We had a discussion on here a while back, which suggested quite a substantial opposition to the project.

Now that there are rumours that the Northern section will be scrapped, what are the views now?

I was always an opponent of it, though softened slightly when an expert lady explained in more detail about the capacity issues on the East and West Coast mainlines.

30 minutes ago, Sweep said:

Correct, it's not difficult

Personally I think we should all have ID Cards, if you don't have one, then you can't have booze or fags amongst other things

The right to vote 

17 minutes ago, Mounts Kipper said:

You’re nearly 60 you won’t need ID. 

What about a Old Cunts Bus Pass

5 minutes ago, royal white said:

The right to vote 

yep, that as well

1 hour ago, globaldiver said:

Thin end of the wedge?

Another nibble away at freedom, especially for working folk?

5 minutes ago, globaldiver said:

Another nibble away at freedom, especially for working folk?

I think that's reading too much into it.

Banning smoking is of benefit for loads of reasons, not just for the individual, but also for wider society. We only banned drink driving in the 1960's, do you think that was also "the thin end of the wedge" and taking away a freedom?

20 minutes ago, Sweep said:

I think that's reading too much into it.

Banning smoking is of benefit for loads of reasons, not just for the individual, but also for wider society. We only banned drink driving in the 1960's, do you think that was also "the thin end of the wedge" and taking away a freedom?

Though I’m all for a smoking ban surely it’s up to the individual? 

The smoking thing seems to have angered some Tories more than the fact they’ve been mugged off for 12 years.

Still, there’s an opportunity coming up to not actually vote for the circus. Might be a good time to take that chance.

25 minutes ago, royal white said:

Though I’m all for a smoking ban surely it’s up to the individual? 

it's a difficult one really, what if they, due to smoking, become a long term burden on the NHS - then they're harming more than just themselves

With this ban, if it worked, it would mean that people who aren't of smoking age, won't ever legally be able to buy cigarettes - and surely stopping kids starting smoking is a good thing. Those over 16 at the minute who do smoke, will always be able to, they're not getting banned. It only affects those aged 14 at the minute, and they shouldn't be smoking at the minute anyway (of course, I know a lot of them probably do)

 

1 hour ago, Sweep said:

I think that's reading too much into it.

Banning smoking is of benefit for loads of reasons, not just for the individual, but also for wider society. We only banned drink driving in the 1960's, do you think that was also "the thin end of the wedge" and taking away a freedom?

FIVE and Drive 

13 minutes ago, Sweep said:

it's a difficult one really, what if they, due to smoking, become a long term burden on the NHS - then they're harming more than just themselves

With this ban, if it worked, it would mean that people who aren't of smoking age, won't ever legally be able to buy cigarettes - and surely stopping kids starting smoking is a good thing. Those over 16 at the minute who do smoke, will always be able to, they're not getting banned. It only affects those aged 14 at the minute, and they shouldn't be smoking at the minute anyway (of course, I know a lot of them probably do)

 

Then where does it stop. Make alcohol illegal? Sweets/sugary foods? 
 

On the plus side I suppose I could make more money in future bringing fags back from my jollies. 

4 minutes ago, royal white said:

Then where does it stop. Make alcohol illegal? Sweets/sugary foods? 
 

On the plus side I suppose I could make more money in future bringing fags back from my jollies. 

Just tax em to fuck, which is basically what they are doing

3 hours ago, Sweep said:

As Mounts has said several times, he wants our Government, and nobody else (the EU), to decide how and where our money is spent. Although, in fariness, this is nothing to do with the EU, the Government has decided to spend money where they want to, and it just happens to not be in the North. If we don't like it, we get the opportunity to vote them out in a years time.

 

I do wonder though, what the costs of cancelling the Northern bit of HS2 are, because there will be a massive cost I[d have thought. You can't just say "that's it, no more"  - it'll possibly still cost billions of pounds to cancel the Northern leg. I'm sure it's all been costed though, and the information will be released shortly

It doesn’t have much to do with the EU granted but it’s another reason why giving them complete power is a bit moronic. The damage they could/will have done in 5 years let alone 12 is simply astounding and this is before the final run of gifts they’ll deliver in the last year.

4 minutes ago, royal white said:

Then where does it stop. Make alcohol illegal? Sweets/sugary foods? 
 

On the plus side I suppose I could make more money in future bringing fags back from my jollies. 

I guess that's up to Government - they can advise their plans, if we don't like them, we vote them out.

I'm not convinced it'll pass through Parliament anyway

21 minutes ago, Sweep said:

it's a difficult one really, what if they, due to smoking, become a long term burden on the NHS - then they're harming more than just themselves

With this ban, if it worked, it would mean that people who aren't of smoking age, won't ever legally be able to buy cigarettes - and surely stopping kids starting smoking is a good thing. Those over 16 at the minute who do smoke, will always be able to, they're not getting banned. It only affects those aged 14 at the minute, and they shouldn't be smoking at the minute anyway (of course, I know a lot of them probably do)

 

Look forward to seeing what the next new tax would be to replace smoking. 

7 minutes ago, tomski said:

Look forward to seeing what the next new tax would be to replace smoking. 

Crossed my mind.

One of those things that will take possibly decades to determine whether it pays for itself.

Still don't see how it's enforceable neither.

It's OK saying use current i.d. but that would require your date of birth and those at the shop to work out whether you're old enough.

Edited October 4, 20232 yr by Tonge moor green jacket

7 minutes ago, tomski said:

Look forward to seeing what the next new tax would be to replace smoking. 

Energy drinks hopefully 

1 minute ago, jmjhb said:

Energy drinks hopefully 

Don't say that to him!

 

37 minutes ago, tomski said:

Look forward to seeing what the next new tax would be to replace smoking. 

More on sugar. Got an ad rejected on TFL (basically the sandwich that a certain bear eats) because of high sugar content 😁

7 minutes ago, Not in Crawley said:

More on sugar. Got an ad rejected on TFL (basically the sandwich that a certain bear eats) because of high sugar content 😁

Would be astronomical to cover the cost. Bring it on. Share the burden 😂

36 minutes ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Don't say that to him!

 

😂

48 minutes ago, jmjhb said:

Just tax em to fuck, which is basically what they are doing

The benifits pay for them anyway 

Could see the tram line extending to Bolton from this, be great if the case 

1 hour ago, tomski said:

It doesn’t have much to do with the EU granted but it’s another reason why giving them complete power is a bit moronic. The damage they could/will have done in 5 years let alone 12 is simply astounding and this is before the final run of gifts they’ll deliver in the last year.

You don’t think the EU is exactly same, probably worse, check out the money fiddled that was recently highlighted. 
 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63941509

Edited October 4, 20232 yr by Mounts Kipper

2 minutes ago, Mounts Kipper said:

You don’t think the EU is exactly same, probably worse, check out the money fiddled that was recently highlighted. 
 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63941509

No I think they spread the money a bit more even. 

For the record I only think Manchester United are worse than this government 😂
 

3 minutes ago, tomski said:

No I think they spread the money a bit more even. 

For the record I only think Manchester United are worse than this government 😂
 

On that we can both agree. 👍