Government Watch

We went into the East Sussex countryside today for lunch and were struck by the appalling amount of really bad pot holes and rubbish. All as a result of cut backs to the council grants. It never used to be like this, what people from abroad must think - it is embarrassing.

Anywhere near Hastings??

A depressing list, Eloethan.

A yougov poll shows that even Tory voters are fed up of the cuts and want them to stop.

yougov.co.uk/news/2016/03/16/cuts-approval-budget/

Better late than never, I suppose, but where have they been hiding their feelings?

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/124016

At least people are waking up now to what's happening.
The petition to reverse the £30 a week ESA cuts has reached over 100,000 in less than a week.

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/124702

To stop all schools becoming academies.
1660 already.

"Guess what? We've just heard that Network Rail is staying in public ownership! The government's Shaw Report which was considering 'full privatisation' has concluded:

“The report team has dismissed privatisation of the whole company…The report team is not recommending the introduction of private sector capital at the whole company level, recognising that, for the foreseeable future, Network Rail ownership will remain in the public sector.” "

Just received this from www.weownit.org.uk

A reason to be cheerful, for now.

If you go on the website, there is a tweet from Michael Rosen about the academisation of schools. New word for privatisation with public money, I think.

Still need to watch this government.

www.conservativehome.com/thetorydiary/2016/03/we-should-face-up-to-the-end-of-retirement.html

A few other articles on the website, about replacing doctors, and getting rid of the BMA as well as pensions.

It is frightening what they have planned and will find a way to get things through

It's like the benefits scandal. One reason he backed down over the removal of PIP was because those on ESA work related group are going to still lose £30.
The government said it was voted through by parliament, but it wasn't.
The House of Lords rejected it three times, and the government put it through on finance grounds. How can a government say it supports disabled people by taking £30 a week away from them?
We could do with a few real resignations from the Tory party to show we are all in it together.
Not holding my breath.

www.disabilitynewsservice.com/government-backtracks-on-pip-but-wrag-cuts-remain/

But they have compassion Jen, quickly lost if it comes with a price

As in we are compassionate, we really feel for you when we see you on the streets or at the food bank?

That!s it .jen, or as certain Tory MP said of the homeless - the people one steps on when leaving the opera , and the foreign secretary on the immigrants - we cannot take more, they will affect our standard if living

i1.wp.com/voxpoliticalonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/160325Cameron.png?w=600

I now find the reasons for leaving the EU farcical, we will be in control of our country again, really? America says jump and we jump now China says jump and we jump

Just read that even UKIP want to leave using EU rules. So the EU is okay for leaving, but not for staying in - except, of course, for UKIP MEPs. who get paid more than UK MPs. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-3520932/PETER-HITCHENS-Privatisation-Free-trade-Shares-great-ruined-Britain.html#ixzz44mkCcbPU

Good heavens! Shocked by this, but really pleased.
Just need a few more to take notice of him.

It is a shock Jen, but how true , this government knew they were bringing down Port Talbot, the town will become like Merthyr and if IDS was still in the job he could make another documentary telling the unemployed to find work in Cardiff

I so wish we still had the old telephone system

I was born in Hull, which actually had its own telephone system, but it was owned by the council, not privately owned.
Not sure who owns it now, as it's actually changing to KCom tomorrow, from Kingston Communications. So even if the old telephone system was nationalised, it would not include Hull.
Never had any problems when we lived there, though, as it was owned by the council.

Council owned? I have never heard of that

The government are advising the public sector to buy British-made steel which is more expensive than cheap Chinese imports, knowing that they are already strapped for cash following massive cuts to their finances inflicted by the Tories. Meanwhile, it seems, they are unwilling to apply tax sanctions on Chinese steel imports. Could it be that they are afraid of reciprocal sanctions being applied to British goods which would affect the profits of the Tory Party's wealthy benefactors?

China is already proposing tax sanctions on British steel!

They know their advising to buy British steel is one big joke , sick joke

Cream coloured telephone boxes, Anniebach, when everywhere else they were red.
It was the only non-BT system in the country.

Interesting about the German company which might buy the steel companies from Tata. Will the government allow it? What will be the difference between an Indian, Chinese or German company?

It will be a good reason for staying in the EU.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/apr/13/home-office-asylum-seeker-407-mile-detour-liverpool-london

Much more important than telephone companies.

How can they treat anyone like this?
They are saying they are going to deport him tomorrow!
Stupid, stupid people. I despair.

Are they barking mad , the poor man