Another interesting read. Although from the Guardian, I feel it is well balanced in its analysis and opinion https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/othe...will-be-his-undoing/ar-BB1agl2P?ocid=msedgdhp
Apparently the £60 million was worked out according to a formula, put in place by the government. Andy Burnham, on the news, said (paraphrasing) “If they have been working to a formula, why during 10 days of negotiations did they not mention it, and why did they originally offer £50 million if the formula says £60 million?” Fortunately he wasn’t being interviewed by Kuenssberg, so it didn’t get spun or talked over, to distract from the points he was making.
£7000 a day for consultants for the failing £12 billion test and trace, people being asked to stay at home on 2/3 of their normal income. No safety net to stop eviction for those who fall behind on rent, as a result of lower incomes. And now this, which I think most people expected. I hope the electorate have long memories.
“Eat nowt to help out” Maybe this is the new Tory slogan? Shameful decision to vote against free meals for kids.
For you guys living in London, there is reference (amongst other things) in this piece to ministers wanting the Congestion Charge Zone extended to the north and south circular. What sort of impact would that have on you guys, if any, other residents and anyone wishing to drive into London? https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/p...6tqnfPE-FjmcBIFPtNXP9YpP4k_5vRdbnsfvf0SHy2pIM
For crying out loud. First, it’ll stop the little buggers getting fat. Second, their mums should stop smoking and drinking. Third, it’s what the people want: we voted Brexit to take control of starving our kids without European interference. Can I get a job on The Mail?
Has anyone really listened to a Pfeffel speech? I was amazed today to count more than twenty ers and ums in about a two minute speech. The bloke is virtually incoherent. Can't the have some sort of basic training in public speaking?
I found it depressing to hear views from Manchester citizens basically saying that Johnson may have had a point; Burnham was being pushy and it's time to just 'get on with it'. This Get On With It attitude pervades current political 'thinking' among so many. Getting Brexit Done was a catchy phrase, when what we needed was 'Let's-stand-back-and-look-at-this-and-get-it-right' approach - but clearly this lacks sound bite appeal. The electorate have been sleep walking towards the Brexit cliff, electing a government with an appalling ten year record back into office because they wanted 'change'. Pitching a reasoned argument that the Greater Manchester debacle reflects Johnson's lack of negotiating skills will go down well among the chattering classes. But far too many people will say that Burnham got too big for his boots and Big Boris had to have him. That the debacle showed us that politics in this country is badly broken is without doubt. Whether there is the will to re-build it is open to question.
A double whammy for me, as I work in public transport. As well as increasing fares, putting a surcharge on an already high council tax bill, extending the congestion charge which will make it impossible for me to run a car, and abolishing the Senior Travel Card I’m due to qualify for next year, central government also wants Tfl to implement “reforms” to working practices and pensions in the transport industry; we all know that by “reforms” they mean lower wages, worse conditions, and a raid on our pensions. When RMT leader Bob Crowe died unexpectedly a few years ago, Ken Livingstone said “say what you like about Bob, but if you’re a working class Londoner in a secure, reasonably well paid job with a pension, there’s a good chance you’re one of his members”. That being the case, it was only ever going to be a matter of time before the Tory government found an excuse to declare war on transport workers. They’d already declared war on passengers, as London is the only European capital whise transport network received no central government subsidy, placing the entire cost of recent modernisations and upgrades on fare payers. For the record, as someone who lives and works in London, I fully expect to make some contribution to repairing the hole in TfL’s budget. But this is a straightforward assault, by a vindictive and dishonest Boris Johnson, on a City that consistently votes Labour, motivated in part by his personal vendetta against Sadiq Khan.
“Tweeting at the television doesn’t fix things. Making stuff up doesn’t make people’s lives better. You’ve got to have a plan.” Barack Obama
Is this the modern, "I'm alright Jack!" What about this for a soundbite. "Get the deal signed," to be chanted outside Tory Central Office and other places if aaccessible. A simple 4 word slogan that should resonate with even the thick-headed skulls of the most extreme of Brexiteers.
Are those living inside the zone exempt from the charge? I seem to recall that they had to pay a percentage, and if that is the case, extending the boundaries would suck a lot more people into having to pay a charge for just living there. It could also impact on elderly/infirm people receiving regular visits from family/bubble members if they come from outside the zone, especially if they are on low incomes. I am hoping that Johnson gets dragged back to the house to clarify the comments he has made about Khan having bankrupted the TFL, when I have seen figures of the TFL having a deficit greater than £1 billion, at the end of Johnson’s tenure as mayor, whilst Khan has actually reduced said deficit to £200 million.
I believe residents do get a discount on the congestion zone. To be honest, extension of the zone is something I’m broadly in favour of, even if it negatively affects me; I was going to have to change my car anyway next October when the Ultra Low Emission Zone extends out. I can’t argue against the environmental benefits of reducing car ownership and car journeys. But a policy forcing private cars out of the capital, absolutely must go hand in hand with continued investment in a first class public transport network. Boris was a dreadful Mayor of London. His dual legacy is doubling the fares, and acres and acres of empty apartment blocks sold to overseas investors - in a city with an urgent housing crisis. That and £40million spent on consulting fees for his bridge to nowhere.
Just seen this video with Sadiq Khan, in which he says the increase of the zone would affect 4 million people, he accuses Jenrick of being “misinformed or lying” and states that Johnson “was lying”. No messing about.
More bollocks from Boris, buses and bikes the cable car, it's a long list of lies, deceit and misleading quotes and gaffes.