egg

Of course we'd get support. That doesn't alter that the fact that our military alone would be steamrolled by Russia. There's no point putting out fingers in our ears and ignoring our own countries position. It also doesn't make it "embarrassing" to Russia that a NATO backed Ukraine is only losing slowly to Russia. Indeed, I'd turn the argument - it's bloody concerning that Ukraine are still losing despite the resources being thrown at them.

His support for his chancellor will cost him his job at some point. Milliband would be a disaster. Haigh I like though, but her economic ideas won't curry favour with the slash and cut crowd.

I don't get that reaction at all. This is not about embarrassment of anyone, although Alex makes a good point that our military would likely be embarrassed by Russia. The people saying that Russia would run out of gear, be on its knees, it's country be in ruins etc, will hopefully realise that they should look beyond the rhetoric they chose to believe. There's a link between your post, and the other 2 this morning though. Without western support, Russia would be in Kiev with their feet up by now. Whatever we've contributed to prevent that is money well spent.

BBC reporting that Israel has destroyed more than 1,500 buildings in Gaza since the "ceasefire". Houses, orchards, etc, flattened. Despicable on any normal assessment. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mxylxw48yo

Stop

My usual job is mostly office based, but I'd get a hell of a lot more done if I was remote or hybrid. No distractions at home, and I can just get my head down. Meetings can be done by teams, zoom or phone, but give people a genuine choice, most want face to face in my experience. Before I sold out of my business, most recruits (particularly youngsters) wanted a flexible hybrid option. Any service or office based business that's unwilling to offer that will struggle to recruit. Public service can be operated away from office environments to a very large extent. The costs savings of reduced office space could be massive too, and the government is sitting on a lot of superfluous high value real estate.

We've all built up our qualifying years Whitey, and paid our dues expecting a state pension. That doesn't alter that the state pension is part of the welfare system, and is of benefit to many of the people who receive it. It also doesn't alter that we can't afford it, and I'm not calling for it to be means tested, but I think it will be down the line.

As Kraken has said, and I've said previously, you just give vague waffle mate. You ignore questions. I'm ignoring you.

The report is interesting to the least. Delegate PiP type payments to local authorities, replace defined benefit state pensions with defined contribution schemes, all but abandon SEND kids. I gave up after that. Ralph has obviously swallowed that.

I can't believe you're persevering. He's not specific about anything because he doesn't know what he's talking about.

It's NI contribution linked.

I call it a welfare benefit because it is. I don't think it should be means tested, but I think it will be at some point because it's unaffordable.

I haven't suggested they can be. I think lots of our public and welfare expenditure is unsustainable. The thing is, we have people simultaneously wanting some welfare payments slashed, but not the ones they want including the state pension. That's the society we live in - fuck them, but look after me. Child benefit became means tested, and it'll be the state pension next.

It's a lot to people who don't have much other income. I think the whole thing will end up being means tested and be seen more as a benefit.

You say well done, but what bits do you like? Do you agree that we pay immigrants up to £24k to return home? How about replicating their "parallel societies" policy, including demolishing homes? We need to make ourselves less attractive but there are boundaries of reasonableness.

There are billions spent and wasted across many areas of government spending. Regardless of that, the triple lock is something I'd selfishly love to still be there when I start drawing a state pension, but I know it won't be, and that it cannot be afforded.

If they remove it, and run on that basis, I'll respect their honesty if nothing else. The triple lock is great if you receive and need a state pension, but unaffordable.

I'm with you on this. A lot of people see a better player than I do.

Sadly. That said, and despite the shit performances and opposition, he's got us a much needed 6 points and is hopefully starting to instill a bit of confidence.

Big Sam would be proud.

On Downs?

When Yan Valery is getting the better of your midfield, you know your midfield is shit.

Who? We've only got a kid available, or Aribo who didn't look fit or interested the other night.

Not impressed with that. Mads for HWB, line up 4231, and that's a reasonable side. Who's the Williams lad on the bench?

Agree with that. I get that football and is fans are tribal, but, we need the best manager available, not the one who's past is more appealing to fans or who the players can have a laugh with. I don't want more passing for passing sake, I'm done with that so Carrick doesn't really appeal, but I'd take him. GoN style, and to an extent GoN himself, is the most appealing of the available options.