RayC

A MAD 2025 indeed. And no doubt, an outcome most Western-hating Russians are also looking forward to.

Imo largely token measures e.g. banning of a dozen or so Russian nationals from the EU, etc. A much stronger response was needed. It was an invasion of a sovereign country with whom - but for Russian invention - the EU would have had a trade agreement. Too little was done by the EU at the time. Imo at the very least, a plan - and serious intention - to move away from dependency on Russian energy supplies should have been implemented in 2014, not 2022.

You didn't. That particular comment wasn't directed at you specifically. It was a general observation. However, I understand why you might think that it was directed at you. Apologies. Nevertheless, my point stands: This is a non-story. GB News are considering the future of one of their programmes ... And? It's no surprise that an organisation should review the performance of one of its' products. Yes, it would be a strange behaviour to complain about a TV programme which the person has not seen. However, it is an assumption that is the case. In any event, why assume that such behaviour is limited to lefties? It's no less (or more) likely that right-wingers who don't watch HIGNFY might complain about it.

Then it shouldn't take OFCOM very long to dismiss the complaints if that is the case. "(GB News) is reportedly considering axing the show after receiving thousands of complaints, including a formal petition and an ongoing Ofcom investigation". There is no suggestion that GB News are being forced to stop making the programme. They are making a business decision. This is a non-story.

Hopefully you will be able to sort things out quickly by phone. If not, I would write to Liz Kendall in her capacity as Secretary of State for Work and Pensions detailing what you have stated in this thread. Depending on when you left the UK you may still be eligible to vote. You will need to re-register as a voter. Once that is done, your MP would have no choice but to (at least) consider your grievance. I know that MPs are busy people but imo your ex-MP's reaction was appalling. Good luck

All no doubt true but I don't think that it negates the gist of @Hanaguma's point. Europe's move away from dependency on Russian gas only began in 2022. Putin invaded Crimea in 2014 and was supporting separatists in Donbass before that. The EU should have acted much sooner.

We clearly have a different definition of what constitutes oppression.

Or alternatively, All crows are black Crows are birds Therefore all birds are black

It appears that some others' even more pathetic lives revolve involve placing Trump on a pedestal, kissing his bodily parts and then making excuses for him when he fails to deliver on his promises.

Immediate stronger economic sanctions on Russia. An ultimatum issued to Putin that unless he agrees to an immediate ceasefire and negotiations, NATO will increase its' support for Ukraine to whatever extent necessary. Obviously this will US support. Unfortunately, doubtful this will be forthcoming.

Perhaps you are right but obviously neither is Trump. Trump has failed to end the war and has, arguably, damaged Ukraine with his personal attacks on Zelensky and his lukewarm attitude towards NATO.

Where have you been for the last few months? Did you miss the volitality on the financial markets? (The indices may be back to where they were but Trump's policies caused unnecessary chaos). As a US national, maybe you haven't noticed - maybe you even welcome it? - but the trust that the US traditionally enjoyed with her European allies have been severely weakened by Trump's policies. Maybe you haven't noticed - and perhaps, don't care? - that Trump's appeasement of Russia and indifference about Ukraine's fate has emboldened Putin? Maybe, unlike me, you don't actually consider any of that to be negative?

Yes.

To most of the world as a result of the instability caused by his policies.

How could the EU have bullied the UK after Brexit? The EU needs the UK more than the UK needs the EU. It must be true. It's what Brexiters told us before and after the Referendum.

Chapter 4 of 'Das Kapital'?

Your first comment: "The only thing that affects the market is Trump" Your second comment (one hour later): "Everything has a "major effect"" If that's not contradictory I don't know what is! I have no hatred of Trump - deranged or otherwise - but I believe that his foreign policies, notably wrt international trade and the war in Ukraine, have had a negative effect. One major consequence is that the US's traditional allies in Europe and Australisia have been alienated. Maybe Trump's policies are having a beneficial effect domestically in the US? That's for US citizens and nationals to judge. Internationally, his policies have - so far - been harmful.

Not 'everything' has a major effect but you are now contradicting yourself.

"Their powerful Trade Barriers, VAT Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies, and more ... ” Who pulled the plug on TTIP? One Donald J. Trump. VAT is a tax levied on (almost) all goods and services sold in Europe: It is also paid by European producers/ consumers. It is NOT an import tax Financial Trade barriers: "The European Commission says it charges an average tariff of just 1% on US products entering the EU market, "considering the actual trade in goods". It adds that the US administration collected approximately €7 billion of tariffs on EU products in 2023 compared to the EU's €3 billion on US goods." (Source: Euronews) Non-monetary trade unions: Like safety regulations? These apply equally to European producers. They are NOT import taxes Monetary manipulations: I guess Trump thought that he might as well throw that ridiculous accusation in for good measure Unfair and unjustified lawsuits against American Companies: You break the law, you pay the price. If there is no case to answer it will be thrown out of court But hey, let's not let the facts get in the way of a good rant. If Trump's goal is to alienate the EU and bring Brussels and Beijing closer together then I have to commend him: That strategy seems to be working extremely well.

I wouldn't say that Trump's actions are the 'only' thing which affects the market but they certainly have a major effect: That's the problem. The 'Thanks' and 'Agree' buttons are available for you to reply to me.

Not only are you the self-appointed champion of the working class, you are now the self-appointed judge of who gets to define themselves as working class and what moral values they must have. Rayner is not representative of the working class because you declare that she is not. I'm a 'Middle Class Liberal' - used in a derogatory sense - because it fits your narrative to define me that way without knowing anything about my background. (For the record, in terms of wealth I am now, fortunately, solidly middle-class and very pleased to be so. However, my family background is anything but). Many of your posts are snarling and full of derision for those who disagree with you, so it's ironic that you should complain about others acting in a similar manner. Islington? Only went there on the very rare occasions my team played at Highbury. Haven't been there in years. Wrong side of the river for me. You're right about one thing though, Jonny. You are never too old to learn. Give it a go.

Now that's enough of that defeatist talk. Pull yourself together, man. It's people like you who are causing the problem. You may not be British but you need to act in the UK's national interest like the rest of us. So starting today make sure that you cross your fingers and pray that Brexit turns out ok. If you are one of those atheist chappies, then it is acceptable to close your eyes really, really tightly and wish really, really hard for the success of Brexit.

It has everything to do with it. The fact that Labour has 62% of parliamentary seats having obtained 34% of the vote shows how flawed the system is. However, I doubt that you and others will complain so loudly if the Tories or Reform find themselves in a similar situation after the next election. Whoever uttered that quote clearly didn't understand that governments are meant to represent the will of the majority. FPTP fails dismally on that score. It is claimed that FPTP - unlike PR - delivers 'strong' government. To the extent that FPTP usually delivers a majority in parliament for one party that is true. However, how many radical governments has the UK had in the past 100 years? Atlee's in 1945? Thatcher's in 1984? The others have largely been variations on a theme.

You are both clearly dissatisfied with the current FPTP system. I agree it's undemocratic. Out of curiosity, were you both among the 13% of the electorate who voted in favour of the Alternative vote system in the 2011 referendum or has your view changed recently i.e. since June 2024?

No UK government has won > 50% of the vote for more than 50 years so why single out this government?