Cable Forum - Starmer’s chronicles

We're weakened as a country due to all three:
- Politicians because they make promises they know they can't keep and can't do the basics competently
- Brexit because it reduces our productivity and GDP thereby puts more of a squeeze on the public finances v tax dilemma. And reduces our global influence.
- Public in wanting Nordic-level social benefits and Dubai-level taxes and falling for grifters who say this can easily be achieved.

If you can't accept that, then I suspect there's an element of deniability going on. But I certainly wouldn't call it head in the sand.

The public want a government that creates growth through job opportunities, etc so that we can affordably have the social benefits. Lower taxes follow greater national wealth.

There's nothing wrng in that sense with the public that you have denigrated.

1andrew1

13-02-2026 09:43

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36210439)

The public want a government that creates growth through job opportunities, etc so that we can affordably have the social benefits. Lower taxes follow greater national wealth.

No one's going to disagree with that. But at a time of low growth, you can't have Nordic-level benefits and Dubai-level taxes.

Sephiroth

13-02-2026 09:53

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36210440)

No one's going to disagree with that. But at a time of low growth, you can't have Nordic-level benefits and Dubai-level taxes.

The public knows it can't have the extremes that you listed. That's why the public is desperate for a government that can steer matters optimally as I have described. Your superlatives are just insulting the poor voters who have been let down by the politicians.

Hugh	13-02-2026 09:55

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

The highest-earning employees are aged between 40 and 54 years, and are concentrated in managerial and professional occupations, and in information and communication and finance and insurance service industries.

These are the jobs that AI are intended to replace - if you read the news, most of the Wealth Management companies share prices have dropped, as a US company has brought out a AI Wealth Management system.

So, I ask, in all seriousness, what job opportunities will U.K. businesses create to enable growth?

Sephiroth

13-02-2026 10:04

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36210443)

What job opportunities?

Most manufacturing jobs have been off-shored, big businesses are trying to implement AI to reduce headcount/costs, and automation reduces the need for employees.

At the moment, according to the ONS

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentand...highpayuk/2025

These are the jobs that AI are intended to replace - if you read the news, most of the Wealth Management companies share prices have dropped, as a US company has brought out a AI Wealth Management system.

So, I ask, in all seriousness, what job opportunities will U.K. businesses create to enable growth?

I hope that you're not asking me for an answer. I'm consistently saying that the public want a government that will grow the economy so that these job opportunities then abound.

Hugh	13-02-2026 10:06

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36210447)

I hope that you're not asking me for an answer. I'm consistently saying that the public want a government that will grow the economy so that these job opportunities then abound.

How would the Government (of whatever ilk) "grow the economy"?

Sephiroth

13-02-2026 10:12

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36210448)

How would the Government (of whatever ilk) "grow the economy"?

Why ask me? Don't you agree we need a government capable of growing the economy through its policies?

1andrew1

13-02-2026 10:27

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36210448)

How would the Government (of whatever ilk) "grow the economy"?

Maybe by removing friction with its largest market? ;)

---------- Post added at 11:27 ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36210451)

Why ask me? Don't you agree we need a government capable of growing the economy through its policies?

I think your brain knows the answer but your heart prevents your saying it. ;)

Sephiroth

13-02-2026 10:32

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 36210453)

Maybe by removing friction with its largest market? ;)

---------- Post added at 11:27 ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 ----------

I think your brain knows the answer but your heart prevents your saying it. ;)

What % GDP increase would arise from "removing friction"?

Carth

13-02-2026 10:33

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Brexit really hammered your performance bonus didn't it Andrew. :D

Hugh	13-02-2026 10:40

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36210451)

Why ask me? Don't you agree we need a government capable of growing the economy through its policies?

Yes, but we need industries that want to invest in the country and their employees, not just the bottom profit line, and they appear to be rare.

---------- Post added at 11:40 ---------- Previous post was at 11:38 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36210455)

What % GDP increase would arise from "removing friction"?

Well, preferably one that didn't reduce

Quote:

UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. We estimate that investment was reduced by between 12% and 18%, employment by 3% to 4% and productivity by 3% to 4%.

https://www.nber.org/papers/w34459

Sephiroth

13-02-2026 10:47

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Yep - all points to crap governments. Re-joining the EU with all the baggage that carries, particularly rule-taking for burdensome regulation, particularly having to feed French farming policy, particularly having to deal with the perfidious Irish, particularly what we'll have to pay in cash is not attractive

Hugh	13-02-2026 10:49

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sephiroth (Post 36210459)

or....

If you put lipstick on a pig, no government can make it any more attractive than it being a pig with lipstick...

Carth

13-02-2026 11:17

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 36210461)

or....

If you put lipstick on a pig, no government can make it any more attractive than it being a pig with lipstick...

Fair description of the EU, I like it :D

Paul	13-02-2026 16:00

Re: Starmer’s chronicles

More bad news for the government in general.

The ban on Palestine Action has been ruled as unlawful.

Quote:

In a massive blow to the government, three senior judges said that, while Palestine Action uses criminality to promote its aims, its activities had not crossed the very high bar to make it a terrorist organisation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3wleezq73no

All times are GMT. The time now is 05:44.

Page 172 of 182

172