Pandemic Politics and Economics

[sally maclennane]

I hate so much the easy ride he gets from the media. I keep thinking about how Ed Miliband who was happily co habiting until he became Labour leader and then hastily got wed because GOD FORBID we have a co habiting PM! Suddenly now it's different because it's Boris, what's he like, eh?

[Mountain Goat]

How will we know the difference?

True.

[Bat Macdui]

Light relief - @BCredibility on Twitter is tweeting analysis of bookcases behind public figures interviewed from their homes.

[Bat Macdui]

I watched PMQs over lunch (I know how to live life, really). And I am quietly impressed by Starmer and would note, like all other commentators, that Johnson's bluff responses do not play well when the chamber is empty and there's not all that godawful Eton mess of a booing and hoorahing. We should definitely ban all that when they all go back. It was miles easier to listen to as well.

[sally maclennane]

I saw KS on the news and thought he was very good, you can tell he was a QC in a previous life. So much better than Johnston and his bluster and waffle.

[Bat Macdui]

Also, I stand slightly corrected from my earlier 'WTF is Starmer doing' post, as commentators with more time to dedicate to this sort of thing (and interest) than I have seem to be of the opinion that Starmer was actually cutting a quiet but lethal swathe through LP admin. Hence the recent departures of Milne, Formby etc. I am sat here, patient, waiting for someone to dig a really big hole under Len McCluskey now.

[Marth]

Has Formby gone??

[Bat Macdui]

Resigned two days ago. It is quite easy to miss this sort of thing at the moment.

[Marth]

Resigned two days ago. It is quite easy to miss this sort of thing at the moment.

Oooooo I completely missed that. Anything to do with that bent report I wonder?

[Ella77]

Isn’t it just because she’s a mad Corbynite (?) and can’t stomach Keir Starmer? (I am so ignorant, so sorry if I’m wrong.)

[Marth]

Isn’t it just because she’s a mad Corbynite (?) and can’t stomach Keir Starmer? (I am so ignorant, so sorry if I’m wrong.)

There is that, but there's also a big kerfuffle about a leaked report.

[Ruby]

The leaked report is interesting, but not for the reasons that a lot of Corbynistas think. I'm glad Formby has gone and her position was untenable really. I will be interested to see who replaces her, as I think it's unlikely it will be Emily Oldknow now

[Roma]

So it seems as per the news the infection rate in the UK is already rising again. I really wish we’d stayed in total lockdown for at least another couple of weeks.

In other London news the Congestion charge in London is to start up again at a more expensive rate and with extended hours. Workers are encouraged to drive to work but then have to pay more to do so. I think with that rise and parking issues only the very well paid would even consider driving in.

I guess the government really only wants people to cycle and walk to London, but completely ignore the actual distances most London commuters have to travel. Everyone will just pile onto the tube and trains again...

[Roma]

Oh and also just read that the government will not extend funding to help rough sleepers in England. I despair with this government.

[Ella77]

That’s not quite fair. They’re* trying to make London (and other cities) safer for cyclists and pedestrians, and the increase in the congestion charge is intended to dissuade people from casual car use. There is a rebate scheme for front-line workers, including care workers.

If hypothetically I wanted to tool around in my car in town and go and visit people, I’d pay a higher congestion charge for the privilege. That’s fine by me, because it would be non-essential.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... down-eased


* the London mayor, not the govt. Very different people!

[Marth]

Yes our mayor has always been really invested in reducing car travel as pollution is so high in parts of London and is killing people. Also tfl have been compelled to do this by the govt in return for a few measly months funding by the govt. I am beyond pissed off.

[Marth]

Oh and also just read that the government will not extend funding to help rough sleepers in England. I despair with this government.

Yep. They are pulling the rug out asap

[Marth]

Yes our mayor has always been really invested in reducing car travel as pollution is so high in parts of London and is killing people. Also tfl have been compelled to do this by the govt in return for a few measly months funding by the govt. I am beyond pissed off.

Just to be clear, I'm not pissed off at the increased congestion charge, I'm pissed off at the conditions insisted upon by the govt to help TFL to September. The govt.are turning the screws. They hate Sadiq.

[smalex]

Do the government want to replace TFL or something? (I've no idea who owns tfl so 'scuse my ignorance). It seems insane to want to run it into the ground

[Pippedydeadeye]

They just want to break the unions.