Tory shambles

[Limpin' Jez McKenzie]

Suggestions abound that NHS workers could be banned from striking. Presumably they should be satisfied with a clap on Thursday nights.

Get ready to join the barricades.

Furthermore, I consider that we need a general election.

The question I always ask with the 'banned from striking' thing is... how is it enforced? If everyone goes out, they can't sack everyone, can they? They're not in a position where they can sack anyone, let alone everyone.

It's all empty threats. Or, if not, it is impotent and will fail spectacularly.

Broadly I agree with you with one caveat.

Your point (they can't sack everyone) is right only if you want the NHS (or any other provision for the public, like trains or gas and electricity) to exist. But these are the Tories we are talking about.
They don't really mind destroying everything, as they and their mates will be alright. Trains? I'll drive, or fly. Gas? I use elecicity, andI have my own oil powered generator. NHS? I go private.
If doctors and nurses don't want to work for the NHS (which is how they see it) because the pay is too low, so what? Yes, sack them all. Those same doctors and nurses can get jobs at BUPA or some other private provider. The only people who will suffer are those who don't have private healthcare through their work and who can't afford it otherwise. The majority of workers in the private sector do get private health insurance, so how big is this electoral liability? They only need about 40% of the total vote, probably less. And even if they lose, so what? Labour would not be able to rebuild a shattered NHS (they will be hard pressed to do it even now) unless they are in power for 40 years, and that is highly unlikely - the forces of conservatism are very strong in the UK

They really don't give a shit - look at this stuff today about withdrawing from the ECHR so you can treat asylum seekers badly.

[Samoan]

FYI - BUPA and it's ugly ilk will not treat any existing health conditions if a person went to sign up now.

[Deebank]

Suggestions abound that NHS workers could be banned from striking. Presumably they should be satisfied with a clap on Thursday nights.

Get ready to join the barricades.

Furthermore, I consider that we need a general election.

The question I always ask with the 'banned from striking' thing is... how is it enforced? If everyone goes out, they can't sack everyone, can they? They're not in a position where they can sack anyone, let alone everyone.

It's all empty threats. Or, if not, it is impotent and will fail spectacularly.

Broadly I agree with you with one caveat.

Your point (they can't sack everyone) is right only if you want the NHS (or any other provision for the public, like trains or gas and electricity) to exist. But these are the Tories we are talking about.
They don't really mind destroying everything, as they and their mates will be alright. Trains? I'll drive, or fly. Gas? I use elecicity, andI have my own oil powered generator. NHS? I go private.
If doctors and nurses don't want to work for the NHS (which is how they see it) because the pay is too low, so what? Yes, sack them all. Those same doctors and nurses can get jobs at BUPA or some other private provider. The only people who will suffer are those who don't have private healthcare through their work and who can't afford it otherwise. The majority of workers in the private sector do get private health insurance, so how big is this electoral liability? They only need about 40% of the total vote, probably less. And even if they lose, so what? Labour would not be able to rebuild a shattered NHS (they will be hard pressed to do it even now) unless they are in power for 40 years, and that is highly unlikely - the forces of conservatism are very strong in the UK

They really don't give a shit - look at this stuff today about withdrawing from the ECHR so you can treat asylum seekers badly.

It brings to mind the argument I used to have with a mate back in the days of the coalition. I argued that the tories were massively incompetent but he reckoned that every fuck-up was all part of their deliberate plan to fuck the welfare state.

He was closer to the truth than I was I think.

[Deebank]

FYI - BUPA and it's ugly ilk will not treat any existing health conditions if a person went to sign up now.

This is true. I am a type 1 diabetic, nothing gets rid of cold-callers selling health insurance faster than mentioning this fact

A couple of things to add though. Most of the NHS workers I know also do shifts in the private sector to make ends meet (or for the moola in the case of doctors/consultants) and the NHS is increasingly outsourcing to those companies. My regular eye screening is now done by a private subcon.

[Limpin' Jez McKenzie]

FYI - BUPA and it's ugly ilk will not treat any existing health conditions if a person went to sign up now.

No indeed.

[Limpin' Jez McKenzie]

The question I always ask with the 'banned from striking' thing is... how is it enforced? If everyone goes out, they can't sack everyone, can they? They're not in a position where they can sack anyone, let alone everyone.

It's all empty threats. Or, if not, it is impotent and will fail spectacularly.

Broadly I agree with you with one caveat.

Your point (they can't sack everyone) is right only if you want the NHS (or any other provision for the public, like trains or gas and electricity) to exist. But these are the Tories we are talking about.
They don't really mind destroying everything, as they and their mates will be alright. Trains? I'll drive, or fly. Gas? I use elecicity, andI have my own oil powered generator. NHS? I go private.
If doctors and nurses don't want to work for the NHS (which is how they see it) because the pay is too low, so what? Yes, sack them all. Those same doctors and nurses can get jobs at BUPA or some other private provider. The only people who will suffer are those who don't have private healthcare through their work and who can't afford it otherwise. The majority of workers in the private sector do get private health insurance, so how big is this electoral liability? They only need about 40% of the total vote, probably less. And even if they lose, so what? Labour would not be able to rebuild a shattered NHS (they will be hard pressed to do it even now) unless they are in power for 40 years, and that is highly unlikely - the forces of conservatism are very strong in the UK

They really don't give a shit - look at this stuff today about withdrawing from the ECHR so you can treat asylum seekers badly.

It brings to mind the argument I used to have with a mate back in the days of the coalition. I argued that the tories were massively incompetent but he reckoned that every fuck-up was all part of their deliberate plan to fuck the welfare state.

He was closer to the truth than I was I think.

Maybe. Even if not actually deliberate, they don't give a fuck. Did you see there was some report released a couple of days ago (commissioned by the Dept of Health a few years ago) which blames the NHS's current difficulties mainly upon 10 years of neglect by these gits?

[Limpin' Jez McKenzie]

They really don't give a shit - look at this stuff today about withdrawing from the ECHR so you can treat asylum seekers badly.

I see this is seriously being pushed by the Tories. Yet more staggering logic.


Meanwhile the govt are about to announce a new version of British Rail in a stunning indictment of the failure of privatisation of infrastructure.

[The Prof]

The worst Prime Minister since the last one blames the "left-wing" economic establishment

[Deebank]

The worst Prime Minister since the last one blames the "left-wing" economic establishment

Bank of Dave presumably?

[Limpin' Jez McKenzie]

So here it is. The prime minister cannot negotiate a deal with the EU because the extreme Brexiteers in his party want to pass a bill “allowing” the govt. to break its own treaties.
In the interests of the country Sunak should tell them he will call an election. This would also demonstrate real leadership, not craven cowering.

[ChrisB]

You are what you eat

Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has suggested turnips could be a suitable alternative while other vegetables remain in short supply.
Ms Coffey has also come under fire after appearing to suggest people struggling to afford food could work more hours or improve their skills to get a higher income.

[robertff]

You are what you eat.

Aren’t you just!



.

[ChrisB]

Social Care worker drive to be halved, as present vacancies can't be filled Anything to do with Brexit?

[Limpin' Jez McKenzie]

Johnson resigns as MP with immediate effect
.
There's still a lot of bluster, but it is pissing into the wind.
He has no sense of his own inadequacy.
"When I left [as PM] we were a handful of points behind. That gap has widened"
Yes because more and more of your crap has been exposed, alongside lots of other crap from people you supported and promoted.
Meanwhile he trots out the "got Brexit done/vaccine rollout/ supported Ukraine" mantra discussed here previously.

And something has happened with Mad Nad- she has also resigned with immediate effect, while "coincidentally" not being named in Johnson's outrageous honours list.

We need a general election.

[Limpin' Jez McKenzie]

Now Dorries is saying she won't step down as MP until someone explains to her why she didn't get a peerage!

I could tell, you , Nad....

We need a general election. This administration is completely unable to govern.

[Deebank]

David Mitchell summed up this shower of shte government in today's Observer:

They can’t equate public money spent with any meaningful object other than an aircraft carrier. Everything else is a failure of belt-tightening rigour. They hate the state and they’re impatient with detail. They slash and they slash and it makes them feel strong and ideological. And then, one by one, the schools fall down.

[yomptepi]

David Mitchell summed up this shower of shte government in today's Observer:

They can’t equate public money spent with any meaningful object other than an aircraft carrier. Everything else is a failure of belt-tightening rigour. They hate the state and they’re impatient with detail. They slash and they slash and it makes them feel strong and ideological. And then, one by one, the schools fall down.

Nice to see a third rate comedian and quiz show host keeping us informed on the government. Have you any quotes from Rylan or Alan Carr to cement the facts for us?

[naughty boy]

[Deebank]

David Mitchell summed up this shower of shte government in today's Observer:

They can’t equate public money spent with any meaningful object other than an aircraft carrier. Everything else is a failure of belt-tightening rigour. They hate the state and they’re impatient with detail. They slash and they slash and it makes them feel strong and ideological. And then, one by one, the schools fall down.

Nice to see a third rate comedian and quiz show host keeping us informed on the government. Have you any quotes from Rylan or Alan Carr to cement the facts for us?

You arguing with any of it?

[Samoan]

I can't stomach PMQs anymore, except with the volume off.
Johnson was bad with his mocking and teasing but greasy haired Rishi Rich sneers and sniggers particularly when " not this non-dom thing again " comes up.