Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Not sure where you're getting those figures as you don't give a link but this chart presents the information far better.

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...9&d=1752151204
https://www.ukpublicspending.co.uk/u...ficit_analysis

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

That's what I thought of still not following, this is not dig just being stupid, :erm:

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Starmer seals migrant returns deal with France, they let an average of 820 people per week cross the channel and we get to send back 50 per week

https://news.sky.com/story/politics-...-king-12593360

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

From here. Official Government source.


Even with your figures, my point still stands, about if it was solely down to the crash, then it would've plummeted all by itself. It didn't. If the post-2010 figures were high because of the crash, then were was the austerity?
The Local Housing Allowance rules of 2007, heavily increased the housing benefit bill. Landlords suddenly knew how much rent they could charge housing benefit claimants.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Somehow you missed this bit showing that Brexit made controlling migration harder. Guilty conscience?
https://news.sky.com/story/politics-...-king-12593360

---------- Post added at 23:14 ---------- Previous post was at 23:03 ----------

Simpliified:

Economy tanks. Therefore less tax revenue and more benefits to pay out to those not working.

That doesn't mean that the government does not cut spending elsewhere eg defence, councils, infrastructure, etc.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Unite votes to 're-examine relationship with Labour' - and suspend Rayner's membership


Sharon Graham, the boss of Unite, said in a statement: "Unite is crystal clear it will call out bad employers regardless of the colour of their rosette.

"Angela Rayner has had every opportunity to intervene and resolve this dispute, but has instead backed a rogue council that has peddled lies and smeared its workers fighting huge pay cuts."

Graham continued: "The disgraceful actions of the government and a so-called Labour council, is essentially fire and rehire and makes a joke of the Employment Relations Act promises.

"People up and down the country are asking whose side is the Labour government on and coming up with the answer not workers."

https://news.sky.com/story/politics-...-king-12593360

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Yes that is another 'inconvenient truth' for Brexit voters.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

No, I blame the source of the problem on the financial crash, which was nothing to do with Labour.

But it was well reported at the time that Labour failed to bolster our reserves during the ‘golden years’ and spent far too much. Had they managed the economy properly, we could have better withstood the crisis.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Remind me, when was Brexit? :zzz:

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Back in the days when we were told a vote for Brexit was a vote for Britain’s steel industry.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

So, well before your incitement below?

Keep an eye out for Plod, Russ :erm:.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I wouldn’t say “well before”. I’d have said the same kind of thing during his first term.

And “incitement”? Ohhhh the drama!

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Haha, bottler! :D

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Well this bottler hasn’t changed his mind :erm:

999 is the number I think you’re looking for.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Ohhhh the drama Russky!

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I can barely contain myself!

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Dick swinging rarely translates onto message boards.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Looks like NewsThump will be joining me in the “incitement” cell eh???

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Terrorists. And bullies. That takes some doing.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Politics latest: Starmer suspends Labour MPs for 'repeated breaches of party discipline'

all is not well in paradise

https://news.sky.com/story/politics-...-king-12593360

apparently it's over " persistent knob headery" it's the Labour party what did he expect

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

How to score another own goal!!!!

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Do you want to share a cell with NewtsHump Russky?:naughty:

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

If they look like Margot Robbie I wouldn’t mind

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

And over time the deficit would dramatically reduced as the economy recovered, without "austerity" being required. It took 8 years before it was brought down to pre-crash
levels. Labour still added over 250bn to the debt BEFORE the crash when the economy was supposedly doing well.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Not sure what you mean - that there wasn't austerity?

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

At last Russky, something we agree on :handshake

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

The accusation was made that the deficit was solely the result of the crash. If that was the case then as the economy recovered, the deficit would've quickly dropped without austerity being involved. It didn't, even with austerity, therefore a sizeable chunk of the deficit was purely down to Labour overspending.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

The economy didn't quickly recover and has never enjoyed the same level of growth post the Global Financial Crisis. That's been at the heart of the British problem ever since: low growth and low productivity.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Politics latest: Diane Abbott suspended from the Labour Party
Diane Abbott is under investigation by Labour for comments she made about racism. She is the fifth MP to be suspended by the party this week.

https://news.sky.com/story/politics-...-king-12593360


hello excrement meet Mr fan

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Seems like a normal week these days.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I'm still awaiting for her wig to blow off.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

The polite term is syrup ;)

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Do you really think she is that bright ? I dont.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Abbott’s on the loony left, but she is consistently on the loony left and she never says or does anything that’s absolutely consistent with that. Nobody should be surprised at her saying this sort of stuff.

The Labour leadership suddenly getting so intolerant of its long-term, long-tolerated loony fringe is, however, surprising.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

It's not what she originally said.

https://www.theguardian.com/theobser...or-men-letters

She didn't say they experienced racism differently. She said they don't face racism but instead face prejudice. Compared it to having red hair and said they haven't faced the kind of structural racism that existed in South Africa and pre-civil rights America, as if there isn't a big example of that being untrue in recent history.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

That's what undermines her stance.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

What a state Starmer was today, Trump just blasting holes in all Labour’s policies, Net Zero, Inheritance tax, immigration, tax , censorship…everything. And he just sat there and took it, not even able to defend his own convictions.

Pathetic, oh he tried to stand up for Khan, but that looked weak too.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

This Conservative commentator thinks differently.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...has-won-trump/

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Deftly handled, Trump drowned out by bag pipes and Starmer making all the running. Words I never thought I would say but can't argue with the facts.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Got to have a good relationship with the US President, however horrible they are unfortunately. Better that than getting hit with his wrath on tariffs. Starmer being uncomfortable isn't the worse thing compared to that.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Starmer's handling of Trump is a rare area of success for him. It's closer to home where he needs to improve.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Yes of course, that’s why all of Labour’s socials are espousing what such a success the press conference was for him.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Good to know you're glued to 'Labour’s socials' :D

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Yes, the two of them are as thick as thieves.

And she’s as thick as two short planks. Don’t go for Shadow Chancellor, Di, baby!

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Well, I like to stay abreast of things.

One thing that stands out though,Mids that attack Farage, all the time. But they’re not interested in the Tories one but atm.

Shows you where they think the threat is coming from.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Also, who they want the threat to be from. They think they have a better chance if Reform and Farage are the threat rather than the Tories, who are more moderate. They want their base scared of Farage so they hold their noises and back Labour, and they want moderate Tories to do the same.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Where are they building houses for asylum seekers (or, in your term, illegal immigrants)?

"different culture" - Catholics?

btw, there are 38 Catholic MPs (9.5%) and 18 Muslim MPs out of 398 Labour MPs (4.5%) - I know who I would be concerned about… ;)

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

More than 25,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel so far in 2025

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74wkzpz717o

Good to see that "stopping the Boats" is working well :rolleyes:

The good news however, is that we have enough housing, schools, hospital beds, dentists, doctors, and immigration officials to accommodate them, so that nice Mr Starmer and his associates can get on with dealing with the important things . . .

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I think the coffee you smell is civet-based…

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Trump is about to hammer India over its buying oil etc from Russia . Sir keir Starmer . Jumps up and down about a trade deal . Good to know they are on the same page.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Awww Trump didn't do it soon enough. Cowards might upset somebody :upyours:

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Your hyperbolic hypothesis exists solely in your imagination, fuelled by Great Replacement Theory paranoia…

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Homelessness minister Rushanara Ali resigns after 'ejecting tenants and hiking rent'


https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politi...a-ali-35694308

Socialists eh :rolleyes:

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Good

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I'd never call them socialists. But that doesn't mean that this is not a shambles. Surely someone including the Minister herself could see the danger of being both a landlord and homeless minister? :dunce:

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

The Labour Party ……defined. The embodiment of slight of hand politics.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

No different to the tories really just chasing a different cohort for their vote. Both lining there pockets.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

At least 474 people arrested at London protest for supporting banned group Palestine Action in Starmers latest crackdown


https://www.itv.com/news/london/2025...ion-terror-ban


will all these people end up in the courts ? if so the system will probably be jammed up

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I just hope any of them don't eventually get a custodial sentence, otherwise we will be giving more thieves, vagabonds and ne'er-do-wells early release.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

but but but surely people who write stuff on bits of cardboard are the real criminals

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Quite obviously so Papa. Back when we were young and carefree it was just laughed off as people being silly and attention seeking (or bored).

Nowadays we have to think of the harm to the children, we already have too many traumatized for life after seeing naughty things on TV and written in chat rooms.
I praise the Lord that they at least will not have to endure the horrible stuff we we were exposed to . . . Monty Python, Benny Hill, Kenny Everett, Fawlty Towers, Bernard Manning, It Aint Half Hot Mum . . gosh I'm sweating just thinking about it.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I think this should prove popular on the Forum.
https://www.ft.com/content/be182981-...b-7bf09da9134f

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

First, £54K to provide a prisoner with bed and 3 meals, so why is my pension only £12,500 :shrug:

Second, why hasn't building new prisons been on the agenda? overcrowding isn't a new issue

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Firstly, your costs are lower as hopefully we don't need security guards to keep an eye on you! :D Secondly, your pension is largely determined by how much you chose to put into it, we're not a Communist country in which we expect the State to provide all of our retirement money for us.

The previous government didn't want to spend much more money on them but it's been on the agenda. The lower emphasis was probably because it was not a vote-winner. The current government is keener but they don't happen overnight. Maybe the media you follow doesn't cover this sufficiently?
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/t...p-streets-safe

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c204q2dw052o

https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/c...is-16-05-2025/

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Because your country doesn't want you

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

By 2031 . . pretty sure you can add at least 5 years to that.

£4.7bn spend . . pretty sure you can double that

oh, and I'm damn positive I'd never have afforded pension contributions equivalent to £54k a year payment - and pay no tax on it :D


Many a true word spoken in jest, they're certainly placing hurdles in the way :D

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

And what if said punishment fail. Will prisons be the answer again :rolleyes: How many people do you want locking up until you realise you're the problem :upyours:

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I'd imagine (I seem to be doing a lot of that, must lay off the Brandy), that punishments outside of prison would fall into the category of 'litter picking' or 'Graffiti cleansing', maybe even compulsory attendance 4 nights a week at a workshop making wicker baskets or something.

Whatever it is, they'll probably need supervision and health & safety checks . . . which may, or may not, amount to £54k a year per naughty person.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Oh no it will most likely be exhausted 54k worker inundated with naughty people so some have slipped through the cracks. Cracks which include anything from basic standards to qualified workers acumen. Of course this will be another neverending learning curve for the government and parliament will applaud the progression of a snail only for some French to bloody eat the thing.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Sure not the great man has a master plan . It's bringing everyone that wants to come here in. Making sure anyone of any use is gone. That way the stupid ones left will vote of him . That is working well so far.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Most politicians (all parties) are cacking in their pants, they can see the issues already making the news, and can probably see the future issues bubbling away beneath the surface.

They are probably also aware that if they speak out or suggest any 'hardline' responses they'll be castigated by the media, the human rights lot, and quite possibly all their mates n chums in big business.

Look how many U turns have been done already, just ducking & diving, trying to keep everyone happy all the time, stumbling along ahead of the next big failure that will bring the house of cards crashing down around their ears.

R.I.P. UK :tiptoe:

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Not really bothered, they’ll be straight back in the UK the next week on a small boat.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

To be fair they only have to get halfway across the channel then it's water Taxi to the lap of luxury

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

A pretty obvious solution really, which should have been in place years ago, so it’s good to see Starmer’s government doing that, but for some reason he still isn’t serious about tackling illegal immigration.

The steps he has taken so far are doing, and will do nothing to stem the tide of this unwanted invasion. Perhaps there will come a point at which even Starmer will have to act. But perhaps not…..

---------- Post added at 09:55 ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 ----------

Which is why our main political parties are failing to satisfy the voters, who want to see effective action.

Only one party now stands for what is being demanded by the electorate, regardless of what the liberal and leftist media think and blurt out.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I know it's not the 'correct or moral' thing to do, but that's what I sometimes think when those adverts for the RNLI appear on TV . . . "just £3 a month can help save lives at sea"

If the UK (and French) Governments are so keen to prevent those poor boat people from losing their lives making the dangerous journey, why don't they throw £millions more at the services to bring them back to shore . . . both shores.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

It's at the stage where (who ever is in power) hard decisions are necessary, but the people kick off when they try to implement them.

An example (to me) is America. Cheap foreign imports killing business, cheap foreign labour killing wages. Trump slaps tariffs on imports and gets tough on immigration . . . riots, protests, blah blah.

The guy is trying to pull you out of the rut you're in :rolleyes:

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

You do realise that Americans pay the tariffs, don't you?

And it was American businesses who exported all their manufacturing overseas to reduce costs and increaase profits.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

They will, but you have to understand that they don’t have access to the same financial information as the government have, which is what Kemi Badenoch has also made clear. Reform have to take information that is out there already, such as the OBR reports and the government’s own figures.

By putting out figures now, they get a reaction from government and other sources which enable them to fine tune costs and savings.

In the end, even though some of their costings may be out, it doesn’t matter. The government had costed HS2, and look how way out that was!

There are far more savings to be had from existing government waste than many people realise. So I don’t think one or two inaccuracies are going to be particularly significant.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

If you mean Americans pay the tariffs because prices go up to cover costs, then probably so. But this eventually means cheap imports aren't cheap any more and they may as well go back to buying 'home made'

Possibly those American businesses will return to manufacturing in the USA when profits in their overseas factories drop significantly?

I remember all the "Buy British" campaigns, people ignored it and look where we are now :D

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Only if they don’t buy American goods, which is the point…

Manufacturers will base their operations wherever it is most economical to do so, where practical. If Trump manages to make it more economical to manufacture within the US, that’s where they will go.

This is the kind of thinking that left-leaners just don’t get.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Or don’t, in so far as they don’t buy the product as it’s too expensive, and choose a cheaper home manufactured item, which is the whole point of the tariffs.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Not if they aren’t manufacturing those items in the USA anymore, and it can take years to set up a manufacturing site for complex equipment, and then train people how to use all that manufacturing equipment (as the skill sets don’t exist anymore, as it was outsourced abroad).

There’s also the aspect of home manufacturers raising prices, because they can now the competitors abroad cost more…

https://apnews.com/article/trump-tar...d5ca26a84108b#

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

All the more reason to do it, bring manufacturing back to the country, train your workforce and provide jobs.


We should do it.

200% tariffs on Dyson products now!

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Agreed, but then everyone has to get used to paying more, as our production and salary costs are higher than China, Philippines, Vietnam, India, etc., and pretty sure we don’t have economies of scale and the natural resources that the USA have to accomplish this (or the economic heft to unilaterally impose tariffs on other major economies).

But in the meantime, American consumers are paying more…

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

they already cost twice as much as similar products

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

or they dont buy it at all.

It also means the Americans could raise their prices to be close to the tariff product.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

I think tariffs only work if they're targeted to key sectors or national interests rather than applied indiscriminately. If you apply it to everything, it just pushes prices up and protects your companies from having to compete, thus undermining them globally.

Where it does make sense is if you want to protect domestic industries, either because they're vital or because they're being undercut unfairly. Putting tariffs on steel coming into the UK to help protect British steel manufacturing because it's a matter of national security to be able to produce it domestically, and they can't compete with cheap Chinese steel.

But it makes no sense to put a tariff on incoming cars to protect British car companies. Make better cars.

Re: Starmer’s chronicles
 

Starmer's broken Britain sees migrant arrive every 11 minutes as Channel crossings soar


More than 50,000 people have entered the country via small boat crossings since Labour's election victory.

it's reported 200 migrants are in the channel at this time
Starmer's broken Britain sees migrant arrive every 11 minutes as Channel crossings soar

More than 50,000 people have crossed the English Channel on small boats since Labour’s election victory. The figures bring an unwanted record for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, surpassing the milestone after just 401 days.

Smashing the gangs isn't working :rolleyes:

https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...es-uk-every-11

Re: Starmer’s chronicles