Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

Sorry about that. The invitation was made to continue conversation there but sadly not taken. The poster was too busy suggesting the European Union are Nazis to take the time to respond to my question.

---------- Post added at 14:29 ---------- Previous post was at 14:26 ----------

No they don't. If we can fix our productivity issues we will generate the tax revenues we require to properly fund our public services without borrowing more.

We've done nothing to address them, unfortunately, we've managed to create an economy where many are employed but many of them aren't very productive.

Time, perhaps, to take a different approach involving investment in education, infrastructure and trying to light a torch under our private sector. Public investment has been too low for too long and private investment has started tanking too.

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

I want to cut through endless debate on this topic, so I will explain the rationale (as I understand it) underpinning this and future debates.

The world's problems stem from overpopulation. Simply put, the less of us on this planet, the better it is for those who remain (within reason). Overpopulation impacts our lives through immigration and resource shortages. An economy is built on energy and sustained by it. The richest economies in the world have a relatively low population and access to a surplus of energy resources, in the form of petroleum, coal, uranium and natural gas.
Almost all western countries are net importer of oil. Peak oil production, globally has already taken place and countries who adhere to the basic tenets (as outlined) are electrifying their transportation system.
The UK has already begun with infrastructure projects such as crossrail and HS2. Hinkley point C and Bradwell nuclear power stations are meant to replace some of our existing nuclear fleet. Although more will have to be built if the country is to transition away from fossil fuels and power the new infrastructure.

In addition to this there's wind farm projects like the London array, Walney Extension, Greater Gabbard among others.
It would be remiss of me, if I wasn't to admit to the short comings of renewable energy, especially energy density and transmission loses. But I will say it's currently our only, realistic, hope of maintaining our standard of living beyond this century.

In regards to productivity, we can't compete with wages from China and India. That's the long and short of it.

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

Low population is a function of economic success and the longer-lived, healthier population that comes with it. The pressure to reproduce in sufficient numbers to ensure the survival of the next generation is removed. Population isn’t the problem, it is a symptom of the problem that there are massive swathes of the world that are playing catch-up with the West.

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

The Tories have been ordered to abstain on the vote about Universal Credit (it's non-brinding) so Labour have ensured the vote goes ahead rather than being noded though by putting forward two of their own MPs as No: https://twitter.com/elashton/status/920711929274011652

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

As no tellers. There's a difference and will not the vote being passed.

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

I don't know what you mean for the last part.

Yeah they'll be no tellers but my understanding is that it forces a vote with numbers, and the chance for Tory rebellions (they got 1), rather than just passing it without a vote.

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

Should've read "will not stop the vote being passed". It may force a vote but won't change the outcome.

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

Oh yeah. Precisely. They just wanted the vote.

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

To draw attention to the PM declining to pause the roll-out and Labour advocating it is paused?

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

You really think the roll out is going to be paused????

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

Um no, what makes you think that?

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

Clive Lewis showing his true colours again:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41697615

Nice eh?

This is the guy who accused anyone who supports migration controls of being racist.

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

I don't think it's a big deal in the full context. He was saying it to a man who was asked to kneel down by the person running the event due to some camera issue. The women on the stage and the man know Clive Lewis and all seem to be defending him. It seems like a joke between friends which was inadvisable in a recorded event.

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

Well they would be defending him lol. He wasn't speaking at a Tory meeting after all lol

Lewis has form for being obnoxious just like so many of his loony lefty chums who love branding other people nasty but:

http://www.express.co.uk/news/politi...ing-Labour-Row

Of course if it was a Tory toff calling someone a pleb then we could all call for his sacking...

Re: Government & Post Election Discussion
 

But that’s the point isn’t it? He was talking to a guy he knows and the others knew. He wasn’t saying it to a random woman.

Well it would depend on the context. If he said it to a friend in jest it’s very different to a stranger with malice.