egg

Also, I think leniency for Tonda because of the EFL sanction of the club is very unlikely. They're two distinct issues. My best guess is an 8 or so game ban to give some kind of parity with the Canada penalty. Anything more would be ott and down the other side.

That's a proper statement from Blackburn. West Ham and Wolves will be looking over their shoulders for sure.

Blackburn have now got a new winger to supply big Ross. He's got to be worth a punt for the league top scorer. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce97v95rlndo #30goals

Agreed, my point being that those bright kids with good a levels can offer loads in the workplace, whilst studying for a degree equivalent or some other job related qualification. There's far too much emphasis, still, on a degree before getting to work.

That's pretty much my experience. A degree can bring entitlement, and definitely doesn't guarantee ability. In my experience, bright kids with 3 decent A levels offer much more than many graduates.

For me, it's when that degree or degree equivalent is needed. A kid with 3 decent a levels is plainly degree able, but why the need to secure that degree before working in lesser roles related to their profession of choice. They can then study part time to get their qualifications whilst progressing their training. Lawyer apprentices, for example, will start in a secretarial type roles, then progress to paralegal, then in a quasi lawyer role, then the real job. It's probably galling for many traditionalists who've gone the old school way, but their way doesn't have to be the only way.

Ha!! But your accountant or lawyer? Degree equivalents, for the latter two, earned while training and earning are common. By their late 20's, those apprentice professionals have 10 years in the saddle, no study debt, and are several years ahead of their graduate peers on the ladder. I know you jest, but as it can work for lawyers and accountants, why not other professionals? An apprentice dentist, for example, could work as a dental nurse and / or hygienist and/or within the business whilst studying for the real job, then qualify with shed loads of experience in the other roles. There are very few professions that actually necessitate an undergraduate degree before an individual starts their journey.

A degree merely shows that someone finished some studies, and is likely to be at least moderately intelligent. I love the push for vocational studies. I'd also like to see a huge push on apprenticeships.

Yep, although to be fair, Tolkien does describe some characters by colour. I'm still reeling from tiny Tom Cruise playing the massive Jack Reacher.

Good shout. I'll retrain as a bricklayer if that happens.

The current system is based on historic rateable value. The new idea being floated is based on an updated rateable value. The concept is well established. What do you propose instead? No flannel please, just your proposal.

Acting

Close the channel? What's your plan? Nigel can't either?

Calling a shovel a shovel isn't a political stance. It's an objective assessment.

That highlights your misunderstanding - no centrist is bang in the middle, and I'm certainly left of centre on some issues and right of centre on others. I'm left of you though, so in your view I can't possibly be a centrist.