Let's Get Political!

[horlock07]

I would imagine the government bailing out of Flybe could be a can of worms if only we had some real journalists in this country these days....

[pauld]

That's as maybe... but historically it was a case of a constitution run by gentleman's agreement, with a vague assumption the head of state could in certain circumstances act for the benefit of their subjects.  Recent events have binned this orf.

It was never a constitution, just a pretence of one. I wasn't being wholly serious about the Breakfast time TV review, although it's as much of a review as it is a constitution so it amounts to the same thing. Irrespective, assuming your core point is that the current pretence of a "constitution" clearly isn't fit for purpose, I think that's undeniable, the farcical events of the past 6 months, never mind the past 4 years demonstrate that beyond debate, whichever side of the political spectrum you are on. As with all these things, though, be careful what you wish for - a Johnson/Cummings review of the constitution might not come up with answers that look very much like a democracy

[horlock07]

That's as maybe... but historically it was a case of a constitution run by gentleman's agreement, with a vague assumption the head of state could in certain circumstances act for the benefit of their subjects.  Recent events have binned this orf.

We have a government with a massive majority and a clean sheet of paper to do whatever they want.

There is more chance of Swindon winning the Champions league than there being any review or change to the constitution. On top of this the Tories are likely to set all manner of precedents for executive power which when they do get voted out will land in the lap of their successors, who then will be equally not prepared to do anything.

[pauld]

Meanwhile, Bloomberg Economics have calculated that Brexit has already cost us more than 47 years' worth of our contributions to the EU budget. And that's before Johnson makes a horse's arse of pretending he has "Got It Done"

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-10/-170-billion-and-counting-the-cost-of-brexit-for-the-u-k

Doubt we'll be seeing those figures on the side of a bus

[GosportNob]

Was it an "elected dictatorship" during the Blair/Brown era when the centre ground pre Marxist labour party had a massive majority in parliament?
Selective critism always amazes me.

[Batch]

Firstly you’ll need to ask the government the question re. The Russians. Though is suspect you won’t be happy with the result either way so I don’t know why it vexes you so much. Secondly I welcome the target initiative in so much as each PCT has its own resources which are different from the others. If they do go down that road only time will tell whether it works or not. You clearly have issues either way with what is currently happening. Thirdly who ar you throwing you weight behind in the labour leadership race?

A varuiable service NHS by design. Sounds the opposite of looking after the NHS to me. Its letting them get on with it.

Targets shouldn't be increased so they are met. Which there would surely be a temptation to do.

[Batch]

Meanwhile, Bloomberg Economics have calculated that Brexit has already cost us more than 47 years' worth of our contributions to the EU budget. And that's before Johnson makes a horse's arse of pretending he has "Got It Done"

Yeah, but immugrunts and take back control and blue passports and stuff.

[pauld]

Yeah, but immugrunts and take back control and blue passports and stuff.

And Big Ben. Don't forget the Bell. The Bellends love a Bell.

[horlock07]

Meanwhile, Bloomberg Economics have calculated that Brexit has already cost us more than 47 years' worth of our contributions to the EU budget. And that's before Johnson makes a horse's arse of pretending he has "Got It Done"

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-10/-170-billion-and-counting-the-cost-of-brexit-for-the-u-k

Doubt we'll be seeing those figures on the side of a bus

Would have to be a double decker....

[Legends-Lounge]

I would imagine the government bailing out of Flybe could be a can of worms if only we had some real journalists in this country these days....

Are there not ‘rules’ that the beloved EU have in place regarding state aid for businesses? The government has to abide by these rules until we leave. I’d imagine a lot of screaming if the government left them to flounder and now a lot of screaming that they have helped. Bloody hell who’d have thought those nasty conservatives helping save working class jobs. Whatever next?

[Reg Smeeton]

Was it an "elected dictatorship" during the Blair/Brown era when the centre ground pre Marxist labour party had a massive majority in parliament?
Selective critism always amazes me.

To an extent yes.... although the key aspect of the Iraq war was put to the House, in a vote, which under custom wasn't required as PM can just use Royal Progative in matters of war.

However Blair put it to the House with the caveat he would resign if it wasn't carried. 25% of Labour MP's voted against as did all LibDems and other fringe parties and 2 Tories.  The other Tories voted for war, eschewing the opportunity to oust Blair, so in that sense democracy was served by the gentleman's agreement constitution.

I'm sure as a grammar schoolboy you must have done A Level British Constitution.... nice and easy, and Universities liked it... here are some of the papers and many of the questions are even more relevant 50 years later.

http://www.mel-lambert.com/Ruskin/Images/JRGS11J_NG_Images.htm

[Legends-Lounge]

Was it an "elected dictatorship" during the Blair/Brown era when the centre ground pre Marxist labour party had a massive majority in parliament?
Selective critism always amazes me.

Gets himself in Greta Thunberg character. How dare you, how dare you challenge the socialist untouchables 🤣🤣

[horlock07]

Are there not ‘rules’ that the beloved EU have in place regarding state aid for businesses? The government has to abide by these rules until we leave. I’d imagine a lot of screaming if the government left them to flounder and now a lot of screaming that they have helped. Bloody hell who’d have thought those nasty conservatives helping save working class jobs. Whatever next?

Nowt to do with State aid (although there is a similar case in Ireland which fell on its arse in the courts for this very reason so possibly all smoke and mirrors at this stage anyway), more to do with who potentially actually owns it along with donations they make to a certain political party....

[Legends-Lounge]

Nowt to do with State aid (although there is a similar case in Ireland which fell on its arse in the courts for this very reason so possibly all smoke and mirrors at this stage anyway), more to do with who potentially actually owns it along with donations they make to a certain political party....

FFS, really.

[pauld]

We have a government with a massive majority and a clean sheet of paper to do whatever they want.

There is more chance of Swindon winning the Champions league than there being any review or change to the constitution.

Actually, constitutional reform was in the manifesto, a vague passing reference but then everything was vague in the Tory manifesto. The bit in the manifesto hinted at there being increased power for the executive to override/ignore parliament and the courts, following the courts pointing out that Johnson had lied to the monarch during the proroguing fiasco. So I think it's extremely likely, and highly likely to further erode democracy. As I say, be careful what you wish for