UK General Election 2024

[Asmodean]

Yeah, we have some not dissimilar issues with regards to pensioners. The minimum pension is insufficient in a lot of places, and where the cost of living is low, the infrastructure a pensioner may appreciate, such as good public transport, easy access to healthcare and goods is often lacking.

Last winter, when the electricity prices in my general area were not-uncomparable to diesel, many a pensioner was literally left out in the cold. It's kinda' sad because many of those people have paid their taxes for decades prior to retiring. If nothing else, there should be a robust framework to aid them when they need it. What is a society that does not pay back those who built it..? A rhetorical question. The answer is, "get a globe. Throw a dart. Probably that one. Now, throw another. Probably that one too. Keep doin' it."

[Tank]

Labour announced they will hit vulnerable pensioners by removing winter fuel payments.
That applies in England and Wales but not Scotland.
Yet some parts of England are colder than in Scotland.
 

Vulnerable pensioners would be those already on benefits and they are not affected. There are plenty of people, me included, who do not need that subsidy yet I would have got it anyway which is ludicrous.

[The Magic Pudding..]

Labour announced they will hit vulnerable pensioners by removing winter fuel payments.

That Labour announcement was poorly worded.
They should hire a new spin guy, boo bad dirty fuel, save the fluffy polar bears.

[zorkan]

Pensioners who have a weekly income less than £218.15 can get the winter fuel payment.
Previously it was paid to all pensioners.
Those lucky ones who get over £218.14 may find themselves choosing between heating and eating.
I think it was Labour who introduced this benefit.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.

" It is a means-tested state benefit for low-income retirees over state pension age, which is currently 66 for both men and women, rising to 67 between 2026 and 2028. To qualify, you must live in the UK and have a weekly income of less than £218.15. For couples, this threshold is £332.95. "

[Asmodean]

boo bad dirty fuel, save the fluffy polar bears.

If absolutely nothing else, that would accomplish sending an enterprising The Asmo on a completely unnecessary and unplanned road trip in an diesel powered vehicle. Maybe even take a ferry or five. Those with massive chimneys on either side.

[zorkan]

One month in and Labour is having to deal with violence and unrest in towns and cities which they blame on the far right and not their own leftist policies.
Triggered by fatal stabbings at a dance class for young girls.
Deeper down the unwillingness to do much about illegal immigration.
I think the protestors have a point.

Who governs Britain? The recently elected Labour Party.

Who rules Britain? Ceremonially by King Charles III aided by all his advisors and hangers-on.

Who runs Britain? The capitalists who have created a massive wealth gap which is supposed to be good for us all.

But who really is in effective control here, and has been for generations?
An inner circle or secret society perhaps of intellectuals.
A trail might start here.
https://www.asc.ox.ac.uk/
 

[billy rubin]

was the stabbing event related to illegal immigration?

[Asmodean]

Who runs Britain? The capitalists who have created a massive wealth gap which is supposed to be good for us all.

The Asmo. He is being baited again, is He not?

A short and sweet reply, He thinks. The wealth gap you are referring to is an emergent property of some people succeeding in their enterprises in ways others simply cannot. It's not something being actively created. If we are both selling ice cream, though you sell a million units a year for 3 pound 50 a unit, while I only sell ten thousand units a year at 2 pounds a unit, then your potential wealth generation is far greater than mine. But you are the one selling more/better/smarter, so what do you owe me for my (relative) failures?

[zorkan]

Pesto explains.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Runs-Britain-Whos-Blame-Economic/dp/0340839449

[zorkan]

was the stabbing event related to illegal immigration?

Social media appeared to suggest so, but the arrested person, aged 17, was born in Wales.
Mainly teenagers were involved in the riots over the weekend. They didn't bother to fact check.

Everyone I speak to is upset about the number of illegal immigrants arriving on small boats.
They are processed and most are placed in comfortable hotels.
Smug politicians living in their own bubble are perceived not to care.

Tory government had a policy on sending them by plane to Rwanda, in an attempt to reduce the numbers.
No such flight ever took off.
Labour was elected and dumped the idea. They have not replaced it with their own deterrent.

[billy rubin]

you said the protesters have a point.

what is it?

[zorkan]

Elon Musk is saying that Britain is heading for an inevitable civil war.
There was civil unrest in Plymouth last night.
The point they (the "thugs") make is that successive governments have ignored the boat crossings, making only promises.
You can't fool all of the people all of the time.
Many find they can't afford to buy homes while the illegal immigrants are housed in 4 star hotels or go to the front of the queue for social housing.
This situation has simply gone on too long.
It's summertime and more people are out on the streets to make more trouble.

I can only advise individuals if they see trouble to just walk away from it.
It's not just the far right there is also provocation from the far left as seen in Plymouth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvAQmfwyttA

[Asmodean]

Elon Musk has made a very successful career by talking out of his bottom.

Yes, an unfortunate number of people listen to him unfortunately closely, but even a most superficial analyst would find that his "inevitable" is another man's "unlikely."

Oh, there may be violent riots and the like, but a civil war? Between what parties? Where be the head count of those heads that matter? Where would the UK military stand? What would cause the democratic process to fail?

It's a bit like with the more ardent "boog boys" over in States, though their claim accounts for at least a few variables. Closer to civil war than "yesterday?" Perhaps. Close to a civil war, especially irreversibly so? Nah.

[Tank]

The UK is nowhere near civil war 

[Asmodean]

Indeed, that is my impression as well. Social cohesion may be suffering in places, but I don't see a relevant party (as in, party to a potential conflict) either having no other option than armed rebellion or being able to secure a favourable outcome through one.

Societies are fluid that way, and in the more stable ones, you could take steps in the general direction of civil war for decades without ever sparking one.