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This thread exists to discuss British politics.

Political issues related to Northern Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) are also considered on-topic here if there's no more appropriate OTC thread for them.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

As with other OTC threads, off-topic posts may be thumped or edited by the moderators.

More specifically, read this post for some guidance on what we don't want to see.


    Original OP 
(I saw Allan mention the lack of one so I thought I'd make one.)

Recent political stuff:

  • The vote to see if Britain should adopt Alternative Voting has failed.
  • Lib Dems lose lots of councils and councillors, whilst Labour make the majority of the gains in England.
  • The Scottish National Party do really well in the elections.

A link to the BBC politics page containing relevant information.

Edited by Mrph1 on Jun 7th 2024 at 4:50:10 PM

SavageHeathen Pro-Freedom Fanatic from Somewhere Since: Feb, 2011
Pro-Freedom Fanatic
#302: May 25th 2011 at 10:09:33 AM

Let's hope they don't go overboard with the Civil Service cuts.

Streamlining them so the bosses per useful worker ratio goes down and making a hiring freeze on senior positions could be a good way around it. It might stave off pay cuts while reducing spending.

edited 25th May '11 10:09:44 AM by SavageHeathen

You exist because we allow it and you will end because we demand it.
TheGloomer Since: Sep, 2010
#303: May 25th 2011 at 11:33:00 AM

I'd like to say something about the GCHQ case to make myself look dead clever, but I'm so stupid I've even forgotten the citation.

IanExMachina The Paedofinder General from Gone with the Chickens Since: Jul, 2009
The Paedofinder General
#304: May 25th 2011 at 4:16:10 PM

[up][up][up] Cannot wait till the inevitable Prince Philip racial gaffes. wink

Also irrelevant but is the BBC advertising marmite or what.

edited 25th May '11 4:16:26 PM by IanExMachina

By the powers invested in me by tabloid-reading imbeciles, I pronounce you guilty of paedophilia!
IanExMachina The Paedofinder General from Gone with the Chickens Since: Jul, 2009
The Paedofinder General
#306: May 26th 2011 at 2:52:07 PM

[up]

Why, they seem to have so little support so far, first the Royal Nursing college voted no confidence, and recent the BMA say the NHS plans need to be withdrawn.

By the powers invested in me by tabloid-reading imbeciles, I pronounce you guilty of paedophilia!
JosefBugman Since: Nov, 2009
#307: May 26th 2011 at 4:26:50 PM

Yes, put these lines in place, then watch as everyone with a pulse starts voting against you FOR YEARS because you stuck to your guns.

It'll be the equvilient of the Coal Miners Strike but done TO the Tories.

IanExMachina The Paedofinder General from Gone with the Chickens Since: Jul, 2009
The Paedofinder General
#308: May 27th 2011 at 4:18:35 PM

The big Society tsar stood down from his unpaid post, to go and get a paid position elsewhere. Thereby proving that it is cool to cut the charity funding as due to the big society people and private industry will step in. wink

By the powers invested in me by tabloid-reading imbeciles, I pronounce you guilty of paedophilia!
IanExMachina The Paedofinder General from Gone with the Chickens Since: Jul, 2009
The Paedofinder General
#309: Jun 1st 2011 at 6:39:56 AM

On-the-spot fines of up to £80 could be given to people caught swearing in Barnsley town centre.

I think you'd have to do a lot more than stop swearing to make Barnsley and attractive place for anybody.grin

However I think this is stupid, and close if not already infringing on free speech.

Edit:
It seems that it is entirely the work of the local police and a 'community organisation' (honestly makes me think of old daily mail readers being busybodies) as the Barnsley Council website has this on their page:

We would like to make it clear that the council has nothing to do with the ‘effing and jeffing’ £80 fine for swearing initiative that has been widely publicised over the last couple of days.

We applaud the reasoning behind the campaign and the need for respect and restraint in public – including the need to cut down on foul and abusive language.

However, this campaign has not been officially endorsed by the council, no resources will be dedicated to its enforcement and there will be no financial benefit to the council through any fines raised.

edited 1st Jun '11 6:42:59 AM by IanExMachina

By the powers invested in me by tabloid-reading imbeciles, I pronounce you guilty of paedophilia!
Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#310: Jun 1st 2011 at 7:14:00 AM

[up]

Mind you, the Mail would say Political Correctness Gone Mad on that — it's just the sort of thing they don't like (if it wasn't done by any particular group, however...).

Keep Rolling On
IanExMachina The Paedofinder General from Gone with the Chickens Since: Jul, 2009
The Paedofinder General
#311: Jun 1st 2011 at 7:29:27 AM

[up]

Oops you are right, I should have put Telegraph readers.

I don't see how enforceable the ban is, not to mention the legitimacy of it.

By the powers invested in me by tabloid-reading imbeciles, I pronounce you guilty of paedophilia!
CaissasDeathAngel House Lewis: Sanity is Relative from Dumfries, SW Scotland Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
House Lewis: Sanity is Relative
#312: Jun 1st 2011 at 10:42:05 AM

If I were hit with one of those fines (and given how often I swear, I'd get one within the first hour I suspect) I'd take them to court over it. The police involvement gives it legitimacy, the council officially saying "It's fuck all to do with us" and a third party being the police's partner means it would get shot down in flames I suspect.

My name is Addy. Please call me that instead of my username.
TheJackal Lurker from the UK Since: Dec, 2009
Lurker
#313: Jun 1st 2011 at 4:01:07 PM

Yeah, if the council had nothing to do with it, they shouldn't legally be able to do this. The police being able to fine someone who hasn't broken the law based on the advice of an unelected community group is quite worrying, but if they were challenged I doubt it'd stand up in court, considering the lack of legal basis for this.

AllanAssiduity Since: Dec, 1969
#314: Jun 1st 2011 at 4:04:09 PM

This is silly. Very, very silly. Can I find a serious news story...?

Everyone heard about Winterbourne View?

IanExMachina The Paedofinder General from Gone with the Chickens Since: Jul, 2009
The Paedofinder General
#315: Jun 1st 2011 at 4:13:48 PM

[up]

Yes and honestly I find it quite horrifying, the CQC should really have followed up the whistle blowing. It does sund like they are over worked and probably need more funding for more case workers, however to let an abuse whistleblowing thing slip is terrible.

By the powers invested in me by tabloid-reading imbeciles, I pronounce you guilty of paedophilia!
AllanAssiduity Since: Dec, 1969
#316: Jun 1st 2011 at 4:19:48 PM

That's why I'm relaying it here. It's quite disgusting, in my opinion; then again, I tag "torturing of the helpless" as disgusting, which is part of what happened there, so.

IanExMachina The Paedofinder General from Gone with the Chickens Since: Jul, 2009
The Paedofinder General
#317: Jun 1st 2011 at 5:14:21 PM

[up]

Oh exactly, honestly with the extra vulnerability that those in care have there really does need to be even more stringent follow ups and unannounced inspections. Also more funding, as this is most likely caused due to human error caused by overwork.

By the powers invested in me by tabloid-reading imbeciles, I pronounce you guilty of paedophilia!
Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#318: Jun 2nd 2011 at 12:01:17 AM

[up]

Another view, from The Daily Telegraph:

A troubling idea of care

And of course there's the other care-related news story:

Southern Cross residents need government 'rescue plan'

Lastly, a general newspaper review on the stories from The BBC:

Newspaper review: Concerns over care examined

Keep Rolling On
Michael So that's what this does Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: Drift compatible
So that's what this does
#319: Jun 3rd 2011 at 9:29:13 AM

Any news on when we get to hear some stats from the 2011 census?

CaissasDeathAngel House Lewis: Sanity is Relative from Dumfries, SW Scotland Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
House Lewis: Sanity is Relative
#320: Jun 3rd 2011 at 10:06:38 AM

I should really get my census form posted...

My name is Addy. Please call me that instead of my username.
Jinren Since: Oct, 2010
#321: Jun 3rd 2011 at 10:24:09 AM

Any news on when we get to hear some stats from the 2011 census?

I found this information quite difficult to find, but if I recall correctly it's supposed to be released by September 2012.

edited 3rd Jun '11 10:24:29 AM by Jinren

AllanAssiduity Since: Dec, 1969
#322: Jun 7th 2011 at 4:44:57 PM

Cameron outlines 'real changes' to his NHS reform.

The BBC report doesn't mention that during his conference, he explicitly stated that he had no plans to change our healthcare to a "US-style system". This can be taken as proof that he doesn't want us all to die under crippling debt. Just the students.

Speaking of which, an MP's report says that there will be a funding gap for universities because too many will charge the maximum tuition fees. That this needs to be spelled out for the Conservative government is quite amazing — if you turn education into a business, you expect them to not be tight-fisted, money-grubbing bastards like you?

"Unclear"? Are you dense or something?

edited 7th Jun '11 4:47:44 PM by AllanAssiduity

CaissasDeathAngel House Lewis: Sanity is Relative from Dumfries, SW Scotland Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: Pining for the fjords
House Lewis: Sanity is Relative
#323: Jun 7th 2011 at 5:13:37 PM

I'm not sure whether Oxford being up in arms about student fees is the greatest example of hypocrisy in decades or a welcome change of their tune. Certainly made me laugh either way.

My name is Addy. Please call me that instead of my username.
Greenmantle V from Greater Wessex, Britannia Since: Feb, 2010 Relationship Status: Hiding
V
#324: Jun 8th 2011 at 1:16:47 AM

It's going further than that: Academics launch £18,000 college in London — with plans to become a University (Private college challenged over 'university' label).

Keep Rolling On
TheJackal Lurker from the UK Since: Dec, 2009
Lurker
#325: Jun 8th 2011 at 7:02:39 AM

[up] I really hope that that isn't the future of humanities education. Fees of £9000 are bad enough, let alone double that with no guaranteed loan. And this after Michael Gove's expressed his enthusiasm for making everyone take a humanity at GCSE.

And on a lighter note, John Bercow says about the Daily Mail what we've all been thinking.


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