Westminstenders: The Mask is Slipping

[RedToothBrush]

This week has seen the department of the Chancellor who launched a 50p piece, the serious contemplation of a tin pot bridge, the rebirth of eugenics as a subject for cabinet, the announcement of the end of the BBC as we know it, the cabinet chanting after the PM in a way Orwell would be proud of, suppression of a report into trade deals which dares to mention the effect of distance and geography, worrying signs of an ever growing rift with Europe over negotiations for a deal, an appointment which starts to make our membership of the ECHR look very dodgy and there have been rather a lot of floods which so far seemed to have escaped the attention of those in London busy in their own swamp.

It's becoming apparent very quickly just how Trump like our new government are and how they want the UK to emulate the very worst aspects of America.

We are falling fast and its not looking like it will be pretty.

All we need is a major global issue to test our national resilience and the incompetence will truly be laid bare for us all to see... But not necessarily speak of. Such us the way it works.

Brexit Britain is not a nice looking prospect.

Thanks red

I don't see how changing funding to income tax would bring it down from 13 quid to 50 p per month - unless some other people pay a lot more than 13

I don't do details

Seriously, it was just a suggested strategy that might have warded off the evil advances of Murdoch. Typically of people cosseted from real life for too long, the previous management of the BBC seemed to take perverse pride in their opaque funding model. Which - let's remind ourselves - falls on a household. Not the people in it. Whilst there is an argument (made by yourself in this thread) that it's a regressive tax, there's a counter argument (who remembers rates) that it seems unfair that a single person living on their own has to pay the same licence fee as (for example) a family of 7 living in the same house.

Personally I think the licence fee is incredible value for money. However the BBC has managed to piss me off in a few ways. Mainly the recent current affairs coverage. But also their treatment of local issues and their insistence on pushing DAB to the exclusion of all else when it's a shit idea made better by fuck all. A far cry from the days of my degree when BBC engineering was frequently referred to for the development of the PAL standard.

I am not keen for the state, i.e. taxpayers, to fund non-essential services - when there is insufficient support to pay for the essential ones -
or particularly to get into the murky, potentially dangerous waters of govt broadcasting

As I posted, the independence of the BBC was only possible when governing parties allowed it to be.
That period of McMillan, Douglas-Home and Heath looks like the Golden Age of Tory tolerance
but I don't see it returning
The BBC will become ever more a govt mouthpiece - as in the case in many other countries with a state broadcaster

With the likely prospect of prolonged Tory govt, a state Tory Broadcasting Corporation in 15 years time looks more menacing than a BBC subscription service - which would have to attract & keep millions of customers

Anyway, back to Brexit

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-51549662

The UK cannot have the same trade deal with the EU as Canada, according to the bloc's chief negotiator.

Michel Barnier said the EU was ready to offer an "ambitious partnership" with the UK post-Brexit, but its "particular proximity" meant it would be different.

(contd)

Hands up who's surprised ?

Seems an appropriate time to listen to this 😂

Irish Group: The Brexit Song (Hard to Break Free from a Union)

(must switch on subtitles to really appreciate it)

Geography is crucial in trade type & volume, also risk, hence in trade deals

Since the govt can't tow the UK out to the Pacific, or even across the Atlantic,
they should stop thinking that we can get Canada terms, or that Australia terms would suit us

Looking at Canada, instead of trying to reproduce their relationship with the EU, it might be more useful to look at their trade relationship with the USA,
since that is their neighbouring & dominant trading partner,
as the EU is ours

Looking at Canada, instead of trying to reproduce their relationship with the EU, it might be more useful to look at their trade relationship with the USA

Does that feature FOM ?

Irish Group: The Brexit Song (Hard to Break Free from a Union)

worth it for the list of countries ...

You're just going to have to go faster lads ...

Since the govt can't tow the UK out to the Pacific, or even across the Atlantic

Er, given "Boris bridge" I really wouldn't be surprised to hear that discussed as a serious option. Especially having immersed myself in a few of the batshit comments on that BBC article.

I suspect bridges are Cummings' answer to towing - or developing Star Trek matter transporters

It is unfortunate that the very pro-USA rightwing group with Fox et al is called Atlantic Bridge

• I wonder if BJ didn't bother to read the fine print there

It is unfortunate that the very pro-USA rightwing group with Fox et al is called Atlantic Bridge

tinfoil hat time ?

Maybe it's not unfortunate at all. Remember how Boris was suddenly a model bus enthusiast, when archive news about buses had to be pushed below the fold ?

Beam me the fuck up...

pmk

You Shall Go To The Budget, Rishi Sunak, on March 11.

Just sit there and we will tell you what to say.

I love the BBC, especially radio 4 , there are so many good things on there , the nature table, the kitchen cupboard, gardeners question time, the infinite monkey cage , Womans hour , the news quiz , the Archers , the listening project etc. ( anymore suggestions ? ) I love the eclectic mix of music you get on radio 2 There is a lot of stuff that wouldn't get a chance on commercial radio and for that alone I am more than happy to keep paying my £7 a month or whatever I pay.

In other news, the Greeks want their marbles* back and will veto any deal that doesn't say this.

(They're ^our marbles, lawfully acquired from their previous owners, the Turks.)

Too bad, Cummings has lost all trace of his marbles

Aye frumpety, I’ll add in The Life Scientific, In Our Time (although I have to ignore Melvyn rather a lot), most of the 6.30 pm comedies, and More or Less, and the cat votes for Tweet of the Day. Lots of the afternoon plays are good too.

Thinking Aloud, Costing the Earth, the radio plays (absolute genius some of them), Desert Island Discs, Just a Minute...

BCF I was wondering if Cummings had really started to lose it with the overwhelming sense of power getting to him!

Hitchiker's Guide was on at 6:30 tonight
worth the licence fee alone

SO
Rishi is sticking to 11th March
sensible boy

Just have to hope that Keir Starmer's poker face hides a strategy
as RLB and Nandy have both gone too far down the rabbit hole IMHO

This is from a few days ago, but here’s a pretty damning report about the UK’s failure to send anyone important to the Munich Security Conference last week: news.sky.com/story/munich-security-conference-uk-suffered-because-of-its-absence-11935743

Apparently BJ was offered the opening slot on the programme, but turned it down. I guess that wiffle waffle crap he usually spouts wouldn’t cut it with that crowd. But really, what are they playing at? We’re the laughing stock of the world

If the government is serious about its much-repeated post-Brexit slogan of 'Global Britain' it must be at gatherings like this. Not just to show face, but to show commitment, strength, and purpose.

Stay away and influence will ebb. You can't shape strategy if you're not present.

Too many international figures already believe Britain is a diminished nation; that view has only strengthened this week.

Maybe if they hold the next Global Security Conference in Mustique?

Alex Wickham @alexwickham
NEW: Cabinet ministers warn Boris Johnson that No10's management style and decision-making processes are “unsustainable” and “untenable”

💥 some special advisers have sought counselling due to stress
💥 others are talking about walking out

One senior minister said Johnson must “rein in” Dominic Cummings after a series of high-profile bust-ups

— they claimed "half the cabinet” have found themselves unable to work with Cummings
— ministers openly discussing when the PM's top aide will leave

Several SpAds have sought counselling and had conversations with Helen MacNamara's cabinet office ethics and propriety unit

— Officials now reporting back to senior civil servants amid concerns over behaviour at SpAd meetings

Former special advisers call on Helen MacNamara to defend workplace rights: "[SpAds] have the right to work without being bullied or intimidated like any civil servant and the civil service leadership will have to act to make sure that is respected”

💥 SpAds fearing for their jobs are sending weekly "grassing up" emails to No10 about their ministers and colleagues who have been speaking to journalists

— compared by one former SpAd to “something done by the Soviet secret police”

www.buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/boris-johnson-counselling-aides-stress

Just like Trump where everyone quit - and weren't replaced in many cases...

So nice to see No 10 leading the way with a happy and healthy workplace.