy policy, aiming for energy independence, lower household bills over time, the creation of jobs, and the return of profits to the public.
Skills England Act 2025	Act of Parliament	15 May 2025	It replaces the Apprenticeship Levy with a new, more flexible Growth and Skills Levy and establishes a new public body, Skills England, to improve workforce skills.	This legislation is a key part of addressing labor and skills shortages, which will aim to boost economic growth and create good jobs across the country.
Digital Information and Smart Data Act 2025	Act of Parliament	19 Jun 2025	It facilitates new uses of data to drive growth and keep pace with technological advances, including AI regulation.	The bill aims to modernise data regulations for the digital economy and provide clarity for businesses in this sector.
Football Governance Act 2025	Act of Parliament	21 Jul 2025	It establishes a new Independent Football Regulator (IFR) to ensure the financial sustainability and integrity of clubs in the top five tiers of men's football.	This is the first statutory regulation of English football. Supporters see it as a "historic moment" that will protect clubs from reckless owners and give fans a "bigger voice" in the sport.
Arbitration Act 2025	Act of Parliament	24 Feb 2025	It modernises and reforms UK arbitration law based on recommendations from the Law Commission. Key legal changes include clarifying the law applicable to arbitration agreements and empowering courts to support emergency arbitrators.	This bill is strategically important for the UK legal and financial sector, as it aims to maintain London's status as a leading global destination for international arbitration.
National Wealth Fund Bill	Bill in Parliament	N/A	It will create a sovereign wealth fund, capitalised with £7.3 billion, to make transformative investments in strategic industries and leverage private investment.	The fund aims to catalyse growth and create jobs, with a target of attracting £3 of private investment for every £1 of public investment.
Planning and Infrastructure Bill	Bill in Parliament	N/A	It reforms the planning system to speed up the delivery of housing and infrastructure. The bill aims to re-introduce mandatory housing targets and makes it easier to build nationally significant projects.	The bill aims to overhaul the planning system to boost construction and help meet the government’s goal of building 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.
Better Buses Bill	Bill in Parliament	N/A	It will give local leaders control over bus services and franchising.	The bill is intended to improve and re-regulate local transport services across the country and supports public ownership.
Employment Rights Bill	At Report Stage in Lords	Some changes in April and Oct 2026, with key provisions not until 2027	It is designed to enact a "New Deal for Working People," including a ban on zero-hours contracts and the removal of the two-year qualifying service requirement for unfair dismissal.	This is a significant reform of UK labour law that will offer new protections and greater security for workers, though some key provisions will not be implemented until 2027 to give businesses time to prepare.
Renters' Rights Bill	Passed Lords, returned to Commons with amendments	Expected Summer 2025	It seeks to overhaul the renting market by banning "no-fault" evictions, introducing a Decent Homes Standard, and banning rental bidding wars.	The bill aims to rebalance the tenant-landlord relationship and provide greater security for the 11 million renters in England, empowering them to challenge bad practices without fear of eviction.
Tobacco and Vapes Bill	Bill in Parliament	N/A	It will introduce a "smoke-free generation" by making it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. It also restricts youth vaping by banning advertising and sponsorship of vapes.	This is a landmark public health policy aiming to phase out smoking and tackle related illnesses, with widespread public support.
Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill	Bill in Parliament	N/A	It establishes a new Border Security Command and repeals the controversial Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration Act). It also gives law enforcement new powers to investigate and disrupt organised immigration crime.	The bill is aimed at tackling illegal immigration and reducing small boat crossings, but it has been criticised for retaining certain provisions of previous acts that human rights groups say undermine access to justice for asylum seekers.
English Devolution Bill	Bill in Parliament	N/A	It aims to create a more standardised framework for devolving power to local leaders and mayors across England.	This bill is a key part of the "take back control" agenda, shifting power from Westminster to empower local leaders to drive growth and improve local services.
Children's Wellbeing Bill	Bill in Parliament	N/A	It introduces reforms to education and includes a new legal requirement for free breakfast clubs in all primary schools.	This bill is designed to raise educational standards and promote the health and wellbeing of children.
Mental Health Bill	Bill in Parliament	N/A	It seeks to amend the Mental Health Act 1983.	The bill's purpose is to reform and improve the treatment and provision of mental health care in the UK.
Victims, Courts and Public Protection Bill	Bill in Parliament	N/A	It seeks to reduce delays in the court system and strengthen support for victims of crime.	The bill aims to improve the efficiency and fairness of the criminal justice system and provide better support for those affected by crime.
Hillsborough Law (Public Authority (Accountability) Bill)	Government bill delayed and 'paused'; a Private Member's Bill has been introduced	N/A (Bill is 'paused')	It aims to create a statutory duty of candour for public servants and authorities, which would compel them to be open and honest in inquiries and inquests. It also proposes criminal sanctions for cover-ups and deliberate misinformation.	The law is intended to fundamentally change the culture within public bodies and restore public trust by ensuring greater accountability and transparency.
Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill	A draft bill has been published	N/A (Draft Bill)	It aims to legally enshrine the right to equal pay for race and disability.	The draft bill seeks to extend existing equal pay legislation to new protected characteristics, aiming to address racial and disability inequalities in the workplace.
Draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill	A draft bill has been published	N/A (Draft Bill)	It aims to give leaseholders greater rights to extend their leases and purchase their freeholds, based on Law Commission recommendations.	This could have a significant impact on the financial security and property rights of a large segment of the population in England and Wales.
Draft Conversion Practices Bill	A draft bill has been published	N/A (Draft Bill)	It aims to legally ban conversion therapy by creating new offences.	The bill aims to protect the LGBTQ+ community from harmful practices and improve public health.

[Dr The Singh]

23 minutes ago, CornwallFox said:

The economy hasn't tanked at all. It's no better, granted, but also pretty much the same as before. Aren't we the fastest growing economy in the g7?

 

In terms of good things:

- set up national wealth fund

- set up GB energy which is the only way to get around privatised energy contracts that allow charging based on most expensive energy source (gas)

- finally released compensation to those affected by the infected blood scandal

- national mental health 111 helpline

- free breakfast clubs in schools

- introduced plans to remove hereditary peers 

- renter's rights bill 

- great British railways

- Hillsborough law so those responsible for public disasters can't avoid justice.

- acted upon grooming gang recommendations the Tories sat on for years

- veterans, care leavers and abuse victims have improved access to social housing

- warm homes grants

- laws to combat fire and rehire and abuse of zero hours contracts 

- crackdown on online knife sales

- foundation apprenticeships

- women's justice board

- NHS dentistry recovery plan

- scrapped onshore wind ban (with it being the cheapest energy source) 

- law to support small businesses struggling with late payments from other companies

- planning reforms introduced

- Floods resilience taskforce

- measures to penalise water company bosses for pollution

- £63bn in additional private investment

- £10bn worth of warships being purchased by I think it's Norway

Thats not true, inflation was what before they took over and what was growth projections under Sunak?  Explain our debt situation.  So in November what are Labour going to tell us?

 

The worships have nothing to do with Labour.  63 bn doesnt touch the sides.  The rest is weak, as a business owner, if my team came up with a list like that I would be embarrassed,, otal lack of imagination.   

 

How is that going to stimulate productivity?

 

Hence the total lack of respect of Labour.  

 

And what about social cohesion, thay have totally blown that.