The Politics Thread

[Jonestown]

was tempted to post this in the joke thread but rather than piss off the Mods

Reform want to cut the cost of supporting the disabled  it has launched plans to save billions of pounds by restricting benefits for mental health claimants.

Lee Anderson, Reform’s chief whip, suggested the return of the “Invacar” — or invalid carriage — a small single-seater microcar that was distributed by the NHS for decades after the Second World War.

for our younger readers he means these death traps

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They were made in Thames Ditto by AC the famous sports car manufacturer, of course it would not be possible to put a vehicle like this on the road, so I’d imagine the MP had in mind a standardised modern design with a basic specification and low production costs, again almost certainly impossible these days.

[sparkus]

was tempted to post this in the joke thread but rather than piss off the Mods

Reform want to cut the cost of supporting the disabled  it has launched plans to save billions of pounds by restricting benefits for mental health claimants.

Lee Anderson, Reform’s chief whip, suggested the return of the “Invacar” — or invalid carriage — a small single-seater microcar that was distributed by the NHS for decades after the Second World War.

for our younger readers he means these death traps

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And bring back white dog poo too.

I mean, what next?

[DastardlyDick]

was tempted to post this in the joke thread but rather than piss off the Mods

Reform want to cut the cost of supporting the disabled  it has launched plans to save billions of pounds by restricting benefits for mental health claimants.

Lee Anderson, Reform’s chief whip, suggested the return of the “Invacar” — or invalid carriage — a small single-seater microcar that was distributed by the NHS for decades after the Second World War.

for our younger readers he means these death traps

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They were (sort of) revived in the shape of the G-wizz, which was classed as a "heavy quadricycle", which meant they didn't have to have passive safety measures like crumple zones, which, in turn, made them cheap to make
The Invacar started off with a 197cc 2 stroke engine, which wouldn't make it last emissions standards now.
Only an idiot like 30p Lee could come out with a suggestion as stupid as this!

[scutty brown]

They were (sort of) revived in the shape of the G-wizz, which was classed as a "heavy quadricycle", which meant they didn't have to have passive safety measures like crumple zones, which, in turn, made them cheap to make
The Invacar started off with a 197cc 2 stroke engine, which wouldn't make it last emissions standards now.
Only an idiot like 30p Lee could come out with a suggestion as stupid as this!

Bloke who lived near my parents had what was effectively a modified one of these.
Body removed, and replaced with a flat platform and rear ramp which he could manually access with a wheel chair and then clamp on.
Engine was replaced by a Kawasaki 2-stroke 350cc triple - presumably a KH350 or derivative of. Tiller steering, no idea if the brakes were modified. Went like a rocket but must have handled like a pig. The owner was paralysed from the waist down and remained sat in the wheelchair which must have made control and steering difficult

[timsussex]

I knew the old farts here (like me) would remember it - says a lot about Reform !

I have vague memories of Graham Hill being asked to test one, being astonished that you had to get out to engage reverse (remember it was for disabled people)   and declaring it a death trap which considering F1 at the time is saying something!

[timsussex]

aint the web marveloous

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[Blackpool Rock]

aint the web marveloous

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What about the Outspan car, i've seen one of these in a museum and was just PMSL watching this video, strange for the politics thread to get derailed onto a different subject 

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[mh]

was tempted to post this in the joke thread but rather than piss off the Mods

Reform want to cut the cost of supporting the disabled  it has launched plans to save billions of pounds by restricting benefits for mental health claimants.

Lee Anderson, Reform’s chief whip, suggested the return of the “Invacar” — or invalid carriage — a small single-seater microcar that was distributed by the NHS for decades after the Second World War.

for our younger readers he means these death traps

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I checked the definition of 'cunt' and it said 'e.g. Lee Anderson'.

People who have cars on Motability don't get 'given' them. They don't own them. They lease them by giving up the part of their disabled person's benefit that is there to enable travel. What people who object to Motability have is more usually called 'envy'. If they ever had to care for a severely disabled relative they'd be demanding a lot more than a lease car.

[Adoniron]

I checked the definition of 'cunt' and it said 'e.g. Lee Anderson'.

People who have cars on Motability don't get 'given' them. They don't own them. They lease them by giving up the part of their disabled person's benefit that is there to enable travel. What people who object to Motability have is more usually called 'envy'. If they ever had to care for a severely disabled relative they'd be demanding a lot more than a lease car.

The idea that disabled people should use these outdated unsafe vehicles is ridiculous. They can't carry any passengers and you can't get a wheelchair in them. They would also be completely unsafe on today's busy roads.

I think a lot of the envy you refer to is primarily due to working people seeing their disabled neighbours drive round in cars they could never afford like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus and the main user of the car often being a family member of the disabled person.

Perhaps the answer is to exclude "premium" brands from the Motability scheme or place a financial cap on the amount of benefit which can be used on a car?

[timsussex]

It's not just premium brand envy People comparing the old banger that they can afford to the shiny new car every 3 years that a  disabled person can get

One of the points of the Invacar was it was illegal to carry passengers and one cause celebre was the disabled woman fined for taking her 2 kids to school

[Blackpool Rock]

Thoughts on this then, lot's of people have built up energy debts but there are now plans to scrap some of this debt and one solution is for everyone else to pick up the tab by adding a bit more onto everyone else's bills   

Is it just me or should people actually pay for what they use and if they are short of money then perhaps use a bit less 
I'm willing to bet that the majority of these people in debt have probably had their heating on for the last few weeks, i've not even been tempted to put mine on and always hold out for as long as I can, currently sat with a jumper on and a duvet on the sofa, sorted 

And before someone posts about disabled people / people with health conditions etc etc etc this is a general comment and there will always be some people who are exceptions and have special requirements meaning they genuinely struggle and perhaps need more help but then again there are also a lot of people who no doubt have the latest phones etc but still owe money for gas / electric / council tax etc

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[sparkus]

Sorry, you're all talking about a party whose leader wants to bring back the "circle" for the Circle Line.  It could be an attempt to cut the welfare bill, it could be even something more malign such as public identification of the disabled but it's probably just throwback optics for the sake of it.

Blue passports, pints of champagne (WTF was that about?), bring back invalid carriages, it's all the same agenda.

Perhaps we should also bring back pistachio green bathroom suites and barmaids with "70s tits".

[mh]

It's not just premium brand envy People comparing the old banger that they can afford to the shiny new car every 3 years that a  disabled person can get

One of the points of the Invacar was it was illegal to carry passengers and one cause celebre was the disabled woman fined for taking her 2 kids to school

Why? They can hand over less of their disability benefit and get a Ford or more of it and get a Merc. Just like a non-disabled person can choose to spend more of their disposable income per month and get a premium brand. They don't get the vehicle for free. They don't get the Merc for the price of a Ford. It's simple envy being stoked up by 30p Lee and twelve incomes Farridge.

[bigden40]

Thoughts on this then, lot's of people have built up energy debts but there are now plans to scrap some of this debt and one solution is for everyone else to pick up the tab by adding a bit more onto everyone else's bills   

Is it just me or should people actually pay for what they use and if they are short of money then perhaps use a bit less 
I'm willing to bet that the majority of these people in debt have probably had their heating on for the last few weeks, i've not even been tempted to put mine on and always hold out for as long as I can, currently sat with a jumper on and a duvet on the sofa, sorted 

And before someone posts about disabled people / people with health conditions etc etc etc this is a general comment and there will always be some people who are exceptions and have special requirements meaning they genuinely struggle and perhaps need more help but then again there are also a lot of people who no doubt have the latest phones etc but still owe money for gas / electric / council tax etc

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How about pursuing an energy policy that doesn’t give us the highest energy costs in the OECD despite being an oil and gas producer ourselves?

[Doc Holliday]

Why? They can hand over less of their disability benefit and get a Ford or more of it and get a Merc. Just like a non-disabled person can choose to spend more of their disposable income per month and get a premium brand. They don't get the vehicle for free. They don't get the Merc for the price of a Ford. It's simple envy being stoked up by 30p Lee and twelve incomes Farridge.

There are a range of small cars available which use part or all of your benefit. However as you move up the scale you also have to find an upfront advance payment from your own funds. This can be thousands of pounds depending on the model.

This advance payment is not refundable when the lease ends.

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[Squire Haggard]

How about pursuing an energy policy that doesn’t give us the highest energy costs in the OECD despite being an oil and gas producer ourselves?

Labour want to appease Just Stop Oil, and stop their protests, so they have banned any new drilling in the North Sea.

Millipede's lone brain cell  thinks that it will help stop global warming if we let other countries drill for oil and gas instead.

''The UK imports a significant portion of its oil and gas, with around 66% of its gas supply and a large share of crude and refined oil sourced from countries such as Norway, the US, and other international suppliers.''

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[lostandfound]

The idea that disabled people should use these outdated unsafe vehicles is ridiculous. They can't carry any passengers and you can't get a wheelchair in them. They would also be completely unsafe on today's busy roads.

I think a lot of the envy you refer to is primarily due to working people seeing their disabled neighbours drive round in cars they could never afford like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus and the main user of the car often being a family member of the disabled person.

Perhaps the answer is to exclude "premium" brands from the Motability scheme or place a financial cap on the amount of benefit which can be used on a car?

Reform of Motability upcoming? Maybe means tested? Been rumblings about Labour doing something along these lines for months.

[WARSZAWA16]

Can I use the 'Reeves Defence' for my lack of TV & Driving Licences? Asking for a friend.
 

[Adoniron]

Thoughts on this then, lot's of people have built up energy debts but there are now plans to scrap some of this debt and one solution is for everyone else to pick up the tab by adding a bit more onto everyone else's bills   

Is it just me or should people actually pay for what they use and if they are short of money then perhaps use a bit less 
I'm willing to bet that the majority of these people in debt have probably had their heating on for the last few weeks, i've not even been tempted to put mine on and always hold out for as long as I can, currently sat with a jumper on and a duvet on the sofa, sorted 

And before someone posts about disabled people / people with health conditions etc etc etc this is a general comment and there will always be some people who are exceptions and have special requirements meaning they genuinely struggle and perhaps need more help but then again there are also a lot of people who no doubt have the latest phones etc but still owe money for gas / electric / council tax etc

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Yes pay for what you use, not for what you don't use. Start by abolishing standard charges.

[Blackpool Rock]

Andrew, formally known as prince 

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[Blackpool Rock]

Yes pay for what you use, not for what you don't use. Start by abolishing standard charges.

Yep i've banged on about standing charges on another thread 

[puntingking]

Yes pay for what you use, not for what you don't use. Start by abolishing standard charges.

I agree 

I can't even comprehend it while it even exists in the first place. 

[Blackpool Rock]

Can I use the 'Reeves Defence' for my lack of TV & Driving Licences? Asking for a friend.
 

New information on this though as the letting agent has admitted fucking up as they were supposed to do this but didn't

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[Watts.E.Dunn]

I agree 

I can't even comprehend it while it even exists in the first place. 

Did you mean "standing charges" the  costs of running the power distrubution networks?..

[puntingking]

Did you mean standing charges the  costs of running the power distrubution networks?..

yes, I mean standing charges

You would not pay an entry fee for entering a supermarket before you even bought a product. same applies here in my logic. 

Standing charges should be abolish.
The cost of running the network should be put on the extra price of how much energy you actually use.

Everyone pays the same standing chargers regardless how much energy you use. Doesn't seem fair to me 

[Watts.E.Dunn]

So a pensioner using say a single phase 230 volt domestic supply ought to the same as a large steelworks using a 11KV half megawatt supply then?.

Its not quite the same as a supermarket, more akin to a phone service like Line renal and calls on top of that...

[Blackpool Rock]

So a pensioner using say a single phase 230 volt domestic supply ought to the same as a large steelworks using a 11KV half megawatt supply then?.

Its not quite the same as a supermarket, more akin to a phone service like Line renal and calls on top of that...

You're comparing a small domestic user with a large corporation, hardly a reasonable comparison 

[puntingking]

Rather than the standing charges which is unfair on those who don't use alot, those that do use alot should have a "extra rate" added to their energy bill seeing as they use more anyway.
Why should a 80 year old who is struggling and don't want to use heating too much as it cost alot so she goes down to her local library to keep warm pay the same standing charges as those people who do use alot. 

That was my point.   

[Blackpool Rock]

yes, I mean standing charges

You would not pay an entry fee for entering a supermarket before you even bought a product. same applies here in my logic. 

Standing charges should be abolish.
The cost of running the network should be put on the extra price of how much energy you actually use.

Everyone pays the same standing chargers regardless how much energy you use. Doesn't seem fair to me 

100% my take on it too, I did respond to the consultation earlier this year and gave a similar comparison

All business's have overheads that they need to cover the cost of however those costs are recouped by adding on XYZ % to every item they sell so people using or buying more goods or services cover more of those costs, people who don't use or buy any services don't pay anything.

Should someone have to pay McDonalds a couple of quid a year as they have restaurants in Blackpool that I don't use 
No but if I pop in and buy a meal for say £8 then part of that £8 will be covering their overheads such as rates; staff wages etc etc

[puntingking]

My opinion is the same when it comes to tv licence - Why should someone pay a tv licence to watch ITV1 and even when they may watch zero bbc content be forced to pay tv licence which only goes to make programmes that they will never watch. 

[puntingking]

100% my take on it too, I did respond to the consultation earlier this year and gave a similar comparison

All business's have overheads that they need to cover the cost of however those costs are recouped by adding on XYZ % to every item they sell so people using or buying more goods or services cover more of those costs, people who don't use or buy any services don't pay anything.

Should someone have to pay McDonalds a couple of quid a year as they have restaurants in Blackpool that I don't use 
No but if I pop in and buy a meal for say £8 then part of that £8 will be covering their overheads such as rates; staff wages etc etc

 

[Blackpool Rock]

Rather than the standing charges which is unfair on those who don't use alot, those that do use alot should have a "extra rate" added to their energy bill seeing as they use more anyway.
Why should a 80 year old who is struggling and don't want to use heating too much as it cost alot so she goes down to her local library to keep warm pay the same standing charges as those people who do use alot. 

That was my point.   

Yeah why is it right or fair for someone in a 1 bed apartment to pay the same standing charge as Buckingham Palace 

People say it's about everyone paying their share of the grid etc but i've also thought about an old Victorian house with 3 stories and say 6 bedrooms, when it was a house it was paying 1 standing charge for the entire property however if it was converted to 6 individual bedsits all with their own meters then suddenly there are 6 standing charges to be paid yet no more pylons or cables etc to maintain, OK you could argue 5 additional meters and sets of billing but that's peanuts in the grand scheme
I could accept a very small standing charge to cover individual meters and billing but the current amount is a fucking rip off and about 50% of my bills 

[Blackpool Rock]

Andrew, formally known as prince 

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Didn't take long for the memes to hit the net 



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[Blackpool Rock]

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[puntingking]

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[bigden40]

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Funny.  But maybe not the best choice for the meme given Jay Blades is currently facing rape charges!!

[Blackpool Rock]

So Andy not moving out quite yet but presumably fairly soon and trying to side step a throng of reporters / hecklers to capture another fall from grace for posterity 

They keep saying he's moving to Sandringham and the King will foot the bill and that he's no longer a Prince however what's not been mentioned is whether the taxpayer still lashes out for Royal protection 
I know Harry doesn't get it paid for but Andy is still 8th in line for the throne, presumably not as Harry is 5th 

[DastardlyDick]

So Andy not moving out quite yet but presumably fairly soon and trying to side step a throng of reporters / hecklers to capture another fall from grace for posterity 

They keep saying he's moving to Sandringham and the King will foot the bill and that he's no longer a Prince however what's not been mentioned is whether the taxpayer still lashes out for Royal protection 
I know Harry doesn't get it paid for but Andy is still 8th in line for the throne, presumably not as Harry is 5th 

His Majesty's Sandringham Estate is huge (20,000 acres) with 150 homes on it, and at 6 miles from the nearest big town it'll be fairly easy to keep him away from the public gaze. I would guess that, as the King's brother, he'll get some form of Security, but privately funded by His Majesty.

[Charliehutton]

Is it just me or should people actually pay for what they use and if they are short of money then perhaps use a bit less 
I'm willing to bet that the majority of these people in debt have probably had their heating on for the last few weeks, i've not even been tempted to put mine on and always hold out for as long as I can, currently sat with a jumper on and a duvet on the sofa, sorted 

Bloody hell, Rocky, have you been reading the Daily Mail again?

[timsussex]

Its an odd world -just as His Majesties government is moving to give tenants more rights to avoid evictions His Charlieship kicks his brother out despite his 75 year lease

[Blackpool Rock]

Bloody hell, Rocky, have you been reading the Daily Mail again?

Oh my god, well they do say people to move more right wing as they get older, now where's that black shirt i've got here somewhere 

[webpunter]

His Majesty's Sandringham Estate is huge (20,000 acres) with 150 homes on it, and at 6 miles from the nearest big town it'll be fairly easy to keep him away from the public gaze. I would guess that, as the King's brother, he'll get some form of Security, but privately funded by His Majesty.

The nearest big town i presume is Kings Lynn
There is a Pizza Express so he can take his daughters
Should they want to be seen out with with their paedo daddy
 

[Watts.E.Dunn]

Know Lynn well, its a bit back of beyond Peterboro is 35 odd miles that way, Narwich is around the same the other way so wonder what he'll be doing all day and where will his old bint will hang out?.

Still its got a rail connction to the smoke so!.. And he can have some fun in the dunes at Brancaster, i used to years ago:)..

Just getting pissed of listning to that Guriife brother  bloke wining he wants him behing bars buit it ain't going to happen and i doubt he'll want to go to ther UsofA

Reckon its punishement enough lets hear feck all more of it!..

[DastardlyDick]

Should they want to be seen out with with their paedo daddy

To be accurate, he's hasn't been accused of being a peado, as Victoria Guiffre was over legal age in the relevant State.
The alternative is no better mind you, which is that he is (allegedly) a rapist. Either way, a very sick person who should be behind bars in the nonce wing, but probably never will be as the only known victim is not around to give evidence against him.

[myothernameis]

Its an odd world -just as His Majesties government is moving to give tenants more rights to avoid evictions His Charlieship kicks his brother out despite his 75 year lease

With all that is going on with Andrew, and other possible outcomes, so does Andrew have any secret to reveal.  Could King Charles do a Dianna, and Andrew suffers an accident, and is no more

[bigden40]

Surprised no one has commented on last nights horrific mass stabbing on the Doncaster - London train.

Hope that the two who remain with life threatening injuries are able to pull through.

[bigden40]

To be accurate, he's hasn't been accused of being a peado, as Victoria Guiffre was over legal age in the relevant State.
The alternative is no better mind you, which is that he is (allegedly) a rapist. Either way, a very sick person who should be behind bars in the nonce wing, but probably never will be as the only known victim is not around to give evidence against him.

Over age of consent but not old enough for paid sexual services as she was 17, although I'm not clear that he is alleged to have paid her.

Andrew is clearly guilty of maintaining an association with Epstein, and long after it was known exactly who he was. Like many of the royal hanger-ons, including his awful wife, he was attracted to the money, people like Epstein facilitated a lifestyle he couldn’t otherwise afford. Whilst the likes of Epstein liked being surrounded by royalty, it conferred him status.

I’m actually a bit bored of hearing about this shallow man, the lurid headlines tell us nothing new and allege nothing terribly specific.  Now that he’s been stripped of all titles and ostracised from polite society can’t we just stop talking about the man and let him fade into obscurity?  Unless, of course, something that is actually chargeable arises.

[Blackpool Rock]

Over age of consent but not old enough for paid sexual services as she was 17, although I'm not clear that he is alleged to have paid her.

Andrew is clearly guilty of maintaining an association with Epstein, and long after it was known exactly who he was. Like many of the royal hanger-ons, including his awful wife, he was attracted to the money, people like Epstein facilitated a lifestyle he couldn’t otherwise afford. Whilst the likes of Epstein liked being surrounded by royalty, it conferred him status.

I’m actually a bit bored of hearing about this shallow man, the lurid headlines tell us nothing new and allege nothing terribly specific.  Now that he’s been stripped of all titles and ostracised from polite society can’t we just stop talking about the man and let him fade into obscurity?  Unless, of course, something that is actually chargeable arises.

Get all the "Did he join the family for Xmas" and his house (mansion) move out of the way and perhaps the dust may settle a bit, that is until there are more calls etc for him to testify what he knew etc.

The family will want this dirty stain to go away but i'm sure despite cutting away some of the soiled area there will still be much scrubbing of the gusset required 

[bigden40]

With all that is going on with Andrew, and other possible outcomes, so does Andrew have any secret to reveal.  Could King Charles do a Dianna, and Andrew suffers an accident, and is no more

It should not be forgotten, when pushing Mohamed al-Fayed's conspiratorial nonsense, that Diana (and Dodi) would have survived the accident had she been wearing a seatbelt.

[bigden40]

Get all the "Did he join the family for Xmas" and his house (mansion) move out of the way and perhaps the dust may settle a bit, that is until there are more calls etc for him to testify what he knew etc.

The family will want this dirty stain to go away but i'm sure despite cutting away some of the soiled area there will still be much scrubbing of the gusset required 

I’m not suggesting he be let off the hook for anything, just a bit tired of the media coverage.