Politics

[miamiwhite]

9 minutes ago, Sweep said:

I've thought for a while that she isn't well. I doubt she's as stupid/thick as she's appeared in recent years, something is definitely awry

Yes, something definitely awry mate. Her appearance on that call yesterday wasn't the best idea after the recent report was published.

Starmer has to act now.

[MickyD]

She’s nearly 70. That’s probably still an age where you feel you can say anything with impunity. Bit like many old folk I know who missed the input from HR folk waiting to jump on a mistake and sack rather than jump on and educate.

[kent_white]

14 minutes ago, miamiwhite said:

Yes, something definitely awry mate. Her appearance on that call yesterday wasn't the best idea after the recent report was published.

Starmer has to act now.

What's she done now?

[Cheese]

6 minutes ago, kent_white said:

What's she done now?

From what I've seen, she referred to the Uyghur Muslims in China as "Muslims from Uyghur". Unless she's said something else daft?

[miamiwhite]

6 minutes ago, kent_white said:

What's she done now?

Basically alongside a load of deniers re the mistreatment of the poor Uyghur Muslims. She's apologised this morning, but too late for her i fear, as she knew full well who were involved in the call as per her tweet.

[Spider]

These multi-nation cartels like the EU are a thing of the past:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-54949260

[Tonge moor green jacket]

1 minute ago, Spider said:

These multi-nation cartels like the EU are a thing of the past:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-54949260

Is it a trading bloc, or are they all to use the yen with ever increasing federalisation?

[Spider]

Just now, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Is it a trading bloc, or are they all to use the yen with ever increasing federalisation?

Eventually...

[Winchester White]

1 hour ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Is it a trading bloc, or are they all to use the yen with ever increasing federalisation?

Globalisation. It was warned previously that we would be minnows in a big lake. The former head of the WTO has said so several times and it is coming to pass.

Logically and economically we should all trade freely and without hindrance around the world. But the world doesn't work that way and this is something that will bite us on the arse. Many said so but were dismissed as project fear. Hope the visionaries were right after all.

[Tonge moor green jacket]

14 hours ago, Winchester White said:

Globalisation. It was warned previously that we would be minnows in a big lake. The former head of the WTO has said so several times and it is coming to pass.

Logically and economically we should all trade freely and without hindrance around the world. But the world doesn't work that way and this is something that will bite us on the arse. Many said so but were dismissed as project fear. Hope the visionaries were right after all.

As many of us pointed out previously, the EU was no longer just a trading bloc. If it was, we wouldn't be out.

The new one in the East is a very long way from what the eu is, so its an unreasonable comparison. Not even included agriculture apparently. 

We are entering into new deals and who knows, may become members of a new bloc in the future.

Interestingly, as indicated on another thread, the new Cross party group looking to increase the proportion of manufacturing in this country has pointed out the progressive drop in this sector from around 30% in the early 70s to less than 10% now.

Coincidence?

[Sweep]

10 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

 

Interestingly, as indicated on another thread, the new Cross party group looking to increase the proportion of manufacturing in this country has pointed out the progressive drop in this sector from around 30% in the early 70s to less than 10% now.

Coincidence?

I'd have thought that was more to do with the opening up of the Far East for low cost manufacturing than being anything to do with being a member of the EU. Obviously there is a manufacturing base in central Europe now, which will have a slight bearing, personally have customers who manufacture their products in Romania, Poland and Latvia etc

With regards to manufacturing, it doesn't matter what we do, or if we're in or out of the EU - it's not coming back in any large way to the UK, until we have a work force who are prepared to work for £10/£20 a day. Unless as a population we're prepared to pay more for our products and not expect to get t-shirts for £1 and a TV for £400

[Spider]

9 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

As many of us pointed out previously, the EU was no longer just a trading bloc. If it was, we wouldn't be out.

The new one in the East is a very long way from what the eu is, so its an unreasonable comparison. Not even included agriculture apparently. 

We are entering into new deals and who knows, may become members of a new bloc in the future.

Interestingly, as indicated on another thread, the new Cross party group looking to increase the proportion of manufacturing in this country has pointed out the progressive drop in this sector from around 30% in the early 70s to less than 10% now.

Coincidence?

Much is always made of British manufacturing being the envy of the world.

As a British manufacturer we are definitely of the highest quality, no doubt about that.

However, 10% is not enough to make us a major player. Our days of being a world power in manufacturing are well behind us.

Our service sector must be a big player on the world stage is all I can think.

[Tonge moor green jacket]

12 minutes ago, Sweep said:

I'd have thought that was more to do with the opening up of the Far East for low cost manufacturing than being anything to do with being a member of the EU. Obviously there is a manufacturing base in central Europe now, which will have a slight bearing, personally have customers who manufacture their products in Romania, Poland and Latvia etc

With regards to manufacturing, it doesn't matter what we do, or if we're in or out of the EU - it's not coming back in any large way to the UK, until we have a work force who are prepared to work for £10/£20 a day. Unless as a population we're prepared to pay more for our products and not expect to get t-shirts for £1 and a TV for £400

It will if imports become more expensive. 

You're correct about the far East, but that doesn't account for why plenty of European nations have a higher level of manufacturing than we do now.

Maybe a bit more willing to buy their own, don't know.

I'd also suggest places like Japan and Korea are no longer paying a few rice grains to their workers. China standard of living also increasing. 

We are still capable, as coronavirus has shown, of using technological skills that we do have and about time that we invested back into them. Especially so as part of the levelling up agenda.

I look at jcb, for example and the opportunities for doing agricultural deals with nations all over the place.

The two mps were talking about new plant for vehicle battery manufacturing, which will be required very soon, especially now bans have been brought forward. 

Too easy to say fuck it, we can't compete. Happening all too often whether it be for far Eastern goods, or Eastern European manufacturing. 

Businesses need to explore new opportunities 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

10 minutes ago, Spider said:

Much is always made of British manufacturing being the envy of the world.

As a British manufacturer we are definitely of the highest quality, no doubt about that.

However, 10% is not enough to make us a major player. Our days of being a world power in manufacturing are well behind us.

Our service sector must be a big player on the world stage is all I can think.

Its not specifically important for exports, but for internal jobs mix. Reliance too much on one sector is risky, as we're seeing now.

Also look back to effect of solid manufacturing on society. People not on a fortune, but with enough to live a reasonable life, mental health and physical health helped by a feeling of self worth and maybe from exertion. Often great sense of community within them.

Fewer feckwits and scallies with time and tins in their hands.

[Spider]

1 minute ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Its not specifically important for exports, but for internal jobs mix. Reliance too much on one sector is risky, as we're seeing now.

Also look back to effect of solid manufacturing on society. People not on a fortune, but with enough to live a reasonable life, mental health and physical health helped by a feeling of self worth and maybe from exertion. Often great sense of community within them.

Fewer feckwits and scallies with time and tins in their hands.

Totally agree, but there is an issue that needs to be dealt with.

We are paying top whack for skilled welders and fabricators. Manual jobs with less skill are min wage.

The pool of skilled people is getting smaller every year. It's horrendous.

A really good welder can all but name his price and we can't afford to pay it if we want to make a profit.

Therefore, companies end up going bust.

It starts at school - we need to go back to appreticeships and hands-on skills in a big way.

Get rid of all these bullshit degrees for "Business Management" and "Creative Hospitality". Even most English degrees mean fuck all (I know, I went and did one)

We rely far too much on this mythical "service sector".

Not easy to sell to Jonny Foreigner

[frank_spencer]

British production of high-end or specialist goods is second to none. When it comes to mass production i just can't see us catching up and being able to do it as cheap as Malaysia, Indonesia etc who have taken over from china in making these goods.

[Sweep]

2 hours ago, frank_spencer said:

British production of high-end or specialist goods is second to none. When it comes to mass production i just can't see us catching up and being able to do it as cheap as Malaysia, Indonesia etc who have taken over from china in making these goods.

Correct, and we shouldn't be trying to compete with regards to mass production of commodity items, as we'll get nowhere near

We'll never have a large manufacturing sector in this country now, and we should't aim to have. Concentrate on high end technology type stuff. Let the likes of China, Myanmar and India make t-shirts, garden tools and low level electronics. Biotech, Medical, Renewables and AI is where we should be putting all our efforts and investment

[Tonge moor green jacket]

2 hours ago, Spider said:

Totally agree, but there is an issue that needs to be dealt with.

We are paying top whack for skilled welders and fabricators. Manual jobs with less skill are min wage.

The pool of skilled people is getting smaller every year. It's horrendous.

A really good welder can all but name his price and we can't afford to pay it if we want to make a profit.

Therefore, companies end up going bust.

It starts at school - we need to go back to appreticeships and hands-on skills in a big way.

Get rid of all these bullshit degrees for "Business Management" and "Creative Hospitality". Even most English degrees mean fuck all (I know, I went and did one)

We rely far too much on this mythical "service sector".

Not easy to sell to Jonny Foreigner

100% agree. Seems to be coming home now to those in power. Even Boris said as much recently. 

Time to push through changes to education system.

[bolty58]

9 hours ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

100% agree. Seems to be coming home now to those in power. Even Boris said as much recently. 

Time to push through changes to education system.

I agree with Spider on that last one.

See, it can happen now and again.

More Tech. College courses contributing to more skilled tradespersons. Leave IT and marine biology to the daydreamers.

[Youri McAnespie]

On 15/11/2020 at 09:48, MickyD said:

Just as a matter of interest, did you actually abstain or not bother voting? 

Just noticed this.

I didn't know enough - I've seen pretty much all of Europe and how the EU has built a nice bridge but made the people indentured.

Then again I saw 'leave' claims as utter bollocks.

Johnson is a ego-driven charlatan - even his own sister thinks he's a wanker, Gove was worse - a backstabbing charlatan.

I abstained - pity more didn't.

They took a Tory division and extended it to rip our country apart.

Corbyn and 'Momentum' culpable too - as well as bit-part players like Tommeh or Choudary and the idiots who follow them.

In creatIng division. In causing schism.

Should never have happened. Anyone who thinks they knew what they were voting for - either way, bullshit, total bullshit.

People are generally thick as fook - politically, me included, even having studied History and Politics 😛 (final grade available on request) - it was a chocolate teapot route, ended up teaching.

Wrong type of vote - elected representatives should've known all the ins and outs of stay/leave and voted accordingly - it's their fucking job.

If we had a plebiscite to return to public hanging it'd probably pass.

My opinion now - we should've stayed in and been complete and utter bastards.

And should've stopped sending a shower of shit over to represent our interests.

 

Edited November 17, 2020 by Youri McAnespie

[MickyD]

According to BBC, the numbers are:

72.2% turnout  so by deduction 27.8% didn't register a vote.  That,  however,  and the point im making,  isn't an abstention it's a 'didn't bother voting' 

26k votes were rejected  but it doesn't say why and even where it does it comes as 'spoiled paper' rather than abstention. 

Maybe there should be an extra box - ABSTAIN on all ballot forms so you can register your abstention rather than be with all the folk who just drew a cock and balls or similar. 

 

[Ani]

44 minutes ago, MickyD said:

According to BBC, the numbers are:

72.2% turnout  so by deduction 27.8% didn't register a vote.  That,  however,  and the point im making,  isn't an abstention it's a 'didn't bother voting' 

26k votes were rejected  but it doesn't say why and even where it does it comes as 'spoiled paper' rather than abstention. 

Maybe there should be an extra box - ABSTAIN on all ballot forms so you can register your abstention rather than be with all the folk who just drew a cock and balls or similar. 

 

For years in EU elections I put a different swear word on my ballot. Only rule was the swear word had to match the number of candidates. So 5 candidates = cunts. 
One year we had 9 candidates and I got asked on way out who I voted for and I told them pissflaps. 
I think spoilt ballots is a fair way to measure ‘protest’ votes. 
The kids still ask me if i am voting pissflaps every time there is an election. 

[Mounts Kipper]

12 minutes ago, Ani said:

For years in EU elections I put a different swear word on my ballot. Only rule was the swear word had to match the number of candidates. So 5 candidates = cunts. 
One year we had 9 candidates and I got asked on way out who I voted for and I told them pissflaps. 
I think spoilt ballots is a fair way to measure ‘protest’ votes. 
The kids still ask me if i am voting pissflaps every time there is an election. 

You vote for the same piss flaps every election. 😂

[Tonge moor green jacket]

7 hours ago, bolty58 said:

I agree with Spider on that last one.

See, it can happen now and again.

More Tech. College courses contributing to more skilled tradespersons. Leave IT and marine biology to the daydreamers.

Marine biologists will be useful for getting fishing grounds back to their best. Not sure how many we'll need in total though. 

[Winchester White]

Reports are that Sunak is pushing Johnson heavily to compromise with the EU and land a deal. Bloody hope he knocks some economic sense into that thick skull of Bozo.