herfiehandbag

He got the biggest share of the vote, and the biggest share of seats, by quite a long way, it would seem. I somehow doubt that means he will be in government- the new Netherlands government will probably look rather like the old Netherlands government! It's not just here!

It is so nice to see normal service has been resumed!

I had a look at "Creaky Floor". I've actually been a member, and occasional visitor since 2007 ( according to their stats, I didn't realise it had been so long). They do seem to suffer from a massive collective chip on their shoulder!

So, will it be extended to more modern methods of making payments? "The digital wallet payment is in the post" perhaps!

I've still got a couple of pairs of British Home Stores boxers, still going strong. BHS haven't been around for quite some time! Here, Big C seem to be OK

Trying to draw the attention of the moderators are we? I wasn't baiting, rather responding.

Many electorates fell at times for the "what this country needs is a strong man at the top" school of thought. There is a possibility that America is belatedly falling for that.

A problem compounded, quite possibly caused, by the way the school is run.

Oh I would say that we have had ample opportunities to form an opinion on your stance over the last month or so. This bluster is of little use to conceal the unpleasant reality.

An alternative point of view is that for the last month(s) the Metropolitan Police, or more particularly it's Commissioner have been doing everything that they can to undermine the Home Secretary...

I've just read the text of the letter. It is pretty devastating. One of the major problems which the Tory Party has is that the views of much of the Parliamentary Party are out of step with those of the constituency party and more widely those ( many voters at the last election) who elected them. That is how they ended up with Rishi Sunak as leader. The Parliamentary Party won't challenge him this side of the election, and will go down in flames at that election - they know that. Suella Braverman is positioning herself for a challenge after that defeat.

Yes, it's been improved!😀

I certainly wouldn't have done what they did on the 7th of October. Nor frankly, would any decent human being. But well done for coming clean. Way back at the start of these threads, within 24 hours of the attacks, I recall suggesting that you were an apologist for terrorism, and barbaric slaughter. Good to know I called it right, good to know that you haven't changed your tune. We know exactly where you stand.

So what are your views to the 1400 Israelis slaughtered on October the 7th, and the 142 kidnapped and held hostage?

Now then; Al Jazeera owned by and run by Quatar government. Now where do the bosses of Hamas live and operate from?

But, but, but Al Jazeera said...

Perhaps it is preferable to have IDF troops on the ground searching for and destroying the Hamas infrastructure rather than bombing the Hospital (it does rather seem to be remarkably undamaged doesn't it). With troops present, fuel, electricity, food and medical supplies can be brought in, without worrying about them being diverted to be used for other needs. Of course, if the IDF has identified a major ( perhaps the main) Hamas command centre under the biggest hospital in Gaza, well that might explain our little fat Portuguese socialist friends squealing!

There is a chap locally who has one of these big drones. He seems to be kept quite busy spraying - a good business. Basically you ring him up, explain what you want done, and he turns up, flies the drone and you pay him. Good idea to put it in the hands of civil servants, should make it more straightforward and cheaper to access the service - not! But hey, it's a budget to manage - they will need transport (new pick ups), communications (I phones) and mobile computing infrastructure (I pads). Of course potential users would be wise to keep "on side" with the managers ...

Infrastructure security will be the biggie...

Well I thought there was something different when the dogs started their "wake up Daddy" performance at 0600. Couldn't put my finger on it then, but it is obvious now!

Can't say I have ever noticed much open carrying of guns in public. The very occasional bank guard in Bangkok and, usually, one of the team which reload ATMs. Now clamping down on illegal possession - different matter.

Known in the army as "babies heads".

Maybe he comes from south of Doncaster? There is life down here you know! Cue the "professional Yorkshiremen"!

Before or after the sky falls in? The Chinese are not interested in us, they are only concerned with exerting control over the significant ethnic Chinese expatriate and emigre population, and of course the infrastructure they are planning (to the benefit of China. The Thais are only interested in us as a source of income which funds an element of their immigration police reasonably satisfied, both formally and informally.

Will the co-ordination centre be based in existing Chinese "diplomatic and trade missions", will they have field agents, powers to initiate and conduct investigations into persons who interest them, no doubt " jointly" with Thai police. What will happen when/if apprehended and whose justice system will deal with them? I suspect that this would be of much greater interest to the Chinese than the token presence of a few bluebottles in tourist areas. That however would establish a useful and visible reminder and legitimacy for a Chinese Police presence. The real game is affecting control over a large Chinese expatriate and ethnic emigre population, one with significant economic and political power.