saintbletch

Apologies for potentially making stupid comments on a thread that I'm parachuting into without having studied the detail, but I believe the argument goes something like this: As BTT said below, contracts are awarded for multiple years - 5+ in many cases. Many of the contracts that make up the 94% of non-private sector spending (100%-6% from your figures), may not yet have fallen due for renewal during the tenure of twattery that is this coalition government. I would also imagine that the more valuable contracts would probably be the longer term ones - and therefore may still be under old terms and conditions. That's just a guess though. When they do fall for renewal, many will be put out to tender and will be won by private firms. It will therefore be likely that the 6% figure will rise - significantly according to Burham. So, a defender of the Labour position might suggest that, with the greatest of respect, we need to wait until all of the contracts in place when this coalescence of cockery took charge have been been renewed - before it's possible to judge the impact of the NHS free market experiment. As I say, I believe that is the argument. I don't know enough about it to reach a conclusion myself, but it looks to me that an election strategist in Tory HQ has brilliantly got Labour debating the 1% delta, when in fact the discussion should be about principles or privatisation. It's a wonderful piece of sleight of hand that has moved the Tory position from "No top-down reorganisation of the NHS" to "Our top-down reorganisation of the NHS hasn't had that much impact". Either way, it must have been doubly disappointing for Burnham to see Kirsty Wark from the lefter than left BBC, grilling him on it. TBH, I thought Burnham's position was pretty clear in that interview, and I also didn't think it was a car crash. His point seemed to be that the private sector is welcomed in the NHS to support the core, NHS-run services - IF the core, NHS services deem it necessary for "better patient outcomes". He was contrasting this with a position where "the market" (price, performance, penalties and profit) determines the NHS' top-down directions. He wouldn't be drawn on the amount of privatisation that was acceptable, which did make his argument look weaker, and Labour having kicked off the private sector involvement didn't help.

Fixed that for you, Toga Boy. Oh, don't get me wrong, Crazy Diamond, I can completely understand how some people don't like him at all - although perhaps not to the level of preferring to not watch the 90 minutes either side of his 15 minutes involvement. I don't see his role as being there to provide some form of expertise, that should come from the ex-pros. I like the fact that he brings sidelong views from weird angles, and I like the exasperation of the ex-pros having to work alongside him. And he's not thick, so I figure that he's aiming to stir it up and stop just this side of a physical assault from Roy Keane. I also find his perpetual bafflement and fascination at the most innocuous of things quite endearing. He looks like a fan that has lucked in, but I probably make excuses for his eccentricities because I got used to him from 5 Live and Working Lunch a long, long time ago. I feel similarly about Colin Murray, who wasn't to everyone's liking when he presented MoTD2 - again probably because of his 5 Live involvement. That said I rate his replacement Mark Chapman too who seems to strike a good balance of irreverence and credibility.

I've always liked him. He's mental and difficult to understand, but he's an antidote to the army of homogenous, anodyne TV sport anchors.

No Toke. It's a different bloke and a pale imitation, but your point still stands. Reedman would look at Bear and say "You could be a Paedo-bear! What's that? You already are?"...

It's excellent, Bear. Matt Berry is peerless. I actually speak like Steven Toast in real life, and I could be a voice-over artiste. It's an acquired taste (the show, not my voice), but I think it's excellent. Your mileage may vary. Fancy some chocolate? P.S. Matt Berry was not the only good thing in the IT Crowd, you tech-philistine.

I've got something a bit "Toast of London" going on in that clip, don't you think? ...Tray she eek. Nes pa?

It's from my personal stash. That's me walking in, and that's my nan seated. I was a real **** back then.

Col, when you were flicking through the porn magazine, what was the guy doing?

At the same time as me?

Would, wouldn't, would've, have. But I'm not telling you if that's left to right or right to left.

Oh, that's right, Toke. Focus on the words, but ignore the good work we each did in chasing the 'girl' away. It's like waiting for 30 years for your Lords' membership to come through, only to find they've allowed women in The Long Room. Probably. Whatever. Anyway, I hope you've taken note of the good advice on this thread. There are steps you should take NOW to make sure that if you ever play the ham harmonica again, it'll still be in tune! Toke's a ****.

[Fake David Coleman voice] So, what happened next... NSF...Anywhere really. Viewer discretion advised. Hope the poor bloke is OK. https://mediacru.sh/bFlLOrVMY5IR

Dai Young. Will he?

And that, gentlemen and gentlemen, is why can't keep our pretend females 'alive' in TMS. I knew that as soon as 'she' stopped by to chat, that one of you would break her. It was like buying a hamster as a pet for Bear. You knew at some point it would either be inserted, or have something inserted that would result in a really tricky visit to the vets followed by a court case brought by the RSPCA. I have to say I thought Col captured the female psyche really well, especially in this self-centred epitaph. The need to tell us that she was upset and wouldn't post here any more actually makes me think she might be called Lou. Come back Col. Come back.... Anyway, about those word puns...

You think, therefore I am.

Good work Halo, can I just ask that you go on about the foreplay a bit little longer next time, so that I can, ehherm, you know, appreciate it fully. I was 'enjoying' that bit. But the image of Bear's chewed penis in a ditch next to the A4118 is now burned into my retina. I open my eyes, and it's there. I close my eyes, and it's there. It's like I've got Bear penis buried deep in my brain. No more chewed Bear penis please. I've had my fill of them. Lou, as for a new name, does Sutcliffe work?

Now they tell me!

Out of interest, what is the string on the middle finger connected to, Halo?