Thread 50 Starmer : Το ταξίδι είναι η ανταμοιβή

[DuncinToffee]

Welcome to our long running thread for political discussion, general chit chat, a friendly hug and taxes in kind

for anyone who needs them

Previous thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5528736-thread-49-starmer-coz-to-jest-5-milionow-funtow-miedzy-przyjaciolmi?page=40

Well send the boys round if you’re not careful.

Apparently it’s third time lucky for the Greens, this one is squeaky clean.

Reform UK civil service plan ‘would sack more planning officers than exist’

Analysis of party’s proposed cuts also suggests it would get rid of two-thirds of psychologists who support prison staff

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/26/reform-civil-service-plan-would-sack-more-planning-officers-than-exist

They called the report 'storm and sunshine'

Here my tax payment. DD1 (17) goes to a specialist college where they work at a farm on Tuesday afternoon. She sends us photos of kittens she sees there. It’s lovely to have a kitten fix! ❤️

Thank you for the new thread.There is a cat in there somewhere amongst the fur.
We are both struggling with the heat at present. I got very excited at grey clouds, a breeze and lightning in the distance BUT it appears two raindrops are all we are getting just now. 🥵☹️

That's bizarre and makes no sense. It's so outre that one has to wonder what the hell are they smoking!

Not my cat. Also not DS's cat but that is his room...

Perhaps ' Sturm und Sonnenschein'... has a certain ring to it.

Gillian Keegan mouthing off on newsnight, talking about labour doing this instinctively wrong, as opposed to deliberately. She actually sat there and talked about reputational damage to political parties.

We know what she thinks of the electorate though.

That’s not Gillian Keegan, it’s Andrea Jenkyns.

Thanks for the new thread!

First time this year we've been able to reliably sit outside. Except clearly the chairs and cushions are for the cats.

I actually had to shut the patio doors at half 5. A big grey cloud came over along with a biting wind. I checked the rain radar and there were thunderstorms over Nottingham and Telford, at the time.

I hope your houses cool well enough to sleep, tonight.

An interesting medical experience today. I've developed an ear infection which is quite painful. We have a flight on Sunday, and I'm a bit concerned about the risk to my eardrum, so went to see the pharmacist at our nearest (large) Boots. After consultation she told me she couldn't examine my ear, but to go to my GP. Turned up at the GP on the dot of 2pm when appointments open, only to find (not that I was surprised) that they didn't have any appointments for today, and to ring at 8 tomorrow.

Receptionist (very nice, not a dragon!) asked if I'd been to the pharmacy first, which I told her about. She was surprised (and a bit irritated, I think) that the pharmacist hadn't done more, and recommended another pharmacy just round the corner from the surgery. They would be able to examine and prescribe.

Had to wait about 10 minutes to be seen, but all very efficient. Infection duly diagnosed after ear inspection. Prescription written and medication supplied.

I don't have to pay for prescriptions being as wot I'm an old gimmer. But.

The consultation alone cost £5. Then I had to pay £20 for the prescription.

I didn't object to paying because I needed it to be sorted out. But I did feel a bit uneasy about being 'funnelled' into another, financially-led diagnostic/medical channel.

Newcastle City Council have finally sorted out some sort of leadership. I wonder how other fragmented councils are doing.
Parties strike deal to run Newcastle City Council - BBC News https://share.google/p1lrMsB4j3dlWmIXj

Of course it is. You are quite right. I shall blame travel fatigue and put myself in fridge until I recover.

What?!

I live opposite a chemist whe will see anyone for free and write up a standard NHS prescription. The same is true of the chemist next to Sainsbury's.

Was this some kind of private chemist?

The only prescription I have had that was that amount was one written up by my private dentist.

I wonder if your GP knows?

Chemists have always done consultations. This is really odd.

From internet:

Pharmacy First Scheme: You can consult a pharmacist for seven common minor conditions (such as sinusitis, sore throat, earache, or impetigo) without paying an appointment fee. If you receive medication, you will only pay your standard NHS prescription charge (or nothing if you are exempt).

Agree it is odd that a NHS receptionist directed you to a seemingly private chemist, BIWI. A bit unethical not to make it clear that was the case?

Morning. Thanks for the new thread @DuncinToffee . Tax to follow.

Looks like you’ve been royally ripped off @BIWI. I’d be inclined to go back and ask for my money back.

I see Blair’s pontificating again, now he’s telling us that the government should have ripped up its manifesto pledges on workers’ rights, the environment and tax when it took power. This is the man who stuck to the Tories’ spending plans for two years that included cutting single parent benefits.

Sunbathing cat tax. First I've paid in many threads I'm afraid.

As well as support Trump.

But then he took a seat on that 'board of peace'

And Reform's Makerfield candidate though Russia were 'within their rights' to take Crimea

I have posted this on my favourite cat thread but thought I'd share here too as a voluntary additional tax payment. The cats are under strict instructions not to eat cygnets.