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There's a world of difference inciting people to burn down hotels in this country to kill people, and attacking the army of a foreign country. The first can he done by people in this country. The latter can't be.

One of the highlights for me. Brilliant band, and superb live.

Thanks. We're agreed that the NI changes were a mistake, but, revenue had to be increased. They should have just reduced the daft Tory NI giveaway. Although we agree that labour have been crap, what do you think that Sunak and Hunt would have done that would have improved things from where they left them? Or just carried in as they were?

Yep, agreed. I think closer ties to the EU would have happened if it wasn't for the Trump factor. We're trying to keep both sweet, but if we have to pick a lane, it's the EU all day long.

Hundreds of millions, no, but the recent steel works scenario was a farce. We had to, basically, steal the plant from the Chinese, then buy overpriced coal from them to make it work. We need steel furnaces for military purposes if nothing else, and coal to operate the furnaces. Whatever that costs is necessary. We also need to be able to power our power stations in time of need. What we don't need is a bigger coal industry than that, but we need more than we have.

The thing is, we're fucked. Personally, I'd tell the electorate that - lay it out - and make it clear that they'll get poorer if we don't tax the super rich as they'll be the ones paying. Get the public onside. In reality, they're moving the deckchairs around the Titanic, and it's not going to get any better by continually rearranging them. I'd explain that in reality the number of illegal immigrants isn't high and tell them we can't just shove them on planes or boats, and despite the BS from other parties, they ain't doing that either. I'd explain that the Tory government oversaw mass legal immigration and that they're getting numbers down and that like it or not, Brexit was a shit show, and we need legal immigration to give us a workforce in vital areas like the NHS. I'd have a plan to control legal migration and explain that we're limiting it to people we need, not every one who thinks that Blackpool looks a nice place to work for the summer. Give them some some honesty, explain the reality of a Reform or Tory government, and stop fucking about trying to appease the people that can actually help. Re Reform. The sad thing is that nobody I've spoken to who like them has any idea what they actually stand for, or considers what a reform government would actually do. They think they'll get a better NHS, that boats suddenly won't depart from France, that services will increase and taxes drop - none of them even considering that life doesn't work like that. Tragic that people think that Farage is a man of the people, and it's staggering how many people can see that Trump is a maniac but in the same breath see Nigel as our saviour.

Far worse than expected, yes, far worse than what went before, no. What would the direction of travel been if the Tories had gotten back in? Increased borrowing, benefit cuts, other cuts, more distance between us and Europe. Anything else? Anything positive?

They're superb. I'm enjoying Father John Misty bringing the pace down. Quality.

Yep. Decent it is too. Great for a bit of seafood. They had limpets last week.

We knew when we signed him that he was about 2 foot tall and couldn't tackle. If he stayed injury free, he'd have needed monumental development to make it as a PL left back. Jake Vokins had more promise, and look where he's ended up. Absolutely scandalous signing.

Err, you were replying to a post. What may have been said by others in the past isn't the issue. Play the post you're replying to. Your last sentence is nonsense. All you've shown is that you say what you want and refuse to address what's actually being discussed.

He said nothing about Boris's u turns. You made that up. His complaint was Boris's dishonesty, and general shit ness as a PM. You may also want to read his actual words about the others.

I think it'll be Pulp. I like the new album personally, but it's taken a few listens. I hadn't realised that about McCartney. Hil appearing with the Bootleg's would be great to see. Good shout re the park stage, and looks like a mystery artist as well. I'd probably have been at the Woodside's though - love the Nova Twins and Father John Misty.

Agree with that. Lewis Capaldi was superb, and Numan has much more about him than you'd imagine. I'd recommend Future Islands. Absolutely brilliant live, and the front man is just brilliant.

She's talented for sure, just not my thing. I can see why she's there though, and doubtless she'll be brilliant. I'd be at the other stage going nuts to the Prodigy though - a completely different act for a completely different demographic. Jorga Smith and The Macacbees are ilon at the same time elsewhere. There'll also some random shit going on in a tent somewhere, and all sorts. I just don't get why people judge a festival by snippets they see on the telly, and criticise it if it's not what they want to listen to. Stick to Spotify if that's you, and leave the festivals to people who get it.

They're not my cup of tea either, but, people love them, and those that don't will have had a cracking time at another stage or just chilling out on a warm evening. My point really is that headliners are just a small part of a festival. I've been to the IOW loads of times and been nowhere near the main stage all weekend and had an absolute blast. I've always come away liking a band/singer who I didn't previously rate, and discovered loads of new ones. The highlight has always been on a small stage, or something different.

Yep, I don't get 1975. A nothing band. That said, the pyramid and other stage are only 2 of 12 or so. There's so much other good stuff on the lesser stages and if people get their steps in, they'll having a cracking few days listening to loads of amazing stuff. The people watching on the telly only judge it by the headliners though, and it seems to be that as we get older, they're less relevant to us. Olivia Rodrigo, for example, is massive, but I wouldn't turn up for her.

The focus needs to be on why there is an extreme increase in people being unwell. Just accepting it as the way it is, and cutting benefits, isn't the answer. MH support and therapeutic services need money throwing at them in a big way. There's no prevention, or cure, just financial support which we can't afford. It's a shambles. Re the pic, I just lifted from amnesty or similar. The choice is far from a binary cut benefits or tax the rich, but the latter is an option. My money is on a vat hike though - everyone pays it, including those benefit recipients who keep their money.

Magazine

Taking benefits from people who genuinely need it is wrong. Righting a wrong is right. Nothing wrong with those words.

Cant agree with that sentiment. It's the right decision. Sadly piss takers give genuine people a bad rep, and many people don't appreciate why genuine people need the benefit. Example, my eldest has MH issues. Work is vital for her; financially, socially, and to give her a purpose. She can't drive due to her meds, and she cannot use a bus due to her anxiety (people who don't have anxiety or know people who do mistakingly confuse it with worry). Her PiP gets her in a cab to and from work, and helps her work and live independently . That's what PiP is designed for. Sifting to needy from the greedy is what's needed, not a blanket withdrawal of the benefit.

Pretty much my thoughts. Re Starmer, we agree, but I'd add that he's neither a lefty, nor mildly left of centre, and I think his lack of conviction partly flows from that. When you're unpopular trying to do populism you really are in trouble.

No. Dithering doesn't make them worse than the awful 14 years that lot gave us and the mess they have left us in. No party could clear up that mess.

Agreed. I've been slow to criticise as they inherited a mess and the world has gone a bit sideways since January. However, it's a year next week, and they've had a shocker. Even if your policies are unpopular/stupid, have the conviction to see them through. Don't get me going on Milliband, although I'll be delighted when they climb down from net zero and come to their senses.