Gloucester Saint

https://ifs.org.uk/news/response-mornings-reform-uk-policy-announcements The IFS have been asking Tice (who has a bit more capacity for detail than Farage - very low bar albeit) to make a bit more of a plan around the economy https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-reform-manifesto-tax-cuts-economy-b2844223.html Interesting analysis on the forthcoming about avoiding it becoming a Groundhog Day https://ifs.org.uk/news/doing-bare-minimum-budget-would-risk-another-fiscal-groundhog-day-next-year

She shouldn’t have sold off the infrastructure, MacMillan warned her on that. If it can’t have competition, it’s not a market asset. Cost consumers dearly in the medium and long-term.

The only other thing to say about Thatcher and Blair is that they both made proper policies. Maggie because pre-internet and SM she could really take charge and Blair built a policy unit in No 10 where highly lauded policies such as Sure Start came from. It took a much longer term view and both industry and our public services benefitted from it. Cameron and Hilton, although Osborne and Cable warned him not to, abolished the Policy Unit and said ‘Maggie ran the show on a dozen staff’. They found out with a few months that the world was a lot more complex and difficult than the 1980s but too late by then. Would have avoided very costly disasters such as the Lansley Review in the NHD. Reform just don’t do this. I can’t stand Lowe but he 100% had a point.

Family friends worked for her as PM and said she was the best boss they ever had. Would join in with the washing up after state dinners and always asked after their families, bought them thank you presents and cards. Took it out on the politicians around her but treated her staff really well and won loyalty. Also worked cross party more than is recognised, Frank Field was her go-to on welfare policies. What I do remember is her reaction to disasters like Bradford. It was more than upset, it was anger. Like you, her policies were a mixed bag although a lot more pragmatic than given credit for. Wasted the North Sea oil revenues on a credit boom that turned into a very nasty and lengthy recession. Compare it to Norway’s Sovereign Fund. Huge advantage wasted. But she got us a very good deal with Europe and the rebate, and Single Market she was a driving force behind. Had to deal with the unions where Labour bottled Castle’s in Place of Strife Castle reforms. Gave a shit about the average person even if her policies didn’t always benefit them as much as they should have done. Farage as latter day Thatcher? He can fuck off with his dodgy Russian money and army of councillors who can’t outlast Ange P at Forest

Twice, and it was very difficult. Had to move some toxic people on and re-energise everyone remaining with a fresh sense of purpose. Where I wouldn’t compromise is interference from above or from disenchanted staff. They got us into the mess and the manager should be making 100% of the decisions to flip the culture. Don’t play 5 ATB if you say that’s not what you want. Pick a back 4 and set higher expectations. They are paid enough to do 250% better. And put trouble makers in the bomb squad, keep them away from the first team. However much SR might want to vainly recover the ‘investment’ in some of them. Loan the hopeless ones out, even if Dragan has to fund most of the wages, don’t put the likes of Downs on the bench to rescue Spors and don’t use Rasmus’s lame ducks to win favour from him. If you need a new keeper and #9 in January, say so in public. As always with SR, the squad is plenty big enough!

it already did with Flynn’s knee ligaments. Either that, or he has been in the kitchen again.

She was on the fringes of the ERG crowd as well. They need a new group who aren’t tarnished by 2016-22.

One of these days Wade, you will tell us what you really think 😂

If they go back to being a pro-business centre right party and throw the rest of the ERG into Reform, they have a chance to at least leapfrog Reform before the next GE https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly7l65xy23o

Good on him for seeing the light, plenty of others are as well https://www.markpack.org.uk/175342/how-many-councillors-has-reform-uk-lost-since-may/ https://www.cornish-times.co.uk/news/cornwall-councillor-resigns-from-reform-uk-to-become-independent-840021 That’s without the behavioural issues and racism. This is just one locality, there’s page upon page of it https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/northampton-reform-uk-councillor-who-tweeted-racist-and-sexist-remarks-calls-for-schools-to-teach-children-responsible-smartphone-use-5361595 https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/corby-reform-councillor-resigns-over-serious-racism-allegations-5289085 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62541w6548o

Bruce was asked to go easy by Tim Davie.

With a Facebook advertising budget bigger than the other parties put together and funded by very shady sources even Pompey would say no to.

If it is he should do it anyway. Whether the dig is at SR boardroom or the pathetic nature of our centre backs isn’t clear.

It would help if he didn’t keep taking off his best player.

Nuno would have to select JWP first. More frozen out than Farm Foods. https://westhamworld.co.uk/west-ham-nuno-espirito-santo-james-ward-prowse-transfer/

Stephens responded with ‘Fuck West Ham’. For £18m, I think they rather fucked us.

Top 6 PL and in Europe.

We always say at work that even if someone is normally reliable, that if they are into their notice period and/or a potential departure risk that you are best off asking another team member to handle something crucial/VIP. Particularly so if there’s a possibility of warranty or queries or follow ups after their last day.

On the PNE Forum, bearing in mind that’d be twice he’s done it to them. It’d be a talking point more broadly over the football weekend. He couldn’t be any worse than Downs was.

Fair point, but it’s about proportionality and impact. Reeves hasn’t impacted anyone else other than herself. Lockdown rules prevented me from going to one of my best friend’s funeral in Cumbria and thousands of kids had to say goodbye to dying parents via Zoom.

Although sadly a Congress full of MAGA muppets and puppets will wave it through https://www.cbsnews.com/news/senate-trump-tariffs-canada/

Reminds me of Soccer Saturday in the early 00s 🎵 Are you watching Romney Marsh? 🎵

Just finished putting St George up in Gloucester on a lamppost.

It would but that’ll be from League 1. He’s higher grade than that but a risk when they haven’t played much. But beggars can’t be choosers.

The decommissioned Army barracks will fulfil some of the need and be a lot less attractive than the concept of a hotel. Fuck knows what Boris thought he was doing there. Costs will reduce a lot on us as taxpayers. Also, I’d go further and reduce/cut off legal aid access for the more activist law firms who are making spurious last minute claims in appeals of torture unless they engage with the process better. The judges are starting to see through them more often, but still not often enough. Braverman caused the claims backlog issue through grandstanding. Some progress made since but needs real acceleration now and some ruthlessness.