There will be no sodding Turkey at Chez Urquhart on Christmas day, I can tell you that for a fact! We might however be watching that classic Christmas movie, Die Hard.
No turkey at Chez Rotten either. I am a veggie!
There'll be sod all food at Chez Jessop on Christmas Day, as we're going to be up north at my parents...
I got my parents to come to me instead! We’re getting a take away turkey from a local hotel, mainly so I don’t mess it up!
Seems to me like the trend was downwards way before Brexit, while the others were rising.
The issue is relative performance. Before the Brexit vote we were top of the G7, now we are bottom, but at least we have the promise of blue passports.
I think Brexit will end in a whimper rather than a bang. I think a lost decade of Brexit induced austerity is on the cards.
Less than 2 years now before I call it a day. Once Fox jr is sorted, I shall be off on my adventures.
No it isn't. With things like this, it is the trend...you can see the trend 2 years before Brexit, it is heading slightly downwards and simply continues along the same trend post Brexit. While other G7, the trend is upwards.
Not every single thing is Brexit and only Brexit.
More pertinently, the shifts in headline growth numbers are very small, but the underlying numbers show a shift from consumption to production and exporting.
Yes, that is a trend I've been seeing for the last three quarters, and in today's data we can see that export growth is definitely seeing an uptick. We've seen decent rates in the recent past, but it was usually a one off. What we're currently seeking is sustained export growth every quarter rather than one off blips. What we really need to see is a sustained fall in importation of finished manufactured goods to make anything stick.
Surely sustained growth in exports is linked to sustained growth in our biggest overseas markets.
Yes, of course. The European economies are finally consuming goods and services again. We've only been waiting for 10 years. Though the Germans are still not pulling their weight and Spain's economy is sitting on a knife edge because of the Catalan situation.
Funnily enough, we increased our rxports to others while the EU economies struggled. Now they’re picking up they’re helping us big time. Our growth would be much lower without their growth.
Seems to me like the trend was downwards way before Brexit, while the others were rising.
The issue is relative performance. Before the Brexit vote we were top of the G7, now we are bottom, but at least we have the promise of blue passports.
I think Brexit will end in a whimper rather than a bang. I think a lost decade of Brexit induced austerity is on the cards.
Less than 2 years now before I call it a day. Once Fox jr is sorted, I shall be off on my adventures.
We're 9 years into the current cycle
Though growth seems to be spedding up elsewhere in the world. It is the UK that is slowing.
I see nothing positive about Brexit, just needless misery and grinding austerity. Like yourself, I have had enough of the country for a while.
If you have had enough then leave. You really won't be missed.
You make fatuous statements as if they are a substitute for action. I suspect this is exactly what you did during the referendum campaign as well whilst those of us who actually cared about the issues were out trying to make sure our side - whether Leave or Remain - won.
I did some canvassing for Remain, and a few rallies, but it was an uninspiring campaign. Too much project Fear and little positive vision. I said so here at the time.
I am never bored of Britain, but I do get sick of it occassionally. As a patriot, I do feel quite disillusioned by the backward looking nationalism that is in vogue here.
I’d be wary of retiring in a country with much higher inflation than UK...
My pension is aid in Sterling, on final salary and inflation linked, so even actuarily reduced for early retirement makes me quite comfortable.
I can also dip in and out of Locum work when I need extra cash tok, so have no fears for my finances.
Funnily enough, we increased our rxports to others while the EU economies struggled. Now they’re picking up they’re helping us big time. Our growth would be much lower without their growth.
I don't disagree, the Swiss economy is also benefiting from that effect. The EU is finally bouncing back from 10 years of nothing, the worry is that it won't last once the ECB turns the stimulus taps off, we'll see from January (well probably March because it will take time for the change to feed through) what will happen once the programme is cut from €60bn per month to €30bn per month.
A delicious rib of beef will be consumed in the Cyclefree household on Xmas Day, preceded by tortellini in brodo (proper homemade clear broth, using veal bones). The meat will be accompanied by delicious vegetables - though not Brussel sprouts. And there will be a selection of fine wines.
We also have canapes with our champagne and scrumptious macaroons with coffee.
Very nice. There will be no turkey in this place either. A mix of chicken and roast beef with vegetables roasted in Olive oil, basil and very lightly drizzled with honey. And the wines and Bucks Fizz for breakfast
Regarding Bitcoin and the other crypto currencies. (And I speak as someone who sold 99% of theirs at the weekend, and now is very scared about my credit exposure to Coinbase.)
The only one with any real staying power is Ethereum. Why? Because "mining" Ethereum is not some pointless crpyto task. On the contrary, you can use Ethereum to execute smart contracts, which can be arbitrary code. The "miners" therefore make up a super computer, and the people buying Ether are paying to have their programmes run.
I was put onto it by Edmund in Tokyo, who one of the biggest experts globally. If the crash continues, it might be very interesting.
The Ethereum VM is a clusterfuck. The DAO debacle shows the utter vapidity of the smart contract concept.
Incidentally Tether looks more and more like a scam the more I read about it.
China backs punitive sanctions against North Korea at the UN. You want Trump’s biggest win since becoming president? There it is.
Other than the Jerusalem blunder, Trump has had a very good year in terms of foreign policy. Significant wins over ISIS, getting China to put sanctions on NK, the Saudi Arabia change of ruler, further sidelining of Iran, even helping the Russians prevent the terror attack just recently.
He's had a better year this year than Obama had for 8 years.
It seems that the world responds better to strongmen than it does to weak ones like Obama. Thatcher and Reagan knew that too. Even Dave, to his credit, was good at standing his ground on the international stage. Obama was far too willing to give in to the consensus to be liked by other international leaders. Trump either doesn't care or believes they like him anyway.
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
Seems to me like the trend was downwards way before Brexit, while the others were rising.
The issue is relative performance. Before the Brexit vote we were top of the G7, now we are bottom, but at least we have the promise of blue passports.
I think Brexit will end in a whimper rather than a bang. I think a lost decade of Brexit induced austerity is on the cards.
Less than 2 years now before I call it a day. Once Fox jr is sorted, I shall be off on my adventures.
We have already had almost a decade of austerity, more likely if Corbyn gets in is we still have Brexit just with more borrowing, more spending and higher taxes.
Funnily enough, we increased our rxports to others while the EU economies struggled. Now they’re picking up they’re helping us big time. Our growth would be much lower without their growth.
I don't disagree, the Swiss economy is also benefiting from that effect. The EU is finally bouncing back from 10 years of nothing, the worry is that it won't last once the ECB turns the stimulus taps off, we'll see from January (well probably March because it will take time for the change to feed through) what will happen once the programme is cut from €60bn per month to €30bn per month.
We must not forget that the Fed and the BoE had been running the taps at full for years and many years before the ECB did.
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
The question for the local elections next year is whether Labour can get their 2017 GE vote out for the Borough contests. If they can, the capacity for gains is there. If not, it'll be pretty much status quo (excepting perhaps Kingston and Richmond).
"Recruitment difficulties were a growing concern for businesses as labour shortages had become more generalised across sectors and skill levels".
As Remain's Stuart Rose warned us, wages might have to rise. Or as most of the Leavers tell us, we might need more immigrants, but in a controlled way.
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
My pension is aid in Sterling, on final salary and inflation linked, so even actuarily reduced for early retirement makes me quite comfortable.
I can also dip in and out of Locum work when I need extra cash tok, so have no fears for my finances.
I’ve been helping out a relative with their NHS consultant pension - really is a good deal they/you are getting. I think we worked out it was better for my relative to retire a bit earlier to capture a higher final salary within the past three years than slog on. Still have to check things through with the pensions people.
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
I'm fairly certain the Tory share of the vote went down in London in June's general election.
Edit - Yup in London the Tory share of the vote went down 1.7%
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
I am hoping for a wipeout.
Not happening, Labour will be doing well to gain more than 1 or 2 Tory councils in London next year let alone Westminster, Bromley and Bexley. It may even the LDs pick up more Tory councils than Labour if they win Richmond and Kingston upon Thames
China backs punitive sanctions against North Korea at the UN. You want Trump’s biggest win since becoming president? There it is.
Fair play to China and Trump. Good to see everyone now realises the threat posed by NK.
Russia also backed the sanctions in a rare show of unanimity.
Is there an endgame here involving the replacement of the Juche dynasty with a more sensible pro-Beijing Government ? It may be that can be achieved without much bloodshed (apart from Kim Jong-Il and his cronies but we'll lose little sleep over that).
Presumably once that has been achieved, all sanctions will be lifted and we'll see a dramatic thawing of tension in the region which will also be no bad thing.
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
The question for the local elections next year is whether Labour can get their 2017 GE vote out for the Borough contests. If they can, the capacity for gains is there. If not, it'll be pretty much status quo (excepting perhaps Kingston and Richmond).
Even then, most of the Labour target councils like Barnet, Wandsworth and Kensington and Chelsea and Hillingdon still had a Tory MP elected in the area at the general election
China backs punitive sanctions against North Korea at the UN. You want Trump’s biggest win since becoming president? There it is.
Fair play to China and Trump. Good to see everyone now realises the threat posed by NK.
Russia also backed the sanctions in a rare show of unanimity.
Is there an endgame here involving the replacement of the Juche dynasty with a more sensible pro-Beijing Government ? It may be that can be achieved without much bloodshed (apart from Kim Jong-Il and his cronies but we'll lose little sleep over that).
Presumably once that has been achieved, all sanctions will be lifted and we'll see a dramatic thawing of tension in the region which will also be no bad thing.
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
I'm fairly certain the Tory share of the vote went down in London in June's general election.
Edit - Yup in London the Tory share of the vote went down 1.7%
We were talking in comparison to the 2014 local elections not the 2015 general election, your point would have been relevant in June not next May given Labour won the 2014 London local elections by a wider margin than they beat the Tories in London at the 2015 general election
China backs punitive sanctions against North Korea at the UN. You want Trump’s biggest win since becoming president? There it is.
Fair play to China and Trump. Good to see everyone now realises the threat posed by NK.
Russia also backed the sanctions in a rare show of unanimity.
Is there an endgame here involving the replacement of the Juche dynasty with a more sensible pro-Beijing Government ? It may be that can be achieved without much bloodshed (apart from Kim Jong-Il and his cronies but we'll lose little sleep over that).
Presumably once that has been achieved, all sanctions will be lifted and we'll see a dramatic thawing of tension in the region which will also be no bad thing.
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
Never mind the colour, how quaint is it that passports are still little books made of paper, and how long will that continue to be the case? It surely can't be long before they are cards with chips in them, or bionic implants.
I think the answer to that is when some random border post in the back of beyond on the border between Burkina Faso and Mali is equipped to deal with chipped cards or implants.
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
I am hoping for a wipeout.
It's hard to see where it would come from. Havering, Bexley, Bromley, Richmond, Sutton, and Kingston are unwinnable for Labour. Westminster, Kensington, Wandsworth, Barnet, Hillingdon are all difficult.
GDP increased by 1.7% between Q3 2016 and Q4 2017. That looks pretty good news for my bet with Robert but unfortunately most of the revision is in Q4 2016 and will fall out of the reckoning. It’s going to be nip and tuck.
The economy is, however, doing ok. We grew faster than others out of the crash because Osborne pulled forward expenditure by QE and a looser fiscal policy than many wanted. As these effects have waned and as the QE in the EZ has increased we have fallen back by very modest amounts. Looking forward our current growth looks more sustainable based on exports and production. This has to be welcomed even if the very low wage growth is painful. We are finally rebalancing but we still have a long way to go.
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
I'm fairly certain the Tory share of the vote went down in London in June's general election.
Edit - Yup in London the Tory share of the vote went down 1.7%
We were talking in comparison to the 2014 local elections not the 2015 general election, your point would have been relevant in June not next May given Labour won the 2014 London local elections by a wider margin than they beat the Tories in London at the 2015 general election
The Conservative vote has been stuck at 30-35% in London since 1994, but it's much more efficiently distributed, concentrated in fewer boroughs, than in the 1990's.
Never mind the colour, how quaint is it that passports are still little books made of paper, and how long will that continue to be the case? It surely can't be long before they are cards with chips in them, or bionic implants.
I think the answer to that is when some random border post in the back of beyond on the border between Burkina Faso and Mali is equipped to deal with chipped cards or implants.
You'll still need to provide a 'facilitation payment' to get through, however.
China backs punitive sanctions against North Korea at the UN. You want Trump’s biggest win since becoming president? There it is.
Fair play to China and Trump. Good to see everyone now realises the threat posed by NK.
Russia also backed the sanctions in a rare show of unanimity.
Is there an endgame here involving the replacement of the Juche dynasty with a more sensible pro-Beijing Government ? It may be that can be achieved without much bloodshed (apart from Kim Jong-Il and his cronies but we'll lose little sleep over that).
Presumably once that has been achieved, all sanctions will be lifted and we'll see a dramatic thawing of tension in the region which will also be no bad thing.
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea?
A question that provokes some of the most dangerous words in international relations - it couldn't be any worse than what is there now, could it? The Chinese regime is unpleasant to liberal democracies, but they still fit in the normal range of regimes, good and bad.
China backs punitive sanctions against North Korea at the UN. You want Trump’s biggest win since becoming president? There it is.
Fair play to China and Trump. Good to see everyone now realises the threat posed by NK.
Russia also backed the sanctions in a rare show of unanimity.
Is there an endgame here involving the replacement of the Juche dynasty with a more sensible pro-Beijing Government ? It may be that can be achieved without much bloodshed (apart from Kim Jong-Il and his cronies but we'll lose little sleep over that).
Presumably once that has been achieved, all sanctions will be lifted and we'll see a dramatic thawing of tension in the region which will also be no bad thing.
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
A Chinese puppet is somewhat preferable to the nuclear-armed lunatic intent on Armageddon that’s there at the moment.
Never mind the colour, how quaint is it that passports are still little books made of paper, and how long will that continue to be the case? It surely can't be long before they are cards with chips in them, or bionic implants.
I think the answer to that is when some random border post in the back of beyond on the border between Burkina Faso and Mali is equipped to deal with chipped cards or implants.
You'll still need to provide a 'facilitation payment' to get through, however.
The Tories were also up in London in June as UKIP collapsed and the LDs failed to recover in voteshare and even if Labour gain more seats given they now hold 20 London boroughs to 9 for the Tories that gives them little scope to win many more London councils
I'm fairly certain the Tory share of the vote went down in London in June's general election.
Edit - Yup in London the Tory share of the vote went down 1.7%
We were talking in comparison to the 2014 local elections not the 2015 general election, your point would have been relevant in June not next May given Labour won the 2014 London local elections by a wider margin than they beat the Tories in London at the 2015 general election
The Conservative vote has been stuck at 30-35% in London since 1994, but it's much more efficiently distributed, concentrated in fewer boroughs, than in the 1990's.
In the 2014 London local elections the Tories got just 26% and Labour won over 60% of London councils. So even a 55% voteshare for Labour in London would not necessarily see them gain more boroughs. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_local_elections,_2014
Given they did pretty badly last time in London anyway the Tories just have to defend their core boroughs to tread water, nothing more
What was wrong with going back to the good old BLACK passport rather than that scabby blue.
Yes, my first passport was black. Don't mind black or burgundy but the blue being shown is awful.
Perhaps they'll be able to offer a range? The darker the blue, the more Brexity.
Edit: Sadly it is the UN which has the really light blue, which would make such a range very appropriate, but the EU's blue is, upon checking, not as light as I had recalled.
Never mind the colour, how quaint is it that passports are still little books made of paper, and how long will that continue to be the case? It surely can't be long before they are cards with chips in them, or bionic implants.
I think the answer to that is when some random border post in the back of beyond on the border between Burkina Faso and Mali is equipped to deal with chipped cards or implants.
You'll still need to provide a 'facilitation payment' to get through, however.
Always good to have a friend or two called Benjamin in those parts of the world...
But the mere act of them getting them redesigned will cost the taxpayer something. If absolutely everyone, Leavers and Remainers alike, are perfectly content to keep them as they are, that sounds like a gratuitous waste of money.
Is blue ink really that expensive?
About £50billion up front and roughly 10% off GDP in the long run would be my estimate.
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
What was wrong with going back to the good old BLACK passport rather than that scabby blue.
Yes, my first passport was black. Don't mind black or burgundy but the blue being shown is awful.
Perhaps they'll be able to offer a range? The darker the blue, the more Brexity.
Edit: Sadly it is the UN which has the really light blue, which would make such a range very appropriate, but the EU's blue is, upon checking, not as light as I had recalled.
My daughter was at a wedding in Mozambique this summer and admission to the country certainly involved a contribution to the feeding of the border guards family (as he put it). The girl was marrying a bloke who works there with the World Bank so he had a UN passport. My daughter said it was really interesting in that it gave no clue as to the nationality of the holder. And it was indeed light blue.
So Scotland would still vote to stay in the UK despite a question entirely focused on an independence vote at the time of Brexit.
Given polling for the next Holyrood elections suggest the unionist parties combined would now win a majority hypothetical indyref2 questions are becoming increasingly irrelevant anyway
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
Absolutely. Probably the best possible outcome.
Isn't it the case that the current regime is already a Chinese puppet regime ?
Propped up by not entirely a puppet, perhaps? I've read articles which suggest that the Chinese frequently get very annoyed by the North Koreans, who take provocative actions from time to time when Beijing was not prepared for it, but not so annoyed that they want to consider what would happen if the regime collapsed. If it was entirely a puppet even that petty annoyance would not occur.
There will be no further independence referendum until we’re out, and once we’ve left, the hurdle gets much higher. There’s also the small point that an independent Scotland is a non-starter in fiscal terms and you still haven’t answered the currency question.
So Scotland would still vote to stay in the UK despite a question entirely focused on an independence vote at the time of Brexit.
Given polling for the next Holyrood elections suggest the unionist parties combined would now win a majority hypothetical indyref2 questions are becoming increasingly irrelevant anyway
You are a silly Billy , take off those blue tinted glasses and see reality, the nasties are heading back to where they should be.
If this really is a game changing win for Trump on the international stage, then the odds should drift that he won't make a full term in office.
And it's been a couple of weeks since I can recall everyone getting worked up over something very dangerous or stupid he has said on twitter- either everyone's numb to it or is he actually starting to get on with the job a little?
So Scotland would still vote to stay in the UK despite a question entirely focused on an independence vote at the time of Brexit.
Given polling for the next Holyrood elections suggest the unionist parties combined would now win a majority hypothetical indyref2 questions are becoming increasingly irrelevant anyway
You are a silly Billy , take off those blue tinted glasses and see reality, the nasties are heading back to where they should be.
If you say so, though you didn't think they'd make to where they are now, either. Given the rapid shift from Lab dominance, to SNP dominance, to unionist recovery (while still having SNP ahead), wariness is surely to be called for when predicting events in Scotland I'd have thought.
There will be no further independence referendum until we’re out, and once we’ve left, the hurdle gets much higher. There’s also the small point that an independent Scotland is a non-starter in fiscal terms and you still haven’t answered the currency question.
Otherwise, lots to be positive about.
The next Scottish Parliament elections will be interesting. I would expect the SNP to remain the largest party but I would expect there to be a fairly solid Unionist majority in the Parliament allowing the blocking of any further referendum for the duration of that Parliament at least.
Young people don't know what a blue passport is because they don't have any means of easily looking up information and it would be a long and cold walk down to the library.
So Scotland would still vote to stay in the UK despite a question entirely focused on an independence vote at the time of Brexit.
Given polling for the next Holyrood elections suggest the unionist parties combined would now win a majority hypothetical indyref2 questions are becoming increasingly irrelevant anyway
You are a silly Billy , take off those blue tinted glasses and see reality, the nasties are heading back to where they should be.
Ha ha. Scotland is heading for a unionist majority at Holyrood which would kill off indyref2 talk for a generation, the SNP are no longer even able to match their Catalan friends after Catalan nationalists narrowly held their majority in the Catalan Parliament in yesterday's elections
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
If this really is a game changing win for Trump on the international stage, then the odds should drift that he won't make a full term in office.
And it's been a couple of weeks since I can recall everyone getting worked up over something very dangerous or stupid he has said on twitter- either everyone's numb to it or is he actually starting to get on with the job a little?
There were some seriously idiotic tweets in favour of the child molester in Alabama not long ago.
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
I don't begrudge them the choice, I just intend to lovebomb them so they know that even though it is up to them, some of us really really don't want them to go. Apathy has been a big problem for the Union. Either of them in fact.
If this really is a game changing win for Trump on the international stage, then the odds should drift that he won't make a full term in office.
And it's been a couple of weeks since I can recall everyone getting worked up over something very dangerous or stupid he has said on twitter- either everyone's numb to it or is he actually starting to get on with the job a little?
There were some seriously idiotic tweets in favour of the child molester in Alabama not long ago.
Pff, that was like 10 days ago, practically a lifetime.
If this really is a game changing win for Trump on the international stage, then the odds should drift that he won't make a full term in office.
And it's been a couple of weeks since I can recall everyone getting worked up over something very dangerous or stupid he has said on twitter- either everyone's numb to it or is he actually starting to get on with the job a little?
There were some seriously idiotic tweets in favour of the child molester in Alabama not long ago.
Pff, that was like 10 days ago, practically a lifetime.
Point taken.
You could be on to something though. Is the rate of idiocy declining? I personally think his tax reforms getting through Congress is bigger than this but he’s had a very good week.
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
Absolutely. Probably the best possible outcome.
Isn't it the case that the current regime is already a Chinese puppet regime ?
Propped up by not entirely a puppet, perhaps? I've read articles which suggest that the Chinese frequently get very annoyed by the North Koreans, who take provocative actions from time to time when Beijing was not prepared for it, but not so annoyed that they want to consider what would happen if the regime collapsed. If it was entirely a puppet even that petty annoyance would not occur.
Sounds like it could be a case of one chinese puppet regime being replaced with another one. But is that really possible in the context of a frozen war, and a shared national identity with the south? It seems to me that Chinese fortunes are tied up with the survival of the current regime.
If this really is a game changing win for Trump on the international stage, then the odds should drift that he won't make a full term in office.
And it's been a couple of weeks since I can recall everyone getting worked up over something very dangerous or stupid he has said on twitter- either everyone's numb to it or is he actually starting to get on with the job a little?
There were some seriously idiotic tweets in favour of the child molester in Alabama not long ago.
Pff, that was like 10 days ago, practically a lifetime.
Point taken.
You could be on to something though. Is the rate of idiocy declining? I personally think his tax reforms getting through Congress is bigger than this but he’s had a very good week.
Though of course the Senate will be even trickier in the New Year once Jones comes in.
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
Given the SNP lost almost half their MPs in June, the DUP has won 2 NI elections since the referendum and Wales voted Leave anyway and Plaid is still miles behind Welsh Labour, the union is now arguably stronger thsn it was before the Brexit vote.
A delicious rib of beef will be consumed in the Cyclefree household on Xmas Day, preceded by tortellini in brodo (proper homemade clear broth, using veal bones). The meat will be accompanied by delicious vegetables - though not Brussel sprouts. And there will be a selection of fine wines.
We also have canapes with our champagne and scrumptious macaroons with coffee.
Very nice. There will be no turkey in this place either. A mix of chicken and roast beef with vegetables roasted in Olive oil, basil and very lightly drizzled with honey. And the wines and Bucks Fizz for breakfast
Have I covered all aspects of today’s important debates?
No. Because this lot just witter on about Brexit - there is no debate
Turkey certainly seems to be getting the thumbs down on PB. I am not a fan either. We have 7 on the day, one Vegetarian. I think that a large chicken will be better than Turkey, and I do like all the trimmings. Roast ham and sweet potato on Christmas eve though (and pineapple of course ). Cold buffet on Boxing day.
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
Given the SNP lost almost half their MPs in June, the DUP has won 2 NI elections since the referendum and Wales voted Leave anyway and Plaid is still miles behind Welsh Labour, the union is now arguably stronger thsn it was before the Brexit vote.
Maybe: but it is just a moment in time. I'm more interested about what is happening over time, the big picture (sorry for the cliche)
Even so, malcolmg is quoting a survey that suggests that 49% of scots would vote to leave the UK and rejoin the EU as an independent scotland; so there are good reasons to cast doubt on your certainty.
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
Absolutely. Probably the best possible outcome.
Isn't it the case that the current regime is already a Chinese puppet regime ?
Propped up by not entirely a puppet, perhaps? I've read articles which suggest that the Chinese frequently get very annoyed by the North Koreans, who take provocative actions from time to time when Beijing was not prepared for it, but not so annoyed that they want to consider what would happen if the regime collapsed. If it was entirely a puppet even that petty annoyance would not occur.
Sounds like it could be a case of one chinese puppet regime being replaced with another one. But is that really possible in the context of a frozen war, and a shared national identity with the south? It seems to me that Chinese fortunes are tied up with the survival of the current regime.
The best deal for China would be reunification of China, and withdrawal of the US military. The absorption of PRK into ROK would keep ROK occupied for decades, and no longer would the US be needed.
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
Given the SNP lost almost half their MPs in June, the DUP has won 2 NI elections since the referendum and Wales voted Leave anyway and Plaid is still miles behind Welsh Labour, the union is now arguably stronger thsn it was before the Brexit vote.
Maybe: but it is just a moment in time. I'm more interested about what is happening over time, the big picture (sorry for the cliche)
Even so, malcolmg is quoting a survey that suggests that 49% of scots would vote to leave the UK and rejoin the EU as an independent scotland; so there are good reasons to cast doubt on your certainty.
Now that the Euro crisis has abated, joining the Euro solves the currency issue.
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
Absolutely. Probably the best possible outcome.
Isn't it the case that the current regime is already a Chinese puppet regime ?
Propped up by not entirely a puppet, perhaps? I've read articles which suggest that the Chinese frequently get very annoyed by the North Koreans, who take provocative actions from time to time when Beijing was not prepared for it, but not so annoyed that they want to consider what would happen if the regime collapsed. If it was entirely a puppet even that petty annoyance would not occur.
Sounds like it could be a case of one chinese puppet regime being replaced with another one. But is that really possible in the context of a frozen war, and a shared national identity with the south? It seems to me that Chinese fortunes are tied up with the survival of the current regime.
The real problem with NK is that, under current leadership, it is NOT a Chinese puppet state. The Chinese have no confidence that Fatboy Fat will behave at all rationally, let alone in their interests. Whatever your opinion of the PRC, their current leadership is at least sane.
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
Absolutely. Probably the best possible outcome.
Isn't it the case that the current regime is already a Chinese puppet regime ?
Propped up by not entirely a puppet, perhaps? I've read articles which suggest that the Chinese frequently get very annoyed by the North Koreans, who take provocative actions from time to time when Beijing was not prepared for it, but not so annoyed that they want to consider what would happen if the regime collapsed. If it was entirely a puppet even that petty annoyance would not occur.
Sounds like it could be a case of one chinese puppet regime being replaced with another one. But is that really possible in the context of a frozen war, and a shared national identity with the south? It seems to me that Chinese fortunes are tied up with the survival of the current regime.
The best deal for China would be reunification of China, and withdrawal of the US military. The absorption of PRK into ROK would keep ROK occupied for decades, and no longer would the US be needed.
I assume you mean the reunification of Korea and the withdrawal of US troops from Korea, but isn't that the same as the whole of Korea becoming a Chinese vassal state? Not sure how the south Koreans would feel about that, nor whether it would serve US objectives either.
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
Absolutely. Probably the best possible outcome.
WTF?
A Chinese puppet is better than a free democracy?
(I hope you mean it is the best of the likely outcomes)
Yes, that's what I meant. The probability of NK turning into a liberal democracy any time soon is IMO virtually zero. But if they were effectively run by China we'd not be at greater risk of nuclear war.
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
Aren’t you overreacting just a bit?
I am a little surprised we didnt abstain - and just fell in line with the EU directive. May running true to form I suppose.
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
Given the SNP lost almost half their MPs in June, the DUP has won 2 NI elections since the referendum and Wales voted Leave anyway and Plaid is still miles behind Welsh Labour, the union is now arguably stronger thsn it was before the Brexit vote.
Maybe: but it is just a moment in time. I'm more interested about what is happening over time, the big picture (sorry for the cliche)
Even so, malcolmg is quoting a survey that suggests that 49% of scots would vote to leave the UK and rejoin the EU as an independent scotland; so there are good reasons to cast doubt on your certainty.
Even that vote has a No vote winning and if Unionist parties win the next Holyrood elections the indyref2 question would be irrelevant anyway
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
Given the SNP lost almost half their MPs in June, the DUP has won 2 NI elections since the referendum and Wales voted Leave anyway and Plaid is still miles behind Welsh Labour, the union is now arguably stronger thsn it was before the Brexit vote.
Maybe: but it is just a moment in time. I'm more interested about what is happening over time, the big picture (sorry for the cliche)
Even so, malcolmg is quoting a survey that suggests that 49% of scots would vote to leave the UK and rejoin the EU as an independent scotland; so there are good reasons to cast doubt on your certainty.
Now that the Euro crisis has abated, joining the Euro solves the currency issue.
A curveball might be if a Northern Irish border poll comes first and is lost by the unionists. That could go either way in terms of its psychological impact in Scotland, but I’d expect the zeitgeist to be that the union is no longer fit for purpose.
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
I think you are over interpreting NFI-status (which in this case is something we can be proud of)
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
Aren’t you overreacting just a bit?
No, Trump is notorious for his grudges and we can probably forget about a trade deal with the US for good or ill any time soon. In my view even if we were not going to vote with the USA and Israel we should at least have abstained like Australia, Canada and Poland, not vote against the US as we did yesterday.
"Recruitment difficulties were a growing concern for businesses as labour shortages had become more generalised across sectors and skill levels".
So someone else unable to give any actual details of fields not being harvested.
Now what happens when there's labour shortages ? Capital investment and employee training leading to higher productivity and higher output and higher wages.
And if that's not possible in some sectors then its better if they cease operating and their capital, land and labour resources are used more efficiently in uses which create more wealth.
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
Aren’t you overreacting just a bit?
Surely in the grand scheme of things this will be forgotten by next week, especially with the much more important NK vote today and everyone about to turn their attention to turkey and mince pies?
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
No, it looks like the UK was not invited because it failed to meet the criterion for being invited. Doh.
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
Aren’t you overreacting just a bit?
Oh FFS. It is just a disagreement. It doesn't mean that Togo has a more special relationship with the US than the UK.
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
Absolutely. Probably the best possible outcome.
WTF?
A Chinese puppet is better than a free democracy?
(I hope you mean it is the best of the likely outcomes)
Yes, that's what I meant. The probability of NK turning into a liberal democracy any time soon is IMO virtually zero. But if they were effectively run by China we'd not be at greater risk of nuclear war.
Yep, as things stand NK as a satellite of China least worst outcome. I think we have to be realistic, Kim seems such an unstable character that he is capable of doing the unthinkable, with a bit more goading from Trump.
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
Aren’t you overreacting just a bit?
No, Trump is notorious for his grudges and we can probably forget about a trade deal with the US for good or ill any time soon. In my view even if we were not going to vote with the USA and Israel we should at least have abstained like Australia, Canada and Poland, not vote against the US as we did yesterday.
Why not? We are a sovereign nation are we not? Foreign Policy is decided in Whitehall in our interests. You may disagree with the vote, but the President of USA has no right to determine it.
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
Given the SNP lost almost half their MPs in June, the DUP has won 2 NI elections since the referendum and Wales voted Leave anyway and Plaid is still miles behind Welsh Labour, the union is now arguably stronger thsn it was before the Brexit vote.
Maybe: but it is just a moment in time. I'm more interested about what is happening over time, the big picture (sorry for the cliche)
Even so, malcolmg is quoting a survey that suggests that 49% of scots would vote to leave the UK and rejoin the EU as an independent scotland; so there are good reasons to cast doubt on your certainty.
Now that the Euro crisis has abated, joining the Euro solves the currency issue.
A curveball might be if a Northern Irish border poll comes first and is lost by the unionists. That could go either way in terms of its psychological impact in Scotland, but I’d expect the zeitgeist to be that the union is no longer fit for purpose.
There will.never be an Irish border poll while the DUP remains the largest party in Northern Ireland or indeed until SF and the SDLP win a majority at Stormont. Despite your predictions Unionist parties have won more seats than nationalists in every election in the UK since the EU referendum
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
No, it looks like the UK was not invited because it failed to meet the criterion for being invited. Doh.
China backs punitive sanctions against North Korea at the UN. You want Trump’s biggest win since becoming president? There it is.
Other than the Jerusalem blunder, Trump has had a very good year in terms of foreign policy. Significant wins over ISIS, getting China to put sanctions on NK, the Saudi Arabia change of ruler, further sidelining of Iran, even helping the Russians prevent the terror attack just recently.
He's had a better year this year than Obama had for 8 years.
It seems that the world responds better to strongmen than it does to weak ones like Obama. Thatcher and Reagan knew that too. Even Dave, to his credit, was good at standing his ground on the international stage. Obama was far too willing to give in to the consensus to be liked by other international leaders. Trump either doesn't care or believes they like him anyway.
Obama was weak and predictable, Trump is strong and unpredictable.
Trump has also done pretty well with Supreme court nominee, tax cuts and immigration ban from selective countries.
His appearance of weird uselessness and unpopularity masks his success rate.
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
Given the SNP lost almost half their MPs in June, the DUP has won 2 NI elections since the referendum and Wales voted Leave anyway and Plaid is still miles behind Welsh Labour, the union is now arguably stronger thsn it was before the Brexit vote.
Maybe: but it is just a moment in time. I'm more interested about what is happening over time, the big picture (sorry for the cliche)
Even so, malcolmg is quoting a survey that suggests that 49% of scots would vote to leave the UK and rejoin the EU as an independent scotland; so there are good reasons to cast doubt on your certainty.
Now that the Euro crisis has abated, joining the Euro solves the currency issue.
A curveball might be if a Northern Irish border poll comes first and is lost by the unionists. That could go either way in terms of its psychological impact in Scotland, but I’d expect the zeitgeist to be that the union is no longer fit for purpose.
There will.never be an Irish border poll while the DUP remains the largest party in Northern Ireland or indeed until SF and the SDLP win a majority at Stormont. Despite your predictions Unionist parties have won more seats than nationalists in every election in the UK since the EU referendum
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
No, it looks like the UK was not invited because it failed to meet the criterion for being invited. Doh.
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
Aren’t you overreacting just a bit?
No, Trump is notorious for his grudges and we can probably forget about a trade deal with the US for good or ill any time soon. In my view even if we were not going to vote with the USA and Israel we should at least have abstained like Australia, Canada and Poland, not vote against the US as we did yesterday.
Why not? We are a sovereign nation are we not? Foreign Policy is decided in Whitehall in our interests. You may disagree with the vote, but the President of USA has no right to determine it.
Of course we are but having just pissed off the EU with the Brexit vote we have now pissed off the USA with our vote against them on Jerusalem.
We have not been this divorced from Europe and the USA since the first administration of Harold Wilson when we were not in the EEC and refused to support the US in Vietnam
Does America or Russia want a Chinese puppet North Korea? What is the endgame?
Absolutely. Probably the best possible outcome.
Isn't it the case that the current regime is already a Chinese puppet regime ?
Propped up by not entirely a puppet, perhaps? I've read articles which suggest that the Chinese frequently get very annoyed by the North Koreans, who take provocative actions from time to time when Beijing was not prepared for it, but not so annoyed that they want to consider what would happen if the regime collapsed. If it was entirely a puppet even that petty annoyance would not occur.
Sounds like it could be a case of one chinese puppet regime being replaced with another one. But is that really possible in the context of a frozen war, and a shared national identity with the south? It seems to me that Chinese fortunes are tied up with the survival of the current regime.
The best deal for China would be reunification of China, and withdrawal of the US military. The absorption of PRK into ROK would keep ROK occupied for decades, and no longer would the US be needed.
I assume you mean the reunification of Korea and the withdrawal of US troops from Korea, but isn't that the same as the whole of Korea becoming a Chinese vassal state? Not sure how the south Koreans would feel about that, nor whether it would serve US objectives either.
Not a vassal state, merely one no longer needing foreign forces for defence, just as the Phillipines closed their US bases. Reunified Korea would keep its capitalist democracy, but that is no expansionist threat to China, and likely to be a useful economic ally.
Something predicted hours after the vote, if not before it - it will surely be razor tight when the question next arises, and despite the regaining of ground by unionists in the GE, clearly they are simply too many independence supporters in Scotland for the question not to be asked again at some point.
I think it is clear that there won't be another referendum until after 2022, probably much later. The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know. It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK. I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice. Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
Given the SNP lost almost half their MPs in June, the DUP has won 2 NI elections since the referendum and Wales voted Leave anyway and Plaid is still miles behind Welsh Labour, the union is now arguably stronger thsn it was before the Brexit vote.
May
Now that the Euro crisis has abated, joining the Euro solves the currency issue.
A curveball might be if a Northern Irish border poll comes first and is lost by the unionists. That could go either way in terms of its psychological impact in Scotland, but I’d expect the zeitgeist to be that the union is no longer fit for purpose.
There will.never be an Irish border poll while the DUP remains the largest party in Northern Ireland or indeed until SF and the SDLP win a majority at Stormont. Despite your predictions Unionist parties have won more seats than nationalists in every election in the UK since the EU referendum
The times they are a-changin’. hts://twitter.com/irelandelects/status/942029754089091072
Or that a poll shows a slight change, which may or may not manifest in practice. Just last night for example one Indy party won out over another despite the reverse being expected by some polls.
Comments
I can also dip in and out of Locum work when I need extra cash tok, so have no fears for my finances.
Incidentally Tether looks more and more like a scam the more I read about it.
He's had a better year this year than Obama had for 8 years.
It seems that the world responds better to strongmen than it does to weak ones like Obama. Thatcher and Reagan knew that too. Even Dave, to his credit, was good at standing his ground on the international stage. Obama was far too willing to give in to the consensus to be liked by other international leaders. Trump either doesn't care or believes they like him anyway.
In which case I will be home by 8pm.
"Recruitment difficulties were a growing concern for businesses as labour shortages had become more generalised across sectors and skill levels".
I think we worked out it was better for my relative to retire a bit earlier to capture a higher final salary within the past three years than slog on.
Still have to check things through with the pensions people.
Edit - Yup in London the Tory share of the vote went down 1.7%
Changes since the 2015 GE in London
Lab +10.8%
Con -1.7%
LD +1.1%
UKIP - 6.8%
http://electionresults.parliament.uk/election/2017-06-08/results/Location/County/Greater London
Is there an endgame here involving the replacement of the Juche dynasty with a more sensible pro-Beijing Government ? It may be that can be achieved without much bloodshed (apart from Kim Jong-Il and his cronies but we'll lose little sleep over that).
Presumably once that has been achieved, all sanctions will be lifted and we'll see a dramatic thawing of tension in the region which will also be no bad thing.
The economy is, however, doing ok. We grew faster than others out of the crash because Osborne pulled forward expenditure by QE and a looser fiscal policy than many wanted. As these effects have waned and as the QE in the EZ has increased we have fallen back by very modest amounts. Looking forward our current growth looks more sustainable based on exports and production. This has to be welcomed even if the very low wage growth is painful. We are finally rebalancing but we still have a long way to go.
I'll get me coat.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_local_elections,_2014
Given they did pretty badly last time in London anyway the Tories just have to defend their core boroughs to tread water, nothing more
Edit: Sadly it is the UN which has the really light blue, which would make such a range very appropriate, but the EU's blue is, upon checking, not as light as I had recalled.
Is blue ink really that expensive?
About £50billion up front and roughly 10% off GDP in the long run would be my estimate.
A Chinese puppet is better than a free democracy?
(I hope you mean it is the best of the likely outcomes)
Given polling for the next Holyrood elections suggest the unionist parties combined would now win a majority hypothetical indyref2 questions are becoming increasingly irrelevant anyway
There will be no further independence referendum until we’re out, and once we’ve left, the hurdle gets much higher. There’s also the small point that an independent Scotland is a non-starter in fiscal terms and you still haven’t answered the currency question.
Otherwise, lots to be positive about.
The outcome will, I think, depend on how successful Brexit is, which no one can really know.
It is a high risk strategy that the conservatives have embarked on, that could well lead to the break up of the UK.
I have to say that I am not that bothered either way. I wish the scots the best if they want to become independent and rejoin the EU. Its their choice.
Maybe the UK has outlived its purpose, if so then it is sad, but so be it.
Point taken.
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/steve-bannon-george-hw-bush-is-a-pervert/article/2644196
Even so, malcolmg is quoting a survey that suggests that 49% of scots would vote to leave the UK and rejoin the EU as an independent scotland; so there are good reasons to cast doubt on your certainty.
http://uk.businessinsider.com/nikki-haley-to-host-friendship-party-with-countries-in-the-un-on-jerusalem-2017-12?r=US&IR=T
The UK, being one of the 128 nations that voted for the resolution, was not invited. Never mind the 'Special Relationship' after yesterday's vote it looks like the UK is not even in the top 65 favoured nations of Trump's USA
Whatever your opinion of the PRC, their current leadership is at least sane.
Now what happens when there's labour shortages ? Capital investment and employee training leading to higher productivity and higher output and higher wages.
And if that's not possible in some sectors then its better if they cease operating and their capital, land and labour resources are used more efficiently in uses which create more wealth.
You may disagree with the vote, but the President of USA has no right to determine it.
Trump has also done pretty well with Supreme court nominee, tax cuts and immigration ban from selective countries.
His appearance of weird uselessness and unpopularity masks his success rate.
I don't know if its luck or a preplanned act.
https://twitter.com/irelandelects/status/942029754089091072
We have not been this divorced from Europe and the USA since the first administration of Harold Wilson when we were not in the EEC and refused to support the US in Vietnam
We'll see