A Political Thread pt. 2

[McTallshort]

Wasn't Dawkins like the late Hitchens used by networks like Fox to be ridiculed because they were no believers and needed to be put in their place?

Don't mind Dawkins, he's asked a combative question and he answers it.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Wasn't Dawkins like the late Hitchens used by networks like Fox to be ridiculed because they were no believers and needed to be put in their place?

Don't mind Dawkins, he's asked a combative question and he answers it.

I guess whether you’re ridiculing them or not depends on what camp you were in really. No different to anything else. But yeah, both pretty famous in America so similar in that respect but very different people. Hitchens was super charismatic whereas Dawkins is a bit more grumpy old man vibe.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Well considering he believes the soul is a load of made up ********, I imagine he'd quite like that description.

That reminds of the Simpsons episode with Bart’s soul.

 

[AlRums]

Well everything was in accordance with the law. Either she's cashing in or the previous occupations were getting a good deal. Hopefully they weren't made homeless.

Can't help but think she was getting in quick before Labour change the law next year to prevent this to a degree.

Calls for homelessness minister to quit after removing tenants and then hiking rent

Labour’s Rushanara Ali accused of ‘staggering hypocrisy’ after relisting property for £700 more a month

inews.co.uk

Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali quits over rent increase claims

It comes after she increased rent on a house she owns within weeks of the previous tenants' contracts ending.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Ddanno]

Pretty much no atheist is an "out right" atheist these days as no atheist will take the position that god 100% does not exist.

God, no god, any god ever imagined, has existed or ever will.

 

[Reiser99]

Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali quits over rent increase claims

It comes after she increased rent on a house she owns within weeks of the previous tenants' contracts ending.

www.bbc.co.uk

Am I the only one who finds it a bit ridiculous how easily ministers resign. I get it's not a good look, but does it stop her doing the job she was appointed to? Now she'll get that leaving cost settlement thing, a new person will have to be appointed and brought up to speed and all it does is delay the government actually doing anything.

 

[odw26]

I get it's not a good look, but does it stop her doing the job she was appointed to?

In this case, yes, I think it does, because she was actively doing exactly what she was trying to outlaw. It's scant hypocrisy and entirely self-serving, and those aren't traits you want in someone in that position.

 

[Saintjay]

Shelter say one of the main causes of people being homeless is exactly what the homeless minister did

If it had been a Tory then Labour would have been screaming

 

[ncurd]

Shelter say one of the main causes of people being homeless is exactly what the homeless minister did

If it had been a Tory then Labour would have been screaming

And rightly so and why she's fell on her sword. Absolutely shameful behaviour when you're bringing in legislation to stop it happening. As James O'brien opinionated if this was Johnsons government she'd have been promoted.

I think back 15 years and you barely heard of this happening. Evictions to massively increase rents. Now I barely know a single renter this hasn't happened to at least once.

As an aside driving up rents exponentially well above mortgages. Helps increase house prices especially at the bottom end of the market meaning its harder for people to get on it.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

The housing market is long due a correction, it's just a case of when. We are already at LTV of 95% in some cases with help even for that deposits. Eventually there simply aren't going to be enough people who can afford homes.

It's basic maths, if the price of something grows at a rate much faster than earnings, that thing will become unaffordable.

 

[General Melchett]

It's scant hypocrisy and entirely self-serving, and those aren't traits you want in someone in that position.

We're not at Johnson/Truss levels but it's not a good look for Starmer and Labour after he promised to clean up politics.

I would rather Government ministers were paid higher salaries (on a par with executives in the private sector) but have much tighter rules on ethics, compliance and them not being able abuse their position to line their pockets on the side. That way you might be able to attract higher calibre/more capable people to run Government departments which should filter through to better public services. For too long the country has been and is run by low calibre people some of whom are happy to bend or break rules to line their own pockets with things like PPE contracts.

I find it strange that former Government ministers never seem to get investigated or face criminal charges for insider trading or making money via a conflict of interest. They're all protected by convention. Former Chancellor Nadim Zadawi failed to declare millions of offshore income and what has the justice system done about it? Sweet FA.

 

[Saintjay]

As a renter and had it happen to me, it's a dick move.

The rolling contract offered is "Would you like to stay in my property paying my mortgage till i sell it, then off you pop".

 

[Reiser99]

In this case, yes, I think it does, because she was actively doing exactly what she was trying to outlaw. It's scant hypocrisy and entirely self-serving, and those aren't traits you want in someone in that position.

Fair enough

 

[ncurd]

Fair enough

Also I think these renters reforms have been part of the plan since May's government and part of the reason they are believed to have not gone through yet is because of MP landlords lobbying.

 

[Reiser99]

Also I think these renters reforms have been part of the plan since May's government and part of the reason they are believed to have not gone through yet is because of MP landlords lobbying.

Wouldn't surprise me. I'm sure many MPs are also landlords so it's not in their interest. Oh for elected officials who do the right thing regardless of their own interests.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Wouldn't surprise me. I'm sure many MPs are also landlords so it's not in their interest. Oh for elected officials who do the right thing regardless of their own interests.

It's a problem as old as time itself. The type of people you want to be in positions of power are people who don't want to be in positions of power.

Sadly whether it be the government, police, army etc etc it attracts people who want that power. Doesn't mean everyone in these positions are dickheads obviously but ultimately it leads to a lot of dickheads occupying positions of power.

 

[odw26]

I would rather Government ministers were paid higher salaries (on a par with executives in the private sector) but have much tighter rules on ethics, compliance and them not being able abuse their position to line their pockets on the side. That way you might be able to attract higher calibre/more capable people to run Government departments which should filter through to better public services. For too long the country has been and is run by low calibre people some of whom are happy to bend or break rules to line their own pockets with things like PPE contracts.

I agree, but I think it would be a very difficult sell to the electorate at the moment to increase government minister salaries at such a rate. Unfortunately ministers voting to tighten their own rules on ethics etc. would very much be like turkeys voting for Christmas.

Whilst it's not a great look for Starmer and Labour, at least she didn't hang on and try to wait it out.

 

[General Melchett]

I agree, but I think it would be a very difficult sell to the electorate at the moment to increase government minister salaries at such a rate. Unfortunately ministers voting to tighten their own rules on ethics etc. would very much be like turkeys voting for Christmas.

Whilst it's not a great look for Starmer and Labour, at least she didn't hang on and try to wait it out.

Yup, nothing will change while we have a broken two party political system that is part of the British establishment.

 

[Saintjay]

It's a problem as old as time itself. The type of people you want to be in positions of power are people who don't want to be in positions of power.

Sadly whether it be the government, police, army etc etc it attracts people who want that power. Doesn't mean everyone in these positions are dickheads obviously but ultimately it leads to a lot of dickheads occupying positions of power.

Like any job, I guess. Most are people good at there jobs and try to do it well. Unfortunately you don't hear about these just the dickheads. Even a small percentage of them in a large work force makes it worse

At least with the military and police you have exams and a selection process. It used to help if you were a mason. Not just mates with Dave in HR

From the nurses I know even the NHS has senior consultants and Dr's. With the most unbelievable god complexes.

 

[odw26]

Rupert Lowe mistakes charity rowers for 'illegal migrants'

Rupert Lowe says he will donate £1,000 to charity but makes "no apologies over being vigilant".

www.bbc.co.uk