Should I vote Labour Mark 11

For all who read the Polling news regularly, the other day there was an interesting piece reminding people that the vast majority in the country don't read about or take any notice of policies ( when it comes to voting intentions.)It will sway a few but not enough to make any difference to voting habits.

Yes, it has, and so much better than the American system of bringing in all new staff every time an administration changes.

jalima civil servants are entitled to their political views the same as the rest of the population, the unbiased bit comes in as servants of the government. The endeavour to carry out the governments bidding. They are, through vast experience also able to advise and warn governments.

Our civil service has served us well.

This is an interesting article.
Tory voters who want a decent opposition take note.

kittysjones.wordpress.com/2017/05/13/theresa-mays-vapid-vision-for-a-one-party-state-william-davies/

So paid by the party whitewave? I suppose that is what I understood but I would like to know how much government information they get. I just find the idea a bit creepy and would like to know it is all above board - for all parties.

Yes, whereas civil servants are supposed to be non-political and completely unbiased

That must be it Jalima, thank you. Hard cases

Spads are a political appointment aren't they?

Maizie, Jen they were interviewing people on one of the politics programmes and I was amazed how many people hadn't heard S & S. Apparently this is why they say it so often. The MPs are told that just when they are reaching screaming point someone is hearing it for the first time. It's all part of the art (?) of organisational management I suppose, where the country is the organisation

Then end up in the House of Lords

A bit more about 'Special Advisers'(SPADS)

www.markpack.org.uk/68031/special-advisers-who-they-are-what-they-do-and-why-they-matter/

The book reviewed says that they are an important part of government. I don't understand why. As Jalima says, they are unelected and we know very little about them. We know how civil servants are meant to function (impartially and non politically) but SPADs are political animals and appear to be unregulated by any code of conduct. Worrying.

Good point Jalima. Does anyone know if there is any control on SPADs; what they can know, what they can be involved with, how they are paid, etc.? The do seem to be very involved without with the parties without being elected or part of the machinery of government.

I think the other case was Irene Clennell (similar name)

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-39884855

Very difficult to find anything as googling just brings up last year's reports but this is the one shown the other day

She came on a tourist visa to visit her family then fell ill whilst she was here five years ago.
Her daughter says:
She said: "They've done a medical assessment on Mum, so that to me looks like they're trying to prove that she can fly, to deport her."
But that may not be the case, the medical assessors may decided she cannot fly and must stay here and continue her treatment.

I am trying to find out Gracesgran, certainly she was on the local news (very distressing) only a couple of days ago.

The reality of our government is that PMs have to deal with 'Events dear boy events' and do so mainly with the guidance of senior civil servants who provide the information on which they base their decisions

Hello Caroline
I think that was probably the case in years gone by - as epitomised, of course, in that great series 'Yes Minister'. Ministers were in charge of departments but the civil servants guided. However, there seems to have been an increased trend in recent years for 'special advisers' to be appointed who appear, quite often, to have been the power behind any utterances from No 10 - one of the most prominent/notorious depending on your point of view being Alistair Campbell. Is this trend continuing and is it a good thing or undemocratic? - after all, these people seem to wield enormous power but are unelected.

I thought the Irene Nel case had been sorted out Jalima. Was there another similar one?

Re: durhamjen Sat 13-May-17 09:41:46

I am surprised that the LP has not backed PR. It would make it a lot easier for Liberals to vote 'anti-May'.

www.change.org/p/rt-hon-theresa-may-mp-the-government-to-put-aside-immigration-law-and-use-compassion-for-a-dying-mother

Another link to a petition to allow Irene Nel to stay here with her family

I can't see why Irene Nel is being deported either (it has been on our local news more than once) when other people have been allowed to stay for much less obvious reasons.

The Forestry Commission includes all the trees that you regularly see logged when driving through forestry plantations.
That's okay for the environment, but not for the ancient trees, the Northern Forest, etc.

I think they are responsibly managed in the main djen although it was alarming to see a large tract of forest chopped down behind a relative's house and wondering if there could be a landslide as a consequence. It has now been replanted and is growing well.
Because of disease there has been a lot more 'logging' lately.

Have you also noticed, Maizie, that Tom Watson has surfaced, too, to criticise Corbyn.
I wonder where he's been for the last few weeks. He could go away again for the next month. He wouldn't be missed.

I still haven't worked out who are the many and who are the few

Yes, I read that, too. I wonder where they have been for the last month.
Do 85% of the population switch off when the news is on?
I know some on here do, but it's not 85%. Not even 50%, I would think.

I have solved the problem of unpleasant / bossy / mocking posts.

When starting a thread on politics in the O/P put a list of ,who must not be criticised , who must be praised, remind posters opinions are not welcome but links and copy and paste long,long,long posts most welcome.

Sorted