In the interests of fairness, they do occasionally do the right thing. I can't remember the details but I do remember that they sharpish put George Osborne and co in their place when they intended to starve the disabled to death.
If we didn't have The Lords who would we be able to moan about? There may be a lot of useless people in there but there are also a lot of good ones. They're there to be able to make the government think twice about some things and to help stop some of the excesses of politicians. Who they are and how they get there doesn't really matter as long as there are the few who are willing to put in the effort to actually review and reject some of the rubbish that the government and Commons keep dishing out. Some of them are just on the gravy train but that really isn't important. In comparison to what the country spends on other rubbish, the cost is minimal. When I was at college I used to, occasionally, go and sit in the Chamber and watch them at work. Apart from a few idiots, and some who slept through everything, their performance was quite impressive. Their knowledge and erudition ( @Zigs word of the week? ) was surprising.
Not saying there shouldn't be a second house, just that it needs the dead wood cutting out. I'm sure a few probably are dead, its just that no one has noticed yet. And I have no problem with them holding government policy to account. But they are meddling in something that was a democratic vote, if they are allowed to stop Brexit who's to say they cant challenge the results of a general election at some point in the future?
First of all, it's wishful thinking on their part (they being some of the ones who like being awkward) and it would happen whatever the make-up of the Upper Chamber was. Secondly, I agree that there's a lot of dead wood there but there is also a lot in the Lower Chamber - and, being the cynic that I am, it would occur in any form the Upper Chamber takes. The hard working and sensible ones manage to do the right job of tempering the mess that the government of the time always seems to make of some things. I'd be useless there because I can't remain serious long enough. The organisations that I get involved in get the job done with the minimum of messing around, or I say what I think about the useless ideas.
Yep, just goes to show how unworkable the EU actually is. And we are hoping to work out a few deals with them in the next two years. It doesn't look hopeful.
If Scotland were to leave the UK, would it take the same 7 to 10 years for them to negotiate trade deals with the EU and the remainder of the UK? (the same timescale some are suggesting it will take the UK to negotiate)
We'd have to revert to smuggling to avoid the possible tariffs from France. It's now a hundred years since Dr Syn of Dymchurch played his part as the smuggler The Scarecrow.
Just eat our own excellent British Cheeses, Drink wine from the rest of the world non EU, GRAIN from Russia/Canada/USA and there are dozens of car manufacturers other than EU order your Morgan today Just think no more of those EU cars that are not fitted with brake lights and come with a free Disabled parking badge (if you are high enough up in the company) It will be tough but we will be fine and get there in the end game
Anyone watch the Hardtalk interview on BBC at 4.30 this morning? It was Michael O'Leary being interviewed by Stephen Sackur. Quite interesting. He defended himself pretty well, as usual, but Stephen Sackur got in quite a few good points that Michael kept ducking. This interview was arranged because Michael has been saying in the media that Ryanair will be moving its operations to Europe if there's a hard Brexit. I've tried posting the link to iPlayer here but I don't think it will work. You may have to go and get it yourself.
I've never understood why the Beeb doesn't make better use of Stephen Sackur than the graveyard shift. He's one of there best interviewers in my opinion. Anyway, O'Leary didn't really say anything that hasn't been said already by the likes of the British Bankers Association (last week) and Nissan (when they said that they would be looking for compensation to cover any losses as a result of Brexit a few weeks ago). There will be a lot more of it to come and whilst some of it is aimed at getting the government to get their ass in gear and move forward with negotiations a greater percentage of it is quite simply a statement of intent. The markets have done well to prop themselves up for as long as they have but now they need clarity.
Teresa just got a big tick from me - following her speech this afternoon. The gauntlet has been thrown down to the EU - we want control of our borders and laws - if the EU try to punish us we'll default to the GPA. How things have changed - TTIP dumped by the US and US ready and willing to discuss a FTA and the UK and Commonwealth looking to sit down and talk about trade. Only flies in the ointment Sturgean and Corbyn. Angelas looking a bit wobbly as well - I wonder if she has long to go before she's voted out? The start of the end of the EU - and not before time IMHO.
One is the head laughing stock of a party that is a laughing stock. The other thinks she's it, but she's actually only there the Scots can't vote tory and labour are a farce. I don't think we need to worry about either. In terms of popularity, UKIP are vastly more popular than the SNP. Corbyn fans will never be swayed unfortunately. But then you can't reason with people who think it's a good idea to phase out the military while half the world is either engaged in or preparing for war.
