Thread 28 Starmer - Weodmonath

[DuncinToffee]

The month of Agustus we call the weed month in our language, for these grow most in this month.”

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It's tempting to post on my local FB page for a cohort of concerned citizens to meet up somewhere in town and then hand out litter picking bags to a fanfare of local press. Not all of them would need the bags as you can fold a flag into a bag - and people will be shown how.

Obviously it would need some careful curating, but the image of these men suddenly having to hide their faces as they slink off saying "Not that concerned" might illustrate the real situation.

FFS.

We'd be protected, of course, because with that lot on the prowl we would be less inclined to leave the house.

On the contrary. With that lot on the streets a whole load of women would be safer at home, given the facts about how many Reform MPs are misogynists.

However, let's not be niggardly. At least it's a step forwards from "The streets are unsafe for women, so maybe they should stay at home.". Although given that was Yorkshire Police advice, it's possible they knew more than they were letting on.

Yes the men who wish to protect All women and girls are those who think that we are chattels to be owned and feckless when not in ownership such as being a single mum or a divorcee.

They are doing this in a local seaside town to me - comments on the FB page that women will be protected as the men are out on the streets rather then committing domestic abuse at home.

Lets see if they are still protecting the streets in January in the rain at 10pm on a Tuesday night! 🙄

They are doing this in a local seaside town to me - comments on the FB page that women will be protected as the men are out on the streets rather then committing domestic abuse at home.

The really really snipey part of me suggests this would be an ideal place for a combined task force for the local police and DWP to do a little light checking. Just the make sure that the concerned citizens aren't embarrassed by a load of criminals and benefit cheats trying to hide amongst them.

I heard this on the news this morning but it took me a while to find an article (too busy with small boats)

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/government-england-bridget-phillipson-conservatives-west-midlands-b2805800.html

Government names technical colleges to train 40,000 construction workers

Ten construction technical excellence colleges will help reduce reliance on foreign construction workers, Government says.

There is already quite a technical base in the West Midlands left over from HS2.

Or if their beloved football team loses and the bet is down the river - for context this happened regularly to a friend of mine whose family annual income was six figures.

Great idea but your average lad from Shildon isn't going to be making the 2 1/2 hour 3 bus (each way) commute to Sunderland Tech for that nor will a kid from Hull (never mind one of the seaside towns) be travelling to Leeds every day. [insert further ridiculous ask for a 17 year old in your region, here]

Better surely to improve funding to the FE sector all round. So many FE colleges are so far on the bones of their arse that it's a wonder they survive.

I wondered why the cat from next door was so keen to meet me and engage in conversation. Not interested at all yesterday morning.

It’s a start @PickAChew. Targeting the restricted amount of funding to the trades needed to help rebuild the country makes sense to me.

Great idea but your average lad from Shildon isn't going to be making the 2 1/2 hour 3 bus (each way) commute to Sunderland Tech for that nor will a kid from Hull (never mind one of the seaside towns) be travelling to Leeds every day. [insert further ridiculous ask for a 17 year old in your region, here]

"The great thing about buses - as opposed to trains - is you can implement a service from anywhere to anywhere via anywhere in a matter of minutes" (if you want to). K. Livingstone, 1981 (or maybe 1982). This was when Fares Fair was running amok.

On SM it has been pointed out that the BBC is being creative in their front page reporting that 50,000 refugees have arrived by boat since Labour came to power.

The number includes 2 summers and in their 'verify' article they buried the fact that it’s not even a record for an equivalent period.

“But the 50,000 figure for a 403-day period is not a record. It was higher in September 2023, for example”

The BBC has always been doubted when giving news, because balance of reporting i.e. giving both sides of the story.

Tice of course likes how Dubai is run and I expect many female citizens stay inside, or are protected by males outside there. Shame he doesn’t just relocate like his partner.

Bus services outside London are a different world. Even in the better areas for services.

Manchester has excellent bus services within the city and also a tram service.

Aye but they have to register them with VOSA, these days. I gave Shildon as an example because it's a 30.minute or so ride to Bishop Auckland on the 1 (longer if you don't live on its route and need the 5) then a 40 minute ride to Durham on the 6 or X21 then another 45 minutes on the 20 or X20, which thankfully stops at the college. A 21 and under day ticket is only £3.50 but by the time you add in connection time, it's unrealistic, despite being a shade under 30 miles. Forget it if you live in Northumberland.

I agree that it's a start and one that makes good headlines in the relevant local rags but the cynical part of me suspects that it will also be the full extent of the investment.

Tell me about it.

This has largely been due to the efforts of Andy Burnham Greater Manchester Mayor not something which has happened in the rest of the country so @LlynTegid 's comment remains true for many places

Our bus services are okayish, they added more busses on a few routes that before did not run on Sundays. It takes a bit of planning though, especially in the evening.

The college bus passes were very expensive, even at discounted prices.

Bus services? Ha! If you want to go anywhere after 6 pm, forget it where I am.

8pm for us